Buttonwillow - AROSC TT, Race & Enduro - May 28 & 29

[Clark]

For two full days at the end of May, the Alfa Romeo Owners of Southern California (AROSC) is hosting their annual TT, Race and Enduro at Buttonwillow Raceway. http://www.arosc.org They will be running the full track clockwise. Buttonwillow is designed as two full loops, each of which can function as a full road course. In their road tests, Road & Track usually uses the West loop, but the AROSC uses the whole thing at once. With over 30 corners, we'll need all the practice sessions to get it right! For their TT event, the AROSC will allow you to register in Novice Time Trial (unless you already hold a competition license). This enables you full unrestricted priveleges on the track (passing on straights only) plus classroom training/debriefing after each practice session. For their wheel-to-wheel racing events, you are required to have a racing license from AROSC, SCCA, NASA, etc. Saturday night after the 2 hour and 40 minute enduro, the club is hosting a catered Barbeque dinner (great tastes at $15/person plus Michelob Amber Bach for $1.00 a stein).

If that isn't enough, we are trying to get Pierre Demartines to join us from Northern California for the Enduro (with his Birkin endurance racer). If he makes it, we'll have a tremendous opportunity to discuss our budding competition activities and the Sevens Challenge he's promoting.

Finally, I'm qualified with the AROSC to perform Tech Inspections, and will do those for CCC members Friday afternoon in Buttonwillow at the Super 8 Motel (661) 764-5117, or at the track Saturday morning.

Let's go Racing!!

[magnusfeuer]

Miwako and I are on!

This is exactly what we need as an next step in our club evolution!

Excellent work Clark.

/Magnus F.

[Doug Liedblad]

I should be able to make it.

This is Memorial Day weekend so you'll have a day to recover.

Doug

[moosetestbestanden]

Looks like I can't attend as I'll be traveling. This is exactly what I am looking to do too. Rats.

Will there be similar events later in the year Clarke?

[Clark]

Chris,
I'm planning to run at least some of the remaining AROSC events this year. The AROSC event schedule is posted on their club's website. http://www.arosc.org
Beyond that, Magnus, Brad, Michael and I (and any others with ideas??) are trying to figure a suitable direction for CCC future track activities, licensing and competitions. We'll keep this progress posted for all to see!

Best wishes,

[Roll a 7]

I'm a "definite maybe" on BW.

[magnusfeuer]

Today, when I visited my dentist for a briefing on some upcoming dental surgery, we realised that I may not be fully recovered after the surgery prior to the race.

Although it would be fun to do Button Willows on drugs, I don't know if the rest of you agree on this. Also, if I bang my head to hard, I may end up spitting sutures, blood and other yucky stuff. Even if this looks very manly, tough and sexy, I doubt it would improve my lap times.

I will check if I can reschedule my dental slaughter fest to an earlier date. I'll know tomorrow.

/Magnus F.

[slomove]

Another "maybe" here. I hope long before end of May I will have the clutch replaced, new smaller alternator and carbs changed to TB's with injection but there is lot of other stuff going on in the meantime. I guess I will know more in 2 weeks.

Gert

[magnusfeuer]

Gert,

You can have my clutch plate.... Just a few thousand miles on it.

/Magnus F.

[Clark]

Good morning,
Pierre Demartines, a longtime Seven enthusiast has agreed to join us in Buttonwillow for the AROSC event. He's been instrumental in organizing the Sevens Challenge through NASA in Northern California and would like to discuss organization and participation in the Challenge for our Southern California group. He recently talked with Woody Harris of NASA, and is familiar with the topics Magnus and Woody already discussed about our track and competitive interests.

I'd like to urge all of our CCC members to make a special effort to attend the AROSC TT, Race and Enduro at Buttonwillow, and join us while we talk with Pierre. Let's show him our strength and enthusiasm!! This event is going to provide an important step in our club's direction and development. Wouldn't you like to be part of it?

Best wishes,

[magnusfeuer]

I can only emphasize what Clark says.

NASA is looking into setting up a national championship for Sevens, for wheel to wheel and/or time trials. This would be a huge boost for all of us as Seven owners from all over the nation can get together and compete against each other in an organized form.

I'd also like to stress that this is an expansion, and not a shift, of the club's focus. We will still do blats and track events that are novice-friendly. What we are trying to do here is to offer a path for growth and evolution for those of us who are interested in taking the next step in our Seven experience.

As a fallout of this, we will probably have to sit down and formalize a few things, such as a board, club rules, membership fees etc. Brad and I can lay the ground on this and get back to you.

/Magnus F.

[Michael Murphy]

30 corners... I'm in.

