#DRIVENASA – Arizona Region | We Drive Harder!

Drivers from all over the valley and even neighboring states came to Phoenix International Raceway, as it would be our last chance to turn laps at this track.  With a great turn out in HPDE, Time Trial and Race Group, it became apparent everyone wanted to secure their chance to run PIR before the scheduled renovations commence. Sadly, recent news has revealed that the scope of the NASCAR renovations will far exceed just infield improvements and oval repaving. The road course we all know and love will unfortunately be unusable going forward.

While we did not know that this would be our last event at PIR, NASA-AZ brought us a full schedule of our regular run groups, UMS Tuning Time Attack and also included Trial By Fire Drift practice for all of our participants who love to drive sideways!

I want to especially congratulate everyone who stayed for the entire weekend, consequently causing many of you to miss Super Bowl Sunday kickoff. Biased as I might be, I much enjoyed seeing where all of your priorities are – racing is (arguably) numero uno!

BBQ Delights
Yet again, (and I can’t say this enough) the food was amazing and the beers were plentiful for all participants – refreshing as can be after a long day of driving. For those of you who are new to NASA, stick around after the event and mingle with some of our long time members. It’s a great social setting that allows you to get to know your fellow drivers without the hustle and bustle of hot-track hours. Special thanks goes out to everyone who made this another successful BBQ!

Cash Pro-Payouts
Judging from the turnout in race group, it appears the cash payouts are working to bring more drivers out and register for racing. There is still a chance that you could walk away with a trophy AND cash! For details visit the NASA-AZ forum (http://forums.www.nasaaz.com/showthread.php?t=4472).

Teen Safety Driving School
Long time racer, volunteer and instructor Norman Hamden has put together a great program to help keep teens safer on the road. This defensive driving school for teens is designed for any beginner-level driver; pre-learners permit and permit holders. Teaming up with Arizona Motorsports Park, NASA will aid the first steps in bringing together the first class at AMP, taking place Saturday February 12th (register online: https://www.drivenasa.com/event/1232).

Schedule Announcement
For all of you who missed out on running HPDE and TT at Arizona Motorsports Park, here’s your chance to participate. Details are still in the works, so keep your eyes and ears peeled as NASA makes final arrangements to bring us to this amazing track Saturday March 19th.

Without PIR?
Unfortunately it’s true that we will lose one of our beloved tracks in this region, Phoenix International Raceway. However, in response NASA-AZ leadership is being very proactive in keeping our event schedule busier than ever, bringing events around the Southwest and in reasonable distances to/from the Phoenix area. With tracks such as Inde Motorsports Ranch, AMP (get those mufflers ready!), and Chuckwalla we have some viable options that will not only bring diversity to where we drive but how we drive–adding to the database of corners and apexes in our brains no doubt!

Racing for Dylan Levy
It should be also noted that UMS Time Attackers are out supporting a good cause. A charity fund raiser for Dylan Levy–the son of Noah Levy of LIC Motorsports–who will have to undergo a liver transplant due to a serious condition known as Biliary Atresia.  The 2011 UMS Tuning Time Attack plates will read “Racing for Dylan Levy“,  dedicating the 2011 TA series to young Dylan.

We encourage you to tell your friends and fellow car enthusiasts in effort to raise money, either by donating or simply buying a set of number plates. All money raised will go directly into an account for Dylan.

Dylan’s Story:
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/dylanwlevy/mystory

Noah and Amber’s Journal (Parents):
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/dylanwlevy/journal

How to Obtain your Number Plates:
http://forums.www.nasaaz.com/showthread.php?t=4564

Direct Donations:
http://dylanwlevy.weebly.com/index.html

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Race Group

The second NASA-AZ event of the year brought us some good racing in both Big Bore and Small Bore run groups. With 16-cars in Small Bore and 23-cars in Big Bore, there was a little something for everyone who attended with some new track records being set.
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Big Bore

Saturday’s fastest laps in Race Group were turned in Qualifying, with Rich Marziale, Brent Crosser, and Manuel Gil del Real all running sub-1:04 in SU trim. In the race, CV Wells turned a well sorted lap and set the ST-2 track record with 1:05.631. SU competitors also got in some fast laps throughout the race, with the top 8 turning in sub-1:05 best times. At the end of the race, Ritch Marziale took the win, followed by Manuel Gil del Real and Mark Alger. In ST-1, Chad Nelson was the only car in his class but found a way to dice it up with some of the SU cars. In ST-2, however, there were a few more in the field (the largest turn out in Big Bore) with 11 racers total. First racer to cross the finish line was CV Wells, followed by Ron Ballard, and Greg Dalgarn. Not only did this make for great racing, but it might be safe to say that the Pro-Cash Payout is an effective incentive–requiring our Regional Director Tage Evanson to part ways with a few $100 bills!

