2011 Trans-Am Series – Round #2 Update

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The second round of the Trans Am Challenge was held this past Saturday the 23rd following the Slot It Challenge race.  The first round of the Trans Am Challenge was memorable for the amount of time the cars spent on two or fewer wheels and by the frantic actions of the few marshals to keep the cars up right.

The second round was a vast improvement as it looked like the racers had a better handle on their cars and there were more marshals to work the circuit.  The second round was also the first race for new club member Clark Knopic.  Unlike the rest of the racers, he didn’t exactly have much practice as he just purchased his Trans Am car an hour before the race and removed the magnet only minutes before the start of the first heat.  This would force most racers to drink but not Clark.  He was cool as a cucumber and didn’t even work up a sweat – which was unusual as everyone else was sweating in the 85 degree heat. 

The racing was really good as Russell, Shawn, Jim and Brian were all within in five laps of each other at the end of the day with Jim’s third place car and Shawn’s second place car separated by only five feet.  The big difference for Russell was his smooth driving style.  His lap times were good but his consistency was great.  In the post race press conference Russell was asked if his driving style made the difference.  His answer, “yes”.  “Speed is nothing without control” he said.  There you have it.  Looks like consistency wins races.  Something for the rest of you racers to think about. 

Almost as a side show, Ary and Marty spent the last two races of the day bumping fenders, quarter panels, tires, roofs and everything else in order to bring a sense of realism to the event.  It looked like the famous Mark Donahue – Parnelli Jones battles from 1971.  Crashing was about all Marty could do with his Pioneer Mustang as it sounded like the transmission was about to go.  Ary, running a similar Pioneer Mustang, had the same sound but was still able to set the fastest lap.  There were rumors in the pits that Ary had increased the bore in his motor and thinned out the body of his car using the old acid bath trick.  Either way it was very fast.

The next race will take place on May 7th and will be the first race on the calendar.  The new format will have the Slot It Challenge follow the Trans Am Challenge.  Hope to see everyone there.

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