24 Heures du Willis entry list and schedule
 

Welcome to this year's 24 Hours of Willis , marking the fifth anniversary of my 2 hour, 37 minute drive to the hospital in Atlanta
from Savannah to beat Willis' birth by 19 minutes.
Two days of track fun (x8 hours = 16 hours) and 8 hours of partying with other gearheads and slotcar jockeys= 24 hours !
The dates are June 25th and 26th, 2005.
The location is Savannah, Ga.'s beautiful Roebling Road Raceway, built in 1959. See
_www.roeblingroad.com_ (http://www.roeblingroad.com/)
for directions to the track and info on lodging. I suggest the Jemison(912 748 0017) on Friday night in Pooler and the Holiday Inn Oceanfront(843 785 5126) (or Express if you do not care abou the ocean) for Saturday night on Hilton Head.
More info to follow as this particular post is updated and edited over the next week.
We will have a varied group this year comprised of some folks from the Cobra Club, the Porsche Club of America, and some more from HSR(Historic Sportscar Racing). There will be race groups and DE(Driver Education)groups. Party at the track or motel Friday night as you unload and set up, Dinner at the Beach Saturday night. Make your motel arrangements accordingly.
Rob Ginn of McMichael Motorsports has been elected this years "Cobra Group Leader" and will be helping out a lot with the various aspects of the event, as it relates to the tech inspections, driver safety gear, Cobra run groups, etc. , and we owe him a big thanks for his help. He has enlisted an instructor to help out with the Driver Education aspect of the event. The purpose of the event is to become a better driver, so please take advantage of the opportunity to work with an instructor .

We're getting close enough to start an entry list.......Confirm your "#", replace the "?"

Purple Group (requires a Competition License)

Jerome Craig / 1975 Lola T333 CS / #61
Michael Lynam (Spyderman) / 1991 Swift DB5 / #89
Johan / 1977 Lola/Schkee T332 C / #6
Robert Tornello / 1982 Lola T600 GTP / #111
John Woodruff 1998 Winston Cup Taurus #13
Willis 2000 Winston Cup Taurus #94
Larry Ligas/David Hinton 1961 Jaguar XKE #61
Mike Levine 1965 Corvair #4
Eric Bretzel 1973 Porsche RSR #9
Jon Grand 2004 Porsche Grand Am #163
Chris Lee/Jack Baldwin Porsche 944 turbo #53
Tony Tripoli 1979 Porsche Carrera #18
Dave Crace 1980 Porsche Carrera #83
Michael Davis 1973 Porsche 914/6 #73
Gary Jones 1966 Shelby GT350 #115
Jerry Loftin 1955 Chevy Belair Road Race #55
Dixon Rathbone 1965 Shelby Gt350 #11
Tim Holland 1965 Shelby GT350 #173
Rick Brownyard Porsche GT3 # 86
Mark Mcguire Porsche 911 #78

Red Group (passing rules strictly enforced)

Bob Dawson Porsche GT2 98
Sarah Dawson Porsche 930 Turbo 84
Rex Smyth Porsche 911 108
Adam/Eric Brownyard Porsche 944 # 861
Rick Brownyard Porsche GT3RS #86
Jay Letts Porsche 911 64
Jim Pomeroy Corvette 68
Ian Easton Porsche RUF Turbo ?
Dave Crace Porsche 911 83
Mike Geng Porsche 944 58
Joe North Acura NSX 07
David Watt Porsche GT3RS 152
Terry Wall Porsche GT3RS 471
Rob Papa Porsche 944 turbo #186
Bunny Craven 1975 Porsche 911 247
Daisy Porsche Carrera #1
Bill/Ellen Lynes Porsche Carrera Targa #516
Wayne Yawn Porsche 911 #36
Sterling Skinner Porsche 911 #11
Bob Nonneman Porsche 993 #267
Steve Cosgrove Porsche 944 #00

Blue Group (passing rules strictly enforced)

