THSCC Forums

Only took my point-n-shoot, but here are pics from today's action...

http://gallery.donniebarnes.com/onelap-vir

Of note, Brian Smith (former winner and one of the drivers on my team from the 13 hour enduro last year) is done. The Hennessey Viper they were running blew something serious. I believe I heard him call it a "development car" anyway, but it still sucks.

Ashraf may have some pictures and notes to share as I ran into him there.


--Donnie

gots to say Donnie, that is one fine looking tractor.

Mine:
http://www.fd3stech.com/gallery/oloa2006

My friend Bill:
http://www.ee.duke.edu/~wrankin/one_lap_photos/

I was up there last year and it takes some effort to get pictures of everything out there with the entrants staging for the various events (they ran South course, then North, then Full). It's a tight ship - you get there, do your runs, and get moving to the next track ASAP, there is very little time to do anything. We managed to help "our team" (the Twin Vision RX-7) change the oil on their car before lunch and that was about all the time they had for tinkering before the running full course and packing to head to the next venue. Bill ran one of the blue Ultima's crew members out to the parts store to find a metric fastener (we really felt their pain) between runs while the other one flailed on the car. Apparently the rear bonnet popped up at speed during one of the transit legs and ripped apart the mounting structure...

Bill and I were spectating at T3-T4 and saw the Viper starting to puff smoke and had a feeling that meant trouble. It was possibly the loudest car coming through there, the Ultima and the team Adee lightened twin-turbo Viper (800hp at current tune, capable of 1000hp or so) was almost silent in comparison. I also saw quite a few cars sideways through T3 and T4, it was quite entertaining seeing their interpretation of "the line". It seems as if very few of them slowed down enough for T4 and most of them were early apexing it. Kline in the M5 was just dancing through there braking late into the turn to get the car to rotate. He was very pleased with it's performance hearing him talk about it in the paddock and from what I understand, very personable and helpful.

There was one new STi that drifted EVERY corner from what I could tell. I swear the first time he came througn Nascar bend, I was sure he was going to end up in the tires but apparently he's one heck of a hot-shoe.

Regards,
--Ashraf

Was they Ken Block in the DC Shoes STi?

- dow

And, did any Miata's pass him?

_________________
Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.

The Hennessey Viper had problems on day two of One Lap this year. He had an oil pressure problem (as in no oil pressure). He got that fixed in Iowa and carried on. His car then at VIR began running dangerous oil temps and decided to park it before he did more damage. (BTW, he only had one day of testing in this car -- the car was completed the week before the event started)

Danny Popp in the z06 had his engine die on him at the same event in Iowa. he then trailered his car home to Ohio, put in a new z06 motor and met up with them again at the Oval track in Florence SC. He was doing well until the failure and has done well again after getting back 'in line'. (BTW, he finished building this car the Thursday before the event.)

Ron Adee's Viper is quick it should be noted that it is actually a twin turbo'd Chevy engine in that thing. It is no more a Viper than it is a Saturn. That thing is a BEAST.

But OLOA proves one thing. Consistent, reliable transportation and a skilled driver will do well. Finish each event in a good position and let attrition be your friend.

Looking forward to doing the 'lap' next year. Any other Tarheeler's doing it next year?

adamb

_________________
Adam Breakey
Founder - www.autocrossforum.com
SS 75 Red(isfasterthanyellow) Z06

Rod asked me if I was interested in doing it with him. It's still tentative, but he's thinking about doing it in an E55 or perhaps a Scion Tc prepped and provided by Toyota Motorsports. Neither of those is confirmed in any way, but he's talking to people. I said I'd gladly drive whatever.


--Donnie

Cool -- that would be great to have 'friends' along side. Just stay out of the SSGT1 Small Bore class... I would hate to beat up on you in such a public place.

adamb

_________________
Adam Breakey
Founder - www.autocrossforum.com
SS 75 Red(isfasterthanyellow) Z06

Funny, I was going to offer to give you lessons along the way. *cough*




--Donnie

_________________
Carl Fisher

Be Cool to the Pizza Dude:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor ... Id=4651531