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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
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