May 1-2 Wraps Up

NASA-AZ Returns to PIR

PT / ST Race Group

The May 1-2 event was a much awaited return to PIR, and just in time to catch the last bit of great weather before the Arizona heat begins to take over the valley. I think it would be fair to assume everyone was looking forward to coming back to PIR as we say goodbye to spring and hello to the summer events at Firebird. This time of year we usually enjoy fresh and mild mornings, however we probably saw some of the coolest May temperatures in the past four years. Now, let’s take a closer look at this event along with the some new developments that make NASA-Arizona such a unique region.

Game on! Spec and Performance / Super Touring Races

NASA-Arizona has spent much effort to grow our racing field by introducing separate races; Performance and Super Touring, and a Spec Race featuring all-spec line up of 944’s, Miata’s and RX-7’s. This division proved to be a success as Spec cars from other organizations in the region were in attendance, thus expanding and diversifying the playing field.

In the words of Brady Dorhmann, “it was a ‘Spec-tacle’…” Get it? Uh, okay it’s not funny when I say it either. Moving on.

Saturday May 1st was a great day for the Spec races. Jim Patrick in Spec Boxster and Austin Newmark in 944 Spec, battled it out at the start, both going nose to tail until the stream of cars played it out in a fight for position. Jim Patrick placed first overall, then Rich Geisler in 944 Spec. Bob Sahorey won Spec RX-7, along with Steven Powers leading Spec Miata. The race demonstrated some great racing and sportsmanship. Sunday May 2nd offered Spec racers another chance for the win, with Austin Newmark swapping places with Saturday’s winner Rich Geisler. A third Spec Miata entered the mix driven by Charles Jackson, but Steven Powers kept his position in first place.

Here is the roster of the top 5 Spec racers from Saturday:

1 Jim Patrickn – #171, Spec Boxster
2 Rich Geisler – #03, 944 Spec
3 Austin Newmark – #47x, 944 Spec
4 Joe Paluch – #94, 944 Spec
5 Steven Powers – #81, Spec Miata


Also, the top 5 Spec racers from Sunday:

1 Jim Patrick – #171, Spec Boxster
2 Austin Newmark – #47x, 944 Spec
3 Darren Griffith – #7, 944 Spec
4 Joe Paluch – #94, 944 Spec
5 Steven Powers – #81, Spec Miata

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Spec race is on! Photo by Michael Zieg.

Steven Powers Leading Spec Miata

Steven Powers Leading Spec Miata.

PT / ST Face-off

The Performance / Super Touring Race was no less exciting; with everyone gunning from the start and diving into the corners wheel-to-wheel, it looked like it was anybody’s game. The 4 way battle between John Dowling, Dave Leyvas, Brian Turner, and Terry Denton exhibited some great racing as they fought for first position in PT-A . In the SU Class, Kyle Foster ultimately took the checker as first overall, fighting to keep his position from Mark Alger. Darrell Rayburn won ST-2, John Dowling won PT-A, and Jeremy Renshaw took first in PT-B.

Here are the top 5 racers from Saturday:

1 Kyle Foster – #23, SU
2 Brent Crosser – #206, ST-1
3 Mark Alger – #4, SU
4 Victor Pfluger – #60, SU
5 Ed Ocholyski – #5, SU

Also, the top 5 racers from Sunday:

1 Kyle Foster – #23, SU
2 Mark Alger – #4, SU
3 Ed Ocholyski – #5, SU
4 Brent Crosser – #206, ST-1
5 CV Wells – #240, ST-2

Time Trial Groups

Small Bore

Matt McIntyre (TTB 1997 BMW M3) set the pace, running a 1:08.81, achieving the fastest time of the day in small bore, followed by Jeremy Renshaw (1997 BMW M3) for a 1:10.23. Eric Dayton, one of our very dedicated NASA workers, pulled a personal best in his TTC Acura Integra. Joel Mondragon of Team SRD moved up into Time Trial as our newest TTB driver in his silver Nissan 350Z. For those of you who are already familiar with his car, he’s been mostly a drift participant and has plans to continue drift competition alongside his grip-seeking efforts with NASA-AZ. So if you see Joel at the next event be sure to give a shout!

New TT Driver Joel Mondragon

New TT Driver Joel Mondragon

Wait, was that a Sentra?! Yes it was. Brady Dorhman in his #72 TTF 2006 Sentra Spec-V blasted through his previous TTF record, pulling an impressive 1:14.46 and raising the bar for the epic TTF battle with Tage Evanson in his infamous white Honda Accord. Perhaps in the coming events we should keep a look out for more TTF front-wheel-drive interior-removing swashbuckling face-offs!

Here are the fastest lap times for Saturday:

TTB Matt McIntyre – 1:08.81
TTC Peter Barbey – 1:12.44
TTD Robert Rose – 1:12.14
TTE Geri Amani – 1:16.01
TTF Brady Dohrmann – 1:14.46

The fastest lap times for Sunday:

TTB Matt McIntyre – 1:09.63
TTC Dave Schotz – 1:10.56
TTD Robert Rose – 1:11.48
TTE Marc McCombs – 1:15.63
TTF Brady Dohrmann – 1:14.91

NEW Track Records: TTF Brady Dohrmann – 1:14.46

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Phil Robles heading back to the paddock to "kit up!"

