Mid-Ohio Madness.
This race weekend marked the debut of BigKevRacing's new car built for the upcoming ATCC.Driver Kevin Hopkins is reported to be very happy with the car, though is still coming to grips with the change to front wheel drive and it's different setups."I am still struggling a little with the rear end being a little loose,in part it is the way i am driving it and still finding the right setup"
Qaul.At the second attempt manage to get into the top 10 in the dying minutes,just edging out Rhys Gardiner(Kiwi v Aussie again lol).
Race 1 Made an ok start and by turn 2 was up to 8th behind Claudio.Had Yves all over the back of me until he outbraked himself going into turn 3.The next couple of laps a good battle between Claudio,myself and Will Marquez carried on,the 2 Honda's hounding the lone Alfa.I passed claudio under brakes at turn 3 then we ran side by side through Madness me in front going into thunder valley and the carousel.Here i lost the back end and i think we all had a bit of an off,i decided to pit.So did everyone else it seems,had a shocker of a pitstop by overshooting by pit,lost a lot of time.:damnit:Came out in 15th running side by side with William Yunck on lap 6 and we had a good battle for the next couple of laps
.lap 8 and we had caught up with John Sydenstricker(8th),tried to pass John before the crest going into Thunder Valley and just tapped him(sorry) ,John then pitted and William and i continued our huge battle.Last lap and William was really trying,he went wide at T1 and then finally slid of at T3.I then had a gap back to Rhys in 9th but just about lost it in the carousel,just hanging onto 8th and pole for race 2.
Race 2 Pole for race 2 and i make a good start going through T1 in the lead but outbrake myself trying to cover for T2 and Ryan sneaks through into the lead.I look into my mirror to see where everyone is and see Michel Salvador go flying upside down off the track.Put my head down and off after Ryan.Lap 2 and it's Ryan...gap, me,Will,Keith and Abdul,Will goes wide at T2 letting Keith through.So i have young Barrick to contend with.The pressure gets to me and i run wide over the crest going into Thunder valley and we run side by side up to the carousel,keith getting past.As Keith disappears its ,me ,Will and Abdul,Abdul passing Will at T3 when Will runs wide.Now it is Abduls turn to attack me.Lap 4 going into T2 Abdul gives me a little tap under brakes and i go into a half spin(good thing about fwd,just mash the loud pedal).Will passes Abdul and they go side by side down the back straight,Abdul gets his place back.I loose the backend (again) going over the crest and Abdul catches me going into the carousel.I pit as does Will and we leave together 18th and 19th(WILL).We catch up to Claudio(lap 6) and run line astern for the next couple of laps until Claudio pits putting me into 7th.Will is right there waiting to pounce,lap 8 and i'm in 4th.Will gives me a little tap in the carousel and i get a bit of a tankslapper on as i gas it up trying to stay straight.I look in the mirror and Will is on the grass(pc frozen)(bad luck was enjoying our battle).lap 9 4th and lonely, drive smooth to the finish for 4th and 6th overall for the weekend.Best result so far,thanks for the great racing today guys,i had a blast.Thanks to Eric and Keith...looking fwd to the next meeting .cheers kev.