[Anonymous]

MM: I had promised to deliver you a cold Fosters if you made it to the Streets earlier this month. I very much regret not having to pay up!! The offer stands any time you join us @ a SoCal event!!! Brad

[moosetestbestanden]

Although it would be fun to do Button Willows on drugs, I don't know if the rest of you agree on this.

I'm not sure if the rest of us would notice any difference, nor would a stopwatch :lol:

Besides, you know what they say: you have to slow down to go fast. Of course, as long as you'd be willing to share...

[Michael Murphy]

I had my first Super Seven experience 16 hours after minor back surgery under general anaesthetic. I drove one of Will's rentals at Willow.

The drugs had absolutely no effect at all. My reflexes were spot on. Although I was surprised at the number of purple mushrooms growing on the track.

Brad, I'm always good for a free beer so I'll do my best to show at BW. The entry form is in the mail.

[Clark]

Several people have asked questions about filling out the AROSC entry for the upcoming event at Buttonwillow. The PDF format entry form and information flyer is available under "2005 Events" on the http://www.arosc.org website.

At the top of the form, fill in the usual personal information, and circle your appropriate competitive event experience level. "Experienced" means you hold a current competition license from an organization like SCCA, NASA, AROSC, etc. "Intermediate" indicates some track competition experience such as time trials or karting, but no formal license. "Beginner" indicates no formal track competition, but maybe open track events, schools, or maybe, just no track experience. At AROSC events, all drivers without formal competition licenses are required to place an "X" on the back of their car, and attend Novice Time Trial debriefings after each practice session. These sessions are terrific. I attend them as often as possible to get new ideas, driving line suggestions, etc.! For the entry form blanks that don't apply to you, just enter N/A.

In the middle of the form, sign and date the waiver. Below that , enter your car information. Lap times, just leave blank unless you have basis for knowing what you and your car can do. During the Buttonwillow practice sessions, we'll get some lap times for staging your car prior to the official timed event on Sunday.

Under "Classification: Non-Alfas:" enter the requested specs for your car. They will use this information to class your car based on expected performance: power/weight, tire stickiness, etc. I typically run in class "N" with my stock Zetec Seven. With slicks and engine mods, you might be put into a faster class - OR if we have enough Sevens, the AROSC will let us run as our own Super Seven class!

For "Status & Fees," check the Time Trial (or any other category you are qualified for and wish to enter). I'd suggest you also consider attending the Barbeque the AROSC is hosting after the Enduro. At only $15 a head, this is going to be a blast: good wholesome sticky food, a little brew, and great stories abounding! 'Nuff said. Write a check and send it in to Terry Watson.

Let me know if you have any questions. As I mentioned in an earlier posting, I'm authorized to perform Tech Inspections for AROSC events, and will be happy to inspect your vehicles Friday afternoon at the Buttonwillow Super 8 Motel or Saturday morning at the track. See you at there!!

Oh yeah, next year how about let's get ready and plan on competing the Enduro. A couple of Will's cars almost won it all two years ago!

[slomove]

O.K., I am in.

I got my clutch replaced with Stan's generous help. We used a sailboat sheet hoist to lift out the engine. I guess such a clutch job is one of the rites of Seven ownership passage but what a shitty job.....

Alternator and exhaust bracket are also repaired so nothing in the way to come to Buttonwillow :P

Gert

[Doug Liedblad]

Can we get a count of who's coming?

I'm in.
Michael Murphy
Gert
Clark
Pierre
Magnus?
Brad?
M. Bedard?
Others?

Check the entry form to be sure you can pass tech. 5 point belts needed for sure.

Again, Clark says he will do tech for us at the track or on Friday.

[Roll a 7]

At the moment the rest of my life is conspiring to make sure that I'm not able to live my real life as a 7 racer during that weekend in the guise of schedule conflicts. Still very iffy that I will be there; although I desperately want to be there!!

One suggestion to Clark/Doug/Magnus: Call Buttonwillow and reserve a garage ASAP. The cost is $125 for the 25X25 space for the weekend. This will accomodate 4-6 sevens and give you guys a place to work on the cars and hide from the searing June San Joaquin Vallium sun. It's really hot there in JUne and you can split the cost among several cars @ $20-30 each. It wil be worth every cent of it to be able to get out of the sun at will. And you can leave the cars there overnight. Do this soon as there are not many. If I knew I was going I'd do it myself, now.

Still hoping to see all of you there!! I'm scheming and plotting how to make this happen.

[slomove]

Brad, you can't do that :shock: You just got to come!

The Time Trial is the definite chance to settle the dispute with Magnus 8)

Gert

[Doug Liedblad]

Brad

I called the track yesterday and asked about a garage.

