Adam Ginsberg
03-18-2008, 07:29 AM
You guys are terrible.
My responsibilities as the Comp License Director are pretty staggering.....one of those "watch what you wish for" kind of things. ;)
While I really appreciate the vote of confidence, and you recognize talent when you see it, I'm going to pass on such a great offer.
Mitch, however, did an excellent report not all that long ago:
TEXAS MARCH MADNESS!
The 2005 NASA TEXAS AI/CMC Season Opener was a record breaker!
American Iron and Camaro/Mustang Challenge cars converged on Motorsport Ranch in Cresson, Texas for the start of the 2005 NASA Texas AI and CMC season. Both Texas series continue to experience 100% growth, with many new drivers and cars showing up to join in the action. With the biggest V8-racing grid in Texas to date, it was a weekend to watch!
FREAKY FRIDAY – NASA Texas held a daylong licensing school for all the new racers in order to complete working on the licensing requirements. IN CMC, there were 5 new drivers Steve Kent (CMC #1 Mustang), Glenn Landrum (CMC #70 Camaro), Corey Rueth (CMC #13 Mustang), Nicholas Runyon (CMC #79 Camaro), Lewis Tanner (CMC #5 Mustang). AI had 1 new addition, Jeff Brooks (AI #101 Mustang). Many of the AI/CMC veterans such as Adam Ginsberg, Eric Varner and Mike Patterson used this day to shake down their cars and their rusty skills after nearly 5 months of no track time. Neil Breitenbach, from Tampa, FL used this day to learn his teammate Todd Covini’s car, as well as learn a new track during test and tune time.
The track time agenda was filled with very constructive exercises and practice sessions such as side by side lapping at speed, standing & rolling start practices and pass/be passed exercises to gain comfort levels. All this “race simulation” helps the new guys get used to close racing and gain awareness of themselves and others around them.
The day ran smoothly until the final session of the day – a 30 minute “graduation race”. Shortly after the start, Eric Varner’s CMC Mustang blew a head gasket, and had to be towed in. During the restart, a student in an Factory Five Racer (FFR) went wide coming out of Big Bend, shot across, left the track, then reentered the track and came to a stop. With nowhere to go, the FFR was hit broadside by the CMC #70 car driven by Glenn Landrum. That caused the FFR to spin around, and get hit in the passenger side by the Kent/Liebbe #1 CMC Mustang entry. All 3 cars were significantly damaged. The Kent/Liebbe entry would unfortunately not return to racing this weekend. This incident was a testament to the safety gear and procedures employed at NASA, as well as the quality construction of Factory Five Racecars, as no-one was hurt.
Racing was to begin in 12 short hours and there began a thrash that covered hundreds of miles and gallons of sweat. Many cars had major issues to contend with in order to make the show.
The Eric Varner #17 Mustang not only found a blown head gasket, but also discovered a broken valve. The Chris Lyons AI Mustang (formerly owned by AI Champion Elliot Fisher) lost his clutch. And in the spirit of racing, many pitched in to help out thiose racers in need. Adam Ginsberg made a round trip run to his house in Plano, Texas for a spare set of cylinder heads to get the #17 back in the show. Ginsberg also brought back a clutch Lyons.
Glenn Landrum’s weekend appeared to be over. However, during dinner that night, surrounded by friends and family, he decided to take a look at the damage incurred in the accident and delay making a decision about the weekend. At 9pm, Glenn began work to repair the new CMC Camaro.
Marshall and Michael Mosty, Mike Bell. Len Zazzarino, Mitch Warren, Gregg Hoffa and a host of others helped out with all the ailing cars so as to get everyone back out on track. Varner, Lyons and Landrum spent the majority of the night repairing their respective cars to get them ready – it was an all-night thrash but all were successful. The spirit of Texas AI/CMC racing and camaraderie was alive and well in the MSR pits.
SPECTACULAR SATURDAY – qualifying and practice went off very well. 15 minutes before the start of qualifying, Glenn Landrum arrived with his CMC #70 4th gen Camaro in tow, to the clapping hands of the entire AI and CMC group in the paddock. The car hardly looked any worse for wear, considering it’s front clip damage on Friday. All damaged cars, with the exception of the Kent/Liebbe #1 CMC Mustang made the grid for Saturday’s race. The only qualifying scare was Corey Rueth’s CMC Mustang, which cut a brake line lost his brakes, forcing him to miss qualifying for repairs.
