nancyshanno
Enthusiast
Speed World Challenge GT race Round 3 at Miller Mtrspt Park, SLC Utah as seen through the Woodhouse Windshield. 5/19/07
I owe an apology. No Long Beach round 2 report, OK you didn’t even notice didja. Long Beach had some good World Challenge racing in it. The politics, smack downs and all around controversy, that was the real story. It’s too late though, I can’t go back there and give you all the dirt. Oh, OK maybe a little, lets just say a couple of prominent drivers took some tarnish off of the word “professional” when the swinging began. Since this took place in front of half the GT paddock they did not reach bloody nose status before being pulled apart. There wasn’t even a race yet! Brings back memories of last year when I went over to bury the hatchet with Lou G, and if this scene is foreign to you, then you have not raced with Lou, everyone who has can provide their own version of a scene from the Sopranos.
So folks, yes, violence is acceptable, that is if you are willing to pay for it. Fines start at $1000 and go up. World Challenge is looking good for a profit this year. I won’t even get a chance to tell you about the DQ after the race, (that’s “disqualification” for those not into the text message lingo.) I know it’s mean but I have to leave you hang on this. If you need more detail, go to the discussion page on www.world-challenge.com .
It’s Miller time, Miller Motorsports Park, 30 minutes west of Salt Lake City, a real eye popper of a facility, all 97 million worth. The track is an Allan Wilson, his Crown Jewel as he puts it. Never noticed that many beautiful transporters lined up so neatly as this weekend, with ALMS, World Challenge, F-BMW, Star-Mazda, Porsche Cup, IMSA lites all running.
Probably the only time this year, but…….. I got to drive the #13 Kicker/Dodge Viper Competition Coupe. I have to admit, I am a steering wheel druggie. Dang that felt so good. Loved it even with teammate Jeff Courtney, the young punk; taking me to school in the practice sessions. Neither one of us are much good at the qualifying game tho. We eked out a 15th and 16th place grid. It’s bloody hell for an old guy, the game never stays the same, the pole time got squeezed nearly three seconds below last year. I love every one of these drivers and their teams (well almost) but when it comes to competing, they do anything including asking Chip Herr to date their ******* sister to get in front of you.
So there we are, game day, 9:45 AM. On the grid, a 30mph wind is finishing flapping the flags of the girls who have just scurried over the wall. Time to launch; the tension is huge, my clutch leg quivers as I mentally process the next couple of moves that will mandate a flawless departure, refusing the memories of the many that weren’t. The Whelen start lights all blink to the lit position and we know in 3 to 10 seconds when they go out, the game begins. A cacophony of engines thrumming at launch rpm, above the thrumming sound of 27 engines, one becomes prominent, out of the right of my helmet I see the Pilgrim Cadillac jump forward and stop, “what the….” My leg begins to release, a knee ****, but no release. As I try to process what just happened, Andy, our pro, the finest, just did a booboo, jumped too soon, but now the light really does go out, time becomes frozen, why am I not releasing, aaaargh, let the clutch out, it is taking forever, I know that light has been out for a month, finally, the engine pulls down and the tires hook; no spin, way good.
Andy’s jump must have broken the concentration of all in earshot. My laggard start compared well. The beautiful Red and White Viper of Rich Marziale grew bigger instantly. Second gear came as his door slid by and approaching corner one, the Corvette in front of him was disappearing in the passenger window. I’m stoked; I was getting a grudgingly narrow band of asphalt on the left edge of the track, a half a tire hanging in the gravel while competitors shared the rest of the 40 foot wide tarmac. As corner one arrives, James Sofranos and his Porsche spotted the same eye in the needle I was threading and jumped into it as the car herd was in deceleration prepping for the 70 mph corner one.
