USTCC RACE #2 AND GTS3 THUNDERHILL RACEWAY WILLOWS CA. 5-30/31-9

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Vincent Parker driving the MiniMania/ BayBridge Motors #96 Mini Cooper S competed with NASA this weekend in the USTCC (United States Touring Car Championship) and GTS (German Touring Series).

The Mini was running stronger than ever since getting an engine management error code fixed with the help of Mini Mania and Niello Mini. Luckily 2 weeks before the race while at the Mini Mania annual "Nevada City Adventure" the car was put on the dyno and showed poor results, down 20-30 whp. Scans showed a fault code and with the help of Hans Dinse, the service manager for Niello Mini in attendance at the event, he offered Niellos assistance by having the car diagnosed at Niello. They found a faulty fuse circuit and were able to repair it quickly. Off to the races.

On Saturday the car felt very good, nice to have power again. NASA is trying to increase numbers in the GTS class and offered a $50 upgrade to add a class. This was to good a deal to pass up since it would give me an extra 2 runs per day. The Mini fit into group 3 for GTS which is based on a HP/WT ratio. For the USTCC I run at 11.5/1 and GTS allows 11/1 so the Mini should be competitive.

Qualified 4th for the USTCC and 2nd for the GTS.

Saturday races started with the USTCC which is a practice race. Race on Sununday for Money. Started 4th, muffed the standing start and missed 2nd gear, fell to 5th behind the RX8 of Michael Mccolligan. Stayed right behind the leaders for the first lap then passed the RX8 down the straight into turn 1. Pulled away from the RX8 and held onto 4th.

GTS race on Saturday started at the back of the GTS group with an inverted starting order next to the pole sitting E46M3. Flying start, passed 3 GTS2 cars by turn 1 behind the M3, came out of turn 2 in 2nd place. Fought the whole race with the M3 who was faster on the straights but the Mini was faster in the corners. Finished 2nd.

Sunday race for the USTCC. Qualified 5th. The Mini was about 3 seconds a lap faster than last month with the improved HP. Started 3rd on grid aafter a DQ for wieght and a blend line infraction by the competition. Standing start behind the pole, green flag waved and the pole car stalled, went right but was blocked by the BMW 328i of Andy Chitum and followed him into turn 1 in 3rd place with Andrie Hartando in the AcuraRSX in 1st. The faster cars that were penalised on the start quickly caught up and were able to overtake the Mini within several laps. The Mini finished 5th.

Sunday GTS class Started on pole for all GTS cars. Our group was behind the faster American Iron Extreme group for the flying start. Walked off and left the GTS cars and slowly caught the AIX mustangs. Did a nice outside pass of the mustang in turn 2 a long sweeper. I saw the Mustangs behind racing each other so I let them by and criused the rest of the race. Unfortunately I was DQ'd for passing under a yellow flag. Never saw it but reviewed my video and there it was. Rookie Mistake.

Since I didn't hurt anyone in my first 4 races I have officially recieved my competition license, off probation.

Next up is Infineon Raceway in Sonoma CA for round 3on June 27/28.

Thanks to the Sponsors Mini Mania www.minimania.com Baybridge Motors www.baybridgemotors.com Pointsix Racing/ Valley Motorwerks Texas Speedwerks www.txwerks.com and Niello Mini of Sacramento for thier help.

Article Date: Jun 05, 2009
Car Accociations: NEW_MINI
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