T/Hill June 29th Was HOT, over 100 degrees all day. The heat most definitely took its toll. Ross Murray had a schedule conflict with his Trans-Am activities so I elected to drive the #40 AIX car on the weekend. It was some time since I had driven on the track at all (Last November AI event at Sears Point). After such a long hiatus it took me a while to get up to speed, especially since I am not used to the Toyo handling characteristics. But once I did, I was fast time both days for the entire AI/AIX field, which was considerably reduced in size. I was very disappointed that I had no competition in my class and the field was reduced in AI as well. Being a mid-season Northern California event I wasn't surprised that most of the So Cal entrants stayed home to get ready for Las Vegas. But the Nor Cal AI boys put on quite a show. Guy Cunningham was fast time, but got passed on the first lap by several cars as his car developed a misfire at the start. Kevin Chambers was fast too. Qualifying just a tick under Guy's time, he drove away from the AI field until a cooling hose removed itself from the radiator. Guy's misfire healed itself at the end of the first lap and he then slowly overtook all the AI entries to assume the lead. Vageli Karas then drove his GR40 LX steadily and used his head to pass Guy when he slowed for an errant CMC Camaro in turn 10 for the win. Rob Ainscough ran second until suffering an off-course excursion that cost him his accessory drive belt on his beautiful black 99 GR40 Cobra. Thinking it was just a power steering failure he continued on and overheated his engine.
Darin Smedberg showed up after a long hiatus. Having just installed his new TFS heads, manifold and headers his car was fast, and he was getting used to the power when it threw a rod through the pan on the front straight causing a spectacular oil fire. The track workers were on it right away before it could spread, Darin was OK, but is now saving for a short block to replace the 130,000 mile original unit in his 93 GR 40 Mustang. Darin is talented and fast. He is working on sponsorship, and if he gets it, he will add great excitement to the competitive AI series. Of those still running at the end the order was: Griggs, Karas, Cunningham, Roco, Varon
The next day was 104 degrees. Rob lost the engine in his Cobra in Sunday's practice due to the prior days running without a belt. We are now building him one that will make competitive power. I was fast time again, with Guy second, I fell asleep at the start allowing Guy to pass me into turn two, and I followed him for the next three laps as he led over-all. Team-mate or not, he decided to race the boss, and I had to really work hard to pass him in turn 14, where we went door handle to door handle, crossing lines and exited on to the front straight door handle to door handle. I didn't complete the pass until we were at the start finish line. Guy is very fast indeed at T/hill.
Ernesto Roco, continues to show promise and debuted with his newly converted 5.0 based engine in his Cobra mount. Unfortunately he had an altercation with Ed Varon. Ed's car suffered damage to the nose. Ed and Ernesto were two of those GR40 Troopers that made it up to the Nor Cal heat from So Cal. I personally want to thank them for supporting the series so completely.
I won AIX and overall, again unchallenged with no other AIX entries. Guy was second overall and first in AI, Kevin Chambers ran hard to finish second in AI, And Vageli limped in to the finish after losing the drive of his engine accessories.
Vageli and Rob are serious competitors. Not that others aren't, it is just that they are so points conscience that they will continue to drive there cars when they are broken, at great expense in motor damage. I think with time they and other such serious competitors will learn that if it is broke, it is time to stop, and save the thing for the next event. Rob is most likely out of the Championship hunt, unless he finds a Sponsor real soon. He was certainly in a close battle with Vageli for the lead. Vageli's new motor will deliver more torque and make him more competitive. We look for a serious battle between Vageli and Guy for the rest of the season's events and for the American Iron Championship.
If I left anyone out, I apologize, but I was busy that weekend, having to drive as well as tend to all the chores, not to mention deal with the heat. It seems the venerable old #40 blue and white coupe was the only car that had no mechanical or other problems all weekend in spite of over 300 degree oil temp each run. The old car just keeps on ticking and winning. It has sat on the pole and won every AIX event it has been in. I turned a 2:00.0 in Sunday's high temperature qualifying, and in the race. Ross Murray has turned 1:58 in this car but on a much cooler day. For that I was a happy old man. I wish I could drive more and still stay in business, and keep my family together.
Bruce Griggs