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2008

ITS Mazda RX/7 arrives

TeamDI ProITSeries

September 15 & 16 at Watkins Glen

• Alan in #08 Datsun PL510

• Darrell in #27 GTL Datsun PL510

Look for us with Victoria Motorsports and Frank Cioppettini in #6 Camaro

September 1 - 3 at Summit Point

• Cory - #02 Club Ford - Cory finished 5th on Sunday and improved to 4th for Monday. Great job by Cory improving every session!

• Darrell - 1st in GTL - #27 Datsun PL510

• Alan - 1st in HRG2 - #08 Datsun PL510

• Frank Cioppettini - 1st in SPU - #08 Datsun PL510

• Frank Cioppettini - 1st in GT1 - #6 Camaro

Thanks to Al, Rich, Carol, Russ and Tom for all the help and encouragement!

Cory - #01 NCF

2006

Look for the NeedMoreRacing teams in action at Lime Rock on October 20 and 21 at the NARRC runoffs. This is a double points events so there is always a lot of great racing action.

NeedMoreRacing - Look for Alan to be there in the trusty 510. Last time out on new tires the 510 was quick, look for it to be even quicker with Alan behind the wheel. Cory should be there with the blue Club Ford.

NeedMoreRacing North - Look for Russ and Tom to have the little Rabbit ready to do battle. The ITC championship may be locked up but second place is up from grabs. Look for a great fight between the other ITC drivers for second.

Look for the usual NeedMoreRacing festivities on Friday night. Look for the flashing light and party. Seems we may be having a costume party, but you never know what can happen.

September 9 & 10 - NeedMoreRacing North made an appearance at NHIS for the Cheap Date double. Russ had the Rabbit on rails. Being the first time at NHIS driving Russ kept the little white critter on edge, he learned a lot about NHIS.

Labor Day weekend 2006 - Cory and Alan made the trip down south to Summit Point for the double. Cory drove the Club Ford and learned a lot.  Cory got a 4th on Sunday and was on the podium on Monday with a 3rd. Cory's times dropped every session. A successful trip to where it all began!

We all made it to Lime Rock for the 'Racing for a Cure - presented by Driving Impressions.'

Darrell drove the #27 and finished 3rd. He did his best lap time ever even with his allergies throwing him fits. The 510 was loose on Friday but the team fitted the little yellow jewel with 'new' tires (Thanks Ken!) and we we 3 seconds a lap faster. Tires do make a difference. Darrell was a little over exuberant on the last lap and did so lawn care but all turned out well.

Cory drove the #02 NARRC Club Ford in a caution filled race. He performed very well for being the first time in a Ford at Lime Rock. Seems he has the open wheel bug now.

Russ drove the NMR Northern Division #5 ITC Rabbit to a fine 2nd place finish. The Rabbit was on rails and Russ was very consistent.

Special thanks to Alan, Rich, Margaret and Carol for adding to the success. Crew is more important than anything.

Look for the NMR crew at Summit Point over Labor Day.

Well, we thought that we would make it to Watkins Glen but the RV and 510 need some work that will take a while longer. look for us at Lime Rock in August. This race at Lime Rock will be the 'Racing for a Cure - presented by Driving Impressions.' Look for the 510 and the CFF to be in action!

Alan ran the mighty 510 on July 4th and took the win. We had a little trouble with smoke and oil but the team persevered.

Seems NeedMoreRacingNorth may have another driver in our ranks. Margaret performed well in the NNJR PDX at Lime Rock on July 3rd. We think it is time to get her behind the wheel of a NMR racecar. Maybe even time to get another vehicle.

Look for all cars and teams at Lime Rock on July 4 at the Regional Races.

The old reliable NeedMoreRacing #27 Datsun 510 was ready for the track. Darrell completed the race with some minor issues with the #27.

Cory was driving the Club Ford but the team found a problem that could not be fixed at the track. Cory can't wait till the #02 is race ready.

Russ Horton had a small issue as well so the Rabbit was kept in it's warren. Look for that Rabbit to be ready by the 4th.

It rained at Lime Rock during qualifying of the School's Out Regional on June 17. Tim Klvana driving an ITA car shows how to do it.

2005

October 21&22 - Alan drives and wins the NARRC Runoffs in GTL. Russ Horton finishes 4th in ITC. A good weekend for the NeedMoreRacing crew.

