Race 6 Results

Watkins Glen National - July 12, 13, 14

< Qualifying Grid - Other Points - Final Results - Bryan Watts Report - Coop Cronicles>

Drivers Meeting - Beautiful weather greets another large EAST Championship turnout.

Series points leader Victor Seaber on the grid minutes before race time.

Jack Morris recepient of the wild card 5 point bonus.

False Grid - John Faulkner leads another record Formual Mazda field to qualifying

Bryan Watts and team Velocity discuss last minute race strategy.

Hard Charger Jamie Clark in a brief photo op.

Glen Cooper in winners circle complete with checkerd flag and champagne.

Coop gets interviewed. Commends EAST Championship and Bruce Lawrence for car set up.

Top Five Winners - Glen Cooper, Jim Nichols, Victor Seaber, Bill Haney (not pictured), Bryan Watts (not pictured)

 

Qualifying Grid

Position

Car

Driver

Team

Time

1

43
Glen Cooper Team Coopsport
1:57.854

2

18
Chris Schanzle Team Schanzle
1:58.306

3

45

John Falkner

Brithill Racing, Inc/Racers Edge Motorsports

1:58.839
4

40

John Intile

Sherwin Williams/Intile Painting/Velocity Motorsports

1:59.188

5

28
Victor Seaber RDF Racing
1:59.529

6

86
Jim Nichols Racers Edge Motorsports
1:59.688

7

42
Bill Haney Racers Edge Motorsports
1:59.745

8

25
Bryan Watts AB Watts/Velocity Motorsports
2:01.397

9

77
Tuck Hunter Upland Springs Farm/Racers Edge Motorsports
2:01.935
10
41
Marci Anderson Golden Bone Pet Resort/Racers Edge Motorsports
2:04.563
11

32

Doug Falcone

Access To Money/Velocity Motorsports

2:06.000

12

50
Jack Morris Morris Racing LTD/The Speed Connection

2:06.900

13

27
Gary Machiko

2:06.900

14

63
Jamie Clark Above The Limit Racing

Disallowed

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Other Points

Description

Car

Driver

Team

Points

Pole

43
Glen Cooper Team Coopsport

2

Fastest Lap

43
Glen Cooper Team Coopsport

2

Hard Charger

63
Jamie Clark Above The Limit Racing

2

Bonus

50
Jack Morris Morris Racing LTD/The Speed Connection

5

Tires
28
Victor Seaber RDF Racing

 

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Final Results

Position

Car

Driver

Team

Time

Points

1

43
Glen Cooper Team Coopsport

1:57.950

(Lap Record)

29

2

86
Jim Nichols Racers Edge Motorsports

0

21

3

28
Victor Seaber RDF Racing

 

19

4

42
Bill Haney Racers Edge Motorsports

 

5

25
Bryan Watts AB Watts/Velocity Motorsports

 

17

6

18
Chris Schanzle Team Schanzle

 

16

7

77
Tuck Hunter Upland Springs Farm/Racers Edge Motorsports

 

15

8

63
Jamie Clark Above The Limit Racing

 

16

9

41
Marci Anderson Golden Bone Pet Resort/Racers Edge Motorsports

 

13

10

27
Gary Machiko

 

 

12

11

50
Jack Morris Morris Racing LTD/The Speed Connection

 

16

12

32

Doug Falcone

Access To Money/Velocity Motorsports

 

10

13

45

John Falkner

Brithill Racing, Inc/Racers Edge Motorsports

 

5

14

40

John Intile

Sherwin Williams/Intile Painting/Velocity Motorsports

 

5

 

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July 29, 2002 A Wreck and Career Best Finish

in One Weekend at The Glen

Winston-Salem, NC

A trip to Watkins Glen July 12-14, brought many firsts for Bryan Watts and the Velocity Team. During the Friday test day, open-wheeled cars were grouped on a first-come, first-serve basis into one of two groups along with Formula Vee’s, Formula 500’s, and Spec Racer Fords (SRF). Needless to say, the speed differentials proved to be substantial. Early in the day, Watts experienced his first car-to-car contact while passing a SRF in T1. Later that day, contact with a curb in the backstraight chicane unsettled Watts’ Velocity Motorsports Formula Mazda, sending him spinning into the wall, another first for the day. Fortunately, the soft fiberglass of the SRF and the Styrofoam padded walls prevented any damage.

As the weekend progressed, Watts worked with Fred Huscher, the team engineer, to dial the Mazda into the uniquely banked, high-speed turns of Watkins Glen. This being yet another new track for the season, the steep learning curve continued for Watts and Team Velocity, but lap times dropped throughout the test day and practice/qualifying on Saturday.

