Laguna Seca post race report
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3rd Gear
Joined: Dec 2002
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Laguna Seca post race report
May 3, 2005
Nuzzo Motorsports sets another track record
Dear Corporate Partners, Friends, Family and Fans,
Mazda Raceway kicked off the 2005 season with the US Sports Car Invitational. This marked the first time that the Grand-Am Cup series has raced at this Historic racetrack. In addition to GAC, the Rolex Series, Formula BMW, and the Pro Miata series were also in attendance. This marked the largest number of entries ever to race at Laguna Seca.
Coming into this weekend, we were confident and thought we’d have a pretty good shot at a top finish.
The competition just keeps getting stronger and stronger. We lack the horsepower our competitors such as the Mazda Rx8, Acura RXS-S, BMW 330, and Chevy Cobalt have. But we are lighter and have good braking and handling.
After the first practice our #20 MINI was third fastest with just 3/10 of a second separation us from two of the factory supported Mazda Rx8’s. Our #02 MINI was eighth only one second behind the leader. In between was a BMW Z4, BMW 330, Acura RSX-S and a BMW 330CI.
Qualifying is a 15-minute session, which translates to about seven hot laps. We were running very strong in qualifying with Shane running 3rd fastest until the last lap when the #70 Mazda jumped ahead by nearly half a second putting us into forth. Geoff qualified the #02 MINI in tenth position just one second behind the Pole setter. To get a feel for just how close these times are take a look at the second hand on you’re watch.
So, the field is set for the US Sports car Invitational. This is the most competitive field we’ve seen this season. The lap times for the top ten cars are so close that you could throw a hat over them. After one pace lap, the field takes the green flag for the start of the race.
Both Shane and Geoff get good starts. By the second lap, Geoff has moved to ninth and Shane has move to third, setting what would be the fastest lap of the race for ST Class with a lap time of 1:43.918. This is the third year in a row the Nuzzo Motorsports MINI’s have set a track record.
By lap five Shane has moved into second place and Geoff continues to charge through the field. By lap 8, Shane is pushing the Acura through the corners just looking for a place to pass. He is clearly faster and will take the lead in the next lap or two. But on lap nine disaster strikes. While coming down the hill from the corkscrew and into the high-speed turn-10 something breaks on the steering of the #20 car. Shane can’t turn the car and goes straight off but avoids any contact. He gets back on track and tries to keep racing only to go straight off in turn eleven the left-hander that leads to the front straight. We know he has a serious problem and he tries to get around to turn four where we can get back to the paddock and try to repair the problem. But no good he is stuck at turn two and that is where the car will remain until the race is over. Because of this Jacob doesn't get in the car for the race.
Geoff keeps working hard, passes the Turner BMW is now running in fifth position. The car is working well and Geoff is confident that he can continue to advance. What happens next is the unthinkable. On lap 19 while entering turn 11 a GS class firebird moves over on Geoff putting him into the GS BMW. This takes out the MINI and the BMW. The MINI’s entire left side is severely crashed in. The BMW spun into the tire wall and flipped over coming to rest on its roof. The MINI while heavily damaged is still drivable and Geoff continues on, but has falling back to fourteenth. The car was driving okay so we decided to leave Geoff out rather than make a driver change ahead of schedule. With other cars pitting we felt we could make up some of the lost positions.
During this long caution period, we were able to get the #20 towed back to the paddock. On first look, I thought I could repair it and get back out on track. But a closer inspection found the steering rack had broken and it was not repairable.
This track has taken its toll on a lot of cars. On lap 39 Geoff comes into the pits for fuel and a driver change. The damage to the driver’s side makes it impossible to open the door, so we had to complete our driver change through the passenger door. Jason heads out and begins to work the traffic. Just three laps later, another lengthy full course caution comes out. Then there will be one more long caution before the checker comes out on lap 76. At the end, Jason had managed to get back to 12 position.
All in all it was a good race for the MINI’s. We were fast and got a lot of exposure. We’ll assess the damage and make the necessary repairs before heading to Watkins Glen June 10-11.
I have to thank our crew for doing such an outstanding job in preparing the cars and for their flawless work during the pit stops. The entire team put forth a great effort this weekend.
I want to thank Hip Hop Beverage Company for supplying us with their Pit Bull Energy Drink during the event. This is a great tasting drink that I encourage you all to try.
Thanks also go out to all the MINI fans that stopped by and gave us their support.
Nuzzo Motorsports 2005 campaign would not be possible without the support of Grafik Dezine, Hoosier Tire, North American Motoring, Moton Suspension Technology, MINI Financial Services, MINI USA, Marren Fuel Injection, Autosportimage.com, and The Driveshaft Shop.
Our next race is June 10-11at Watkins Glen.
The Laguna Seca race will be broadcast on Speedtv Sat, May 14 1:00PM (Eastern Time), Sat, May 14 3:00AM
Please check your local listings for changes to the schedule.
For further details, please contact Tony Nuzzo at 516-972-3454
In addition, visit www.nuzzomotorsports.com for race news, photos, and video.
