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Molecule Formula Mazda Challenge

Infineon Raceway March 21-22, 2009

I started to write a race report over a month ago and then forgot about it. But like everything I write, it's past the sell by date by the time I'm done anyway, so who's gonna complain about this one being late? Hey I ain't no James Allen!! …… Think of it as the world's longest tweet that only confirms that I haven't dropped off the face of the earth.

I intended this to be a full report but then I changed jobs and finally had to "pay attention", make a good impression and all that. Been there a week and a half, so I guess I'm done with that. But still, I think I'm going to blow one by you here and make you suffer thru an unfinished first draft.

The NorCal standard FM "ship of fools" sailed back into the Infineon Raceway and Duck Preserve for another bout with Mother Nature and each other. Recall last month (February) when the weather cycled thru all possibilities on Friday and Saturday til it settled on a washout Sunday leading to some 8:30 A.M. carnage and heartbreak, and sending the boys packing? And more shockingly, how some of the boys couldn't play nice? Well, this month's race started out to be more of the same.

Saturday. Early morning practice got off to a sluggish cold start. No one could get any heat in the tires or in their loins. Everyone was a good 2-3 seconds off their pace. Oh well………….

Qualifying. While the sun warmed the asphalt and the race tires, the air remained crisp, and times were looking much better. Everyone got in some good laps and General Wild Bill threw down another track record of 1.35.91 after throwing it off the track once or twice. Jimbo and Derry had some reasonable laps, but were a full second and a half back of the General's fast lap. And Wild-man Westerhoff in the Red Mist Shoe String Racing #50 was over 2 seconds adrift of Wild Bill who was not about to let Shawn grab another pole. NFW. Lots of clear track made that easy, with a field of only 15 including the pro cars.

Saturday race. Mother Nature did it again, threatening rain right up until grid time. Some of us sat there with 2 rains on and 2 slicks on and the rain set up ½ done, waiting til the last minute to decide which way to go. The back half of Shoe String Racing stable (me and Bruce anyway) agreed to go with rains since the pro cars were on rains but the fast standard boys were opting for slicks. We were going to be in the back racing ourselves and the new kid Cameron no matter what; unless it rained and hard. Then we'd quite possibly be at the front. Mathematically bullet-proof logic. And just like last month, we guessed wrong and cooked the rains.

Race #1 on Saturday...the General in his own words: "F---ed up!! Was able to gap Jim by 8 or 10 car lengths from the exit of 2 back to the entrance to 2 but would give up the entire gap through 2. Reason...driver brain fade - forgot to change to my clear visor before the race and couldn't see $$#$ with the cloud cover. Didn't notice that a dry line was developing through turn two that was about 5 feet off the normal racing line. Of course, Jim did apparently notice it and was using it to his advantage. I got real tired of having him catch me in that corner so I pushed a little harder and, of course, looped it at the top. I'm thankful that my highly trained racing professional friend Jim was able to not clobber me as I sat dead stick at the top of the hill in the middle of the track. End result...5th place, or what is commonly known as 4th loser."

Race #2 on Sunday. More unpredictability but the General recounted how he regained control with some luck: "All is right with the world again after a win. It was anything but an easy one as I almost got caught up in the coming together of a couple of Pro cars at the top of turn 2. On the restart from that mess, my pal Stew got along inside of me going up to 2 and we went side by side through the corner. I really thought he would either drive me off the track or give in, which of course he did neither...hmm...thought I taught him better than that. Didn't he realize he was challenging the "General". Well, to make a long story short, he beat me to turn 3 and took the lead. On the same lap he bobbled a bit through turn 6 and I was able to get a run on him down to turn seven and make the pass. I really thought he would throw a block on me in 7, but didn't...hmmm, again I thought I taught him better than that. Once I got by I expected to drive away, but Stew was all over me for the next several laps. Great job Stew!!"

Mali, showing some vengeance, shows us here why he didn't win the race……….or the good sport award for that matter. But hey, we're beginning to think it's like slang; it means the opposite of what you'd think.

Standing on the podium Stew had this First of all, I need to thank Shawn for the inspiration he provided by coming around before the race and talking trash. It was perfect motivation and I only regret that I never got a chance to see him during the race. Also, it's a good that the race ended when it did since Mali was on a mission, giving everyone his infamous (Mali) Wave as he went by. Bill needed to make a mistake in order for me to get by and he disappointed me (this time) by failing to do so. He was very consistent and determined to take the win.

Well, not much of a race report, I'll grant you, but we have just enough interest left to welcome some new blood in the group; literally, young teenage Cameron Parsons and his Team owner/engineer Dad have joined the group. Out of Fresno, they have already served notice they will be heading for the front to do fearless battle with Monkey Matt, or as Shawn calls him "that little primate," and all the usual suspects that trade Mali waves, some paint and race with a vengeance chasing Bill and each other. Well that's all the time we've got for now folks. Time to get back to work; with a vengeance.