Just got back from three days at Mid-Ohio, helping Bill Wessel and Dave
McDowell get their roadsters qualified for the races this weekend.
When I arrived Tuesday morning, Chris Luers and Bill were in the process of
swapping the motor. The cam on the primary engine was wiped during Monday's
practice, so they were going back to the engine he raced at the runoffs last
year. An interesting note: You _can_ pull the engine out without removing
the transmission. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it. Thanks to Col.
Joe Hauser for coming up with the innovation.
Dave had a serious crash in his 2000 a few weeks before the runoffs, and had
been scrambling to get the car together, but was there. He wasn't really
happy with his times earlier in the week. This afternoon, with a different
set of tires, he got a lap in the 1:40's, which he is very happy with.
Places him 19th on the grid. Dave would really like to be up front, but the
motor he has is down on power.
Bill had some OK qualifying on Tuesday, but not his best. We all watched
Brian Till's video on how to drive mid-ohio that night. Bill decided to try
some things on Wednesday, and was 2.3 seconds faster. Good enough for 7th
on the grid yesterday. Final grid after qualifying today bumped Bill down
to 8th, but he's really pleased. Bill was just scrubbing in some new tires,
so they'd be ready for the race on Saturday.
I also got to meet Joe Hauser, the previous owner of Bill's car. For those
that don't know, Joe won three SCCA National Championships in the 1600.
He's quite the legend at the race track. He quit racing in 1997, and I
think he was about 77 years old at the time.
I've never met Dave or Bill in person, and it was a real treat. I learned
more in three days hanging out with those guys than I would learn in three
years developing my race car on my own. Great bunch of guys.
Bill's race will be broadcast on Speed TV December 1. Dave's race is later
in December, not sure of the date right now.
Time to get cleaned up, and get rested. Going back to the track on Saturday
for Bill's race.
Happy Roadstering,
--
Chris Coker
69 1600 SPL311 <http://mywebpages.comcast.net/chriscoker/roadster.html>
66 1600 GP Race Car <http://mywebpages.comcast.net/datsunracer/racecar.html>
Royal Oak, MI
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