Mimi Kelli caught chillin in her car between sessions.

TTD Driver Mimi Kelly

Big (BIG) Bore

Wayne McKeen brought good stuff to the track with his 2006 Z06 Corvette, pulling a 1:02.12 — the fastest lap of the weekend in the whole of Time Trial, also setting a new TTR track record.


Here are the fastest lap times for Saturday:

TTA Brian Turner – 1:10.08
TTS Tage Evanson – 1:05.54
TTU Mark Alger – 1:03.47
TTR Wayne McKeen – 1:02.12

Also, the fastest lap times for Sunday:

TTA Brian Turner – 1:10.24
TTS Tage Evanson – 1:06.45
TTU Mark Alger – 1:03.96
TTR Wayne McKeen – 1:02.89

NEW Track Records: TTR Wayne McKeen – 1:02.12

HPDE

As usual, the HPDE groups had a great turnout. A few “interesting” cars were spotted out on the track, including a 65 Corvair in DE3 showing all of us that you don’t need a trillion-dollar race car to come out and turn laps on a race track. A few HPDE regulars passed their check rides moving them up the HPDE ranks. Since HPDE is where it all starts, and ultimately where our future racers and Time Trialers are born, NASA-AZ thanks all of you for your participation and helping our region grow every year.

Noz rock'n the rolla!

Noz rock'n the 'rolla!

Gabe Ortega shaking out a DelSlow... err, DelSol.

Gabe Ortega shaking down his del Sol.

65 Corvair in HPDE

65 Corvair in DE3

UMS Tuning – Time Attack Series

The UMS Tuning Time Attack Series was in full force, braving the dust storm that swept through the valley. Time Attack is becoming more popular every event, which makes for some blazing times and an exciting competitive spirit for all those who enter. Tony Szirka took center stage winning TA-C with a 1:08.93, Phil Robles dominated TA-B with his 1:11.91, and Gabe Ortega won TA-A running a 1:13.16.

Tony Szirka running TA-C UMS Tuning Evo. Photo by Chris Minshall.

Tony Szirka running TA-C UMS Tuning Evo. Photo by Chris Minshall.

Dust Took Storm on Sunday

The skies on Sunday went from warm and sunny to warm and dusty. For a few hours, PIR was embraced by a rowdy dust storm that lasted several hours. I’m sure most of you are still cleaning sand out of your cars, seats, ears, noses, shoes, toolboxes, etc. The warmer track conditions moved lap times a few notches slower, but this didn’t stop racers from going out and having a good time. For some, wind was a bigger culprit, killing speed on the straightaways and the infield. For anyone with a smaller underpowered car like myself, you’ll know first hand how heavy headwinds cheat your momentum.

What Sunoco sighn?

What Sunoco sign?

Markos Mylonas' Subaru appears to match the dusty skies.

Markos Mylonas' Subaru appears to match the dusty skies.

BBQ Event Celebrations with a Cinco de Mayo Theme

The NASA-AZ BBQ was a great success with nothing short of good food, a great beer selection, and a piñata for the kids. Now, if you think racing is competitive, equip young children with a large stick and a sealed box of candy on a string and see what happens!

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Kids plan their attack on Bob the Builder.

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NASA BBQ is a huge hit once again.

Regional Director Tage Evanson assists with the fesitvities.

Regional Director Tage Evanson assists with the festivities.

... and they dive in! Yikes!

... and they dive in! Yikes!

In addition to the food we had was a significant amount of birthday cake, which to this day I regret eating that much frosting. We had a number of May birthdays this month including our eye-in-the-sky Ramin Shute-Mahini, the man we never see much durring the events as he watches everything we do in the control tower, but is responsible for on and off track safety of everyone involved. Happy Birthday!

Once the track goes cold and the BBQ festivities begin, participants are permitted to walk, jog, ride a golf cart / bike, or simply explore the track at your leisure, giving all of us a chance to check out the racing surface up-close and in detail. Also an opportunity for us to burn off the excess calories eaten at the BBQ. NASA-AZ aims to have each event BBQ be a family-friendly affair; ensuring a truly fun opportunity to mingle with your fellow drivers; a great way to end a day of racing.

June Event Preview

NASA Arizona used to run almost exclusively at PIR but have made great efforts to add variety where we drive…which now brings us to Firebird East for the next event. Historically, running in June meant hot temperatures, but that’s somewhat relieved by giving everyone an early start. With the gates opening at 4am (yes I said 4am, get your Starbucks!) drivers meeting around 5:30am, there will be a condensed HPDE schedule, at least a few chances for Time Trialers to get that “fast lap” in, and Racers an opportunity to go for the win before the Arizona Summer kicks in.

We look forward to seeing everyone in June… Be there!

Photography and article written by Geri Amani. Special thanks to Michael Zieg (www.ziegphotography.com), and Chris Minshall (www.CMpixels.com) for additional photography coverage.

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