BFG CenDiv Event #2
  

Photo Courtesy of Micheal Clevenger
 

This was my second CenDiv event ever and I was a bit taken back when I saw Alan Stratton's Eclipse being unloaded at the site.  Fortunately (?) only John McIver, of the McIver/Stratton combo, was there that day.  So, I basically conceded first, because I know John is an excellent driver and that I didn't stand much of a chance.  The was also my first time ever 225 BFG g-Force R1's front tires.  I finally stepped up to the larger front tires after realizing I couldn't be competitive on 205's at all four corners.  So, my first run of the day I was a little reserved trying to feel out the tires and the balance of the car.  Well, it was loose, scary loose in fact.  I couldn't lift in a turn without the car rotating.  I guess that is good, but I certainly wasn't used to it and it scared the sh*t out of me!   Suffice to say, I played with the pressures a little to calm the car down, but it still remained very loose and I just began adjusting my driving style by the end of the day.

Well, John started out on a blistering pace and I played catch up all day.   In fact, his first run was his fastest.  I chipped away and by my third run I was within .034 seconds of him.  In the grid before our fourth run, I watched John change the left front tire with a spare he'd brought along.  I was perplexed, but didn't think about it long and never bothered to ask why he did it.  Well, my fourth run was upon me and I took off knowing what I had to do.  I was on!  The car was doing everything I wanted it to, my lines were tight, and it felt fast.  I got down to the last turn before the finish and all of a sudden no grip up front, just like I was sliding on ice and then boom, boom, boom...three cones.  I recovered and stood on it to the finish.  My raw time was .600 seconds faster than my previous best (despite the ugly line to the finish), but those cones killed me.  Uggghhhh!!!!  Well, obviously dissapointed, I returned to the pit and listen for John and Jeff Robinson's time.  John didn't improve, but Jeff did.  Unfortunately (for Jeff) it wasn't enough to catch me or John.

After sitting there for a moment I remembered John changing that front tire.  Well, I leaned down and touched my left front and guess what, it almost burnt me it was so hot.  The light bulb comes on upstairs and I realize I overheated the tire and that's why the tire gave up on that last turn.  It also showed some signs of chunking, which wasn't a good sign, since the tire was new.  The lesson I learned from this was to keep an eye on my tire temps and if they get too hot, cool 'em off with ice, water, or whatever.  I'll chalk this up to being a rookie mistake.  It won't happen again!

The good news was since I was so close, I still came away with 99 of the 100 possible points for the event.  So, even though I came in second to McIver, I got lots of valuable series championship points.  It wasn't so bad after all :-)

Comments, questions or suggestions can be sent to Jeff Brown