Sunday’s races brought out a different game for everyone, with slightly warmer temperatures and altered track conditions throughout the day. Qualifying times started with everyone slightly off-pace comparing to Saturday’s lap times. In SU, Mark Alger qualified on pole followed by Brent Crosser, then Martin Snow (who traveled all the way from Utah to join us at this event),. Snow did not run Sunday’s race, bumping Ed Ochylski up one position from 4th into 3rd.

Once the race started, SU and ST-2 classes sorted themselves into their respective battles. The exception of  it was Tage Evanson jumping in for a dozen laps and turning a quick 1:05.280, a new ST-2 track record (besting the record CV Wells set yesterday). First across the start/finish line was Brent Crosser taking the SU win, followed by Mark Alger who finished second, and Chad Nelson in third. Our winners in ST-2 begin with Greg Dalgarn taking first, Bryan McCormick in second, and Ron Ballard placing third.

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Top Racers Per Class on Saturday:

SU
1- #56 Ritch Marziale
2- #27 Manuel Gil del Real
3- #4 Mark Alger

ST-1
1- #407 Chad Nelson

ST-2
1- #24 CV Wells
2- #93 Ron Ballard
3- #631 Greg Dalgarn

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Top Racers Per Class on Sunday:

SU
1- #206 Brent Crosser
2- #4 Mark Alger
3- #14 Chad Nelson

ST-2
1- #631 Greg Dalgarn
2- #727 Bryan McCormick
3- #93 Ron Ballard

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Small Bore
For this event, the Big Bore/Small Bore split put all PT cars in the Small Bore run group, better distributing numbers between the two groups. We continue to encourage all Small Bore drivers to register early for each event so we can continue to promise designated run groups for the slower PT cars and Spec classes.

Terry Denton in PT-A took the pole in qualifying for the whole of Small Bore. While Denton was the first to pass the green flag, he was also the first to find an off-track excursion with a spin in turn 2, first lap out. Brian Turner and Matthew Seech quickly took position and carried a quick pace for the duration of the race. However, lap after lap, Denton made progress through the field, ultimately finishing first overall. Jeremy Renshaw took the win in PT-B, followed by Marty Saltzman. Both kept pace with each other throughout the race and were turning lap times similar to those in PT-A.

944 Spec enjoyed a half-dozen racers in attendance, led by Norm Hamden, Dave Hauck and Steve Marlow – who happened to be sporting a new ride; the 47x car once driven by Austin Newmark. Next up is Erik Woods in his Honda Challenge 2 car (also classed PT-C), driving ahead of the 944 pack, and behind the pace Leroy Moore who took the PT-C win for the day. Last but not least we have our Spec Miata class with local driver Geri Amani and out-of-town racer Madison Snow, who finished first and second respectively.

On Sunday the tables were turned throughout the spectrum of classes. In the front of the Small Bore group, Brian Turner delivered fast times in his UPS Porsche and stayed up front finishing first overall and in class. Following closely were Sean Southland and Terry Denton, in second and third. In PT-B, Jeremy Renshaw finished his weekend sweep for this event by taking the win again. Marty Saltzman placed second after having to drop out of the race earlier than anticipated. PT-C driver Leroy Moore finished just outside our top five finishers, followed by Erik Woods in his Honda Challenge 2 car. Norm Hamden was having a good weekend in 944 Spec taking the win yet again. Next up was Dave Hauck in second, with Jeff Wojnar placing third. The last of our Spec Classes is Spec Miata led by Madison Snow with Geri Amani forced to find a parking spot out between NASCAR turn 1 and turn 2 due to an engine failure.

