Daytona post race review
#1
02-13-2004, 11:31 AM
The 2004 Grand Am Cup Championship Season got under way this past weekend
with a 250-mile race at Daytona International Speedway. The race will be
broadcast on Speed Channel Sat, Feb 14 @ 4pm.
I had a good feeling and a lot of confidence going into Daytona. We had
fixed every problem that materialized last season and I knew if the cars
held together we would have a good finish.
The weather in the Northeast had been brutally cold for the past few weeks,
making preparations more challenging than they should have been. Working in
the trailer in sub zero temperatures just reminded me how nice it would be
getting to sunny Florida.
Most of the crew would be traveling Wednesday, which is when the blizzard
was supposed to hit our area hard, 12-15 inches predicted for the metro
area. Our transporter left early to get ahead of the weather, but the storm
came in from the south and the snowy conditions forced him to stop for the
night in Virginia. The next morning he got into North Carolina and was
forced to stop because the roads were completely iced over. Sections of I-95
where closed because of the accidents and the road conditions. After losing
a whole day of travel, the conditions still hadn't improved as of 10:30 AM,
the highway was still not travelable. Then around noontime, the rising
temperatures and sunshine did its job and the roads were again drivable. The
rest of the trip was uneventful and the transport arrived at the track
Wednesday morning.
Wednesday was windy and cool (low 50's) not what we had expected. Our crew
of Jeff, Coco, Reese, Dan, Chuck and I setup the paddock area, unloaded the
cars and equipment, then proceeded to prepare the cars for tech. Once in the
tech line it took about two hours before we actually got through tech and
were okayed to race. That evening the balance of our crew arrived.
Thursday morning we arrive at the track at 7:30AM, we're not allowed into
the paddock before then. We have a brief team meeting to go over schedules
and other important information, and then hand out job assignments. Everyone
get right to work to insure the cars are ready for our first practice
session at 11:10 AM. Mike, Gene, Shane and I attend the Grand AM drivers
meeting at 9:30AM.
We roll out for the first practice session with fifty other cars and let the
fun begin. The first practice is to shake down the cars and make sure
everything is working okay. It's also a time for the drivers who haven't
been in a racecar since last year to clear the cobwebs, get focused and
learn the racetrack in this particular racecar.
This session went well and the #20 car finished 5th in class and 26th
overall with a time of 2:14:466 and an average lap speed of 95.310MPH. The
#21 car finished 20th in class and 44th overall with a best lap time of
2:21:293 and a speed of 90.705. We have one more practice before qualifying
so it's back to the paddock to check over the cars, analyze the tune-up and
prepare for the next session.
The second practice was going fine until the #21 car developed a misfire. It
was near the end of the session so be brought the car into the pits to see
what was wrong. Paul made some adjustments and sent it back out for the
remainder of the session. The #20 car was running great. The #20 car
finished 6th in class and 29th overall with a time of 2:15:006 and a speed
of 94.929MPH. The #21 car finished 21st in class and 45th overall with a
time of 2:19:380 and a speed of 91.950MPH. A fifth teen minute qualifying
session is next at 4:20PM.
The crew went to work replacing sensors on the 21 car and checking every nut
and bolt on both cars. The 21 car had broken a rear shock so that had to be
rebuilt and replaced. The abs brakes weren't working in the 20 car so we
replaced some sensors to try and get it working again. Both cars had leaking
CV boots but not the same ones, which had to be replaced. By the time
qualifying came we were ready. Gene would qualify the #21 car and Tony would
qualify the #20 car, these would be the starting drivers for the race.
We were having some fun running nose to tail, and then swapping passes with
each other. Both cars seem to running strong. Gene was ahead of me as we
exited the infield onto the backing I drafted him and was making a pass to
the outside when the #21 car developed a misfire. I easily passed and
continued, as Gene had to pit. We qualified 14th and 16th in class, the #20
car had a time of 2:16:401 and a speed of 93.958MPH, the #21 car had a time
of 2:16:751 and a speed of 93.718MPH.
There are no more sessions for us until tomorrow race at 2:30PM. So the crew
packs up for the night and will be back bright and early to race prep the
cars.
Friday race day
It was a long wait until the 2:30PM race start. The drivers had a meeting at
12:15 and then waited while the cars were being readied. Griding began at
1:15 and once the cars were in their qualifying position it was wait some
more until we got the 5-minute warning. Now that you're strapped into the
car, your mind changes to pre race thoughts. Photographers are snapping
photos as you seat ready to roll out onto the track. You are ready to race.