They said a maximum of two cars per garage.???

I didn't ask about parking overnight but will on Wednesday.

Doug

[Roll a 7]

They told me two/per, also. However, I doubt if they employ "garage police" to bust offenders, and with most of the cars running two is likely to be the # that will fit. 7s ARE different. Even if the rule is enforced it would provide a decent work area and give everyone one a shady spot to hang out. The cars can be parked outside the doors, if necessary.

Relief from the sun is maybe the biggest benefit. It will be brutal.

I'm still trying to attend!

[slomove]

Brad, hope it will not be that bad with the temperature. AccuWeather long range forecast at Buttonwillow for mid May is cloudy and in the 60-s! Maybe we will appreciate a little sun by end of the month :?

Gert

[Anonymous]

Dr. Gert: I was @ Buttonwillow with the Alfa club on June 1, 2002 and found it to be in the proximity of Hades where temperature is concerned. Maybe the day @ Fontana a few months later was worse, but it was close enough to remember. Splitting the cost of a garage over the two day event is an investment in your good times @ Buttonwillow. Set up some chairs and relax in the shade when you are not running on track, which is most of the time.

[Doug Liedblad]

I spoke to Carrie at the track.

We can fill up the garage overnight with as many cars as will fit.

I've rented Garage #6 and will be there sometime Friday afternoon or evening. Staying at the track so I'll be there all night.

I have commitments for three cars so far.

me.
M. Bedard
M. Murphy

The more cars the merrier.

Please let me know or just show up, if there's still room, you're in.

If you just show up and it's really hot, your $ share may be adjusted accordingly. :twisted:

Doug
805-498-7771

[slomove]

O.K., O.K.,

I take a spot!

Gert

P.S.: Since Clark offered to do tech inspection Friday night at the Hotel maybe we can do this at the track instead?

[Clark]

ARM RESTRAINTS are required for all open cars at AROSC track events. There are many sources for these, but I bought mine from Racer Wholesale http://www.racerwholesale.com. Their part number is MAT4087, and they come in red, blue & black! The "D-Ring" at the end of each strap slips around the left or right shoulder strap end fitting before it's inserted into the lap belt central buckle/release. Pretty easy to do. Also I was amazed, properly adjusted arm restraints don't interfere at all with freedom of arm movement during normal driving.

Cheers,

[slomove]

Oops, the AROSC event rules called out the arm restraints only for the race cars, not for time trial.

Anyway, they are cheap and I was going to get some anyway. Anybody interested in a bulk buy to save shipping and handling? I was also interested in a helmet support collar.

Gert

[Clark]

Gert is right, the AROSC Competition Code and the Buttonwillow entry only show an Arm Restraint requirement for open cars in Race Group. I have called Paul Ellis for clarification on this point, and will post his answer when he's given one. The AROSC Tech Inspection form has check boxes for the arm restraints for Open cars in both Time Trial AND Race. I've never failed a car for this because everyone uses them!

In any case, I do recommend using (and USE!) the arm restraints. In the unlikely occurrence of a rollover, their use could prevent you from becoming an amputee.

Best wishes,

[magnusfeuer]

I'll try to come.

As soon as I am back from Japan, May 12, I'll send in the money. I still must read up on all the posts here regarding requirements.

/Magnus F.

[Clark]

