Great weekend with VARA

[CalScot]

I ran this the Pacific F2000 weekend in conjunction with VARA (Vintage Auto Racing Assoc) at California Speedway. Most of the F2000 season is run alongside VARA this year which is fine by me as they are a great group. They were racing everything from a 1928 Bugati to late 70's Indy and Champ cars. Also saw McLaren's, Lolas and a much more. There were some beautiful old cars going flat out. It was great. Nicholas, Fiesty and the Hamster showed up to see the first 2010 F2000 race.

15 munutes before the race, the heavens opened up and it rained like a biblical event. At least that's how it felt sitting in that car. Some places there was 4" standing water on the track. Most other places only 2". The race went on regardless. It was like the wacky races...anthill mob and dick dasterdly all in tow. Total carnage on the first corner coming off the Oval. Two cars almost totalled. I picked my way through the bit's & pieces.

It was a wild race. Cars were hitting 2"+ of standing water at over 100 on the straights and spinning off. Totally insane stuff. Visibility was about 10 feet to zero all the time. You just pointed it in the direction you thought was the track and hoped to not hit anybody in front who had spun. These guys are mental. We were flat out on the oval at over 140 with no visibility and the cars squirming all over the place. More than one almost lost it at over 140.

It's tough to start formula racing right in at the deepend. These guys are all seasoned, well supported and experienced. I learned a lot this weekend. It was great fun. I had to change my underwear after the race but I survived and got faster every session.

Next race is Willow Springs on April 10-11th. It's cheap entertainment if you want to tag along.

[dp35]

Congrats on surviving!

I've got your races June 26-27 at Infineon on my calendar.

[Driver]

Sounds like they really threw it all at you from the start. I guess it just gets easier? How'd you do? Pics?

[fiestycolumbian]

Saturday was a brilliant day! Great cars, almost perfect weather, LOL.

Calscot was a brave man going out there in monsoon like conditions!! Great job mate!

I was really blown away with all the vintage stuff, especially the old Champcars. The sound of the turbo engines really brought back great memories. Really fascninating how a late 70s, early 80s Champcar had the same sweet exhaust note as a late 90s/early 2000s Champcars. I was at the last few Champcar races at California Speedway, so hearing the vintage cars go around the oval was very special. The exhaust reverberation from the Fontana oval sent chills down my spine!!

Thanks for the great company. Calscot's family was especially gracious with hospitality. Fantastic new RV!!! Loved it!! This RV will definitely be WCA II central .

Also met 2 guys who built and designed the USF1 gearbox. Aside from meeting and chatting with Steve Matchett a few years ago, these guys were the most knowledgable F1 guys I have ever met!! Some of the tech explained, was really cool to understand!! Gearbox weight, thickness, shift speed, orientation, Engine power. Apparently the Cosworth will be the most powerful engine on the grid this year, although the fuel economy will be the worst!! Great bunch of guys, a pity that USF1 isnt going to make the grid. It wasnt great meeting first hand what USF1's withdrawal has affected.

F2000 made AR1 news!!:
http://www.autoracing1.com/hotnews.asp?tid=45750
http://www.autoracing1.com/hotnews.asp?tid=45759

I have great HD video of the entire race, plus pics. I will try to get that to you buy the end of the weekend.

fiesty

[dp35]

I find results & info about these types of races at this site: 
http://www.eformulacarnews.com/?&PHPSESSID=bfddfd7db6a96a07d1aa852e1f5473ff

Based on the results from the Sunday race, it looks like our man CalScot crossed the finish line in the midst of a tight 3 car battle.
Pos. Driver Team Fast Time Diff. Chassis
1 Robert Podlesni Dave Freitas Racing 1:39.426 -- Van Diemen RF08
2 Scott Rarick PR1 Motorsports 1:39.475 +1.912 Van Diemen RF05
3 Ira Fierberg Dave Freitas Racing 1:40.521 +23.900 Van Diemen RF05
4 Bob Negron Negron Racing 1:40.635 +24.629 Van Diemen RF02Z
5 Bill Kincaid Bill Kincaid 1:41.672 +43.779 Van Diemen RF03
6 Les Phillips Les Phillips 1:43.280 +1:02.367 Mygale SJ04
7 Miles Maroney PR1 Motorsports 1:42.148 +1:02.527 Van Diemen RF05
8 Peter Thomas Dave Freitas Racing 1:42.740 +1:02.562 Van Diemen
9 Michael Murphy Michael Murphy 1:44.724 +1:21.979 Mygale SJ04
10 Peter Hastrup Dave Freitas Racing 1:42.806 1 lap Van Diemen RF02Z
11 Peter West Dave Freitas Racing 1:43.745 7 laps Van Diemen
12 David Cheng PR1 Motorsports -- 13 laps Van Diemen RF05

[NormLarson]

In those conditions, I would be happy to be in one piece!  8th awesome!

[CalScot]

Saturday was a blast.
Sunday I qualified 8th. I got shut out by one racer who dived down on the oval and nearly wrecked me in the first 15 seconds on the start and I went into the first oval corner in last place. Had I not braked, about 5 of us were into the wall. I pulled it back and did pretty good overall. I was locked into a tight race the last three laps. In all honesty, 6th place was mine and I blew it on the last corner.

It was the best racing I've done so far. I'm so hooked I'm selling the wife & kids to pay for the next race

[hondahamster]

That was an great weekend. It was amazing watchin all the old formula/champcars on the track again, actually being used and not in a garage. 
The f2000 cars in the rain= was action packed.  Proud of seeing Peter keep it off the wall in monsoon conditions. 
I wished i could have been there on sunday , .3 of a second separated 4 cars! Must of have been wheel to wheel
-Hamster

[nickpoore]

Again, Saturday was fantastic.

Also good to see that Peter picked up 3 seconds between "qualifying" in the dry on Saturday, and his Sunday race time.
Awesome job!

[nickthegreek]

Great weekend with VARA, sorry guy's but every time i look at the subject i think it says "great weekend with viagra'' 

[CalScot]

[quote="nickyboy"]
Great weekend with VARA, sorry guy's but every time i look at the subject i think it says "great weekend with viagra'' 
[/quote]
My wife said the day I take Viagra she will beat me off with a stick. I guess that's a compliment We shall see how she feels in a few years.

I'd rather race all weekend than any of that silly stuff anyways

[Driver]

How's the new Casa de Crazy Scottsman going Peter? Any blackouts in the middle of the night forcing you to use jumper cables and speed across the desert with the genny going full out, lights blinking in and out, more stray people stranded at gas stations being rescued by the SS Thomas? Tried getting her stuck in the only wet spot behind a fast food joint in the middle of nowhere just because you saw the Humvees around and knew the National Guard would dig you out with little shovels more suited for Leprechauns? .....

Aww... good times. 

Seriously though, put up a few picts of the new Toter and Car setup and anything from your laps so we can all live vicariously you lucky thing. Sounds like even with the rain and nearly being shoved into the tires on the first corner your having a blast. Wish I was closer, I'd come sit in the bleachers and cheer you on.

[AndyLUFC]

Awesome report!!

See you at Willow! Barbie at my place too on the 11th if you like!