We are staged on pit lane in a two by two formation. Engines switched off
until the pre-race ceremonies are completed. The call of drivers start your
engine is given and we are finally rolling out onto the track. The pace car
leads us around for one pace lap. Drivers are scrubbing their tires to build
up heat. You are aware of ever sense and feel, you don't want to make a
mistake at the start and you don't want the car in front to get a jump on
you, you don't want the car behind you to make an early pass.
You are in formation exiting NASCAR turn four on the high banking and you
can see the pace car pull into the pits at the very last moment, you have to
keep pace as you wait for the green flag start. As you pass the start line,
you try to position yourself so you can make an early pass and not be
passed. It's such a rush as you enter turn one at over one hundred mph with
60 cars all-fighting for the same real estate.
I had a good start and made up 6 positions before we were out of the
infield. I was now running in 8th position and by the third lap, I was only
2 seconds behind and had a twelve second lead over the 9th place car. It was
so much fun running nose to tail with the car in front of me and he with the
car in front of him. We had a freight train going around the track as you're
used to seeing in NASCAR. In front of me were 2-Acura RSX's, 2-BMW 330's and
three Mazda RX-8's then the MINI. The 21 car developed a misfire and had to
pit on lap 6. The crew fixed the problem and Gene reentered he race. I was
still running in 8th when the 20 car developed a misfire on lap 13, I was
losing 10 seconds a lap and had to pit for repairs. At this time, we made a
driver change and put Shane in the 20 car. Shane reentered the race and
began to make up positions. The car seemed to be running okay.
At about lap 22 the 21 car blew an engine. Not a happy time for Nuzzo
Motorsports, but should make for some spectacular TV coverage.
On lap 31, one of the 350Z's blew a tire on the front straight at about
150mph and left debris all over the track bringing out our first full course
yellow. We pit the 20 car for fuel, tire and a driver change. I got back in
the car. The car was running strong as I got behind the #68 Mazda RX-8, who
was just behind the #97 BMW 330. I was drafting the Mazda and he couldn't
pull away. I was several laps down from these cars so I was just having fun
and trying to finish the race. Twice I passed the Mazda under braking
because of the draft I was getting on the high-speed straights.
While coming down the back straight at 145 mph on lap 44 the car developed a
severe vibration in the front end. I thought I had a tire going down because
of some debris from a Mustang which I ran over a lap or two earlier. I made it through the bus stop (chicane) without a problem and came directly into the pits.
The crew said the tires looked okay so I took a splash of fuel and headed
back out. While accelerating down pit lane something in the drive train
broke. It was as if the transmission only had neutral. I turned the car into
an opening and coasted behind the wall. The day was done for the 20 car.
Very disappointing I had high expectations for a good race finish based on
our early position and the way the car was running.
I have to admit that is very disappointing and frustrating putting so much
time, effort and money into a program preparing the cars positioning them to
win and having something break. During Thursdays first practice our little
1.6 liter 4 cylinder MINI Cooper S was 5th fastest behind the BMW 328I, the
factory supported Mazda RX-8; the factory built and supported Acura RSX, and
the Turner BMW 330I. Practice two we were 6th fastest behind the same cars
and the factory supported Lexus. During the race, we were 5th fastest behind
the BMW 328 & 330, Lexus, Mazda and Toyota Supra.
The problems we encountered this weekend were broken spark plug electrodes,
loss of abs brakes, torn axle boots, broken CV joint because of the torn boot, broken shocks and a complete engine failure.
Now our focus is to find the cause of these problems, repair the broken
engine and be ready to race at the newly renovated Miami-Homestead the
weekend of March 26-27. Last year we had the second fastest lap time there.
This year I'll be looking for our first win. Thanks to Chuck, Coco, Dan,
Gene, Jeff, Lisa, Mike, Mike, Paul, Paul, Reese, Shane and Tim for all the
hard work.
See you at the races.
Tony
with a 250-mile race at Daytona International Speedway. The race will be
broadcast on Speed Channel Sat, Feb 14 @ 4pm.
I had a good feeling and a lot of confidence going into Daytona. We had
fixed every problem that materialized last season and I knew if the cars
held together we would have a good finish.
The weather in the Northeast had been brutally cold for the past few weeks,
making preparations more challenging than they should have been. Working in
the trailer in sub zero temperatures just reminded me how nice it would be
getting to sunny Florida.