I spoke with Paul Ellis, the AROSC Tech Chairman yesterday and cleared some things up. Also, I thought it might be a good opportunity to review the things we look for in a Tech inspection.
1. Wheels and tires in good shape. Adequate tread to last the weekend.
2. Lug nuts covering sufficient thread to withstand the stresses of track driving. (Note: Typically, Caterhams are delivered with more lug nut than wheel stud. However, the lug nut has more than 1/2" of thread engagement on the stud, so in my opinion, it's okay.
3. Suspension bushings tight and wheel bearings without excessive play. (That's what we're feeling for when shaking the wheels on a car)
4. No coolant, brake fluid, or excessive (i.e., dripping) oil leakage.
5. Hoses and belts in good condition without signs of excessive cracking or splitting.
6. Throttle return springs in place, and throttle linkage working smoothly (tested at the throttle pedal).
7. Battery mounted securely, and with sufficient cable slack (things move and stretch during track driving!).
8. Exhaust mounted securely and with sufficient ground clearance.
9. Brake pedal should have firm feel, and under continued pressure, shall not slowly sink significantly past the point of initial engagement. (I've found one of the first signs of master cylinder failure is a brake pedal that sinks under light foot pressure. Please check this on your own cars!) Also, brake fluid should appear clear, not cloudy or black! If it's been more than a year, please bleed your brake fluid before the track event.
10. Brake lights that work when the brake pedal is depressed. (The brake light switch supplied by Caterham is notorious for failure. I've replaced mine with Niehoff part No. DR148, PT3220. Kragin's sku for this switch is: 7 07390 53382 7)
11. Steering wheel - not wood rimed. No excessive play allowed in steering shaft mounting or rack/steering box. And the steering rack should be securely mounted to the chassis!!
12. Seats mounted securely.
13. 5 or 6 point racing harness, using 3" lap and shoulder belts. Anti-submarine belts may be 2" wide. 5 year age limit. Belts should be mounted at the chassis points provided by Caterham. I highly recommend use of arm restraints in our Caterhams - although they are not required by the Time Trial Competition Code. They are required for racing.
14. Caterham FIA rollbar (or SCCA legal bar or cage). The Caterham standard roll bar does not meet the 1-1/2" tube diameter or diagonal bracing requirements of the competition code. For your safety at high speed tracks such as Willow Springs and Buttonwillow, I recommend installing the forward brace supplied with the FIA bar.
15. Fire Extinguisher mounted within reach of the seated/belted driver. Metal top exthiguishers or hard mounted fire suppression systems are preferred.
16. Helmet - 2000 Snell required. Neck to wrist and ankle cotton clothing, or fire retardant driver's suit. Leather, cotton or fire retardant racing gloves. Closed leather or fire retardant (racing) shoes (no sandals or jarachies!).
17. Finally, no loose objects in your car. Also, buckle your passenger side belts/harness so they don't blow around while you're driving on the track!

That's about it. If you have questions, please call me during the day at (909) 799-8351, at home in the evenings or weekends at (951) 780-9087, or send an e-mail to ctaylor@optivus.com. Again, I'll be available to do your Tech Inspections Friday afternoon at Buttonwillow. Sounds like some of the Caterham group is renting a garage at the track, so we'll probably do tech there. I'll post these plans when they're finalized.

See ya at the Track,

[Woody Harris]

FYI, Pierre and I have taken Garage 8 for the weekend so we can have a food fight at some point during the event. As long as we have room for our sleeping bags we're willing to accomodate as well. We won't, however, undercut Doug's prices. :P If anyone was hestitating due to lack of accomodations, now you have no excuse!

Not sure exactly what we're bringing for rolling stock, but we're looking forward to meeting your band of ruffians and discussing ideas for more structured learning/competitive events.

Cheers,
Woody Harris
MSI Motorsports

[Michael Murphy]

Clark, I wanted to draw attention to the harness requirements outlined above.

The rule requires 3 inch webbing for shoulder and waist belts. When I had my car tech'ed for AROSC in January last year, the local tech inspector failed my stock caterham six point harness because the lap belt was only 2 inch webbing (although there are pads that make the belt look wider). I replaced it with a new 3 inch harness, and then at the track I was told that AROSC would not enforce the rule that season (last year). I guess the rule is now being enforced? If so, the local ruffians might want to check their harnesses for compliance.

[Clark]

I called and left a message for the AROSC tech. safety chairman regarding belt and shoulder strap webbing width requirements. Doug supplied the FIA certifications for the 5/6 point racing harnesses with 2" wide webbing supplied by Caterham, and I hope they will be accepted by AROSC for Time Trial competitions. We'll see. I'll post the answer as soon as information comes in.

Best wishes,

[Clark]

For time trials and racing, the AROSC now requires 3" wide webbing for lap and shoulder belts, and 2" wide webbing for crotch straps. This follows SCCA rules. The 2" wide lap and shoulder belt driver restraint systems recently supplied with some Caterhams are no longer acceptable for AROSC competition events.

Restraint systems are available in Glendale from Diest: http://www.deist.com/98/The_Deist_Story/the_deist_story.html
Also, you might find them from Simpson, Parker Pumper (Rancho Cucamonga) http://www.parker-pumper.com/ and Racer Wholesale http://www.racerwholesale.com

I called Parker Pumper, and they have a camlock 6-point restraint system that sounds real close to the ones in my own car supplied by Luke - for ~$180 per seat.

[Michael Murphy]

I sourced my harness from Deist. I sent them my old one and they gave me a credit for it (net cost was around $180) and kept it as a template for future use...

If you are ordering remotely, be sure that you get the buckle orientations right. In particular, the lap belt buckles must be set so that the loose end pulls towards the driver (not away from the driver) - otherwise you won't be able to adjust the straps properly while sitting in the car.

[slomove]

be sure that you get the buckle orientations right.

Can confirm that. I got mine wrong and it is a pain in the arse. Pull-down lap belts just don't work well in a Seven. Sometimes I am going to buy new ones to avoid the hassle.

