Quick update on Open Track Challenge
 

Day one of the 7-track Open Track Challenge was at the 2.2 mile Spring Mountain course in Nevada. As it turned out, the biggest competition for the TRE Motorsports team didn't come from the M3's, the S2000 or the WRX. The best times were from a stripped and race-prepped 300ZX (non turbo) and a turbocharged Audi S4 putting out 360 hp. The ZX got down to three 1:59's by the end of the day (the top three times are what count), and the S4 got close to that, but then had to leave early when its turbo had a problem, and they had to find a dealership near Willow Springs (tomorrrow's track) to get a part.

Tyson and I did a little better, though, with three low 1:56's, which means we're currently running first in our class.

Mike Marshall and his co-driver started out in the middle of the pack in their class. But Mike pulled off a miracle with his last three laps, and got a nice set of 1:53's, putting them (I think) in second in their class.

So the two 30-year-old 911's are running near the top of both Touring 3 and Unlimited 3, which is pretty good news.

On the downside, Tyson and I lost our air conditioning on the way to Pahrump, so we're going to be on the warm side between tracks. But aside from that, the car (both cars, actually) are running great. If someone will bring us a Pelican sticker, we'd be happy to show our BBS colors. We'll be at Willow Springs on Monday, and Streets of Willow on Tuesday, Buttonwillow on Wednesday, Thunderhill on Thursday, Buttonwillow (again) on Friday, and Las Vegas on Monday.

I'll try and add some pictures tomorrow evening.

Results will be posted here, I think.

Well done, nice work gentlemen, chew 'em up and spit 'em out! Raise the Porsche flag high!
Keep up the good work.

Tyson & Jack,

Great profile under the "2002 Entrants" link. :D

Way to go Jack & Tyson!
 

Good luck with the rest of the week! Keep us posted on the happenings.

I read a few other bios... this one is really funny, too:

http://www.opentrackchallenge.com/profiles/team50.htm

Way to go! Now that the A/C's gone you guys should take out the compressor. C'mon I know you thought of that!

Go Jack!

I'll be at Thunderhill on Thursday to see how the soft-boned mama's boy is holding up. A full report will be provided.

I don't know if I should envy or pity you guys. I'm beat after a two day event - and without the long treks from track to track.

Keep it up and let us know about attrition in the field. I'm expecting most of the starters to drop out before the 7th day.

Of course the 911s and their drivers will cruise through. Built like a Panzer tank.

Great job! guy's... that is great! score one or two more for the PORSCHE camp... Jack come on AC who need's AC... hahahaha keep it up ! good luck.

Eric Mckenna
78SC

Thunderhill Q
 

When y'all come thru Thunderhill - what time of day is best to be there? I'm an hourly wage slave, and don't want to take an entire day off (no vacation time, either :( )

Would it be worth it to show up say, after lunch?

nice going, dudes
 

It's funny, I was just wondering today how car+drivers are holding up in the heat. (For those of you in other parts of the world, summer arrived here with a bang yesterday- 90+deg. in L.A., god-only-knows how hot inland). You guys are doing us proud, though, keep up the good driving!:cool:

The update as of day two is more good news.

Getting a 1:35 in the last session, the Olsen-Schmidt (TRE Motorsports) team remains in first place in Touring 3.

It's too late -- and I'm too exhausted -- to post more, but here's a picture:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads/Willow2.jpg

Wheels look great, Jack! Needs a wash too! :D

Keep kickin' ass!

Go Jack Go!

That's not the same cup-holding, arm-resting, air-conditioned car you started with, is it? Now it looks like a balls-out track car, right on! Keep up the good work.

Don't know whose drivin' but it looks like a white knuckle ride to me. ;)
Glad you guys are having fun.

Re: Way to go Jack & Tyson!
 

Hahahah...man that profile/Interview is just hilarious!

Incidentally, I'm checking out the page now. I'm amazed you guys are doing this well. Naturally I'm curious as to the overall finished, but very impressed by the 911s! Makin' us all proud.

Wow! Will ya take a look at those nice rear wheels! Howz the understeer with those puppies Jack? You are making us proud!

cheers
-Brad
80SC - with measly 9's on the rear :)

No news?
 

Yes, I'm living vicariously... what's the latest news on the Olsen/Tyson OTC WDP?

Whelp, they're leading touring 3 anyway! Rock on guys.

UPDATE!

RoninLB, Chuck Moreland and myself, caought up with the guys at Thunder Hill today.

There are all looking a little tired after 5 days, and both teams are in seceond place currently in there classes. Jack's been having to deal with a lot of BS, from some of the other competitors, because they think he has a unfair advantage. I will let him fill you in if he chooses.

ON his 3rd session today, Jack spun out in turn 1, and lost his front windshield! They should be pulling into Parts Heaven in Hayward for a replacement at any time. Then back on the road for Button willow.

Here's a pic...http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa... no window.jpg

It was really cool getting to meet all these Pelican Heads too.

Hell...Jack did say that the A/C gave out. Now he has FULL ventilation? Go gettum guys! Michael? You've got my vote...that's because you're a DRIVER! :) Ronnie? If you ever read this? Well, I tried to explain west and east coast cultural differences. My hat is off to you for exploring same...Makio? Thank you for the post!

I'm curious to know how Jack broke the windshield...

Was it flying stones during the spin, or body flex or something?