Most of the crew would be traveling Wednesday, which is when the blizzard
was supposed to hit our area hard, 12-15 inches predicted for the metro
area. Our transporter left early to get ahead of the weather, but the storm
came in from the south and the snowy conditions forced him to stop for the
night in Virginia. The next morning he got into North Carolina and was
forced to stop because the roads were completely iced over. Sections of I-95
where closed because of the accidents and the road conditions. After losing
a whole day of travel, the conditions still hadn't improved as of 10:30 AM,
the highway was still not travelable. Then around noontime, the rising
temperatures and sunshine did its job and the roads were again drivable. The
rest of the trip was uneventful and the transport arrived at the track
Wednesday morning.
Wednesday was windy and cool (low 50's) not what we had expected. Our crew
of Jeff, Coco, Reese, Dan, Chuck and I setup the paddock area, unloaded the
cars and equipment, then proceeded to prepare the cars for tech. Once in the
tech line it took about two hours before we actually got through tech and
were okayed to race. That evening the balance of our crew arrived.
Thursday morning we arrive at the track at 7:30AM, we're not allowed into
the paddock before then. We have a brief team meeting to go over schedules
and other important information, and then hand out job assignments. Everyone
get right to work to insure the cars are ready for our first practice
session at 11:10 AM. Mike, Gene, Shane and I attend the Grand AM drivers
meeting at 9:30AM.
We roll out for the first practice session with fifty other cars and let the
fun begin. The first practice is to shake down the cars and make sure
everything is working okay. It's also a time for the drivers who haven't
been in a racecar since last year to clear the cobwebs, get focused and
learn the racetrack in this particular racecar.
This session went well and the #20 car finished 5th in class and 26th
overall with a time of 2:14:466 and an average lap speed of 95.310MPH. The
#21 car finished 20th in class and 44th overall with a best lap time of
2:21:293 and a speed of 90.705. We have one more practice before qualifying
so it's back to the paddock to check over the cars, analyze the tune-up and
prepare for the next session.
The second practice was going fine until the #21 car developed a misfire. It
was near the end of the session so be brought the car into the pits to see
what was wrong. Paul made some adjustments and sent it back out for the
remainder of the session. The #20 car was running great. The #20 car
finished 6th in class and 29th overall with a time of 2:15:006 and a speed
of 94.929MPH. The #21 car finished 21st in class and 45th overall with a
time of 2:19:380 and a speed of 91.950MPH. A fifth teen minute qualifying
session is next at 4:20PM.
The crew went to work replacing sensors on the 21 car and checking every nut
and bolt on both cars. The 21 car had broken a rear shock so that had to be
rebuilt and replaced. The abs brakes weren't working in the 20 car so we
replaced some sensors to try and get it working again. Both cars had leaking
CV boots but not the same ones, which had to be replaced. By the time
qualifying came we were ready. Gene would qualify the #21 car and Tony would
qualify the #20 car, these would be the starting drivers for the race.
We were having some fun running nose to tail, and then swapping passes with
each other. Both cars seem to running strong. Gene was ahead of me as we
exited the infield onto the backing I drafted him and was making a pass to
the outside when the #21 car developed a misfire. I easily passed and
continued, as Gene had to pit. We qualified 14th and 16th in class, the #20
car had a time of 2:16:401 and a speed of 93.958MPH, the #21 car had a time
of 2:16:751 and a speed of 93.718MPH.
There are no more sessions for us until tomorrow race at 2:30PM. So the crew
packs up for the night and will be back bright and early to race prep the
cars.
Friday race day
It was a long wait until the 2:30PM race start. The drivers had a meeting at
12:15 and then waited while the cars were being readied. Griding began at
1:15 and once the cars were in their qualifying position it was wait some
more until we got the 5-minute warning. Now that you're strapped into the
car, your mind changes to pre race thoughts. Photographers are snapping
photos as you seat ready to roll out onto the track. You are ready to race.
We are staged on pit lane in a two by two formation. Engines switched off
until the pre-race ceremonies are completed. The call of drivers start your
engine is given and we are finally rolling out onto the track. The pace car
leads us around for one pace lap. Drivers are scrubbing their tires to build
up heat. You are aware of ever sense and feel, you don't want to make a
mistake at the start and you don't want the car in front to get a jump on
you, you don't want the car behind you to make an early pass.
You are in formation exiting NASCAR turn four on the high banking and you
can see the pace car pull into the pits at the very last moment, you have to
keep pace as you wait for the green flag start. As you pass the start line,
you try to position yourself so you can make an early pass and not be
passed. It's such a rush as you enter turn one at over one hundred mph with
60 cars all-fighting for the same real estate.