Many of you know, we Vipers are now non-ABS and I am in the midst of my first severe panic stop. Let’s just say I flunked. Smoke rolls off the fronts as I lock em up in the over 100mph area, must’ve jumped that pedal fastern a fly gets on fresh laid cow dung. Touched the back of Sofranos, so lightly though that no marks were found later, while at the same time somebody was up my back side leaving scratches. No time to ponder, car warfare was all around; I recall Mike McCann going in three wide for corner two, who did what? I can’t tell ya, I was too busy with Mikes’ car sliding across the track backwards, I think anyway; since the dust didn’t make that clear, while also attempting to find a path around the other cars that reminded you of those zig zag ground fireworks you light for your kids. The brake lock up reported in; both front tires were emitting a thump thump. Just peachy Bob, (under my breath.)
Good fortune allowed us through all the gravel, err square rocks, as I tucked to the back side of Lime Green #17 Viper, Rob Foster. Rob is doing a heck of a driving job this year. Dan Fiffick and crew are giving him and Mike McCann some reliable fast cars to wheel.. Rob makes it around the James Sofranos blue Porsche leaving me a Porsche bumper to watch for two laps. I get by at corner six to realize a gap has opened up. I can’t close it. But on my tail is pure excitement. Brian Kubinski in his black Corvette, clearly a faster car, key word here, car. And if you picked up on that you are well on your way to understanding the psyche of all race drivers. 29 out of 30 think they are unquestionably more skilled than any in the field. Brian is all over my aa…..uh, back side lap after lap. He reminds me of one of those phoo phoo dogs when the door bell rings: Uhhuh uhhuh, bounce bounce, yap yap, uhhuh uhhuh, bounce bounce yap yap. Gaad, driving me nuts, dives to one side then the other charging at every corner. I am impressed with the car, killing me on the slower corners, but he is charging into, instead of out, on the corners allowing me to stay in front in spite of his power advantage. Oh and maybe I should share this, I was cheating, well legally actually.
Remember that 30 mph wind? There happened to be two high speed turns where our cars would face right into the wind half way through the corner. I could charge in over my head and let that extra air speed forgive my sins as the down force stuck the car to the ground giving me a temporary two car length stretch on that rabid Corvette.
Brian is but one of two black Corvettes behind me with anxiety overtures. Another driven by Tomy Drissi obviously trained in the same military attack school has now swapped places with Brian and taking the uh huh bounce bounce game to new heights. As I learned from teammate Jeff Courtney after the race, Tomy smoked through a corner allowing Jeff to pass then comes back immediately to thump him in the buttocks. Apparently the officials ran out of patience and blessed him with a stop and go for this and other superior driving tactics. The Kubinski black Corvette retired early as well from mechanical issues, hmm, coulda had a V10.
So to cap this rant: This day, this track, things came pretty close to right, 5 Vipers finished in the top ten, about the amount of the field they represent, Tommy Archer narrowly squeeked out the lead with the Porsche of Randy Probst in tow and Lou G, our drama queen in 3rd. The Lawson Caddie did well, finishing up there, for Andy P., rough day after that jump at the start.
Naykid Racing is getting strong along with a lot of great runs by all Viper brethren.
Woodhouse Performance put two Vipers in the top ten, thanks team, Rick Maxwell Ashley Wick, Eddie Martin, Erik Messley, Nancy Shanno, Delayne Hunt, Andrea Fornal, Steve Woodhouse flawless prep.
SPEED broadcast time is: Sunday, May 27; GT - 5:00 p.m.
Eastern Time
Video hi lites of the race are on our sponsor websites, see below..
Remember these fine companies they make this possible.
Kenda Tires - a leading manufacturer for specialty and automotive tires. www.kendausa.com
ProMPI – 20,000 items with your name on em. www.prompi.com
MPI Coin – Specialists in coin products. www.mpicoin.com
Kicker Car Stereo – the world leader in high-performance mobile audio gear. www.kicker.com.