Otherwise, they are G-Force harnesses from Racerwholesale with camlock buckle. Solid, easy to use and inexpensive (about $120 for 6-point). They normally come with the fixed side attached to the right (correct for driver seat) and I had to disassemble/re-assemble the passenger side camlock to prevent the heavy lock from dangling on the side panel. It was a lot of fun searching for the little springs and bolts on the garage floor after the camlock came apart :roll:

Gert

[magnusfeuer]

F*ck. I will not be able to make it to Button Willows.

I have a shitload of work to take care of now that I am back from vaction. This plus dental surgery plus an upcoming Sweden trip makes it impossible for me to slot a race into my schedule as well. I will be working seven days a week for at least the next month or so.

Sorry.

/Magnus F.

[slomove]

Clark,
I just read your latest information again about the roll bar. The main hoop on my car is a beefy 1.9". However, the rear stays and the diagonal are 1.05" and 1.00", respectively.

Can you comment of the compliance with the club regulations? NASA had never trouble with that....

Thanks,

Gert

[Clark]

Hi Gert,

The roll bar in your car is passable. The AROSC Competition Code highly recommends that the minimum roll bar hoop and bracing be made from 1.5" Dia. x .0120" wall mild steel tubing for a car under 1,500 pounds. However, recommendations are not absolute requirements. I've seen the rollbar on your Birkin and believe it is adequate for your car. If any forward brace is included as for the Caterham FIA rollbars, I'd strongly recommend installing it for Buttonwillow.

Best wishes,

[Michael Murphy]

Clark, while we're in the "did they really mean it when they said..." routine...

I noticed that the helmet requirement is SA2000. I can understand this for competition use, but I thought most run-what-you-brung events will accept Snell M-rated helmets. Mine is M95. Do I need to upgrade?

[Clark]

Hi Michael,

For competitive events including those hosted by AROSC, I believe most groups are requiring Snell 2000 now (SA2000 is recommended). When you do upgrade your helmet, please consider the SA type, as they are more suited to automotive activities, particularly in use of non-flammable materials. Naturally, SA usually costs more and you can't buy them at your local motocycle supply shop.

Best wishes,

[slomove]

Thanks Clark, I was already concerned I could not go. I do not have a forward brace (yet). But I would have to install a pickup point in the footwell first.

The angle of main rollbar to rear tubes is anyway less acute on my car compared to a Caterham. That should hopefully account for somewhat smaller forces on the tubing and buckling tendency in the "unlikely event of a water landing".....:roll:

Gert

[Roll a 7]

It is with deep and profound regret that I must face the fact that I'll not be attending the event @ Buttonwillow :( :cry: :x

[Doug Liedblad]

It looks like

M. Murphy
M. Bedard.
Gert.
Doug
Clark
Woody
Pierre

Perhaps J. Stokes.

Anyone else?

You should be able to register at the track and plenty of garage space.

[Doug Liedblad]

Back to the top.

[slomove]

Magnus, Brad (and whoever else can not participate this time)

would you have at least a chance to come Saturday night for a discussion with Woody and Pierre about ideas and possible plans of an expanded Sevens Challenge, maybe with the ultimate goal of getting a regional or even national thing going with Time Trials and Racing? I heard some participants of the Southwest Sevens Festival in Arlington(TX) last weekend would be interested in joining forces. They had even people come all the way from the Midwest and East Coast.

Magnus, you know you need a break from work 8)

Gert

[moosetestbestanden]

I might be able to drive up Saturday, as per Gert's suggestion.

[Doug Liedblad]

Chris and anyone else that may come up Saturday.

There is a BBQ dinner after the race.

[Roll a 7]

The distance from my home to BW is 275 miles, about four and half to five hours in light traffic (each way). I really want to be there with my 7; but the time just is not there during the Memorial Day weekend, UNFORTUNATELY. :(

[Clark]

Hey, it's getting close. This coming weekend, we'll be driving at Buttonwillow in the AROSC TT & Enduro!

If anyone wants to join our caravan up the 5 to Buttonwillow, I'm meeting a friend at the Azusa - 210 Freeway - Irwindale Ave. offramp - Farmer Boys parking lot sometime between 10:30 to 11:00 AM Friday morning. We figure the trip from there will take about three hours to the track. Please let me know if you'd like to join with us and drive along.

Best wishes,

[Elv15]

Sorry guys, I can't make this one...family camping trip instead. Sounds like a lot of fun! Have a great weekend! :D

[Roll a 7]

Well, umm, could somebody please tell Magnus and I what a great time we missed?? I know that I wasn't even more fun than the lads @ Buttonwillow!!