I had a good start and made up 6 positions before we were out of the
infield. I was now running in 8th position and by the third lap, I was only
2 seconds behind and had a twelve second lead over the 9th place car. It was
so much fun running nose to tail with the car in front of me and he with the
car in front of him. We had a freight train going around the track as you're
used to seeing in NASCAR. In front of me were 2-Acura RSX's, 2-BMW 330's and
three Mazda RX-8's then the MINI. The 21 car developed a misfire and had to
pit on lap 6. The crew fixed the problem and Gene reentered he race. I was
still running in 8th when the 20 car developed a misfire on lap 13, I was
losing 10 seconds a lap and had to pit for repairs. At this time, we made a
driver change and put Shane in the 20 car. Shane reentered the race and
began to make up positions. The car seemed to be running okay.
At about lap 22 the 21 car blew an engine. Not a happy time for Nuzzo
Motorsports, but should make for some spectacular TV coverage.
On lap 31, one of the 350Z's blew a tire on the front straight at about
150mph and left debris all over the track bringing out our first full course
yellow. We pit the 20 car for fuel, tire and a driver change. I got back in
the car. The car was running strong as I got behind the #68 Mazda RX-8, who
was just behind the #97 BMW 330. I was drafting the Mazda and he couldn't
pull away. I was several laps down from these cars so I was just having fun
and trying to finish the race. Twice I passed the Mazda under braking
because of the draft I was getting on the high-speed straights.
While coming down the back straight at 145 mph on lap 44 the car developed a
severe vibration in the front end. I thought I had a tire going down because
of some debris from a Mustang which I ran over a lap or two earlier. I made it through the bus stop (chicane) without a problem and came directly into the pits.
The crew said the tires looked okay so I took a splash of fuel and headed
back out. While accelerating down pit lane something in the drive train
broke. It was as if the transmission only had neutral. I turned the car into
an opening and coasted behind the wall. The day was done for the 20 car.
Very disappointing I had high expectations for a good race finish based on
our early position and the way the car was running.
I have to admit that is very disappointing and frustrating putting so much
time, effort and money into a program preparing the cars positioning them to
win and having something break. During Thursdays first practice our little
1.6 liter 4 cylinder MINI Cooper S was 5th fastest behind the BMW 328I, the
factory supported Mazda RX-8; the factory built and supported Acura RSX, and
the Turner BMW 330I. Practice two we were 6th fastest behind the same cars
and the factory supported Lexus. During the race, we were 5th fastest behind
the BMW 328 & 330, Lexus, Mazda and Toyota Supra.
The problems we encountered this weekend were broken spark plug electrodes,
loss of abs brakes, torn axle boots, broken CV joint because of the torn boot, broken shocks and a complete engine failure.
Now our focus is to find the cause of these problems, repair the broken
engine and be ready to race at the newly renovated Miami-Homestead the
weekend of March 26-27. Last year we had the second fastest lap time there.
This year I'll be looking for our first win. Thanks to Chuck, Coco, Dan,
Gene, Jeff, Lisa, Mike, Mike, Paul, Paul, Reese, Shane and Tim for all the
hard work.
See you at the races.
Tony
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02-19-2004, 06:33 PM
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>>The 2004 Grand Am Cup Championship Season got under way this past weekend
>>with a 250-mile race at Daytona International Speedway. The race will be
>>broadcast on Speed Channel Sat, Feb 14 @ 4pm.
>>
>>I had a good feeling and a lot of confidence going into Daytona. We had
>>fixed every problem that materialized last season and I knew if the cars
>>held together we would have a good finish.
>>
>>The weather in the Northeast had been brutally cold for the past few weeks,
>>making preparations more challenging than they should have been. Working in
>>the trailer in sub zero temperatures just reminded me how nice it would be
>>getting to sunny Florida.
>>
>>Most of the crew would be traveling Wednesday, which is when the blizzard
>>was supposed to hit our area hard, 12-15 inches predicted for the metro
>>area. Our transporter left early to get ahead of the weather, but the storm
>>came in from the south and the snowy conditions forced him to stop for the
>>night in Virginia. The next morning he got into North Carolina and was
>>forced to stop because the roads were completely iced over. Sections of I-95
>>where closed because of the accidents and the road conditions. After losing
>>a whole day of travel, the conditions still hadn't improved as of 10:30 AM,
>>the highway was still not travelable. Then around noontime, the rising
>>temperatures and sunshine did its job and the roads were again drivable. The
>>rest of the trip was uneventful and the transport arrived at the track
>>Wednesday morning.
>>
>>Wednesday was windy and cool (low 50's) not what we had expected. Our crew
>>of Jeff, Coco, Reese, Dan, Chuck and I setup the paddock area, unloaded the
>>cars and equipment, then proceeded to prepare the cars for tech. Once in the
>>tech line it took about two hours before we actually got through tech and
>>were okayed to race. That evening the balance of our crew arrived.
