Climbing the Learning Curve
Another outstanding effort by the team that I’m incredibly blessed to be a part of, to work through a myriad of issues and then put us in the top half of a very strong, and growing field of Factory X cars, setting the top speed mark for the event at nearly 195 MPH.
Given the steep learning curve we are still climbing, we left Beechbend having made a few good steps forward, but fell a couple back at the event. Changes we intentionally or inadvertently made, along with problems in a couple electrical / mechanical bits cost us. Regardless, with a decent, but still spinning too much, pass in the last qualifier, we went into the first round late Saturday evening feeling pretty good.
As usual, Alex Austin Laughlin did his great job driving throughout the event, and in round one against a getting stronger every pass Lenny Lottig and team, despite a very soft tune up, BlackbirdX, once again, spun and launched poorly. Alex starting line advantage and the very strong down track charge were reeling the Camaro in, but fell just short of getting back in front, giving Lenny and his great team, their first round win in FX.
Despite this less than worked and hoped for outcome, I’m once again reminded of how awesome this team and its car are and those speeds put all on notice, we are coming.
We did cap a great, very hard working event of racing off with the official and generous presentation of the 1st to 200, Jessel 200 MPH club award. Thanks to Wayne Jesel and his team for the great valvetrain that helped make that possible and for backing the 200 MPH club and awards. Along with the big check, we received on behalf of the team, and Allen Johnson, jackets to let people know we made it.
We are headed back home, laying out changes and test plans to explore them, so we can get the 330’ to match the class leading 330-1320’ and top speed performance. We will figure it out and/or wear ourselves out trying. Stay tuned, next stop at Rt. 66, in my ol’ stompin’ grounds, with Factory X, where we will also be joined by Team Underdawg Racing in Factory Stock Showdown. Back to work.
