Orange is my favorite color

sm12-zoom-zoomI like posting quick entries like this – we completed rounds five and six of the San Francisco Region championship at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and in addition to the regulars we were joined by a group of front-runners from Oregon who came down for the very rare Laguna test day and double weekend. Also unusual for the Spec Miata group was the opportunity to run outside of the “quiet times” required by SCRAMP so we were able to pull off the mufflers and run uncorked. This made a substantial difference in our power although the results were the same as the month before: one third place (in a carnage-filled double-FCY shortened race) and a pole position and flag-to-flag victory in round six! Had we more than seven green-flag laps in the first race I think we would have been able to move up but the car went on the trailer at the end of the weekend in the same condition it rolled off so no complaints.

laguna_start_sixThe Oregon group led by Ken Sutherland and Will Schrader are known to have big motors and my Haag Performance engine hung with them every step of the way, passing pole sitter Sutherland in race five before a mistake in turn six dropped me back to third. Qualifying for race six was a great run that put the car on pole with a half-second margin at 1:46.193. Unfortunately my flyer was compromised by a big moment in turn 10 – I think there was a 1:45.x in the car but we’ll have to get it when we return for round 13. The race included one full-course caution and restart but I gapped the field and crossed the line ahead of second-place finisher Ken Sutherland by five seconds. Former teammate Kevin Baillie was there to hold the checkered flag as we took our victory lap. The final results:

Regional #5 Qualifying (2nd OA, 2nd in SMT)
Regional #5 Race (3rd OA, 3rd in SMT, Fast lap of race)
Regional #6 Qualifying (1st OA, 1st in SMT)
Regional #6 Race (1st OA, 1st in SMT)

With six of thirteen races in the books, the current points leaders are:

Driver Total Points Points (w/ drops)
Darin Posley 242 188
Brian Ghidinelli 216 184
Tommy Olivier 252 177
David Vodden 169 169

laguna_win_sixWe’re off to Thunderhill for a scorcher July 24-25 with a test day before hand. I don’t mind the heat but I’m hoping to get a cool suit installed before the event for added comfort.

Photos by Terrance Seto and Kevin Baillie – thanks guys!

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