October 16 - Alan and Rich Freeling made the trek to Watkins Glen. Alan finishes 2nd in class, 17th overall. A good weekend for the NeedMoreRacing crew.

September 3,4&5 - The NeedMoreRacing Team started out the long tow to Summit Point for the MARRS 8 & 9 regional race with high hopes for a great weekend. On route 287, we received a “wake up” call when a car made a right turn into the guardrail at highway speed. With disbelieve in our eyes, we watched at the car bounced off the rail and back into traffic. With no way to stop the RV and trailer, we held our lane and hope the car would not be there when we arrived. The out of control auto moved across all 5 lanes without any contact and tagged the guardrail a second time now on drivers left. With air bags deployed, the driver appeared dazed as we went by.

Getting to the track can be the most dangerous part of racing.

After a 7-hour tow due to traffic, we reached Summit point under wonderful weather conditions and high hopes for Saturday’s two qualifying sessions. We paddock with our racing friends, the Haines family and their ITC rabbit. We also had some flagging and communications support, since Lou and Diane made the trip to work the weekend.

The cool early morning session refreshed the 510’s memory of where the track went, but we were having trouble with down shifting. This resulted in a late session spin, going into the first turn. Proudly, the 510 did not stall and we were quickly back on track. The session resulted in a fast time of 1:32.3, placing us 19^th in the 39-car field. This lap time was 3 seconds faster than our last visit to Summit.

The shifting trouble was diagnosed by Alan and the clutch was adjusted. The yellow Datsun was back out on track for the afternoon qualifying session with hopes of lowering our lap times with better down shifts.  The shifting went fine but we still did some agricultural racing with a “drive off” in the dirt, outside of turn one. We were a little confused with a tenth of a second slower lap time, ending up 22^nd out of a larger field of 41 cars. It was discovered that one of the rear tires was worn to the cord.

The first race day dawned with clear blue sky and a few concerns about the 40 plus field since we have never really raced at Summit. Last year, the engine had “issues” due to the driver missing a few shifts.  We attempted to fire the GTL 510 and the engine cranked over like it was 40 below zero.  With puzzled looks on everyone’s face, we thought back to last years missed race.  

The team quickly sprung into action and removed the battery from the RV. In no time flat the battery was replaced and tried to start the racecar, but the results were the same. With precious minutes remaining, the team push the car to “bump start” the engine. On the second attempt, the 1600 CC engine fired to life and off we were to the grid, praying all the way.  The yellow racer arrived at the grid as the 5-minute whistle was being given. With a very short stay on the grid, we were out on the track ready to start our first race.

The start was a little busy and a white F prod. Fiat spun off on at the exit of the carousel, resulting in heavy front-end damage.  The 510 experienced another late race spin at the entrance to the carousel and lost 3 or 4 spots.

The result was a 19^th place finish and 2^nd in class, fast time of 1:32.3 and another worn out tire.

The starting problem was diagnosed and a newer starter motor was installed along with newer rear tires. The second race day dawned a little cooler and our flagging friends stop by with words of insight and encouragement. They were going to watch the race and then leave for home. 

The engine started right up and we were on the grid. There was a 20-minute delay due to a barrier being move by a car. After a little snooze in the cockpit, we were finally let out on the track. The start was ok but I could have sworn I was passed under a local yellow by 2 or 3 cars. As the race went on, it felt like the rear tires were locking up under braking, so moving the brake bias forward really helped.  The 510 was dogging 2 SSC cars and was finally able to pass them.  The last few laps of the race really felt good and I was able to pass another car in the last turn. As we came into the pits after the checker, I noticed Darrell standing by the person with the class winner flags. Could it be that we won the GTL class?

To my surprise, the lead GTL car was off track and we indeed won and had a hot lap of 1:30.478 to boot!   We enjoyed the sweetest victory lap ever!

August 5 & 6 - The NeedMoreRacing team has an easy tow this time to Lime Rock. Darrell gets the drive. It is hotter than hot as Friday morning dawns. High heat and humidity are predicted. The typical afternoon thunderstorms are also in the forecast.

Friday practice is hot and the track is greasy. Darrell has his hands full getting the brakes to work and getting the 510 to stick. We were sliding all over but still got one good lap in. Darrell feels confident on the afternoon qualifying. Then the rains came and came and came. The track was shutdown for about an hour. The qualifying session is cut from 15 to 10 minutes. We need to warm the brakes and get heat into the tires to the trusty 510 sticks. Darrell spins the car going into Big Bend to miss hitting another competitor. Darrell gets the 510 restarted and a lap later does a quick lap. Then Darrell tries a few different things and spins again coming out of Big Bend. Good thing there is a lot of run off. No harm except for all the grass and dirt.

