News Archive

Long Beach 2008
Added 04/21/08

I first raced in Long Beach back in 1986 believe it or not.    Not until this past week-end with the Corvette did I ever win.   I had some good races over the years, and last year our Corvette was really strong, but things just didn’t go our way.   This time though, everything did, and the number 3 car and crew pulled it off.

The organizers of the race gave us more track time this year, which was nice, and I think proof that the strength of the series and the depth of the talent has been recognized.   This was Jans’ week-end to qualify the car and he did an awesome job.   He had been quick in every session and put in a great lap to get us in front of the 4 car.  Anyway, both Corvettes were strong and we knew we would have a great race.

At the start Jan and Ollie worked each other hard, running very strong times.    Jan would open up a slight gap,  and then Ollie would close it back up.   Really good racing.    Just as we came into our fuel window, there was a caution for debris, and both cars pitted at the same time.   That’s when just about everything went wrong for both Corvettes.

As Jan came down pit lane, Ollie right behind him, an official became confused, and ran right into the path of Jan !!  Now I was jumping off the wall to get in the car, and didn’t see the rest, but apparently he kind of bounced off our car and somewhat landed on the hood of Ollies Corvette.   The teams though didn’t miss a beat, and both cars dropped together with us able to maintain the lead.   It was pretty exciting stuff and I could hear in Dan Binks voice that it was a pretty cool thing to be a part of… that pit stop.  

Anyway, I was initially able to open up a slight gap to Olivier, but then we had a caution.   I was able to pull away some, but then he started stringing together some awesome laps and began closing gap to me.   I was struggling with a lot of understeer in the middle of the corners, and then loose on the exits.    Anyway, Binks is in my ear telling me, “you gotta go man, you gotta go”!   So I’m pushing as hard as I can, coming close to wrecking so many times, but was able to keep it off the wall and bring it home.

So it was a good week-end for us, and Corvette racing.   Anytime both cars roll on the trailer after a street race you’ve done your job, and both Corvettes were good as new after the race.    The E85 continues to work well, as do the Michelins.    Next up for us is Salt Lake City, a track I love.   The number 3 car was not as strong as we would have liked last year, and I’m looking forward to getting back and making things right this time.  Our new engineer Ken Flory is doing a great job, and with each race things are getting better and better….

Johnny