Any opinions on BW vs. WS?

Was the rented garage a good thing to have?

[slomove]

No problem Brad, you really did not miss anything. Imagine pretty warm weather the first day. And a few dozen madmen driving the same boring road in the middle of nowhere over and over again at reckless speed. Add the noise and exhaust stench and you will agree that you were better off staying at home, saving a lot of money as well as wear and tear of your car :mrgreen:

I mean, the second day had beautiful weather, car was driving fine (after one more temporary clutch scare) and I got used to the track. Quite interesting but I can not say if I like the Streets better. Just too different. At least this was the first opportunity to drive my car in a way that the speedo needle stopped moving up. It is not calibrated with the 13" wheels but I guess it came up to 110, maybe 115 mph in the back straight.

I don't know how I ended up with the TT, the results were not posted yet when I had to leave. In practice I managed some 2:14 and 2:15 runs. Good result for me but of course nothing compared with the 1:50something that Jon did.

Gert

P.S.: Garage was helpful. Shadow and a place to leave your gear.

[Doug Liedblad]

I was there for part of the award ceremony but wasn't able to get any official times.

Results sould be posted in a week or so, http://www.arosc.org/

Pierre a fourth in the Enduro Saturday, I heard his best lap times were ~1:58.

William ran a car in the Enduro, they finished but after an extended pitstop.

Jon Stokes received trophys for both the race group and the TT. I believe a third, in class for the race and a first in class for the TT. Jon said his best time in the race was, ~1:55. The race group also left Jon with some addional mementos, see the photo section.

Jon's nephew Chris also drove the car in the TT group but I didn't get any times for him.

Michael Murphy a third place trophy for his class in the TT. He was turning ~2:06 in practice.

Gert, Clark and I in practice were about the same at ~2:15.

M. Bedard was plagued by car problems and arrived Sunday AM. The problems continued.

This was my first TT and I enjoyed it completely. Practice sessions are much the same as the Shelby Club track days while the timed laps added a nice edge to the end of the weekend.

[magnusfeuer]

AARRRGGH!

I am so frustrated I couldn't be there!

Pleasepleaseplease post pictures in the album of this forum. (Look in the menu at the top of the page.)

[Michael Murphy]

Brad,

To answer your question about BW vs WS - in my view BW is a much better track. Connossieurs (sp?) have criticized the track for a lack of consistency which, apparently, makes it difficult to find a driving rhythm but, hey, I'm a bald white guy, I dance like John Kerry and I can't hold a beat. I think the track is great - plenty of variation and lots of corners, including a really nice whoop-dee-doo with a blind apex over the crest. I will go again.

You must get a garage. On hot days the heat is intolerable. Next time I will carry an umbrella and find a way to secure it (folded) in the passenger compartment during track sessions, so that I can provide my own shade while waiting in the pre-grid area. We spent about half an hour sitting out there waiting for the time trial and if had been as hot on Sunday as it was on Friday I would probably not have made it onto the track.

[slomove]

I don't know what the connoisseurs say about consistency, I found the track to be very consistent, at least it was in the same place every time I drove it :wink:

But what I meant is the different kind of fun and challenge you have at the Streets vs. Buttonwillow. Curvy (relatively) low speed tight cornering with limited brake use versus very high speed sweepers, esses and big speed differentials. I would go to both tracks any day again (budget permitting) but otherwise concur with Michael, given the choice I'd prefer Buttonwillow.

On the other hand, I find Buttonwillow quite comparable to the Willow Springs big track. Can we do that sometimes?

Gert

[Doug Liedblad]

Michael

After watching you bake, I brought my umbrella and had someone leave it on the pit wall. It was there when I finished.

I didn't have as long a wait as you did but it made a huge difference.

[Clark]

During the AROSC Buttonwillow weekend, our CCC participants had the opportunity to meet with Woody Harris and Pierre DeMartines from Northern California. Pierre and I have communicated back and forth by e-mail for years about Sevening activities, but have never met until last weekend! In my own humble opinion, our meeting and discussions went better than any of us expected, and I'm personally looking forward to many more opportunities for us to run together. So please, go get yourself a nice cool drink and sit down for an excellent read about Buttonwillow - from Pierre's unique and interesting perspective. I think you're going to like what he has to say!
- Clark
_______________

Buttonwillow was great. It was a pleasure to meet Clark Taylor, Doug, Gert, Michael, William, and others of the AROSC. Rachel & I arrived Friday evening at the track, took the key of garage 8 and started unloading...Woody arrived soon after and we set to barbeque some kebabs Rachel had prepared and marinated with love (and that I ruined by leaving in the cooler where we found them bobbing and soaking in the melting ice).

