Feb 2011 Infineon Season Opener

February 2011 Season Opener Infineon
Sonoma, CA (February 12-13, 2011) —
Post Event Email Letter to SE30 Group by Scott Neville

What can I say other than what an amazing turnout for the season opener! A record entry of 27 Spec E30s made the grid both days compete under clear and sunny skies (after the fog burned off!). We had 7 SE30s start the 2008 season just three short years ago! Look at the growth of our group now!

Of the 27 cars we had four SoCal SE30 racers who made the long tow from Southern California to start their season early (Joe Powers, Frank Reed, Chris Donnelly and John Matthews). The veterans, rookies and out-of-towners all made for a interesting mix of racers for the weekend. We had experienced racers coming in from other racing series (Rob Lamb and Dan Cullinane), we had four newly minted NorCal rookies that weekend (Dave Reed, Matt Row, Anil Singh and Jason Alexandridas), three rookies from SoCal and three rookies from late last season (Ted Hill, Henry Schmidt and Bryan "Lightning" McQueen). Imagine what it was like for our brand new racers in their first race in a standing start field of 27 SE30s!

New track records were established with the dry track, cool air temperatures and the recent drop of 50 pounds in legal car weight. Additional weekend fun was added to the mix with new cash incentives for fastest pole, fastest race lap, hard charger and various random draw prizes. Plus, thanks to PointSix Racing and GoGoGear, very nicely upgraded podium trophies for SE30!

Saturday saw Andy Chittum with Team BTM Motorwerks grabbing pole with a screaming laptime of 1:56.4. 2010 NorCal Regional Champ Gary Rieger (Team Berkeley Motorwerks) was second fastest clocking a 1:57 flat. Andy got the jump at the standing start and led the race flag to flag but not without pressure from Gary who finished 0.6 seconds behind Andy. Loren Trefethen finished third.

Sunday's qualifying was in doubt by the presence of thick morning fog that blanketed the racetrack. It luckily burned off in time for qualifying which saw Gary Rieger taking pole followed by Brad McClure (Team BTM Motorwerks) and Loren Trefethen all three registering sub 1:57 lap times. Gary stumbled at the standing start giving Brad the early lead who held off Gary for the remainder of the race. Loren Trefethen took home another third place podium finish. Gary won $100 cash prize from North Bay Bavarian Motors for clocking the fastest pole of the weekend and took home another $100 from PointSix Racing for setting the fastest race lap and new track record for SE30 (1:56.866).

Since Mr. Evil Genius (John Pagel) was not present to oversee selection of the EGR Hard Charger Award, I made a "management decision" to award Rookie DeeJay Riley the award on Sunday morning at our driver's meeting. DeeJay really impressed me with his exemplary attitude towards racing during my conversation with him about Rookie do's and don'ts late Friday afternoon. After I finished giving out pointers to him he finished the conversation with the sincere statement: "I just want to be the kind of racer everyone wants to race with". I was very impressed with DeeJay's attitude and when driving to the track early Sunday morning I decided it was completely worthy of the EGR Hard Charger Award. Congratulations DeeJay!

Bennett McMicking won the $100 AIM Tire gift certificate. With their two first place finishes, Team BTM Motorwerks won two certificates from ProRacing Simulators. Derek Welch and Scott Clough won the ProRacing Simulators Hard Charger Awards.

Greg Peterson and Dave Reed earned gift certificates from TFB Performance. Trefethen bottles of wine went to 3rd place and 17th place, but since Loren took both 3rd place finishes that weekend...frankly I'm not sure who ended up with the wine! I think Frank Reed from SoCal got a bottle...? In any event we're awash in fine wine and it just adds to the fun. I'll keep better notes at the next event! Thanks Loren!

Kevin Nichols was giving out bottles too...a bottle went to the last place E30 (that was still on the lead lap). Too bad, since I finished last on Sunday I thought I was going to bring home some comfort in a bottle...then I realized I had to be on the lead lap and not 5 laps down. Bummer...Kevin usually gives out the good stuff. Chris Donnelly from SoCal got a bottle and so did Dave Reed. Thanks Kev!

Anarchy eyewear sunglasses went to 13th place finishers both Saturday and Sunday, Dan Cullinane and Bryan "Lightning" McQueen were the lucky winners (glasses will be brought to the next event). German Parts and Restoration discount coupons went to 10th and 11th place finishers on Saturday, Bennett McMicking and Yours Truly (do the sell rims?).

We unfortunately had one crash which totaled the Midnight Oil Motors #3 SE30 and significantly banged up the #68 B&W Racing's car. It was one of those racing incidents that eventually are going to happen anywhere you have machines in motion piloted by humans. On a positive note..a big shout-out to Seth Scally with Midnight Oil Motorsports, after Saturday's race I saw him working on the B&W #68 SE30 after the accident, he was underneath the rear of the car helping Jim Bucha install a new axle. If I had an extra $100 I would have awarded him a second EGR Hard Charger Award! That kind of unselfish sportsmanship displayed by Seth is why I love this sport.

The laws of probability are against us in this game (in terms of car contact) but we will continue to work together to minimize it. SE30 is one of NASA's premier race groups now and we all need to strive to keep the racing clean and fun and the sportsmanship at its highest level.

We should have all the sponsor decals ready to hand out at the next race. My plan is to have them at our drivers meeting before the race. As always, feel free to email with questions etc. as we continue with our season.

BTM Motorwerks took both top Podium finishes for the weekend with Andy Chittum and Brad McClure at the wheel
Got Blue Milk Photo

Rookie DeeJay Reily won the Evil Genius Hard Charger Award - A Crisp Ben Franklin!
Scott Neville Photo

Saturday's Podium (L to R) Gary Rieger, NASA Buddy, Andy Chittum and Loren Trefethen
Scott Neville Photo

Sunday Podium (L to R) Gary Rieger, NASA Buddy, Brad McClure and Loren Trefethen
Scott Neville Photo

Gary Rieger (R) gets a Ben Franklin from Rick Row Owner of North Bay Bavarian for setting
the fasted pole of the weekend (1:56.345). Gary also won a $100 from PointSix Racing for
clocking the fastest race lap of the weekend (and new track record) with a 1:56.866.
Scott Neville Photo