>>
>>Thursday morning we arrive at the track at 7:30AM, we're not allowed into
>>the paddock before then. We have a brief team meeting to go over schedules
>>and other important information, and then hand out job assignments. Everyone
>>get right to work to insure the cars are ready for our first practice
>>session at 11:10 AM. Mike, Gene, Shane and I attend the Grand AM drivers
>>meeting at 9:30AM.
>>
>>We roll out for the first practice session with fifty other cars and let the
>>fun begin. The first practice is to shake down the cars and make sure
>>everything is working okay. It's also a time for the drivers who haven't
>>been in a racecar since last year to clear the cobwebs, get focused and
>>learn the racetrack in this particular racecar.
>>This session went well and the #20 car finished 5th in class and 26th
>>overall with a time of 2:14:466 and an average lap speed of 95.310MPH. The
>>#21 car finished 20th in class and 44th overall with a best lap time of
>>2:21:293 and a speed of 90.705. We have one more practice before qualifying
>>so it's back to the paddock to check over the cars, analyze the tune-up and
>>prepare for the next session.
>>
>>The second practice was going fine until the #21 car developed a misfire. It
>>was near the end of the session so be brought the car into the pits to see
>>what was wrong. Paul made some adjustments and sent it back out for the
>>remainder of the session. The #20 car was running great. The #20 car
>>finished 6th in class and 29th overall with a time of 2:15:006 and a speed
>>of 94.929MPH. The #21 car finished 21st in class and 45th overall with a
>>time of 2:19:380 and a speed of 91.950MPH. A fifth teen minute qualifying
>>session is next at 4:20PM.
>>
>>The crew went to work replacing sensors on the 21 car and checking every nut
>>and bolt on both cars. The 21 car had broken a rear shock so that had to be
>>rebuilt and replaced. The abs brakes weren't working in the 20 car so we
>>replaced some sensors to try and get it working again. Both cars had leaking
>>CV boots but not the same ones, which had to be replaced. By the time
>>qualifying came we were ready. Gene would qualify the #21 car and Tony would
>>qualify the #20 car, these would be the starting drivers for the race.
>>
>>We were having some fun running nose to tail, and then swapping passes with
>>each other. Both cars seem to running strong. Gene was ahead of me as we
>>exited the infield onto the backing I drafted him and was making a pass to
>>the outside when the #21 car developed a misfire. I easily passed and
>>continued, as Gene had to pit. We qualified 14th and 16th in class, the #20
>>car had a time of 2:16:401 and a speed of 93.958MPH, the #21 car had a time
>>of 2:16:751 and a speed of 93.718MPH.
>>
>>There are no more sessions for us until tomorrow race at 2:30PM. So the crew
>>packs up for the night and will be back bright and early to race prep the
>>cars.
>>
>>Friday race day
>>It was a long wait until the 2:30PM race start. The drivers had a meeting at
>>12:15 and then waited while the cars were being readied. Griding began at
>>1:15 and once the cars were in their qualifying position it was wait some
>>more until we got the 5-minute warning. Now that you're strapped into the
>>car, your mind changes to pre race thoughts. Photographers are snapping
>>photos as you seat ready to roll out onto the track. You are ready to race.
>>We are staged on pit lane in a two by two formation. Engines switched off
>>until the pre-race ceremonies are completed. The call of drivers start your
>>engine is given and we are finally rolling out onto the track. The pace car
>>leads us around for one pace lap. Drivers are scrubbing their tires to build
>>up heat. You are aware of ever sense and feel, you don't want to make a
>>mistake at the start and you don't want the car in front to get a jump on
>>you, you don't want the car behind you to make an early pass.
>>
>>You are in formation exiting NASCAR turn four on the high banking and you
>>can see the pace car pull into the pits at the very last moment, you have to
>>keep pace as you wait for the green flag start. As you pass the start line,
>>you try to position yourself so you can make an early pass and not be
>>passed. It's such a rush as you enter turn one at over one hundred mph with
>>60 cars all-fighting for the same real estate.
>>
>>I had a good start and made up 6 positions before we were out of the
>>infield. I was now running in 8th position and by the third lap, I was only
>>2 seconds behind and had a twelve second lead over the 9th place car. It was
>>so much fun running nose to tail with the car in front of me and he with the
>>car in front of him. We had a freight train going around the track as you're
>>used to seeing in NASCAR. In front of me were 2-Acura RSX's, 2-BMW 330's and
>>three Mazda RX-8's then the MINI. The 21 car developed a misfire and had to
>>pit on lap 6. The crew fixed the problem and Gene reentered he race. I was
>>still running in 8th when the 20 car developed a misfire on lap 13, I was
>>losing 10 seconds a lap and had to pit for repairs. At this time, we made a
>>driver change and put Shane in the 20 car. Shane reentered the race and
>>began to make up positions. The car seemed to be running okay.