In American Iron, John George in the #?? Mustang took the pole position with a 1:23.316. Mike Bell, in his #?? Mustang was close behind with a 1:23.853, Mike Patterson and his #8 Camaro qualified 3rd with a 1:23.907, followed by the Richard Pedersen #?? Mustang (1:25.586 ), and the Chris Lyons #?? (1:29.880). New AI racer Jeff Brooks (AI #101 Mustang) qualified with a 1:28.319 in his newly acquired former Maximum Motorsports shop car.
In CMC, Adam Ginsberg set the pole with a 1:27.352 in his #5 Mustang, followed by Neil Breitenbach with a 1:28.319 in a Mustng and Nicholas Runyon rounding out the top 3 with a 1:28.588 in his west coast winning Camaro. Eric Varner was still shaking down his car with a 1:28.781 and Glenn Landrum turned a 1:31.996.
SATURDAY’S RACE #1 – With one of the largest fields AI and CMC fields to date, the starting grid for race one for the 2005 season found John George - #GR23 Mustang - Pole/AI, followed in qualifying order by the other AI drivers. Marshall Mosty #67 Mustang Pole/AIX and Adam Ginsberg #5 Mustang – Pole/CMC and the other CMC drivers gridded in order of their qualifying times or racer status.
Both American Iron and the Camaro-Mustang Challenge have new drivers for 2005 – in AI, Jeff Brooks, piloting the #101 Maximum Motorsports suspended white Mustang hatchback, was gridded up for his first race ever. In CMC, Nicholas Runyon ( # 79 ), Glenn Landrum ( #70 ), and Corey Rueth ( #13 ) gridded with the field, but as rookies, were required to grid at the back for four races. Unfortunately, the Marshall Mosty #67 AIX Mustang, driving the first AIX entry in Texas, had fuel delivery issues and missed the start.
As the green flag was dropped for the rolling start, it was immediately evident the entire Pony Car field had gotten faster from last year. The top AI drivers began a furious duel, showing how door-to-door racing is done in Texas. Bell fought off Patterson in an attempt to stay close to the #GR23 Mustang, and managed to keep the #8 Camaro in his rearview. Chris Lyons, David Donovan and Jeff Brooks raced hard, keeping the AI leaders in sight. Brooks missed a shift, and blew up his clutch, taking him out.
In CMC, the battle for the lead was equally fierce. Ginsberg, Breitenbach and Varner all fought for asphalt space, knowing the new CMC drivers were very close behind! Ginnsberg got caught in traffic, allowing, Breitenbach to sneak away and the #2 and #17 Mustangs took advantage of the traffic and managed a pass on Ginsberg. Within a few laps though, Ginsberg caught up and eventually passed Varner, who continued to have engine troubles. Rueth and Runyon began what turned into a weekend long battle between Blue Oval and the General – lot’s of close racing! Landrum, contending with a new car, stayed close to the rest of the CMC pack, all with laptimes within a second of the leaders!
For the Saturday Trophy race, the AI podium had John George 1st, Mike Bell 2nd, and Michael Patterson 3rd, followed by Richard Pedersen, David Donovan, Chris Lyons, and Jeff Brooks. In CMC, Neil Breitenbach placed 1st, Adam Ginsberg a close 2nd, and rookie Nicholas Runyon taking his first podium finish in 3rd, followed by Eric Varner, Corey Rueth, and Glenn Landrum.
SATURDAY RACE #2 - is typically inverted, but there were some minor issues with timing and scoring which would prevent that today. To get everyone out on track quickly, the grid was filled using the qualifying times from the first race. Jeff Brooks was unable to make AI grid due to his blown clutch. He would, however, get it repaired for Sunday.
Right from the wave of the green flag, the AI racers charged hard to stay in front. John George’s Griggs-suspended GR23 was out in front, with the rest of American Iron hot on his bumper. Mike Bell obviously got some seat time in the off-season, and drove to the new AI lap record with a 1:22.179!
The CMC cars worked equally hard –Adam Ginsberg led from the flag for several laps, with Neil Breitenbach, Eric Varner, Corey Rueth, Nicholas Runyon and Glenn Landrum close behind.