Thanks for the updates, too, Makaio.

great work guys!!! keep it up. hey Jack! thats a great number for the car in that last pic.. #130 thats James Deans old 550 spyder car number... nice! :D

Mike, RoninLB, Chuck
I'm glad Jack is hanging in there and doing so well. Others aren't so lucky. Can one of you fill me in on a friend? He's running #951 a white 944 Turbo. He went home after the first day and replaced a head gasket. He was hoping to rejoin the fray at TH today. Did you happen to see him? Is he still going strong after a 11th hour vigile of repairing the car?

Thanks, it's hard to get info, the OTC website is just blank....

I'll be going to Buttowillow tomorrow to watch the fun and then the weekend for the PCA time trials. Look me up. #156 Red 951.

DanD
86 951

Adam, what happened is: Jack spun a 180 going into turn 1, which is a very high speed ( at least to me) sweeper. When he spun, the car was now going backwards at a high rate of speed, and all that air coming in from the rear vent windows, and the door windows, caused a humungous amount of positive pressure to enter the cabin, and it blew the glass right out! I swear this is what happened! That's why the dedicated race cars have window restraints.

Luckly I had all my fire gear in the back of my truck (since my car had a dead battery), and I loaned Jack a set of firefighting goggles for the 2 hour drive from Thunder Hill to Parts Heaven.

And for those of you who have not had the pleasure of seeing Black beuatty in person, she is a AWESOME sight!

Matt? You didn't happen to get a pic of Jack wearing those goggles, did you? I really don't mean to laugh AT Jack...the windshield loss had to be a real (female dog)! But, I have to admit, some giggles here at the mental image of Jack, wearing goggles, driving the public roads in black beauty sans windshield. Perhaps, in time, he'll see the funny side as well? Hope so. :)

Paul, I didn't get a photo, but Mike was going to try and get some video footage, so I'm sure we'll get to see it if he does.

The cool thing is, I know Jack had to be fuming mad, but he just kept his cool, and played it like it was no thing.

Whoa,

That would have been scary, imagine the fright of the windshield blowing out at high speed! It would be loud and sudden! I'm assuming nobody was hurt... :)

Boy, if he wasn't tired before, I'll bet he is now. That would just wear you out.

Good thing he could borrow you goggles. Could you invision, no windsheld, helmet on, Visor down, Track car with stickers all over it. Ticket magnet...

I can't imagine doing this for a week straight with 300 miles between tracks. How do the One Lappers do it with 8 hour runs between tracks?

DanD

Oh, the guy I was asking about is Danno, Dan Nguyenphuc.

I spun there the last time Jack and I ran that track. I lost it @ ~100; luckily a targa has no back vent windows!

It was a hot day atThunderhill. Mike, Tyson and Jack deserve credit for stamina. Today was the fifth day of the event and they had logged hundreds of miles between tracks.

Both cars are holding up well. Some minor problems have arisen (to be expected) but no big deal. Even the windshield is surely fixed as I type this.

This is a really fun event even if a bit grueling. I wish I had entered this year and will likely do so next time. Quite a few pcars are there to carry the flag. And our boys are making a great showing.

Jack took the windshield incident in stride, he doesn't look too upset now does he?

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads/bigsmile.JPG

Tyson helps Jack straighten his tie:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads/tysongrab.JPG

The windshield remnants are on the tailgate. Trying to decide if the rubber is usable.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads/aftermath.JPG

Do you recognize Black Beauty? More like Track Beauty today.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads/trackbeauty.JPG

Black Beauty moving fast down the main straight:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads/bbmoving.JPG

Mike Marshall's machine:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...allmachine.JPG

Mike and co driver:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...shallandco.JPG

Mike hammering it down the straight:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...allhauling.JPG

The field ranged from fun seekers in low powered cars to serious cash and teams chasing trophies. Fierce weaponry showed up including this f40:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads/f40front.JPG

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads/f40rear.JPG

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads/f40engine.JPG

And this 914 which has been laying down the fastest times all week. This is a canadian team:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads/914.JPG

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads/914-2.JPG

Jack/Tyson/Mike

Keep up the good work! Looks like a hell of a lot of fun!

Also, Jack, good luck with the other competitors protesting - I bet they wouldn't have a problem if the shoe was on the other foot...........................

Oh, and Chuck - great pictures!

Keep em rollin guys! Love the picts! I want to do the same thing someday, but I'm too much of a coward. Soon...soon!

Great pics Chuck! GO Jack, Tyson, Mike, and Mike's co-driver! Sure seems like a lot of fun! If I didn't live so far I'd be there.

Great going Jack, Tyson and Mike! Best of luck to you guys - please keep us posted of your progress.

Nice pics Chuck. I see you brought some stickers with you:D

Tom

Fantastic pics Chuck, Thank you! Also hope our Road Warrior from the East had a ball watching the hotshoes! Must have been warm at Thunderhill, noting all the drivers with suits rolled to T shirt level. Michael & Jack looking good as usual! :)

Yes Chuck is a much better photographer than me, and better with a computer. Nice work Chuck!

Videos!!
 

In case anyone is interested in seeing a pair of videos of this event, go here: http://www.yahoogle.com/otc/

The F40 video is not worth it.
The one called Day 2 is an inside shot from the RS that belongs to Mike Marshall (I can't believe his tach was working properly...)
The one called Street are outside shots for the RS and a WRX.

Hope you enjoy as much as I did. Ahhh, the sound of that RS!!:)