>>
>>At about lap 22 the 21 car blew an engine. Not a happy time for Nuzzo
>>Motorsports, but should make for some spectacular TV coverage.
>>
>>On lap 31, one of the 350Z's blew a tire on the front straight at about
>>150mph and left debris all over the track bringing out our first full course
>>yellow. We pit the 20 car for fuel, tire and a driver change. I got back in
>>the car. The car was running strong as I got behind the #68 Mazda RX-8, who
>>was just behind the #97 BMW 330. I was drafting the Mazda and he couldn't
>>pull away. I was several laps down from these cars so I was just having fun
>>and trying to finish the race. Twice I passed the Mazda under braking
>>because of the draft I was getting on the high-speed straights.
>>
>>While coming down the back straight at 145 mph on lap 44 the car developed a
>>severe vibration in the front end. I thought I had a tire going down because
>>of some debris from a Mustang which I ran over a lap or two earlier. I made it through the bus stop (chicane) without a problem and came directly into the pits.
>>The crew said the tires looked okay so I took a splash of fuel and headed
>>back out. While accelerating down pit lane something in the drive train
>>broke. It was as if the transmission only had neutral. I turned the car into
>>an opening and coasted behind the wall. The day was done for the 20 car.
>>Very disappointing I had high expectations for a good race finish based on
>>our early position and the way the car was running.
>>
>>I have to admit that is very disappointing and frustrating putting so much
>>time, effort and money into a program preparing the cars positioning them to
>>win and having something break. During Thursdays first practice our little
>>1.6 liter 4 cylinder MINI Cooper S was 5th fastest behind the BMW 328I, the
>>factory supported Mazda RX-8; the factory built and supported Acura RSX, and
>>the Turner BMW 330I. Practice two we were 6th fastest behind the same cars
>>and the factory supported Lexus. During the race, we were 5th fastest behind
>>the BMW 328 & 330, Lexus, Mazda and Toyota Supra.
>>
>>The problems we encountered this weekend were broken spark plug electrodes,
>>loss of abs brakes, torn axle boots, broken CV joint because of the torn boot, broken shocks and a complete engine failure.
>>
>>Now our focus is to find the cause of these problems, repair the broken
>>engine and be ready to race at the newly renovated Miami-Homestead the
>>weekend of March 26-27. Last year we had the second fastest lap time there.
>>This year I'll be looking for our first win. Thanks to Chuck, Coco, Dan,
>>Gene, Jeff, Lisa, Mike, Mike, Paul, Paul, Reese, Shane and Tim for all the
>>hard work.
>>
>>See you at the races.
>>Tony
>>
Hi Tony,
Nice write up on the Daytona events, sure must be frustating to have things break...I have not experienced that yet being that I have only entered races that only last 30min.
Just got back from a 4 day double SCCA racing schol at Roebling road, Savannah, Ga.
Had about 40 cars in my group, RX-7's to GT_1 Vettes & a GT-1 M3, the Mini ran away from the entire fleet except the Vettes & the M3.
I did pass one of the Vettes in the rain on Braking at the end of the straight...only to watch him spin as I took him on the inside....great feeling.
Also finished 1st in class & in the same spot in dry conditions...needless to say my Mini got lots of attention.
If you recall, I wrote to you earlier and sent you photos of your car at Barber & my car # 53 as well.
If you ever need an alternate driver....I can drive a Mini.
I'm Racing again this weekend in Louisiana.
Good luck next race.
Paulo Steven Diniz
>>with a 250-mile race at Daytona International Speedway. The race will be
>>broadcast on Speed Channel Sat, Feb 14 @ 4pm.
>>
>>I had a good feeling and a lot of confidence going into Daytona. We had
>>fixed every problem that materialized last season and I knew if the cars
>>held together we would have a good finish.
>>
>>The weather in the Northeast had been brutally cold for the past few weeks,
>>making preparations more challenging than they should have been. Working in
>>the trailer in sub zero temperatures just reminded me how nice it would be
>>getting to sunny Florida.