I had asked Woody in the morning: "BTW, do you think I should worry about bugs? Rachel doesn't like them. I am thinking of taking a mosquito net or something like that". The answer, given in a didactic tone by The Professor Himself was that, man, no, it's so dry over there, there is really nothing except tumbleweeds. So no, there will be no bugs whatsoever.

I started being a wee bit suspicious about that when, at sunset, inch-size beetles, cicadas, and a wide spectrum of randomly sized roaches and insects of all kinds started raining at high rate on the grill, in our shirts collars, and generally on anything reflecting the neon lights from the garage. In particular, a few small 747s were describing large lazy eights in the garage, randomly crashing in the walls or in the ceiling with a loud thump. I am sure if somehow we had been able to harness all that energy, we could have powered a small town.

Nevertheless, clinging to Woody's cool assurance that, once we'd turn the lights off, the bugs would go away, we brushed the bed of 99% of the bugs that were crawling on it in Brownian motion, laid down and tried to go to sleep. To no avail. After a fair attempt of about 1 hour, Rachel & I decided to go try our luck somewhere else. It should be noted that, meanwhile, Woody was sleeping like a baby, breathing more or less regularly, inhaling only one or two bugs per minute and whapping his face no more than once every five minutes.

We left in the night at around 1:20am. No idea where to go, of course. We tried to find something in Buttonwillow, but the one motel we eventually saw made us regret not to carry guns with us, and when I knocked at the door, nobody answered except a dog in the distance.

We tried on the other side of the freeway, only to find that we could drive for about 15 minutes toward what looked promisingly like the lights of a city without ever reaching them.

After some trial and error, which involved an old collection of yellow pages covering the whole region within 100 miles, as well as the 411 service, we finally found a motel with *one* room available, and a disgruntled gorilla at the front desk. We hit the pillow around 2:30am.

Note: I am thinking that I promised myself to write a short post, and I am still describing the first night!

OK. So on to Saturday morning, which came fast, because for whatever reason, I slept only 3 hours. Therefore, feeling a little shaky, we arrived at the track around 7am.

Joked with Woody (it always helps), then went to registration. Finally met with the excellent Clark Taylor, who proceeded to inspect & tech my car. Clark and I have exchanged emails over the past several years, but somehow we managed to never meet until that morning! So it was a pleasure to finally put a face to each other's name. Clark is another Seven's enthusiast, and he's been instrumental in drumming up the participation of Seven owners at the AROSC meetings.

Evolving slowly through some thick mental fog, I eventually got my car together and went on to do one of the practice sessions, immediately followed by qualifying. The car felt great, and I had fun driving this configuration of the track (#14 CW, i.e. skipping Bus Stop and having a long straight --Dogleg-- instead, and skipping the Star Mazda turn --having the Sweeper instead--). It took me a while to find my marks again --last time I drove there it was a night and my lights were pointed to the sky. The crew of team Birkinsport could follow my laps by looking at the clouds and infer my position from where they were illuminated...

Anyway, qualified around 2:01 or something like that. In the same class as me, there was a Formula Mazda in full aerodynamic trim, wings and all, which unsurprisingly would smoke me like there was no tomorrow...

The thing that upset me a little was that, as revealed in the afternoon's meeting, they casually changed the rules. The announcement went as follow: "ah yes, by the way, this year there is no mandatory pit stop." Wow. Just like that. Not that I had high hopes anyway, but that was the final nail in the coffin. I was *definitely* not set up to minimize pit stop time, and I was fully counting on using the whole mandatory (or so I thought) 10 minutes to make two pit stops. I bitterly regretted not to have car #7 and its 3-hour fuel cell.

The time came for us to go to pre-grid, and we started the enduro at around 4:30. I actually had quite some fun with the car, savoring the crackling noise of this wonderful new Zetec from Woody, Steve and Larry of MSI Motorsport. The Quaife dog box was giving me some issues, esp. in the up shift to 4th gear, where more than once it would just bounce and refuse to engage, whether I was clutching or not during the shift. The fast steering rack, on the other hand, turned out to be more relaxing than I anticipated in an endurance race. I thought the higher steering effort would take a toll on my arms, esp. compared to the Birkin steering, but actually it was more than compensated by the fact that I didn't have to work so hard to catch the car whenever it would skip.

The heat was pretty intense in the first part of the enduro, and after each straight (spent pedal to the floor); I would feel like a huge bubble of hot air was catching me from the exhaust & rear left brake. To such an extent that I initially thought something was on fire in the fender well! The engine temp was kept at acceptable levels thanks to the recently added oil cooler --also from MSI. What's more, after the race the oil doesn't have that nasty burned smell as it used to have.