SCCA officials announced a split start for Sunday’s race, giving the Formula Mazdas the opportunity to start in their own pack behind Formula Atlantics and Sports Racers. Watts qualified 11th on the grid for Formula Mazdas and 8th in the East Championship. A superb start catapulted Watts into 3rd place overall and 2nd in the East Championship by the time the tight pack of Formula Mazdas entered “the boot.” Fighting off Victor Seaber for a lap proved extremely beneficial for Watts, as the lead Formula Atlantic began to slice through the rear of the Formula Mazda field, putting nearly the entire pack a lap down. A wreck in T1 brought out a double yellow just as the lead Formula Atlantic appeared on Watts’ gearbox. Shortly thereafter, the pace car waved Watts, Joe Pruskowski, and Glen Cooper around, allowing the top three to gain nearly an entire lap on the field of Formula Mazdas as the race went back to green. Dicing through the back runners of the group, Watts unfortunately lost touch with the two leaders Cooper and Pruskowski. Realizing that 2nd place points in the East Championship were his for the taking, Watts dialed his speed back to 90% and carefully picked through traffic.

Watts soon found that his first time experiences weren’t over for the weekend. With two laps left, a Formula Atlantic lapped by on the front straight. Entering T1, the Atlantic slowed substantially more than was needed to negotiate the turn. Having tucked close behind the Atlantic to gain some draft, Watts found himself without an escape, resulting in his first career wreck. Despite the wreck, Watts held a lap on most of the Formula Mazda field, and finished 5th in the East Championship Series, the FIRST finish in the money for Watts this season! His first prize check helped heal the scars and disappointment for Watts and Team Velocity.

Follow Bryan to Virginia International Raceway on August 3-4, 2002 as he and the crew at Velocity Motorsports look for another career first: a podium finish in front of a family and friends in the rolling hills of Virginia.

Bryan is actively seeking sponsorship to embark on another season of firsts for 2003. If you would like more information about Bryan Watts or if you are interested to learn about programs that can display your business to a diverse and large group of potential customers, please contact ABW Motorsports at (336) 971-6905 or, by email, at info@bryanwatts.com or check out the web site at www.bryanwattsracing.com. Let us know what we can do for you and your business

----------------------------------------------------

Bryan Watts ABW Motorsports

(336) 971-6905

http://www.bryanwattsracing.com

Bryan Watts FM# 25

 

The Coop Chronicles SCCA National STAR Mazda Series East Championship / Rd. 6

Watkins Glen International

July 12, 13, 14

Ahh The Glen

Situated on a hill top overlooking beautiful Lake Seneca, this serpentine 3.4 mile, 15 (16?, 17??) turn road course located in the Finger Lakes region of New York has it all: High speed straights, decreasing radius corners, chicanes, major league elevation changes (over 100 feet), and above all else, history. For it was here, the cradle of American road racing (OK, Sebring is pretty old too; stay with me…) that The Greats did battle. Names like Moss, Hill (BOTH of 'em), Gurney, Stewart, Cevert, Andretti, and many more, once ran here. I guess it could be compared to an artist visiting the Sistine Chapel.

YEAH RIGHT!! Get a grip; it ain't even close. This place is definitely on my Top 5 List (Mosport, Road America, VIR, Da Glen, and Road A, in no particular order). Having been here about 3 or 4 years ago in a buddy's rental vintage FF in my 2nd ever, open wheel race, I couldn't wait to return.

The 55th Glen Nationals would be a weekend filled with surprises, mostly of the welcome variety. This is my story…

Friday Test Day

Now this is what I call a Test Day! 4, count 'em, 4 - 30 minute sessions. For the next few races, I've elected to have the car transported to (distant) events. I would fly in like some overpaid CEO of an, oh, I don't know, let's say an accounting firm, or perhaps a telecom company. Any ways, the car would be there, and hot pit chores would be taken care of by Bruce Lawrence of Speed Connection.

This is (evidently) what I've needed all along (as you'll soon find out). I would continue to run as the upstart, and most independent Team Coopsport, but would enjoy the benefits of a professionally sorted chassis. How well set up you ask? Well, to paraphrase famous Dale's or Jeff's: "Man, I'm-a-tellin' ya, the (insert name of home improvement chain, beer, or Woody stiffness enhancing drug company here) (American auto manufacturer here) ran great right outta the trailer. My crew did a tuh-riffic job, and gave me the best car out there. All I did wuz drive the thing!"

It was truly that good.

