Took us about 8 hours to get here. This is our first time attending this event and I'm quite impressed with the site.

6 drivers in BS. Talked to Travis for quite a bit and he has no hard feelings from DC. He didn't submit any paperwork to the SCCA, so he lost the Appeal due to lack of paperwork (he has put his entire A/C system back in the car for the Toledo Pro).

The new Streilneks DS car (135i) looked stupid fast today in practice starts cutting 1.9 60fts and keeping up with AS until the end of the straight (even the announcer mentioned something about this)!!!

Courses are interesting with many slower turns strewn throughout -- cars that can put the power down well & early should do well this weekend.

-Chike

 

Btw, it was nice meeting Chris H., John R. and Beth (Mazdagirl) for the first time today.

Shawn and I got another chance to weigh the car before Nats. Had a slightly lower fuel load than when we weighed in DC (still about 3 gallons too high) -- came in at 2,866lbs this time so we're getting closer to my 2,850lbs target weight.

 

Day 1 results: Toledo Pro SAT

Travis has about a 0.1 lead over Harvey. Both are driving very well.

 

Am I reading things wrong, again, or does Travis actually have a bit more than half a second over Chris?

In any case, getting straight timed by both CS and FS doesn't look good...pick it up, guys!

JK, it's just practice day, after all....

 

You're reading it right. My brain is just sun-soaked right now!

Harvey mentioned in impound that he hasn't had a decent left-side yet. Hill says he has time out there still on both sides. Tomorrow should be fun.

I'm the heel of the class, but getting more comfortable in the car. Car was pushing quite a bit for us, so my co-driver and I softened the FSB and the car felt much better in the afternoon. From the MaxQ, I have some pointers on where to improve for tomorrow. I already know this season will be for experience - I'll definitely be back in BS in '09...

 

John V leading AS

fwiw, my Z4 3.0 routinely ran 1.9 60 ft times, best was a low 1.8 at Forbes on 275 Hoosiers, so Strelniek's times aren't that much of a surprise to me, the lack of an LSD doesn't seem to inhibit the BMW setup

 

I should add this about the Toledo Pro courses - I did my course walks Friday & Saturday morning with Disimo. He absolutely hates these courses as they remind him of Karen Babb's course at Solo Nats last year. Absolutely no transition elements (slaloms, etc.) just sweeper after sweeper with slow 30-35mph corners in between.

Course definitely favors cars with torque...

 

found some final results while sitting in the airport

http://www.scca.com/popup/raceresult...12144&file=311

sorry bud, but a Solstice doesn't have that much torque

 

Random Toledo Pro Observations/Thoughts:

- It was great to meet another bunch of new B-stockers.
- Darrin's new/updated ProSolo software, combined with helmet bar codes, rocked. This was the smoothest run ProSolo I have ever been to.
- Can I have one more shot at the left side...please? 2 redlights, a missed shift and overdriving are not the way to get it done.
- RX8 and 968, 60 ft times are nearly identical on this surface. Both Travis and I had low 2.10's as our best. I believe he was spanking me when we pulled second and digging out of second gear on the three turns where we were in the low 30 mph range.
-Congrat's to Travis on the win, he drove well all weekend.
-Big Congrat's to my co-driver, he finally came out of his shell on his last two runs and almost got it done.
-To make the Super Challenge, you had to be within .190 of the class winner...wow.

Chris H

 

Rick Ruth has Pro Solo Index results up: http://sccaforums.com/forums/storage...inal_Index.pdf
Not saying the Solstice is a torque king, but the 2.4L engine definitely helps the CS solstice pull out of the slower corners faster than torque challenged cars (MX-5, RX-8, etc). I know Disimo was having trouble touching Stone's times on these courses.
It was great meeting you as well Harvey. Fun weekend, and I'm glad I made the trip. I'll see you and John in Topeka.

 

Mark,

That link doesn't work anymore for some reason???

Here's a link to the .pdf with the final Sunday results: Toledo Pro final results

P.S. Congrats to Travis on some solid driving and a great win!

 

C-stock Solstice, my 2 cents - With 285's on 8" wheels and -2.5 degrees of camber (or more), they love 90 degree corners. It's not so much the torque, but the ability to carry speed through the middle of the turn and thus have a higher exit speed. Add into the equation the lack of transitions at this event, which tend to help the Miata's/RX-8's overcome the advantage, and Dan Stone working his butt off to improve his driving over the last three years, the result is not a huge surprise.

Chris H
C-stock 99-2006
B-stock 07-08

 

Congrats to JohnV on the AS win, that Porsche Boxster S is closing in on STI & 'Vette, and S2K.

MR2-T stepping up on the west, and 968 getting it done on the east, RX-8 is really coming under spotlight I'll say.

 

Ruggles' 350Z also got it done in DC. Seems like the class will have some good diversity this year which in my book is a great thing!

P.S. Definitely a great job in AS by John V.!!!!

 

Getting kudos from The Unknown One™ gives me tinglies. Thanks, dude.

Curious why our 60' times sucked so bad. Felt like every run had wheel hop which we haven't really had much of this year.

 

RT's & 60ft's are posted: Toledo Pro RT's & 60fts

 

Awesome win John ! Your 60 ft times only looked bad to the guys you beat [ everyone ]

Sorry I didn't get over and meet a few more of the BS guys, I was busy trying to make my S2000 blend in with the CS guys [ of course they were beating me as well ].

John