Breitenbach attempted an inside move on Ginsberg at the entrance of Rattlesnake which resulted in fender to wheel contact causing them both to spin. This incident took Ginsberg from 1st to 5th in short order and allowed Eric Varner to take the lead, and not look back. With little time left, Ginsberg managed to carve his way thru the field to take back some positions. Rueth, Runyon and Landrum all proved they could race with the top CMC drivers from last year – their laptimes were within a second or less from last season.
The finishing order for AI was a near repeat of race #1 - John George 1st, Michael Bell 2nd, Michael Patterson 3rd, Richard Pedersen 4th, Chris Lyons 5th, and David Donovan 6th.
CMC had Eric Varner 1st, Neil Breitenbach 2nd, and Ginsberg 3rd, followed by Nicholas Runyon, Corey Rueth, and Glenn Landrum. The contact between Neil Breitenbach and Adam Ginsberg was found to be a racing incident however a 1 race probation was placed upon Breitenbach for the subsequent contact.
SATURDAY NIGHT DINNER – was held with the entire NASA Texas racing crowd at 7 PM. A scheduled 2004 recognition & awards dinner was planned for the participants as everyone headed to the track office building for 2004 season trophys and food. Beef stew, drinks and some Spec RX-7 entertainment (don’t ask) was followed by more pit thrashing in the AI/CMC paddock to get ready for Sunday’s races. Brooks was able to repair his destroyed AI clutch in time. The Mosty brothers continued to work on their fuel tank issues and Todd Covini arrived late from previous engagements to greet the weary racers and see them all snuggle into their truck beds for sleep. (So that is why they call them “Snug-Lids” huh, Chris Lyons!)
SUPER SUNDAY MORNING QUALIFYING - took place under threatening skies – many folks wondered if the rain from Friday would return. AI qualification was fast – John George posted a pole-position time of 1:22.901 vs. Mike Bell’s scorcher of 1:22.921 – just .02 off!! Mike Patterson made suspension changes Saturday, and roared back with a 1:23.836. Richard Pedersen posted a 1:25.746, AI rookie Jeff Brooks with a 1:25.962, David Donovan with a 1:26.013, and Chris Lyons showing a 1:26.745. AIX-pilot Marshall Mosty posted a 1:26.676.
CMC was knocking down the record times as well – Todd Covini, taking back driving duties of the #2 Mobil 1 Mustang from teammate Neil Breitenbach scored pole with a 1:26.243, Eric Varner at a 1:27.486, Glenn Landrum ( 1:28.196 ), Lewis Tanner in CMC #5 experienced brake problems partway thru, posting a 1:28.346, with Corey Rueth ( 1:30.194 ). Nick Runyon was having transponder issues, and did not post a time.
In the typical good natured fun of Texas AI/CMC, some impromptu awards were handed out during morning coffee for Saturday’s “accomplishments”. Chris Lyons was awarded with “granny panties” for being the first AI car to be passed by a CMC car. The granny panties were displayed off the back of the AI Mustang until the start of the race.
In CMC, Neil Breitenbach was awarded the “Bling-Bling Breitenbach Thing” which he wore as a necklace for most of Sunday. The award presented by Team Ginsberg/Tanner, was a piece of corner marker light which flew from the Covini/ Breitenbach car during minor contact on Saturday afternoon between their cars. Everyone was a great sport about their new awards.
SUNDAY'S RACE #3 - was the main event right after lunch which provided a long awaited standing start, again with the rookie AI and CMC drivers gridded in the back. The green flag dropped, and it was a roar of V8 power headed towards the entrance of Rattlesnake!
John George, caught in traffic, was passed Bell and Patterson. Mike Bell led for several laps, fighting off the onslaught of LS1 power from Patterson. A spin by a Corvette driver Kevin Mixon allowed the other AI cars to catch back up to the #16 Mustang of Bell. In CMC, Covini maintained his lead over the other CMC cars by chasing the AI Mustang of Richard Pedersen in hopes of presenting him with the next pair of granny panties for being passed by a CMC driver. The hard charging incentive along with the cooler weather paid off as Covini pulled off a new CMC lap record: a 1:25.802! Ginsberg, Varner, Landrum, Rueth and Runyon continued to hammer the MSR pavement in an attempt to catch up.