There were 2 open wheel groups, but not what you would have expected (F500, FV, FF, in one group and DSR, CSR, S2's, FC, FM, FA in another. It was actually split up by how you signed up! This clearly needs some attention by the good folks of Glen Region. FA's closing on FV's at something like 70 mph can't be a good deal…

They (locals) were heard to say that anything under 2 minutes was gettin' it pretty good, so apparently the 1:59's from the first session were in the hunt. I had to re-familiarize myself with the track; about the only thing in common with my last visit was the weather (beautiful - low 50's at night, breezy, sunny days with the mercury almost budging into the 90's) and the fact that the vehicle had 4 wheels. By the end of the 2nd session I had all my shifts (where and what) figured out, and could start to extend brake points, and concentrate on getting good drives off corners.

By the end of the third session, I came in and Bruce asked me how I felt. I promptly told him that if anyone else was faster, I'd be very surprised: I was in the groove, and felling good. For the fourth session, I put on a fresh set of rubber, took 4 or 5 semi easy laps, came in and swapped back to the other set of wheels and went out for the last few laps. These freshies would have the night to cure and would go on for tomorrows AM qualifying session. I ended up in the low 1:59 range.

After the day's sessions were completed, I had a helmet headset/mic/speaker set up installed in my lid. For this weekend I would have (for the first time, EVER) radio communication to the pits. This would prove to be invaluable, and definitely comes under the "I shoulda' done this years ago" umbrella. Sometimes my "thriftiness" gets in the way of results. This is yet one more area I've been working on lately, ie, eliminating excuses!!

Saturday, AM Qualifier/ 1 of 2

From the previous days testing, we felt that a 1:58 would be good enough for pole, and it was decided that as soon as I got into that range, I'd come in. On the first flyer, I got a "point 02" (2:00.02) from Bruce over the radio. He was stationed between turns 1 and 2, calling the action. On the second go round, it was about the same. I was trying to get a clear bit of track, but with almost 60 cars on course, this was easier said than done. Eventually, there was a good enough break to run a pretty fair lap, and I heard "59.3". On the next lap I heard a "59.1". One more go 'round and it was "58.7, come on in, we're good". I completed that circuit, and pulled into the pits, and made my way to the paddock. I got out of the car and Bruce says "Hey man, I may've pulled you in too early, Papa Joe Pruskowski just did a 58.1!" Oh well, that's still front row, no biggie, PLUS we've got the other qualifier comin' up after lunch; I felt I still had some time in me. Needless to say I was pretty stoked, but at the same time wondered if it would be possible to go any faster in the warmer PM session.

Saturday, PM Qualifier/ 2 of 2

I headed out for this session, hopeful of improving my time, but within a lap it suddenly became quite clear that was probably not going to happen. People were spinning, dropping oil, crashing, running off into gravel traps, and generally making a mess out of the track. I made maybe 3 or 4 laps and radioed to Bruce that I was coming in: it was futile at best to stay out any longer. I guess it was gonna be 2nd after all (but still front row).

We had a few hours to kill before dinner, so I did what any self-respecting ex motorcycle road racer would do: jump on the pit bike and go exploring. I found two spectator tunnels that I didn't even know existed, that connected the inner portion of the boot to the infield. These things were barely wide enough to get two people side by side in, and were less than 6 feet tall. I watched some other classes qualifying from various vantage points. I don't think I actually picked up on anything, but it was good just the same.

When I returned to the paddock, Bruce informed me that the Chief Steward had made the rounds, and was informing folks that we would have a split start. The 19 Mazda's would start from behind the main pack in a separate start with our own pace car. I was not happy to hear this, as I had been through this before. I was somewhat placated however to hear from Jack Morris that I was the pole sitter. Seems that the Quantum team put fresh tires on for their 2nd qualifying attempt, thereby disallowing their first session times, and with it Joe's pole time.

I felt I should make my position heard in regard to the split start decision, and made my way to the Racers Edge trailer. When I informed Jon Mirachi of my concerns, he made several valid points. Paramount amongst these was that in order to fully "showcase" the FM class, we needed our own race. As this was not possible, a split start was the next best thing. He also thought it would be safer this way. I replied that in light of the fact that we had qualified with all the cars from the other groups, we should race in the same fashion. I also was feeling that the drivers should have been consulted before any change was made. There was no changing this initiative, I even picked up a copy of the GCR to see just what was involved; it appeared that I was fighting a losing battle…

Sunday, 1PM The Race

As pole man, I elect to take the right side, and am given instructions from the starter.

