January 10th, 2010
Event 1 of 4 for the 2010 Spring Series
by Dave Lahey
Welcome to ... The Outer Limits
There is nothing wrong with your computer screen. We are controlling transmission. ... For the next few moments, sit quietly and we will control all that you see ... You are about to participate in a great adventure. You are about to experience the awe and mystery which reaches from the inner mind to... The Outer Limits.
"The Outer Limits" television show from 1960-61 (and reborn in 1995) was straight action and suspense, which often had the human spirit in confrontation with dark existential forces from within or without. The show presented stories which made us think; and even ponder human existance and relation to the universe, and among ourselves and to the planet, long before many other television programs. Unlike contemporaries like Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone, it was more intellectual; more ... Out There.
{For episodes, go to hulu.com and Search for "The Outer Limits - Original"}
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Course designer Britt Dollmeyer used the legal "Outer Limits" of Skidpad 4 on this January day, and challenged us with a course around the perimeter, with a loop near the start to give it some length. It was up to each driver to "control the horizontal" in order to make the best of this clockwise course. It was challenging, smooth, and quite quick for most cars. There were fast parts, slow parts, tight and open corners, and those little tricks that often turn up in Britt's course; trying to sucker you into too much speed at the wrong time, or giving the illusion of a tight section where it was not. It was a great way to start out the new year here in Arizona; temps in the 70s, a mostly sunny day, and a chance to explore one's own relation to the asphalt universe and explore ... Outer Limit.
Wiggle your way off the start line and into the loop, and tightly around to the right, then up into the the loop through a switchback, arc over the top, but watch that pinch on the return side, and the offset up the return side. Then watch your speed on the bottom, but build up a bit to the offset and 3 cone slalom up the side and into a couple more wiggles and tricks across the west end of the lot, followed by a 4 cone slalom, and to the finish. Did our trickster get you; lull you into speed when it shouldn't be used? Did you get it right? Did you touch that Outer Limit of your skills and capabilities, or perhaps even take an errant step over it? Or did you get it just right, and look over to the clock and give a mighty "Whoop!?"
Most folks are clammoring over this one, and want to give it another go one day, so it is most likely going into the Keeper pile. It was certainly a challenge for every kind of car, and really didn't favor one over another. The weather was also interesting, with many dressed in polar bear suits in the morning (except for polar BEAR Kevin O'Neill in his shorts and t-shirt!? - forgot his jacket, but found one later). As the sun warmed things up a bit, the layers came off and the midday sunshine and warmth was great; not only for the people, but the surface. It clouded over a bit later, so that the later groups had a cooling surface to work with, and Time Only runs were in cooling conditions.
Fast Freddie Zust once again showed his tail to the rest of the field, taking Fastest Time in his 2005 XP FrankenLotus Elise, running a wicked quick 34.380. That's almost TWO FULL seconds quicker than next best Kevin Gleaton in his SSM 1999 Mazda Miata, at 36.164, who jumped up way up into the overall fast times this time out. Right on his tail, though, was Doug Rowse in his 2003 DSP BMW 330, with a 36.186, and then Steve Eymann in his ASP Porsche Gt3 at 36.441. Fifth fastest overall, was Clint Child in the Clement Mitsubishi Evo RS (on street tires!?) at 36.669, followed by the last of the 36 second cars, Ted Lewis in his ASP Lotus Elan, 36.695. Kevin Venisnik in his CSP Miata was next at 37.205, followed closely by Dave Lahey, only .009 adrift of Kevin's time. Rob Rockefeller thrashed out a 37.225 in his B Stock 2003 Honda S2000, followed by another outstanding drive; Matt Soeffner in the Burrows' 1999 Mazda Miata 10AE, running STR (more street tires folks!) with a 37.389, rounding out the top ten.
Flip things over to PAX sorting, and Fred is one again da man, but with things shuffled around a bit. In second was Doug Rowse, followed by Clint, then Dave Rock in his ST Celica, Matt in the STR Miata, Rob in his S2000, and then Brian Peters driving Tim Bergstrom's BMW in the seventh slot. Steve Eymann shows eighth, with course designer Britt in his trusty ST Civic Si ninth, and Kevin Gleaton in tenth. That makes HALF of the top indexed guys on street tires; a testament to the great tires available these days, and some fantastic driving in well prepared cars.
In the new and burgeoning class of STR, Matt Soeffner put in what has to be one of the drives of the day. Matt has taken to the second generation Miata on street tires like a fish to water, and pulled off a demon-fast run of 37.389; a time which would have been third in the 5 deep R tire shod CSP Miata class (and not by much!), and put him in both Top Ten lists. This left the CSP gang grumbling and mumbling about old worn out tires, but left Matt BEAMING! Don Sattler took the second spot in STR with some new suspension bits and a brand new set of Hankook R-S3 tires on sparkling new wheels, at 38.435. In third was Larry Burrow, saying that he knew the car could do it, "It just needed a good driver," followed by Clayton Saffell in his '07 MX-5, and Eric Malsack in his 2009.