>>
>>Most of the crew would be traveling Wednesday, which is when the blizzard
>>was supposed to hit our area hard, 12-15 inches predicted for the metro
>>area. Our transporter left early to get ahead of the weather, but the storm
>>came in from the south and the snowy conditions forced him to stop for the
>>night in Virginia. The next morning he got into North Carolina and was
>>forced to stop because the roads were completely iced over. Sections of I-95
>>where closed because of the accidents and the road conditions. After losing
>>a whole day of travel, the conditions still hadn't improved as of 10:30 AM,
>>the highway was still not travelable. Then around noontime, the rising
>>temperatures and sunshine did its job and the roads were again drivable. The
>>rest of the trip was uneventful and the transport arrived at the track
>>Wednesday morning.
>>
>>Wednesday was windy and cool (low 50's) not what we had expected. Our crew
>>of Jeff, Coco, Reese, Dan, Chuck and I setup the paddock area, unloaded the
>>cars and equipment, then proceeded to prepare the cars for tech. Once in the
>>tech line it took about two hours before we actually got through tech and
>>were okayed to race. That evening the balance of our crew arrived.
>>
>>Thursday morning we arrive at the track at 7:30AM, we're not allowed into
>>the paddock before then. We have a brief team meeting to go over schedules
>>and other important information, and then hand out job assignments. Everyone
>>get right to work to insure the cars are ready for our first practice
>>session at 11:10 AM. Mike, Gene, Shane and I attend the Grand AM drivers
>>meeting at 9:30AM.
>>
>>We roll out for the first practice session with fifty other cars and let the
>>fun begin. The first practice is to shake down the cars and make sure
>>everything is working okay. It's also a time for the drivers who haven't
>>been in a racecar since last year to clear the cobwebs, get focused and
>>learn the racetrack in this particular racecar.
>>This session went well and the #20 car finished 5th in class and 26th
>>overall with a time of 2:14:466 and an average lap speed of 95.310MPH. The
>>#21 car finished 20th in class and 44th overall with a best lap time of
>>2:21:293 and a speed of 90.705. We have one more practice before qualifying
>>so it's back to the paddock to check over the cars, analyze the tune-up and
>>prepare for the next session.
>>
>>The second practice was going fine until the #21 car developed a misfire. It
>>was near the end of the session so be brought the car into the pits to see
>>what was wrong. Paul made some adjustments and sent it back out for the
>>remainder of the session. The #20 car was running great. The #20 car
>>finished 6th in class and 29th overall with a time of 2:15:006 and a speed
>>of 94.929MPH. The #21 car finished 21st in class and 45th overall with a
>>time of 2:19:380 and a speed of 91.950MPH. A fifth teen minute qualifying
>>session is next at 4:20PM.
>>
>>The crew went to work replacing sensors on the 21 car and checking every nut
>>and bolt on both cars. The 21 car had broken a rear shock so that had to be
>>rebuilt and replaced. The abs brakes weren't working in the 20 car so we
>>replaced some sensors to try and get it working again. Both cars had leaking
>>CV boots but not the same ones, which had to be replaced. By the time
>>qualifying came we were ready. Gene would qualify the #21 car and Tony would
>>qualify the #20 car, these would be the starting drivers for the race.
>>
>>We were having some fun running nose to tail, and then swapping passes with
>>each other. Both cars seem to running strong. Gene was ahead of me as we
>>exited the infield onto the backing I drafted him and was making a pass to
>>the outside when the #21 car developed a misfire. I easily passed and
>>continued, as Gene had to pit. We qualified 14th and 16th in class, the #20
>>car had a time of 2:16:401 and a speed of 93.958MPH, the #21 car had a time
>>of 2:16:751 and a speed of 93.718MPH.
>>
>>There are no more sessions for us until tomorrow race at 2:30PM. So the crew
>>packs up for the night and will be back bright and early to race prep the
>>cars.
>>
>>Friday race day
>>It was a long wait until the 2:30PM race start. The drivers had a meeting at
>>12:15 and then waited while the cars were being readied. Griding began at
>>1:15 and once the cars were in their qualifying position it was wait some
>>more until we got the 5-minute warning. Now that you're strapped into the
>>car, your mind changes to pre race thoughts. Photographers are snapping
>>photos as you seat ready to roll out onto the track. You are ready to race.
>>We are staged on pit lane in a two by two formation. Engines switched off
>>until the pre-race ceremonies are completed. The call of drivers start your
>>engine is given and we are finally rolling out onto the track. The pace car
>>leads us around for one pace lap. Drivers are scrubbing their tires to build
>>up heat. You are aware of ever sense and feel, you don't want to make a
>>mistake at the start and you don't want the car in front to get a jump on
>>you, you don't want the car behind you to make an early pass.
