Just got back from the Hotchkis/Baer/NMCA event in Fontana. Kelli and I had a great time. We drove in Friday afternoon and went out and met up with Cassanova and a few other guys to race some carts. I got there late and got in on the last race. They put me in the back and after a spin out and passing over half the field, all I needed was one more lap to get past Cassanova.
We stayed about 10 miles from the track and Callahan came rolling in late and we had Payback, Motiv8r, and Carl's beauty all parked in the handicapped spots at the Holiday Inn over night. I figured they'd steal the bright red or carbon fiber one with air ride instead of mine, so I slept well.
So well in fact, when I woke up, Carl and Larry were at the track. ha ha Anyway, On Saturday, I autocrossed and ran the Baer Speed stop challenge. I was one of the faster cars in both segments. The track was very loose and slick. New floating calipers are a vast improvement. I was on R888's so I ran exibition. Sorry, no go pro or photos at this time. Saturday evening, my car got shot by an un named magazine for a future feature. I spent about 2 hours detailing the car after a full day of racing.
Anyway, that was a great experience and I can't wait to see the photos.
Sunday, we got up early enough to head over with Cassanova and stop an dget a bite to eat at some dive. I decided to drag race in the morning. Personally, autocross gets a little boring after a bunch of runs, so it's nice to mix it up. Like last time, I got thrown to the wolves. Sunday isn't the best day to just show up and run. I ended up having to bracket race again. I dialed in a hair below my Vegas strip time. My first run I spun like helland missed second gear for what felt like forever and got my aise whipped. So, I had to buy myself back into the deal. Second go around I spun again and luckily my competitor red lighted so I got to make a run for free the first time in my short drag race life.
I get matched up against another 69 Camaro with a ZL1.
This is a real drag car but.....the driver is a fine 18 year old chick.
Daddy is a pro and we had a great conversation. She dials in at a 10.33 and I'm dialed at a 12.19. I finally burn out in 2nd gear and get the tires reasonably warm. The car launches similar to how it did in vegas. Still a miserable 60 foot time. It spins then it hooks good and really pulls some G's. Anyway, we both break out but she beats me to the line by .0037!!!!! for the win. That was an awesome race!
Fontana seemed to be a little greasier than Vegas but the air was a hair better. Rupp ran the day before and said the air was around 5k in elevation. I heard anywhere from 3400-4000 so who knows. Anyway, it was about 90 degrees. I was able to break into the 120mph range and gained 26.61 mph from the 1/8-1/4. Bottom line, getting out of the hole on road race tires ain't no cake walk. Rupp ran 11.47 at 124.xx on Micky Thompsons, a little more power, and about 300 lbs less weight. He's offered to let me borrow them. Probably break my car in half.
Rupp, I'm ready to go heads up.
Car ran great all weekend. I missed more shifts this weekend than I've missed in all the previous events. It's time to adjust the clutch and I think the 600 is about fed up with me at this point. ha ha
Brian Hobaugh SCCA National Tour June 2014
First Hemi 'Cuda Convertible Ever Built
Short clips: Goodguys Pleasanton autocross and pit videos
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