NorCal SpecE30 Race at Llihrednuht
written by Scott Neville
October 2008


Carl Chiu Leads the Pack Exiting Turn 14 at the start in Sunday's Sprint Race
Photo by Walter Ford

NorCal Spec E30 racers returned to Thunderhill Raceway in early October for their second-to-the-last race of the 2008 Season.  This weekend's racing would be done reversed from the traditional counterclockwise direction that most racers are accustomed to at this track.  Thunderhill clockwise (also know as "Llihrednuth") is as challenging and fun as the normal direction; in fact in the clockwise set-up drivers frequently turn lap times 1-2 seconds lower than in the opposite direction.  Rain was predicted for Saturday but never materialized and racing was done under cool, cloudy but dry conditions.  Spec E30 racers were placed in NASA NorCal's Race Group A along with Performance Touring, Super Unlimited, and Honda Challenge cars. SpecE30 cars received their own green flag standing starts, and to mix things up a bit, the top five qualifying spots were reversed for Saturday's race. Sunday's race saw even more shake ups with the top five and the bottom five qualifying positions reversed.  Ten Spec E30 cars were present for the Saturday race and eleven for Sunday.  

Team Valley Motorwerks (Kevin Borchers and Carl Chiu) went into this weekend's race as the top regional points leaders and emerged still in the points lead despite a hard charge by Donny Edwards driving the Team Brimstone Dynasty E30. In Sunday's race Donny had his hands full with an exciting-to-watch challenge by veteran NASA racer Will Faules, but managed to finish in the top podium spot for both Saturday's and Sunday's races. Will set a new Spec E30 track record during Sunday's race but suffered an engine problem in the last part of the race to finish in sixth spot.  Team Valley Motorwerks took the second podium spot in both races and thus held on to their regional points lead; but by only a slim margin of 72 points.  Scott Neville kept his third place regional points spot by taking a sixth place finish on Saturday and a third place finish on Sunday.  Scott is only 73 points behind Donny Edwards and Elliott Taylor's Team Brimstone Dynasty car.  The season ender will be at Infineon on Nov 8-9th and a intense (but fun) fight is expected for the NorCal Regional Spec E30 Championship. Practice, qualifying and race times can be found here at MyLaps.com. More event photos can be found here at VM Werks Gallery. In-car videos of the event can be found here.

Air Time with Brenden Selvig Turn 5 Bypass
HeadOnPhotos

Ron Harness Leads Greg Peterson and Bennett McMicking in Sunday's Sprint Race
Photo by Kregg Miller



Saturday Slugfest Tony Zwain leads Brenden Selvig and Scott Neville in a fight for 3rd
HeadOnPhotos


Donny Edwards in first position followed very closely by Brenden Selvig, Will Faules and Carl Chiu Early in Sunday's Sprint Race
Photo by Kregg Miller



Close Battle for Seventh Place in Sunday's sprint race Alex Khan leads Ron Harness, Bennett McMicking, Greg Peterson and Scott Clough
Photo by Kregg Miller



Sunday's Podium L to R: Carl Chiu, Donny Edwards and Scott Neville
Photo Courtesy of NASA NorCal

Contingencies

The Auto Analysts II random drawing for a set of brake pads to a finisher not on the podium went to Ron Harness and Brenden Selvig. Valley Motorwerks held a random drawing to the those drivers not receiving Toyo Bucks for 5-RaceTech Gear Bags each containing a crisp Ben Franklin! The lucky winners were Greg Peterson, Brenden Selvig, Ron harness, Scott Clough and Bennett McMicking. Much thanks to all of the series sponsors: AIM Tire, Valley Motorwerks, and Auto Analysts II.

NorCal SpecE30 Race Director Scott Neville Holds $500 in cash for the lucky winners of RaceTech Gear
Bags. Each winner received a gear bag and a crisp $100 bill courtesy of Valley Motorwerks. L to R: Greg
Peterson, Brenden Selvig, Ron Harness, Scott Neville, Scott Clough and Bennett McMicking.
Photo by Walter Ford