###
Nuzzo Motorsports sets another track record
Dear Corporate Partners, Friends, Family and Fans,
Mazda Raceway kicked off the 2005 season with the US Sports Car Invitational. This marked the first time that the Grand-Am Cup series has raced at this Historic racetrack. In addition to GAC, the Rolex Series, Formula BMW, and the Pro Miata series were also in attendance. This marked the largest number of entries ever to race at Laguna Seca.
Coming into this weekend, we were confident and thought we’d have a pretty good shot at a top finish.
The competition just keeps getting stronger and stronger. We lack the horsepower our competitors such as the Mazda Rx8, Acura RXS-S, BMW 330, and Chevy Cobalt have. But we are lighter and have good braking and handling.
After the first practice our #20 MINI was third fastest with just 3/10 of a second separation us from two of the factory supported Mazda Rx8’s. Our #02 MINI was eighth only one second behind the leader. In between was a BMW Z4, BMW 330, Acura RSX-S and a BMW 330CI.
Qualifying is a 15-minute session, which translates to about seven hot laps. We were running very strong in qualifying with Shane running 3rd fastest until the last lap when the #70 Mazda jumped ahead by nearly half a second putting us into forth. Geoff qualified the #02 MINI in tenth position just one second behind the Pole setter. To get a feel for just how close these times are take a look at the second hand on you’re watch.
So, the field is set for the US Sports car Invitational. This is the most competitive field we’ve seen this season. The lap times for the top ten cars are so close that you could throw a hat over them. After one pace lap, the field takes the green flag for the start of the race.
Both Shane and Geoff get good starts. By the second lap, Geoff has moved to ninth and Shane has move to third, setting what would be the fastest lap of the race for ST Class with a lap time of 1:43.918. This is the third year in a row the Nuzzo Motorsports MINI’s have set a track record.
By lap five Shane has moved into second place and Geoff continues to charge through the field. By lap 8, Shane is pushing the Acura through the corners just looking for a place to pass. He is clearly faster and will take the lead in the next lap or two. But on lap nine disaster strikes. While coming down the hill from the corkscrew and into the high-speed turn-10 something breaks on the steering of the #20 car. Shane can’t turn the car and goes straight off but avoids any contact. He gets back on track and tries to keep racing only to go straight off in turn eleven the left-hander that leads to the front straight. We know he has a serious problem and he tries to get around to turn four where we can get back to the paddock and try to repair the problem. But no good he is stuck at turn two and that is where the car will remain until the race is over. Because of this Jacob doesn't get in the car for the race.
Geoff keeps working hard, passes the Turner BMW is now running in fifth position. The car is working well and Geoff is confident that he can continue to advance. What happens next is the unthinkable. On lap 19 while entering turn 11 a GS class firebird moves over on Geoff putting him into the GS BMW. This takes out the MINI and the BMW. The MINI’s entire left side is severely crashed in. The BMW spun into the tire wall and flipped over coming to rest on its roof. The MINI while heavily damaged is still drivable and Geoff continues on, but has falling back to fourteenth. The car was driving okay so we decided to leave Geoff out rather than make a driver change ahead of schedule. With other cars pitting we felt we could make up some of the lost positions.
During this long caution period, we were able to get the #20 towed back to the paddock. On first look, I thought I could repair it and get back out on track. But a closer inspection found the steering rack had broken and it was not repairable.
This track has taken its toll on a lot of cars. On lap 39 Geoff comes into the pits for fuel and a driver change. The damage to the driver’s side makes it impossible to open the door, so we had to complete our driver change through the passenger door. Jason heads out and begins to work the traffic. Just three laps later, another lengthy full course caution comes out. Then there will be one more long caution before the checker comes out on lap 76. At the end, Jason had managed to get back to 12 position.
All in all it was a good race for the MINI’s. We were fast and got a lot of exposure. We’ll assess the damage and make the necessary repairs before heading to Watkins Glen June 10-11.
I have to thank our crew for doing such an outstanding job in preparing the cars and for their flawless work during the pit stops. The entire team put forth a great effort this weekend.
I want to thank Hip Hop Beverage Company for supplying us with their Pit Bull Energy Drink during the event. This is a great tasting drink that I encourage you all to try.
Thanks also go out to all the MINI fans that stopped by and gave us their support.
Nuzzo Motorsports 2005 campaign would not be possible without the support of Grafik Dezine, Hoosier Tire, North American Motoring, Moton Suspension Technology, MINI Financial Services, MINI USA, Marren Fuel Injection, Autosportimage.com, and The Driveshaft Shop.
Our next race is June 10-11at Watkins Glen.
The Laguna Seca race will be broadcast on Speedtv Sat, May 14 1:00PM (Eastern Time), Sat, May 14 3:00AM
Please check your local listings for changes to the schedule.
For further details, please contact Tony Nuzzo at 516-972-3454
In addition, visit www.nuzzomotorsports.com for race news, photos, and video.
###
5th Gear
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 773
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, CA
That was a heartbreaking race 
The MINI was looking so good up front, and was being driven so well, that I was sure MINI would finally have a first place finish. That firebird was a menace out there.
The whole crowd was pulling for you guys, and the commentators too. Best of luck next race- keep your nose clean out there!
The MINI was looking so good up front, and was being driven so well, that I was sure MINI would finally have a first place finish. That firebird was a menace out there.The whole crowd was pulling for you guys, and the commentators too. Best of luck next race- keep your nose clean out there!