We grid up, and finally get the nod to follow the C5 'vette with the emergency flashers on! I'm thinking that they better get going; that first pack is headed up by the screaming Formula Atlantic of Larry Conner. This guy set a new FA lap record of 1:46 and change. The proverbial shark through minnows…

I'm getting it all warmed up and scrubbed, and initiate the form up as we exit the boot portion of the track. I can see the 'vette's flashers are extinguished - we'd be going green for sure. We get it, and we're off down into turn 1. I get enough of a gap on 2nd place qualifier Schanzle to sweep across to my left directly in front of him, brake, flick it into 1, and attempt to get gone. In my mirror, I can see some cars getting together, but instantly focus on the situation at hand. I'm up through the climbing esses, and on the approach to the chicane, I've already built a tidy gap. Now, all I've got to do is maintain that gap. I notice a metallic beige nose on the 2nd place car and figure 3rd place starter Joe Pruskowski has moved into 2nd. We complete one lap, and as I'm going into 1, there are double yellow flags being displayed - Full Course Caution. The pace car is exiting the pits just as I'm alongside. I fall in and wait for him to wave me by till he can pick up the leader. We make probably a lap, maybe a lap and a half before he finally motions me by. I immediately hit it hard, not race speed, but 90% for sure. I notice the 73 of Pruskowski, and the 25 of Bryan Watts directly behind, but no one else coming. I continue railing along, trying to get back up to the pack. We would be single file on the restart, and I'm wondering where the rest of the field is. I radio to Bruce my concerns, and his reply was succinct: "I'm not really sure what they're doing, but it looks pretty messed (not the actual transcription) up"! I continue at a semi reduced pace, waiting for some more folks to show for the party, and suddenly hear over the radio that the next time by and we'll go green. I immediately get it back up to speed, and on the way out of the toe of The Boot, we catch the pack.

Almost immediately I can hear Bruce shouting, "green, green, green" and it's now time for our favorite daytime gameshow "Pass The SportsRacers". And pass we did. I'd get a break and stretch it a bit, then the next corner I'd get held up and the 73 car would reel me in. It went like this for about the whole race. Imagine a giant bungee cord connecting our two cars and you'd be close. We were passing perhaps 10 cars a lap, but I managed to keep the lead throughout. At times just barely.

One memorable moment occurred on the exit of the boot when a white DSR with a tall rear wing made a huge popping noise, and slowed dramatically with me directly behind and closing fast. I had to lock it down to avoid packing into this guy and Joe directly behind almost got by, but I think he may have been surprised as well.

Another time a mega fast red CSR actually give me a point by on the back straight, all the while pulling away! I've gotta give this guy credit for trying to stay out of a battle between cars in class, but it was pretty funny just the same…

Towards the last lap or two, and I've managed to build perhaps a 3 or 4 second cushion on Pruskowski, and I take the checkers for my first National win. I take a cool off lap, and upon exiting the track; I'm motioned towards Winner's Circle to join the other class winners. This is a pretty cool deal, and they are interviewing the winners as well.

Next, the top 5 STAR Mazda Series / East Championship competitors are put on the rostrum for a photo op. I attempted to spray the champagne, but that damn cork was wedged in there, and by the time I got it removed, all the other guys had made their exit.

The whole split start debacle sort of put a dent in the fact that I'd taken my first National win, but I later learned that I had set a new FM lap record (by almost a second and a half, according to Jim Nichols) for the Glen.

Probably the most affected by the shabby restart was FM driver Victor Seaber who was initially passed by the lead FA of Conner AFTER the double yellows were displayed. He should have been given the wave by the pace car along with the top three that were not lapped.

Not to place blame or anything, but the whole timing of the split start was atrocious. I had heard that the leader was up into the rear of our field on the first lap. Perhaps Glen Region officials don't have much call for split starts, and don't get much chance to practice?

I feel that I must take this time to put in a most gratuitous plug for our favorite restaurant in Watkins Glen. We found it quite by accident, you've got to go through town, pass the fish house, up the hill, and drive along the west shore of the lake for another mile or two. On your right you'd see the world famous Glen Motor Inn, and the Montage Restaurant. Featuring somewhat of an Italian based menu, you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. The filet mignon was one of the best I've ever had, and the vermicelli and meatballs was also top notch. The fact that we went 3 nights in a row should tell you something. This family owned and run (by your lovely hostess Nancy Franzese) establishment has evidently been here quite some time. All the autographed drivers photos tell the story. They used to have helicopter service to the track during the F1 era, this place RULED. Make sure you ask for Lori to be your server, as she is a recent graduate of the famed Cooper-Lawrence School of Assertiveness Training, and comes highly endorsed!

Next event will be the STAR Mazda Pro Series / ALMS race date at RFK Stadium in Washington D.C., this weekend. We'll be racing on Saturday, July 20th, at 4:00 PM. This race will be televised on Speed Channel, August 17th at 8:30 EST. Next up, on the box at a pro race! L8R, G8R's, Glenn Cooper #43 FM

Glen Cooper FM # 43

 

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