Danny Smith Cobra 76
Steve Calhoun Cobra 42
James Crandall Cobra ?
Reg &Jaquie Dodd Cobra ?
Robert & Larae Donehoo Cobra 29
Bob & Lisa Gassie Cobra ?
Tom & Daisy Jones Cobra 48
Ed & Renee Kamptner Cobra replica 97
Terry & Carol Lee Cobra ?
Paul & Darlene Liparoto Cobra 52
Chester & Debbie Littlefield Cobra ?
Manny & Joanne Lopez Cobra ?
Jerry & Pam Miller Cobra ?
Ruble & Debbie Moore Cobra 34
David & Devonna Eastman Cobra 99
Tommy Powell Cobra 66
Lolly Lola T70 Mk II Spyder 6


Yellow Group (School group with an instructor full time)

instructor - John Mafucci
Instructor - Chuck Beck

Rob Ginn Cobra Coupe #21
John Owen Roadster 103
Steve Royce Spf Cobra ?
Bob Piniczer Spf Cobra ?
Gordon Peters Spf Cobra #23
Art Townsend Spf Cobra ?
Mike Cahill Spf Cobra ?
Mike Simard Spf Cobra #298
Scott Weir ERA Cobra #70
Steven Johnstone Cobra #10
Linda Smyth Porsche 944 ?
Randy Little Porsche Boxter 00
Chuck Beck Porsche 904 ?
Rich Combs 65 Corvette #70

your name here....

Jack Baldwin? Cooool. He was my instructor at the Porsche Driving Experience. Also, is it Jon Grand or John Brand? Jon Grand I know and have raced with in PCA I class.

Johan -
That's a very cool list of cars. But the one I most want to see is the 1955 Chevy Bel Air road racer. I've never before heard of such a car.

Johan
Glad to see you split Jim Pomroy and Ed Kamptner into two groups.

Maybe Terry Lee can be put into the Joey Chitwood group?

Also if we are going to say that Spyderman's little yellow car is a Pinto because the motor came out of one then my ride is a Porsche red Ford Exploder...err...Explorer.

P.S. my wife will not be riding in my little red car. She may be on the Beach

Yellow Corvette. #68


I've swapped out my brake fluid for distiled water. Removed all my coolant and ground my brake pads to exactly 1/2 thickness.
:JEKYLHYDE

I'm ready.

Jim....
Shaving your brake pads to save weight..... Brilliant !!!

Tommy, I am sorry for forgetting to include your name on the list to Johan. Proof that I am getting old and my memory is fading...

Contact Ruble if you want to convoy together and meet us in GA at the welcome center off I-95. aumoore@bellsouth.net
The plan is for us West FL cobra guys to meet the East coast Cobra gang around noon on Friday.
Email me if you need more info: president@deepsouthcobraclub.com

Ed

Since my car is now covered in paint I figured it's time to confuse everyone and change my number. It will be 29.

Robert

Robert, I always wait until after the event to paint the car, just in case.
Ed, Spyderman says you taste like chicken ??
Jim, You are based in the Red group, but perhaps can run some surveilance missions in the Blue group.
Ruble, she may be riding with Spyderman again.
Tommy, yes it is a way cool 55 Chebby racer, just wait.
Toy Collector, Yes THE Jack Baldwin, and I'll call the other guy whatever you want.

Now I'm working on the schedule. Can I have permission to make the "mail-out" a "hand-out " ?

It seems stoopid to print this thread and mail it to you.

I'm loading a car and going to check things out ...

At this late date I say just hand out the schedule at the meet and greet. As slow as the mail is in Pensacola if you mailed it today I would probably get it after the 4th of July

Tommy sorry to say you cannot caravan with me to the event as I am going up to a cabin in Elijay, GA for a few days before the event.

"At this late date" (OUCH)
Thanks for letting me off the hook on the mail-out Ruble. I'm still writing thank you notes from my wedding.
I heard about that retreat cabin in Ga.
The "10 man elephant walk" is something I do not ever want to see !

Johan, if you or someone else is keeping track of car #'S I am #52 the same as last year.
Looking farword to meeting a great group of people again.

See ya all some.

Paul & Darlene Liparoto:)

Taste like chicken??? I was wondering what ever happened to my dirty socks from last years Willis races.....
Tell Spidey that his advances need to be directed towards Ruble.
I "aint like that" if you know what I mean.....
I also heard that Spiday's idea of a "three-some" didn't involve additional people, it had to do with "inches".