Speaking of CSP Open, Kevin Venisnik took his first win in the class, and was ecstatic! "My tires are a year and a half old," he said, but he drove the heck out of them, and took first place in his '93 Miata, but not by a whole lot. Just .009 behind was Dave Lahey, also on worn old Hoosiers, "with over 100 runs on them," driving Steve Ashcraft's blue '90. Steve was in third, with newcomer, though veteran Miata driver Tom Tkacik jumping into Kevin's car. The margin of time for all four competitors is just a tick (and a very small one) over half a second!
Clinton Campbell made the trek down the mountain (from Sedona now, not Flagstaff), and took the ST class in his Mini over Brock Palmer, Subaru Imprezza, Josh Johnston in his 240SX, and Dane Traines' VW Bug 'Vert. Dave Branson continues to scare off any other STS cars, for now, and took that class. In the other one-car classes, Mike Terrey took SS in his Z06, Joe Sandoval won ES Open, Evan Brom took FS, and JEff GOggin won GS in an Audi A4. Oh, and then there is Tim Bergstrom in STU and Paul Hamersly in SSM. Richard Damp took the STX Open win over Ryan Bernhotz and Chris Kohler; a BMW sandwich with a Civic in the middle. Michelle Abbate took the win in SM in an '03 Mazdaspeed Protege' over Jeff Abrams RX8.
In the PRO category, Ted Lewis once again rises to the top in his '65 ASP Lotus Elan over Mindi Cross in her '06 DS Mini Cooper S and Marcus Meyer in an '07 Corvette. Colleen O'Neill took the PAX Ladies class in the Evil Audi TT over Deb Eymann in the family Porsche GT3, Mitzi Burrow in the family Miata, Teresa Clement in the family EVO, and Mandy Bennett in another Miata.
Sportsman is where you will find most of the "serious" folks, with many National Champions, and some of the best drivers and well-prepared cars. Fred Zust climbed to the top of this heap, with Doug Rowse second, Clint Child third, Dave Rock in fourth, and Rob Rockefeller fifth. Brian Peters was next, followed by Steve Eymann, Britt Dollmeyer, Kevin Gleaton (pictured), and Dawn Maxwell rounding out the top 10 out of 25 entries. If this looks like a "who's who" of AZSolo autocrossing, Steering Committee members, or a list of driving instructors for our school, or the Top Ten Fastest or PAX, there is a reason!
Chad Mizner put the hurt down in the smack-talkin'est ST1 class over Scott Meyers, Mike Rogers and Rick Paradis. Newcomer John Leonhardt was fifth, followed by Chris Steele, Weldon Knape, Jim Witkowski, Mike Mah, and Jon Roesch. This is a real plethora of all kinds of different cars in different classes, but all on street tires.
In ST2, it was Jeff Israel edging out Todd Houser, with David Manley and Adam Vega in a virtual tie for the third spot, followed by Dustin Schertz, Jana Sutton, and John Rodhouse. Jeff and Jana made the trek up from Tucson, mixing it in with the rest of the crew. In the STL class, Gwen Hanigan-Baily outdrove Glenda Meyers, VW R32 being faster than the V6 Mustang this day.
In the Novice classes, NV1 shows MiniStu Lasswell in the top spot over Dave Camarillo in an R32, Erich Weber in a Jetta, and George Ray in an '08 Vette. FOr NV2, Phil Delao drive Ted's Lotus Elan to the top spot over Jose Soto in a Mazdaspeed 3, followed by Zack Foulk in his '67 Bug, and Boyan Vasilev in his '95 Eclipse. Will Chun (pictured) took the NV3 win over Steve Carter in his new (to him) '95 Miata, followed by Pat Compagnola in an '02 Mini Cooper S, and Jeff Burrow in the family Miata.
This month's "Most Entertaining (and perhaps frustrated?) Driver" Award has to go to Mark Johnson, who jumped into Ted Lewis' ASP Elan for some of the more interesting spins and slides, including a complete 360! Always smiling, though, Mark takes it all with a grain of salt, a smile, a laugh and a good attitude. It didn't help Mark that he was in an early run group, so the surface was cold, tires not up to temp, and a car that is, shall we say, a bit skittish? That's an understatement!
All in all a fantastic day, with great weather, a super fun and challenging course, and lots of folks making their move in the new year. Some phenomenal drives, and some new folks joining the fray. We are all looking forward to the next one, February 7th, so mark your calendar, and see you there !!!
Thanks to Rob Rockefeller and Dave Lahey for the photos featured here and on the Arizona Autocross Photos website.