7 laps into the race, Jeff Brook’s #101 engine caught fire, and forced a black flag. Prompt action on the part of the AI/CMC racers allowed the emergency crews to quickly douse the flames and save the car from major damage. The culprit was later diagnosed as a failed fuel injector o-ring. The Fire crews, fire extinguishers, fire suits, tow hooks and other safety precautions worked flawlessly, allowing a short stoppage of the action.
Within 15 minutes, the track was cleared and the entire field out to finish this exciting race! The grid took the green, and roared off into the distance. With Bell still in the lead, George, Patterson, Pedersen, and Lyons charged hard. #GR23 came along side Bell, forcing him wide. That afforded Patterson an opportunity – Bell went from 1st to 3rd in two turns! Within another 2 laps, Bell caught George while the #8 and #23 were fighting for position – Bell took back 2nd place!
However, on lap 13, while chasing down Patterson’s LS-1, the #16 car blew it’s motor heading into Big Bend as the revs topped 6100 and pulling strong right after posting a new AI lap record. Mike Bell’s weekend was over.
CMC was fierce as well – with Covini and Varner ahead, Ginsberg made a mistake at the entrance to Rattlesnake, handing the 3rd and 4th place positions to Rueth and Runyon. After recovering, Ginsberg saw Landrum close in his rearview, and drove hard to keep the black Camaro at bay.
At the checker, the AI finishing order was Mike Patterson 1st, John George 2nd, Richard Pedersen 3rd, with David Donovan 4th, and Chris Lyons 5th.
CMC put Team Covini/Breitenbach 1st, Varner 2nd, Rueth 3rd, Runyon 4th, Ginsberg 5th, and Landrum 6th. However, during post race inspection, Rueth was found to be ~40lbs light in his newly acquired California car, and subsequently DQ’d. That moved Runyon to 3rd, Ginsberg 4th, and Landrum 5th. Another podium finish for Nicholas Runyon!!
SUNDAY’S RACE #4 – held the AI and CMC tradition of inverting the grid based on finishing order of Race #3. With threatening skies and scattered raindrops falling, some in the field switched to their full tread RA1 tires. Due to on track events beyond NASA’s control, the schedule delayed long enough that he rains subsided and the day got long. When the checkered flag dropped on the dry track, many wished they hadn’t switched to rain tires. The battle for AI supremacy was fierce between Mike Patterson’s Alamo Autoports LS1 Camaro and John George’s Griggs Racing Mustang. In the end, Patterson ended up taking the win. In CMC Eric Varner put traffic between him and the other CMC drivers and was able to take an amazing win after replacing the entire top end of his engine just 40 short hours prior.
POST RACE INSPECTIONS – Saturday, the CMC field was examined for front suspension. No violations were found. On Sunday, the AI field was inspected for frame & structural issues. No violations were found.
Pilot Program - Dyno Tech Stickers - The Texas Directors elected to have windshield dyno stickers made up and installed for the 2005 annual inspections as part of a pilot program. The dyno tech numbers filled in on all AI & CMC cars with a Sharpie pen made it much easier for everyone involved for impound tech and scaling. Racers affecting their HP/TQ/WT numbers are expected to recertify and renew their dyno decals.
HARD LUCK AWARD - goes to Steve Kent and Rob Liebbe for building their CMC car as a team the entire off season with the anticipation of competing toward the CMC championship only to have a racing incident in Friday’s practice take them out of the weekend contention.
CONCLUSION - A huge congratulations is in order to all of our rookies. Jeff Brooks, Corey Rueth, Glenn Landrum and Nicholas Runyon proved they drive with the top drivers, forcing everyone to stay on their toes!
NASA Texas AI and CMC racing is growing in 2005. The 2005 schedule is posted at www.nasatx.com.
TRACK RECORDS*
MSR 1:22.179 Michael Bell (AI) 03/05/05
MSR 1:24.98X Marshall Mosty (AIX) 03/06/05
MSR 1:25.802 Todd Covini (CMC) 03/06/05
TWS 1:54:714 Wayne Manor (AI) 09/26/04
TWS 2:01:391 Todd Covini (CMC) 04/03/04
Hallett 1:26.478 Buddy Cisar (AIX) 08/14/04
Hallett 1:25.617 John George (AI) 08/14/04
Hallett 1:31.366 Adam Ginsberg (CMC) 08/14/04
* Track records only recorded from races in race trim.