OK, I ordered the food for the Jameson Inn "Meet and Greet Party".
I can add to the order as late as Tuesday afternoon next week.
I currently have a total of 36 people to feed.
If anyone outside of the DSCC Cobra group is attending the dinner, please contact me so I can sure to order enough food and drinks.
email me at: president@deepsouthcobraclub.com


See you guys in a few days.

Ed

Ed, I think it's pretty much just the DSCC folks at the parking lot, and if there are more, we'll make do.

No problem.
I'll keep the order as it is unless I hear different.

Ed

Willis 05 schedule: (subject to change)

Friday
Track will be somewhat available (between that day's renter's sessions) for unloading
and setting up your pit during the late afternoon(after 3:00 PM ), and we are welcome to do so Friday evening. The track gates close at dusk(about 8:00 PM).
From 6:00 till the cops come there is a welcome party at the Jemison Motel parking lot
in Pooler, located on US 80 at I-95, sponsored by the Deep South Cobra Club (DSCC).

Saturday
7:00 AM Track Gates open . Unmuffled engines may not be started until 8:00 AM, nor after 8:00 PM. 100$ fine.
7:00 - 8:00 registration and waiver signing etc.
7:00 - 8:00 Tech inspection for Cobras by Rob Ginn and his assistants. Thanks Rob for doing this at my request. Tech inspections for other cars by David Hinton at the Tech Shed. This is a brief lookover after which, your colored run sticker will be applied to the car. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO BRING A SAFE CAR.
8:00 Driver's Meeting for all drivers. This is a brief meeting to discuss the procedures, dismiss the racers, and then go over the flags. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO DRIVE WITHIN 80 % OF YOUR CAPABILITIES.

2 spins/offs and you are a spectator for the rest of the day, maybe the weekend.

8:30 Driver's orientation for any driver not familiar with Roebling Road , consisting of a few orientation laps in a "ducks in a row" lead/follow format. Helmets are required and there will be no passing. This will be a slow speed session to see "the line". Hopefully, we will have enough instructors to pair up in a "mentor format" and alternate the novice with experienced drivers to show the proper line, but at a slow speed (45-65 mph).
9:00 Red Group (passing with a wave by in the straight passing zones only). A wave by means that a pass is only allowed after the driver being passed puts his arm outside the (open at all times) window and points the passing driver by to the side on which he wishes to be passed. Usually passing will be done with the slower car to the left of the faster car. All passing must be complete before the next corner. Each passing car must be waved by (no trains).
9:20 Blue Group (passing with a wave by in the straight passing zones only). A wave by means that a pass is only allowed after the driver being passed puts his arm up and points the passing driver by to the side on which he wishes to be passed. Usually passing will be done with the slower car to the left of the faster car. All passing must be complete before the next corner. Each passing car must be waved by (no trains).
9:40 Purple Group practice (no passing restrictions, except that passing in turn 8 is discouraged, first lap is green, do NOT scrub tires)
10:00 Yellow Group ( lead follow at increasingly higher speeds, again to show braking points, turn-in points, grid procedures, pit-out procedures, pit -in procedures, and corner worker and rescue worker locations). No passing.
10:25-11:05 classroom for yellow group.
10:20 Red Group (1st lap is green, do NOT scrub tires)
10:40 Blue Group (1st lap is green, do NOT scrub tires)
11:00 Purple Practice 2 (1st lap is green, do NOT scrub tires)
11:20 Yellow Group ( passing with wave by on front straight only) instructors may ride with students, or drive their own cars.
11:40 Red group
12:00 - 1:00 lunch (commissary will be open). If you leave the track, be sure to be back before the gates close or you will be left outside until the breaks between driving sessions.
1:00 Blue Group
1:20 Purple Group A (faster/bigger)
1:40 Purple Group B (slower/smaller)
2:00 Yellow Group
2:20 Red Group
2:40 Blue Group
3:00 Purple Group A
3:20 Purple Group B
3:40 Yellow Group
4:00 Red and Blue groups combined
4:30 end of sessions (alcohol can be consumed after the last car is off the track for the day)
Dusk - track gates close, leave your car outside the gate if you are camping and will need to go somewhere, like to Hilton Head.
6:30 10:30 beer and cookout on Hilton Head ( directions available at the track )
10:30 - 10:45 Group stroll down the beach to the Tiki Hut beach bar at the Holiday Inn Oceanfront. The Holiday Inn is a good place to stay Saturday night.
11:00 -12:00 Tiki Hut bar
12:00-1:00 Big Bamboo nightclub in Coligny plaza across road from Holiday inn (live music).
after that just do the best you can with what you have.