Badger Tire and Wheel – A leading Distributor/Manufacturer/Assembler of recreational trailer products. www.badgercomponents.com
Karavan Trailers – manufacturer of private label boat, watercraft, utility, snowmobile and other recreational trailers. www.karavantrailers.com
Forester Signs – Custom designed vinyl graphics, signs & banners. www.forestersigns.com
JG Wheel – www.jgwheel.com
Go here to get the entire race results:
Series Website: www.world-challenge.com
Speed Channel’s Website: www.speedtv.com
Bob Woodhouse
402 426 4127 w 402 657 5613 m
I owe an apology. No Long Beach round 2 report, OK you didn’t even notice didja. Long Beach had some good World Challenge racing in it. The politics, smack downs and all around controversy, that was the real story. It’s too late though, I can’t go back there and give you all the dirt. Oh, OK maybe a little, lets just say a couple of prominent drivers took some tarnish off of the word “professional” when the swinging began. Since this took place in front of half the GT paddock they did not reach bloody nose status before being pulled apart. There wasn’t even a race yet! Brings back memories of last year when I went over to bury the hatchet with Lou G, and if this scene is foreign to you, then you have not raced with Lou, everyone who has can provide their own version of a scene from the Sopranos.
So folks, yes, violence is acceptable, that is if you are willing to pay for it. Fines start at $1000 and go up. World Challenge is looking good for a profit this year. I won’t even get a chance to tell you about the DQ after the race, (that’s “disqualification” for those not into the text message lingo.) I know it’s mean but I have to leave you hang on this. If you need more detail, go to the discussion page on www.world-challenge.com .
It’s Miller time, Miller Motorsports Park, 30 minutes west of Salt Lake City, a real eye popper of a facility, all 97 million worth. The track is an Allan Wilson, his Crown Jewel as he puts it. Never noticed that many beautiful transporters lined up so neatly as this weekend, with ALMS, World Challenge, F-BMW, Star-Mazda, Porsche Cup, IMSA lites all running.
Probably the only time this year, but…….. I got to drive the #13 Kicker/Dodge Viper Competition Coupe. I have to admit, I am a steering wheel druggie. Dang that felt so good. Loved it even with teammate Jeff Courtney, the young punk; taking me to school in the practice sessions. Neither one of us are much good at the qualifying game tho. We eked out a 15th and 16th place grid. It’s bloody hell for an old guy, the game never stays the same, the pole time got squeezed nearly three seconds below last year. I love every one of these drivers and their teams (well almost) but when it comes to competing, they do anything including asking Chip Herr to date their ******* sister to get in front of you.
So there we are, game day, 9:45 AM. On the grid, a 30mph wind is finishing flapping the flags of the girls who have just scurried over the wall. Time to launch; the tension is huge, my clutch leg quivers as I mentally process the next couple of moves that will mandate a flawless departure, refusing the memories of the many that weren’t. The Whelen start lights all blink to the lit position and we know in 3 to 10 seconds when they go out, the game begins. A cacophony of engines thrumming at launch rpm, above the thrumming sound of 27 engines, one becomes prominent, out of the right of my helmet I see the Pilgrim Cadillac jump forward and stop, “what the….” My leg begins to release, a knee ****, but no release. As I try to process what just happened, Andy, our pro, the finest, just did a booboo, jumped too soon, but now the light really does go out, time becomes frozen, why am I not releasing, aaaargh, let the clutch out, it is taking forever, I know that light has been out for a month, finally, the engine pulls down and the tires hook; no spin, way good.
Andy’s jump must have broken the concentration of all in earshot. My laggard start compared well. The beautiful Red and White Viper of Rich Marziale grew bigger instantly. Second gear came as his door slid by and approaching corner one, the Corvette in front of him was disappearing in the passenger window. I’m stoked; I was getting a grudgingly narrow band of asphalt on the left edge of the track, a half a tire hanging in the gravel while competitors shared the rest of the 40 foot wide tarmac. As corner one arrives, James Sofranos and his Porsche spotted the same eye in the needle I was threading and jumped into it as the car herd was in deceleration prepping for the 70 mph corner one.
Many of you know, we Vipers are now non-ABS and I am in the midst of my first severe panic stop. Let’s just say I flunked. Smoke rolls off the fronts as I lock em up in the over 100mph area, must’ve jumped that pedal fastern a fly gets on fresh laid cow dung. Touched the back of Sofranos, so lightly though that no marks were found later, while at the same time somebody was up my back side leaving scratches. No time to ponder, car warfare was all around; I recall Mike McCann going in three wide for corner two, who did what? I can’t tell ya, I was too busy with Mikes’ car sliding across the track backwards, I think anyway; since the dust didn’t make that clear, while also attempting to find a path around the other cars that reminded you of those zig zag ground fireworks you light for your kids. The brake lock up reported in; both front tires were emitting a thump thump. Just peachy Bob, (under my breath.)