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Top Racers Per Class on Saturday:

PT-A
1- #66 Terry Denton
2- #534 Brian Turner
3- #78 Matthew Seech

PT-B
1- #11 Jeremy Renshaw
2- #30 Marty Saltzman

PT-C
1- #19 Leroy Moore
2- #5 Erik Woods (H2)

Spec Miata
1- #34 Geri Amani
2- #62 Madison Snow

944Spec
1- #99 Norm Hamden
2- #08 Dave Hauck
3- #47x Steve Marlow

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Top Racers Per Class on Sunday:

PT-A
1- #524 Brian Turner
2- #777 Sean Southland
3- #66 Terry Denton

PT-B
1- #11 Jeremy Renshaw
2- #30 Marty Saltzman

PT-C
1- #19 Leroy Moore
2- #5 Erik Woods (H2)

Spec Miata
1- #62 Madison Snow
2- #34 Geri Amani

944Spec
1- #99 Norm Hamden
2- #08 Dave Hauck
3- #0123 Jeff Wojnar

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Time Trial

This time of year brings us relatively chilly mornings and cool ambient temperatures, making cars pretty happy on the racing surface.  After some warm coffee to shake out the morning chill,  Time Trialers geared up and lined up for grid, turning some of the fastest times for the weekend during the morning sessions.

Big Bore enjoyed a healthy dose of competition this event, with 9 drivers each in TTU and TTS. Beginning with our TT drivers in Big Bore, Ritch Marziale turned the fastest lap overall with a 1:02.458 in his TTR Dodge Viper. Mark Alger continued to demonstrate a fast hand and foot running his Dodge Viper in TTU trim, turning a stout 1:02.875 – a new track record. Tage Evanson was less than a second off running a 1:03.788 (switching it up in TTU trim) taking second. Our infamous Time Attack Evo8 driven by Tony Szirka turned a 1:06.298 taking third in class. TTS driver CV Wells ran a very quick 1:05.184 and took the win for the day. Second went to Drew Maloney, who turned a 1:07.077. Thrid was secured by Travis Bouck with a 1:08.069 in his Nissan 370z.

Saturday’s Small Bore sessions brought some great competition to the track, and some new personal bests were set!  Starting with TTA, Brian Turner delivered the win with a 1:09.176. Second was secured by somewhat newcomer to TTA Gabe Ortega in his supercharged Honda Civic with a 1:11.026. Third was taken by Tim Hannum with a 1:11.076. It should be noted that fourth was Jacob Treguboff with a 1:11.108, meaning 2nd through 4th were seperated by only .082! That’s some close competition! In TTB, Jeremy Renshaw stole the show running a sub-ten with a 1:09.834, followed by fellow BMW driver Marty Saltzman with 1:10.335, and Doug Evans who ran a 1:12.098. TTC was won by Dave Shotz in his Camaro running a 1:09.635. Phil Robles turned 1:10.753 in his Honda Civic for second, while third went to Eric Dayton turning 1:12.753. Towards the back of Small Bore were our TTD and TTE cars where the Miata took center stage; Robert Rose turned a 1:11.293 taking the win for TTD, and Brad Lundahl ran a quick 1:14.954 securing first place for TTE, followed by Geri Amani who turned a new personal best of 1:15.431.

On Sunday the game was changed up a bit but only barely throughout the TT classes. Mark Alger in TTU brought us more 1:03’s running a 1:03.340. Second went to Gary Felton with a 1:05.961. Third was handled by Travis Barnes with a 1:06.165 in his TTU Subaru WRX STI. In the front of the TTS pack was Tage Evanson showing us what a little white Honda Civic can do, turning a fast 1:03.877, which not only secured him the win for TTS but also besting his previous track record by more than a second! Next was CV Wells’ 1:05.791 and third went to Drew Maloney with a 1:06.536. TTA win was delivered yet again by Brian Turner in his #524 UPS Porsche with a 1:09.654. Second place went to Gabe Ortega with a 1:09.833, a new personal best. Third was secured by Tim Hannum with a 1:11.551.

In Small Bore, TTB driver Jeremy Renshaw ran a 1:11.128 to secure first, followed by Doug Evans in his Lotus Elise and only a hair away turning a 1:11.140.  Chris Wilson took third with a 1:13.370. TTC results stayed the same as Saturday with Dave Shotz our fastest TTC car running a 1:09.217. Phil Robles took second running a 1:10.450 and Eric Dayton – who continues to make strides in his driving with lower lap times – turning a 1:11.956, new personal bests for both of them! Robert Rose brought “Black Betty” out and again took the win in TTD with a 1:11.571. Brett Lengel ran a 1:12.346, and Dave McCombs turned a 1:14.195 for second and third. Last but not least was our TTE Miata driven by Geri Amani turning a 1:17.190.