During the race, every so often I smelled something burning (like plastic) and thought that maybe my carbon fiber muffler was going to give up and disintegrate. But no, it withstood the punishment without complaining, and it still seems to be in excellent shape despite the accumulated abuse (several dyno sessions and track week-ends, now topped with that enduro in the desert). Probably some bits of rubber hit the headers, and that's what I was smelling.

The Formula Mazda lapped me about a million times, and so did the two GT3 Cup Porsches. Made me cry to see their lines, though, and what they were getting away with. Especially when I was trying so hard to optimize mine so as to keep good lap times and keep the car alive at the same time.

Our first pit stop wasn't so great. The AROSC rules say that the driver must get out of the car during refueling (and hold the fire extinguisher) while one crew member, in full nomex, full face helmet and closed visor, does the actual refueling. After getting back in the car, Woody and I fumbled with the new belts (a configuration of loops for the arm restraints and the anti-submarine belts that is most definitely not optimized for quick fastening).

Left the pits ("ah, it's so good to get some wind again and cool a little"), went on for another hour, came in for 2nd pit stop. That one was much faster...

Finally, saw the checker flag, cooled down and came back to the garage, where Michael, Gert, et al greeted me with a nice cheering welcome.

Results: 4th overall, 2nd in class. Not bad considering what the first 3 cars were, but at the same time not very satisfying... However, I was fairly happy with the lap times. A whole bunch of 1:59ers and even one mid 1:58. That little car is doing well, on ACB10s, in a 2.5 hour enduro and with a sleep-deprived driver!

The great thing was after the enduro: Michael Murphy had bought some wine at a local shop ("Yes, we have wine. It's over there. We have two kinds: red and white."), and Doug brought some of his incredible strawberries, so we all relaxed and kicked back in the cooling air of sunset. Man, did that wine and those strawberries hit the spot! Michael, Gert, Clark, Doug, Woody and myself discussed what the Sevens drivers from So Cal could expect from the NASA Sevens Challenge. It looks like not so many of them are interested in the all-out racing, but the time trial aspect of the Challenge is something they'd definitely like to do. Furthermore, Woody and I re-iterated our offer to go and coach at some of NASA's So Cal events as well. We thought we should also have one or several mixed events (Nor Cal +So Cal).

On Sunday, I didn't drive (I had just signed up for the enduro), nor did I feel the need to... Instead, while Woody went on coaching some of the Seveners, I enjoyed watching and talking with some of the others... We had 11 Sevens over there! All vastly different, of course. Diversity is de rigueur in the Sevens world. All the guys were involved in different classes / groups, from Time Trial to all-out race. Actually I think someone even irreverently crushed my pitiful 1:58 with a flying 1:55!!! Holy sh*t, now that is not hanging around for a Sunday drive!

On Monday I uploaded some pics at www.teambirkinsport.com/gallery/20050528BW When I get a chance, I will put a video clip as well.

Oh, by the way, the video recorder & bullet cam worked fine, and I collected 1h29mn of in-board video. Half of it, however, is blurred by a smashed --yes, you guessed it-- ***bug***!

~Pierre

[Anonymous]

I sorry I didn't get to pit with you all. I was the first one to arive on friday night, I have a live in toy hauler and had with me Chris My nephew and my yougest sister two boy's Alex and Kegan, we picked a great spot to park the RV with full hook ups near the esses. had the shad of a nice tree and concreat to park on. A grass front yard to use so this was to be the spot. The 3 helpers were great 13 year old writting down tire temps and lap times, the 17 year old yelling out the tire temps and lap times, they all helped with fuel and wiped off my face shield. Chris also drove that ment we sort of did our own enduro both day's drivin in group 2,3 & race group non alfa. I did get to meet Woody finally! Also Peirre that was good fun. Hope to race with them sometime in the future. I was lucky I did finnish 3rd over all in the race. All were very close. the other two cars turned out to be in class M so did get a first place in our group K and time trials also first place. except for the love tap coming out onto the front straight I had a perfect weekend. Button willow is 10 times better than the small track of willow springs and it get my vote. I thank top speed for me was high 130's may even 140's hard to see in my car- just hanging on! much fun guys. Try to join NASA and run hpde group 3 or 4 you will love it. this is time trails not wheel to wheel racing. Group 3 straight aways passsing only group 4 passing anywhere you can safly get by. you need an aproved roll cage for this race group, Smart! The best Iv'e seen so far. Every one is improving and having fun. Isn't this why we bought these silly car's. See ya out there!

[Roll a 7]

:!: :!: :!:

See ya next time out!!