Good fortune allowed us through all the gravel, err square rocks, as I tucked to the back side of Lime Green #17 Viper, Rob Foster. Rob is doing a heck of a driving job this year. Dan Fiffick and crew are giving him and Mike McCann some reliable fast cars to wheel.. Rob makes it around the James Sofranos blue Porsche leaving me a Porsche bumper to watch for two laps. I get by at corner six to realize a gap has opened up. I can’t close it. But on my tail is pure excitement. Brian Kubinski in his black Corvette, clearly a faster car, key word here, car. And if you picked up on that you are well on your way to understanding the psyche of all race drivers. 29 out of 30 think they are unquestionably more skilled than any in the field. Brian is all over my aa…..uh, back side lap after lap. He reminds me of one of those phoo phoo dogs when the door bell rings: Uhhuh uhhuh, bounce bounce, yap yap, uhhuh uhhuh, bounce bounce yap yap. Gaad, driving me nuts, dives to one side then the other charging at every corner. I am impressed with the car, killing me on the slower corners, but he is charging into, instead of out, on the corners allowing me to stay in front in spite of his power advantage. Oh and maybe I should share this, I was cheating, well legally actually.
Remember that 30 mph wind? There happened to be two high speed turns where our cars would face right into the wind half way through the corner. I could charge in over my head and let that extra air speed forgive my sins as the down force stuck the car to the ground giving me a temporary two car length stretch on that rabid Corvette.
Brian is but one of two black Corvettes behind me with anxiety overtures. Another driven by Tomy Drissi obviously trained in the same military attack school has now swapped places with Brian and taking the uh huh bounce bounce game to new heights. As I learned from teammate Jeff Courtney after the race, Tomy smoked through a corner allowing Jeff to pass then comes back immediately to thump him in the buttocks. Apparently the officials ran out of patience and blessed him with a stop and go for this and other superior driving tactics. The Kubinski black Corvette retired early as well from mechanical issues, hmm, coulda had a V10.
So to cap this rant: This day, this track, things came pretty close to right, 5 Vipers finished in the top ten, about the amount of the field they represent, Tommy Archer narrowly squeeked out the lead with the Porsche of Randy Probst in tow and Lou G, our drama queen in 3rd. The Lawson Caddie did well, finishing up there, for Andy P., rough day after that jump at the start.
Naykid Racing is getting strong along with a lot of great runs by all Viper brethren.
Woodhouse Performance put two Vipers in the top ten, thanks team, Rick Maxwell Ashley Wick, Eddie Martin, Erik Messley, Nancy Shanno, Delayne Hunt, Andrea Fornal, Steve Woodhouse flawless prep.
SPEED broadcast time is: Sunday, May 27; GT - 5:00 p.m.
Eastern Time
Video hi lites of the race are on our sponsor websites, see below..
Remember these fine companies they make this possible.
Kenda Tires - a leading manufacturer for specialty and automotive tires. www.kendausa.com
ProMPI – 20,000 items with your name on em. www.prompi.com
MPI Coin – Specialists in coin products. www.mpicoin.com
Kicker Car Stereo – the world leader in high-performance mobile audio gear. www.kicker.com.
Badger Tire and Wheel – A leading Distributor/Manufacturer/Assembler of recreational trailer products. www.badgercomponents.com
Karavan Trailers – manufacturer of private label boat, watercraft, utility, snowmobile and other recreational trailers. www.karavantrailers.com
Forester Signs – Custom designed vinyl graphics, signs & banners. www.forestersigns.com
JG Wheel – www.jgwheel.com
Go here to get the entire race results:
Series Website: www.world-challenge.com
Speed Channel’s Website: www.speedtv.com
Bob Woodhouse
402 426 4127 w 402 657 5613 m