Sunday

7:00 gates at track open
8:20 Yellow group (rules to be determined by the instructors)
8:40 Red Group
9:00 Blue Group
9:20 Purple Practice
9:40 Yellow Group
10:00 Red Group
10:20 Blue Group
10:40 Purple Group Qualifying. Please get someone, anyone, to write down a lap time for you, or we will just guess. Leave your cars on the grid(SINGLE FILE AGAINST THE RIGHT SIDE PIT WALL) in the order that they finish . Leave 15 feet between cars.
11:00 -12:00 quiet time and lunch. No starting un-muffled engines
12:06 - 12:30 "The 24 minutes of Willis"
12:40 Yellow Group
1:00 Red Group
1:20 Nascar group
1:40 Blue Group ( prior to session Group photo)
2:00 Purple Group ( Formula 1 start ) . Do a slow pace lap in the approximate finishing order
of the "24 minute" race.Pair-up 2-by-2. Come around turn 8 slowly and the starter will
come into view . Come to a full stop approximately 100 feet prior to the starter stand.
When all cars are in position and stopped, the starter will hold up 1 finger for a 1 minute
signal. The starter will display his fist at 30 seconds which should briefly be returned to
him so that he knows all are ready. Please don't screw this up.
At the 10 second mark the starter will no longer show his fist.
The green flag will be shown and waved to start this session. When you see it, it is time
to go. Do not hit the car in front of you. It is very important that 4 car lengths be left
when positioning on the grid. If you encounter a stall , avoid it to your side of the track if
possible, but use your own best judgement. Stalls should be cleared by the next lap but
if not, the session will be full course black flagged.
2:30 Yellow group
2:50 Red and Blue Groups combined
3:10 Purple Group (possible lemans Start)
3:40 Yellow Group
4:00 Red and Blue Groups combined
4:20 Purple Group ( I bet we are so worn out that we'll be all through by this point)

Beer etc. only after all cars off the track for the day.

Johan
I see you are running in the Blue(Cobra) group but you appear to be bringing a Lola T70. That is kind of like bringing a M16 to a knife fight. Don't you have a car that is a little slower? I would say the GT-40 but it is almost as fast as the Lola.

If you do run the Lola don't foget to give ED the finger as you pass him by the second lap.


P.S. I bought some real numbers for my car so why does Ed ge to run "replica" #97.

Oh I get it your Cup car is #97 so Ed is just a wanna be Johan. Next he will get some replica Docksiders, white socks and Kaki shorts to complete his obsession with you. He is starting to make Michael Lynam (Spyderman) look normal.

Ruble, it is powered by a small block Chevy, so I'm going to need all the help I can get. I don't run my Cobra on the track because
it has too much horsepower and is scary. I have blown my motor on the Cobra at Roebling Road before. I looked like the shuttle going up the front straight. My advice is not to go as fast as your car will go, and just enjoy the track for its corners.
It might be time to give Ed a Willis License and let him run in the
purple group. Ed, what do you say ?
Yes, I wear white socks, but at least they are fire proof.

Oh yeah I almost forgot to ask if there is a place where we can have tires changed out near the track? I have extra race tires but not extra race rims so I may have to have a few changed out on saturday evening if they wear out.

Ruble -
I'd guess that it would be hard to find a tire shop open after 6 PM on Saturday. Perhaps one of those Porshe guys with the full pit crew and two trailers has the equipment to change a tire.

I believe there is a Walmart supercenter, and there are shops open Sat. afternoon. Keep an eye on them !