<VV> Iowa Fire and ICE VI time trials - long report

Flat6Vair Flat6Vair@insightbb.com
Mon, 6 Sep 2004 19:58:19 -0500


whoa -- what a blast this weekend has been.   Took my parents -- young 67
and 68 -- to Marshalltown to participate in the 6th fire and ice event.   My
parents had a great time -- and so did I.

Friday night was a nice -- smallish -- car display at the local Chevrolet
dealership -- Saturday morning the fun began at the local Kart track -- 6
tenth of a mile long, 15 foot wide track -- No Cones -- a backward figure F.
I was able to start the day with a very respectible 82.038 run -- and tried
in vain to beat that time the rest of the day -- the faster I tried -- the
slower i got -- I just was not as smooth as the first run.  Thats the first
time that I have run my best time on the first run as opposed to the last -- 
especially in the number 3 Goodwrench car.

Robert Landers earnedg the hard luck award -- breaking a half shaft/u-joint
on his second run - -his first run was a 87.108  good enough for a second -- 
but he really wanted to try to win the day -- Ted Cunneen took top honors in
IS-5 with a 86.031 ( i think)    Robert's half shaft was fixed with the help
of Chuck Armer -- yes from Atlanta - Scott Trunkhill was there too -- Robert
had to make a trip to Bob Dunahugh's house in Cedar Rapids to get a new half
shaft -- he had a u joint.  I helped a little the next morning to put the 67
Yenko back together in time for the SCCA event on Sunday.

Amongst the stock cars -- corvairs driven to the event from everywhere -- 
were 2 67 Yenko Stingers, Roberts and Ed Cunneens and the 69 Yenko Goodyear
car owned by Bob Dunahugh  plus the WTBRT autocrosser and the #3 Goodwrench
car.  And a very nice Solar Cavalier with plenty of HP.  I don't have
everybody's time -- check with ICE -- I was mostly concerned with PCCA
members (landers and me)   and oh year -- My Dad -- 

I let my Dad drive the reace prepared #3 Goodwrench car -- His first time
driving the car AND his first time trying to autocross -- Man was I nervous.
My mother says she was calm -- but I bet she was shaking too.

My Dad did great -- not time was -- but he got better after each run -- like
I did my first time - his scores went from a 112 down to a 96 in a steady
progression as he learned.  -- AND HE IS HOOKED!!!

lend a car to a friend -- get them hooked (Landers is guilty of getting me
involved)
I also let Tom Shepard, of ICE, drive my car -- He managed a 92 something -- 
the first time he has broken 100 -- made his day -- and mine.

-- oh yeah -- my 82 run was good enough to beat the flexy flyer driven by
Dusty Bradley and Bob Dunahugh (even with all the reruns Bob got to try) and
Bob's Goodyear car to take first in class and FTD.  I started given fun runs
to but when i lost my second new slick to rock punctures -- i decided I
better call it a day ( I lost a third by the time I got to the trailer)  -- 
fun runs were fun whuile they lasted -- Sure am glad i installed that second
seat

the next day was teh SCCA autocross -- same locale -- but wioth CONES -- 
between the cones and having to run my wet tires up front (my excuses -- i
just drove poorly)  i was able to go as fast as the yenkos -- Ted Cunneen
posted a 79.184 + 1 cone in is only attempt before leaving -- Chuck Armer
posted a 83.938 and never got a good time for his second run before being
required to leave for home.  Scott Trunkhill managed a 81.920 and Bob
Dunahugh a 79.786-  Landers had a 80.5 and a 81.776 -- I posted a 81.860 -- 
when i had enough speed on the straights -- i had no turn in.  The scca
event only had time for 2 runs vs the 4 for ICE -- the number of cars had a
lot to do with that as over 120 drivers were at the SCCA event.  It was
still a good time -- just not as much fun as the Iowa event.

One friendly reminder -- make sure that you battery hold downs are solid -- 
CORSA tech check them for safety -- Bob Dunahugh's came loose -- he has a
gel cell so no injuries to person, but the 69 Goodyear car needs some tender
loving care to fix what a loose battery can do to sheet metal.  ouch -- I'd
rather deal with the expense of new racing tires.

Time to catch up on other duties

tim mahler
PCCA
#3 Goodwrench
62,68 Fitch Sprints