Big Bend Open Road Race Here We Come

[elmariachi]

We got a little distracted last week and I didn't take much time for internet and email (which is why you go racing in the first place.) So below are a few pics from the practice day and the race day. The race involves you picking and qualifying for one of several speed classes ranging from 85 mph to Unlimited. Each class has a posted flat time for each 59-mile leg. Whoever comes closest wins, 1st, 2nd and 3rd. We ran in the 105 mph class again this year but did not place. Most groups have between 12-15 cars, except for Unlimited which only ran 3 cars this year. The weather was excellent, but very hot. Practice day temps were over 100F and race day was a milder 93F. We all had a great time and everyone completed their respective stages successfully.

Our car ready to practice:



The pits:



A few of the other cars from Houston, including a FR500C Ford Factory Challenge car (this car was very fast) and the 1999 DEI Michael Waltrip Cup car:



A 13-year old Contemporary with an all aluminum Shelby 427 with custom fuel injection. This car was very fast as well, nearly ripping my helmet off my head as we went on the qualifying practice run:



The showroom new McLaren MP4-12C belonging to our friend Dave from Houston. This car was spectacular on and off the course, but was required to run in the 110 mph class because it was his first year. (I think he ran it with the cruise control on.)



A small block GT40, which won the Unlimited class with an overall average of 166mph and a top speed of 197 mph. I spoke with someone who was at the finish line of the northbound leg who said that when he crossed the line, the tires were peeling up rocks from the otherwise clean road surface and showered the officials and spectators.



A Nissan GTR. Very fast off the line using launch control:



An Audi R8, V-10:



And a couple of video clips:







Lots of other videos will appear in the coming days on YouTube as people out on the course load up their clips.