Saturday dawns and the 510 is ready to race. We are the last group so we expect to race at 5:00PM. We had a lot of down time and watched some excellent racing. The NeedMoreRacing compound was full of friends and visitors from NMR and the Northern Division. Diane and Marisa Latinis were up. Margaret Randall was in from Rhode Island to lend her support. Russ Horton and Carol White  were there to help crew. Russ's car, an ITC Rabbit  was out of action due to back front hubs.  Jeff, Pam, Tim and Phil Haines were in the paddock next to us. Jeff did well in ITC. Tim Fogerson stopped by with his kids Maggie and Tim Jr. We all had a great time waiting and waiting for Darrell to race. The race was uneventful. Ken Bouquillon started from the back of the pack and won GTL. Darrell finished 10th overall and had a race long battle with a sweet G Prod Mini. Darrell had a lot of fun and learned a lot!

July 23 & 24 - Although the NeedMoreRacing teammates were unable to attend Cory’s first race at Watkins Glen, technical consultant Rich Freeling joined to make the 5-hour tow.

With the trusty 510 repaired from the shunt at Lime Rock, the team had hopes of doing well. The goals were set of braking a 2.30 lap time and putting the car back on the trailer the way it came off. The weekend started on a high note when we were awarded a garage for entering the race early. Rich was delighted with this unexpected prize since was now able to work on the 510 sheltered from the elements.

The weather on Saturday for practice and qualifying could not have been better. 85 degrees and low humidity. Truly a day in paradise. The first session was dedicated to learning the Glen’s twisty long course of 3.4 miles. To say the least, it was a challenge. The attempt resulted in a fastest lap of 2.33. Not too bad, but there was plenty of room for improvement.

The second session was lengthen to 20 minutes and allowed enough time to really learn the track. This effort paid off with a qualifying time of 2.27.120 and placing the yellow Datsun, tenth in a gird of 24 cars. It was sandwiched between two E production cars. The closest GTL car was placed 18^th. 

Sunday was as nice as Saturday, but a little warmer. The small-bore race was just after lunch and started without incident. The race strategy was to allow the E prod cars go and the 510 fell back 3 spots in the early laps.  

Improving track knowledge with every lap, the 510 lowered times and caught the 2 Legend cars at the “heal of the boot”. The lead car spun and the second slowed to avoid.  The yellow Datsun past the sideways car and closed up on the other. With a dive bomb move in to turn one, the 510 past the Legends car, only to get re passed at the corner exit. Recovering from the botched pass, the legends car was remove from view going into the inner loop. The laps wound down, resulting in a fast lap of 2.26.015 and a win in GTL, 9^th over all. 

So it was a very satisfy event for NeedMoreRacing, having accomplished all the goals set. Now it’s on to Lime Rock Park for Darrell’s 3^rd race of the season.

July - The trusty 510 is fixed. The crew did an excellent job making our yellow jewel shine again. Rich Freeling did his magic on the clutch and  engine. She is straight and aligned. Ready to go racing!!!!!!

May 27 & 28 - Alan drives Lime Rock, we had a bad weekend. The 510 is dialed in and we qualify 9th in a 44 car field. We spun on Friday coming down the hill, tapped a tire wall and had to repair the car for hardship practice Saturday morning. Diane came up with the spare radiator and the crew made the changes. During the race Alan was getting comfortable but an ITS car tried a stupid move and we got collected. Another radiator holed. We will make the 510 even better than it was. The little yellow car was hooked up with Alan driving. We would have another victory under our belts. Congratulations go out to Ken Bouquillon for his victory!

May 14 & 15 - Darrell drives Pocono and wins the GT Lite class each day. It was beautiful weather both days. Darrell met his goals of completing both races (won both!!!) and having a sub 2 minute lap time. The crew (Alan, Cory and Diane) did an excellent job with the #27 510, the car ran flawlessly both days. Ask us about Saturday night at the movies watching the in car video (soon to be posted).

May 7th - Cory drives Lime Rock and wins the GT  Lite class. It was cold and the track was slick. With the new class and rules we need to learn the trusty 510 again. Cory did great, Diane got the ride in the victory lap.

Last updated: Sunday, February 15, 2009 09:30:42 AM