>>
>>You are in formation exiting NASCAR turn four on the high banking and you
>>can see the pace car pull into the pits at the very last moment, you have to
>>keep pace as you wait for the green flag start. As you pass the start line,
>>you try to position yourself so you can make an early pass and not be
>>passed. It's such a rush as you enter turn one at over one hundred mph with
>>60 cars all-fighting for the same real estate.
>>
>>I had a good start and made up 6 positions before we were out of the
>>infield. I was now running in 8th position and by the third lap, I was only
>>2 seconds behind and had a twelve second lead over the 9th place car. It was
>>so much fun running nose to tail with the car in front of me and he with the
>>car in front of him. We had a freight train going around the track as you're
>>used to seeing in NASCAR. In front of me were 2-Acura RSX's, 2-BMW 330's and
>>three Mazda RX-8's then the MINI. The 21 car developed a misfire and had to
>>pit on lap 6. The crew fixed the problem and Gene reentered he race. I was
>>still running in 8th when the 20 car developed a misfire on lap 13, I was
>>losing 10 seconds a lap and had to pit for repairs. At this time, we made a
>>driver change and put Shane in the 20 car. Shane reentered the race and
>>began to make up positions. The car seemed to be running okay.
>>
>>At about lap 22 the 21 car blew an engine. Not a happy time for Nuzzo
>>Motorsports, but should make for some spectacular TV coverage.
>>
>>On lap 31, one of the 350Z's blew a tire on the front straight at about
>>150mph and left debris all over the track bringing out our first full course
>>yellow. We pit the 20 car for fuel, tire and a driver change. I got back in
>>the car. The car was running strong as I got behind the #68 Mazda RX-8, who
>>was just behind the #97 BMW 330. I was drafting the Mazda and he couldn't
>>pull away. I was several laps down from these cars so I was just having fun
>>and trying to finish the race. Twice I passed the Mazda under braking
>>because of the draft I was getting on the high-speed straights.
>>
>>While coming down the back straight at 145 mph on lap 44 the car developed a
>>severe vibration in the front end. I thought I had a tire going down because
>>of some debris from a Mustang which I ran over a lap or two earlier. I made it through the bus stop (chicane) without a problem and came directly into the pits.
>>The crew said the tires looked okay so I took a splash of fuel and headed
>>back out. While accelerating down pit lane something in the drive train
>>broke. It was as if the transmission only had neutral. I turned the car into
>>an opening and coasted behind the wall. The day was done for the 20 car.
>>Very disappointing I had high expectations for a good race finish based on
>>our early position and the way the car was running.
>>
>>I have to admit that is very disappointing and frustrating putting so much
>>time, effort and money into a program preparing the cars positioning them to
>>win and having something break. During Thursdays first practice our little
>>1.6 liter 4 cylinder MINI Cooper S was 5th fastest behind the BMW 328I, the
>>factory supported Mazda RX-8; the factory built and supported Acura RSX, and
>>the Turner BMW 330I. Practice two we were 6th fastest behind the same cars
>>and the factory supported Lexus. During the race, we were 5th fastest behind
>>the BMW 328 & 330, Lexus, Mazda and Toyota Supra.
>>
>>The problems we encountered this weekend were broken spark plug electrodes,
>>loss of abs brakes, torn axle boots, broken CV joint because of the torn boot, broken shocks and a complete engine failure.
>>
>>Now our focus is to find the cause of these problems, repair the broken
>>engine and be ready to race at the newly renovated Miami-Homestead the
>>weekend of March 26-27. Last year we had the second fastest lap time there.
>>This year I'll be looking for our first win. Thanks to Chuck, Coco, Dan,
>>Gene, Jeff, Lisa, Mike, Mike, Paul, Paul, Reese, Shane and Tim for all the
>>hard work.
>>
>>See you at the races.
>>Tony
>>
Hi Tony, Nice write up on the Daytona events, sure must be frustating to have things break...I have not experienced that yet being that I have only entered races that only last 30min.
Just got back from a 4 day double SCCA racing schol at Roebling road, Savannah, Ga.
Had about 40 cars in my group, RX-7's to GT_1 Vettes & a GT-1 M3, the Mini ran away from the entire fleet except the Vettes & the M3.
I did pass one of the Vettes in the rain on Braking at the end of the straight...only to watch him spin as I took him on the inside....great feeling.
Also finished 1st in class & in the same spot in dry conditions...needless to say my Mini got lots of attention.
If you recall, I wrote to you earlier and sent you photos of your car at Barber & my car # 53 as well.
If you ever need an alternate driver....I can drive a Mini.
I'm Racing again this weekend in Louisiana.
Good luck next race.
Paulo Steven Diniz
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