slow305

iTrader: (2)

Over the weekend I drove the '82 Camaro that Sam Strano won last year's Solo II ESP national championship (and the car has also won a few other national championships, too). The new owner, Tyler Stewart, let me co-drive the car with him at the SCCA Pro Solo in Peru, Ind. I would call the car a "beast," but it was just so damn easy to drive!

The car is the epitome of the SP update/backdate rules: it has an L98, 10-bolt rear end, 4-speed T-10 tranny and rare fiberglass hood among other goodies. I think it weighed in just shy of 3200 pounds! Inside, the car looks like a POS -- roof lining sags, the speedo doesn't work, there are various holes in the carpeting ... but you forget all that when the engine rumbles to life.

The hardest thing was trying to get used to the notchiness of the T-10. It definietly made the car feel like a "racecar." When I first drove it around to get a feel for it, I took off in 3rd gear thinking it was in 1st. Other than that, it was a blast to drive. Just point and shoot, and the car nearly drove itself.

Anyway, I finished 3rd overall in a 12-car ESP field. My first runs Saturday were a wash -- literally! -- because of a flash thunderstorm (only two other drivers in ESP were affected by the rain), so I was 11th out of 12 after the first session.

In the afternoon session Saturday, I picked up a huge chunk of time (thanks to a dry course) and moved up to 3rd. In the Sunday session, I picked up four tenths but didn't move up any in the standings -- in fact I held on to 3rd by only .003 seconds! But it was my first trophy win at a national event since the '01 Solo II Championships in DSP. Hopefully, I can start a streak next month in Topeka!

BillyB4C

Slow 305,

Are you going to be co-driving the Camaro at Nationals?
I will be there co-driving a CP Camaro (CP46). If I get a chance, I will look you up.

slow305

iTrader: (2)

As of yesterday, I'll be driving Tyler's car in Topeka. I'm not going out 'til Wednesday though, but Tyler should be around all week because he's running the Finale, too. It's a purple thirdgen with all the later Z28 side skirts and whatnot ... no. 87. Maybe I'll get there in time to see CP run Wednesday (and FS, too!).

BillyB4C

I am going to be there all week. I want to see ESP and SM run. If you make it in time to see CP run...I will be in the Yellow w/ Blue stripes third gen. See ya there.

Greg90iroc

well i get to go to a sCCA race sunday. my car has a completly stock suspension and because of engine mods i am in SM it kinda sucks. There is a guy with a m-3 with a fully preped suspension that runs on slicks in my class. oh yes i am going to loose but it is going to be fun. I am thinking of switching to SM2 just to get out of this class and posibly win a race. What engine mods land you in SM? i get the suspision that i migth be in the wrong class.

slow305

iTrader: (2)

Pretty much any internal engine work lands you in SM. Cams, rockers, etc., because those aren't allowed in Stock or Street Prepared.