2005 NASA TEXAS AI CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS
1 388 George (AI)
2 370 Patterson (AI)
3 330 Pedersen (AI)
4 300 Donovan (AI)
5 300 Lyons (AI)
6 250 Bell (AI)
7 104 Brooks (AI)
8 0 Manor (AI)
9 0 Armstrong (AI)
11 0 Dickey (AI)
12 0 Carr (AI)
13 0 Johnson (AI)
14 0 Mosty (AI)
15 0 Mixon (AI)
16 0 White (AI)
17 0 Love (AI)
18 0 Kuhn (AI)
19 0 Kinman (AI)
20 0 King (AI)
21 0 Ivers (AI)
22 0 Costas (AI)
23 0 Brannen (AI)
2005 NASA TEXAS AIX CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS:
1 308 Mosty (AIX)
2 0 Cisar (AIX)
3 0 Hahn (AIX)
*** AI points per NASA CCR rule 22.1 and AI rule 10
100 for 1st...90 for 2nd...85 for 3rd, etc.
4 points for qualifying Pole position
2004 NASA TEXAS CMC CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL SEASON POINTS:
1 395 Covini/Breitenbach (CMC)
2 390 Varner (CMC)
3 381 Ginsberg/Tanner (CMC)
4 375 Runyon (CMC)
5 365 Landrum (CMC)
6 277 Rueth (CMC)
7 0 Kent/Liebbe (CMC)
8 0 Zazzarino (CMC)
9 0 McComb (CMC)
10 0 Turner (CMC)
11 0 Mosty (CMC)
12 0 Tanner (CMC)
13 0 Bishop (CMC)
14 0 Casas (CMC)
15 0 Penney (CMC)
***CMC points per CMC rule 9
100 for 1st...97 for 2nd...95 for 3rd, etc.
1 point for qualifying Pole position
For more information, the following websites should be able to answer any
of your licensing/rules/racing questions:
www.nasaproracing.com
www.nasatx.com
www.americanironracing.com
www.camaromustangchallenge.com
If you still have questions, feel free to contact the following at any time!
Todd Covini
NASA Texas
AI & CMC Director
713-758-5249 days
713-252-3465 cell
Adam Ginsberg
NASA Texas
AI & CMC Asst. Director
972-621-5702 days
214-505-2921 cell
Extras:
Not sure where to place this. It’s a nice recap, but seems out of place at the beginning
MSR WEEKEND RACE SUMMARY:
+ 4 AI/CMC sprint races toward championship points (20 minutes each)
+ 1 practice session and 2 qualifying sessions (15-20 minutes each)
+ 7 total race group sessions and well over 2 hours of track time!
+ 7 American Iron cars
+ 1 American Iron Xtreme car
+ 8 CMC cars
+ 5 Competition Licensing students in the Friday license school!
+ 13 Mustangs
+ 3 Camaros – 1 in AI, and 2 in CMC!
+ 2 CMC pole position winners for the weekend – Team Ginsberg/Tanner ( Sat ), and Team Covini/Breitenbach ( Sun ).
+ 2 AI pole positions held by the same racer- John George 2X
+ 2 AI winners for the weekend - John George 2X (Sat)…Mike Patterson 2X (Sun)
+ 2 CMC winners for the weekend – Team Covini/Breitenbach 2X…..Eric Varner 2X
+ New AI and CMC track records set!
+ Carnage was huge this first event after a long winter – two CMC cars damaged, one AI motor ventilated, one CMC head gasket blown, one CMC cylinder head cracked, two fuel pumps, one oil cooler, one brake line, one stripped caliper, one engine fire, one Mass Air sensor problem, two clutches, and ABS issues on two AI cars.
+ Weather was the big question of the weekend – cool temperatures, overcast and threatening skies, with light sprinkles on Sunday.
+ Consistent top lap times were lowered from last year – 1:26-1:27’s for CMC and 1:22’s for AI
+ An unfortunate incident on Friday was uplifted with the return of a damaged CMC car to action after an all nighter of repairs by many people and a fantastic weekend of racing!
I nominate Mitch Warren. Do I hear a second for the nomination?
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