Top Time Trialers on Saturday:
TTR  Ritch Marziale #56 Dodge Viper – 1:02.458
TTU  Mark Alger #4 Viper CC – 1:02.875 (New Track Record)
TTS  CV Wells #24 Corvette – 1:05.184
TTA  Travis Bouck#104 Nissan 370Z – 1:08.069
TTB  Jeremy Renshaw #11 1999 BMW E36 M3 – 1:09.834
TTC  Dave Schotz #175 Camaro – 1:09.635
TTD  Robert Rose #3 Mazda Miata – 1:11.293
TTE  Brad Lundahl #14 Mazda Miata – 1:14.954

Top Time Trialers on Sunday:
TTU  Mark Alger #4 Viper CC – 1:03.340
TTS  Tage Evanson #17 Honda Civic – 1:03.877 (New Track Record)
TTA  Brian Turner #524 Porsche 911 – 1:09.654
TTB  Jeremy Renshaw #11 BMW E36 M3 – 1:11.128
TTC  Dave Shotz #175 Camaro 1:09.217
TTD  Robert Rose #3 Mazda Miata – 1:11.571
TTE  Geri Amani #34 Mazda Miata – 1:17.190

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HPDE
As I made my way in and around the pits I noticed a lot of new and familiar faces. With HPDE being the foundation for building quality and safe drivers, I’m always eager to see who will be the next to move up to the next run group, or challenge themselves in Time Trial competition. Our schedule accommodated a full HPDE line-up; with everyone from first time HPDE1 drivers to HPDE4 veterans in attendance. New to NASA, and completely bitten by the track-driving bug, is David Lutter.

Running a vibrant blue Mini Cooper, Lutter started with us in HPDE1 on Saturday, moving into HPDE2 on Sunday. He already has plans to build a dedicated track car once he decides on a platform.

As with any racer who experiences mechanical challenges at the track, NASA-AZ is simply one of those places filled with good people who are dedicated to the sport. It did not take long for fellow drivers to notice Lutter was experiencing issues with his brakes. Within minimal time, a floor jack was under his car and all the tools needed to fix the problem were in use. In 25 minutes he was ready to go and finished the rest of his weekend without further interruption.

“I’ve found that Tage runs a first class operation, and the drivers involved with NASA are a great group of people!” explained Lutter.  I would have to agree. After all, we’ve all been in situations where our cars run less than perfect. I think most would agree with me in saying that NASA-AZ offers a great environment with the support structures that make for successful drivers and a successful organization.

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UMS Time Attack

With the cooler temps and fair track conditions, our TA drivers brought good stuff to the track for the second event of the season. Starting with the quickest of our TA competitors in TA-C, Travis Barnes took first place and ran a 1:06.658, followed by Jerome Silvers running a 1:10.642 and Russ Whelan who ran 1:13.551.  Next up is TA-B and it was a front-wheel-drive battle of Honda Civics, with Phil Robles (the only naturally aspirated of the 3!) in the lead running a 1:11.484, followed by Gabe Ortega only a few tenths behind with his 1:11.938. Dan Lynch took third running a 1:12.757. Last but not least is our TA-A class lead by Robert Rose turning TA-B times with a 1:11.919. Second place was a 1:14.298, the fastest lap Leland put down, followed by James Edwards who turned a 1:14.480 for third.

UMS now offers number plates for our TA participants; vinyl for $40 and magnets for $50. If you are interested in obtaining an official number plate for your car, be sure to check the forums for digits already reserved as NASA-AZ will not allow duplicate numbers in competition groups.

TA-C
1- #240 Travis Barnes – 1:06.658
2- #427 Jerome Silvers – 1:10.642
3- #460 Russ Whelan – 1:13.551

TA-B
1- #12 Phil Robles – 1:11.484
2- #424 Gabe Ortega – 1:11.938
3- #666 Dan Lynch – 1:12.757

TA-A
1- #3 Robert Rose – 1:11.919
2- #510 Leland Forbes – 1:14.298
3- #444 Jame Edwards – 1:14.480

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Event Sneak Preview

March 5-6 brings us back to Firebird International Raceway running the East track for the first time since the Summer! Be sure to register early as this is a great time of year to turn laps, and perhaps snag a track record while conditions are in your favor. A full schedule of HPDE, Time Attack, Time Trial and Race Group will be on the menu. Check out the links below to sign up, and keep up with the forums for the latest schedule details.

Register Online – https://www.drivenasa.com/event/1188
Schedule – http://forums.www.nasaaz.com/showthread.php?t=4624

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Article Written by Geri Amani.
Photography by Doug Hughes and Geri Amani.