Guy Cunningham drove the #42 car to a well-deserved first place AI finish on Saturday. Guy would lose about 5 positions on the starts, but with his excellent chassis, coupled with his driving proficiency, he managed to take the lead and hold on to the end.
My own driving performance was dismal on Saturday. I made many, many mistakes, due in part to exhaustion, just getting over the flu. Since we had not run the Fontana track before, we guessed at the rear gear. We guessed wrong and it was too low, which I determined early on Friday. But as tired as the Griggs Racing crew and I were from prepping customer cars, I decided not to change anything until Saturday night. The result was that in the infield 6 turns were too slow for third, and too fast for second, which made it very difficult to drive. I did manage fast time, but after starting on the pole I drove off the track in a real slow right-hander and let the field go by on the first lap. I caught up and passed for the lead two laps later only to do it again in turn 18, trying to miss a tire wall that was in place to keep the cars from using the apron and tearing up the asphalt. I missed the tires, but gave up the lead to John Lindsey who was driving sure and steady. Then, I was again catching up the next lap when at about the half way point Ed Varon hit the turn 18 tire wall and inverted his car, destroying it and red-flagging (ending) the race. It was good to see Ed wasn't hurt. Evidenced by the debris field, it appeared to have been a brutal crash. I do feel I could have passed John had the race not been shortened. However it warmed my heart to see him win, as he is one of the reasons American Iron exists.
The GR40 crew worked hard Saturday afternoon and brought the #40 AIX Mustang back up to its usual standard of performance and driving ease, and Sunday I started on the pole and ran away with it. Vageli Karas, driving his GR40 AI Mustang displayed much determination with what was in my opinion the "cool move of the race." Running 5th on the first lap, Vageli passed all the AI and AIX cars in front (except for mine) with a daring charge down the inside coming down off the banking, braking hard into turn 3 from about 160mph to 35mph and making it stick, without risk to his competitors. He then held on to first in AI and second overall. I will post the video clip taken out the back of my car as soon as it is processed. It is something to see.
Kevin Chambers set an astounding pace in his GR40 AI Mustang with his new motor. He qualified on the front row next to me, and over a second ahead of the rest of the AI AIX field. It was good to see Kevin do so well. Unfortunately he fell out with a distributor problem.
Guy Cunningham should get also get a "cool move of the race award" for Sunday. We are still working on getting more power in his car, as he is still running an old open track engine. Customer demands have precluded our completing a new more competitive power plant. In the mean time, he has been running at a distinct disadvantage in torque output. California Speedway is a track that required as much power/torque as possible, yet Guy set the fastest lap of the race, faster by a second than even the AIX cars including myself. He finished second. Excellent driving in a well prepared car.
And there was Chaka Milby who was running well in AIX. He recently upgraded to a complete GR40 Chassis, replacing a competitor's K member. The difference in his track performance was noticeable to all. Come on Chaka! I can't wait until you and I can run door-handle to door-handle. Chaka is a great guy and all of us want to see him do well.
Some of the field was plagued with new-season mechanical ills, but by and large the field was the largest and fastest yet. There were many with stories to be told, some who stayed up all night getting ready or repairing. Long time GR40 owner Dave Martis showed up for the first time with his new mount. It is an immaculate 98 GR40 AIX Cobra that you will be seeing a lot of in the magazines, a work of art. Unfortunately Dave had gearing issues that led to a blown motor.
I don't know the exact count of spectators, but the well-publicized event was very well attended, and the crowds around our cars were at times in the way of the crew performing their tasks efficiently. This is a good thing. American Iron is here to stay and Griggs Racing Products intends to continue proving its superiority in this arena.
I implore you to check out the American Iron schedule and come out to a race if you haven't already. Check out the rules and if you have a car that can be made AI legal, come run with us. It really is a good show and a great way to spend a weekend. Even if you only have a street or open track car, come on out and run HPDE (high performance driving event) while you are there. Griggs Racing and NASA will help you have the time of your life.
Bruce Griggs