InfernoMotorsports arrived Friday a.m. at HavasuRaceway, Joe was the first car on the track
for testing at 11:00 in the morning, by 11:15 we
had a wrecked race car.
Joe spun off turn 4 trying to get a feel for what we
needed for grip.
Joe spun in the dirt infield where there were 55 gallon
water barrels set up for a different class to be used
as a road course.
Joe hit the barrels so hard that it blew the side of the
car clean off, bent the rt rear wheel, shoved the
rear suspension out the driver side of the car , bent
the rear frame, interior sheet metal and mounting
braces for the suspension.
After a long diagnosis I decided I would get this fixed ,
We borrowed a tow truck and pick up and pulled and square
the rear of the car , cut off the bent pieces and straightend them,
and rear welded them back on the car, got the spare parts out
and replaced the bent lower arms.
By 3:30 pm I had Joe back in the car for some shake down
laps.
The car looked good on the track , it was driving straight and
true, Joe brought the car up to speed and took it as fast as
it would run on this track.
Joe was suffering from a headache and vision and neck ache
from hitting his head sideways into the head support.
Saturday we arrived unloaded the car, practiced the car
but Joe was still suffering effects and did not tell me anything
until after qualifing the car and running our heat race, that's
when Joe told me he can not drive this car safely today, so, I suited
up for the main event to drive my own car, the main event
was scheduled for 75 laps, ( no problem right? ) well, let me tell
you, that was the longest 75 laps ever!!!
The race started and went a few laps, then caution flag after
caution flag flew. Driving slow laps under caution seemed forever,
then the rain came, more caution laps with all the cars trying to
dry the track, ( like 50? laps) finally the track allowed eveyone to
pull off for fuel.
I stayed in the car since it was easier to stay in this cockpit
than get out and back in this small space.
Now at this point I had been in the car for more then a hour,
finally the track was dry enough to go racing again.
Another hour of racing , yellow flags and racing again
resulted in a 14th place finish for the old man, not bad !!
I have some proper repairs that need to be done and some
body panels that need to be changed but overall not a bad
weekend!
Stay tuned...Irwindale racing will arrive soon enough!
