PDG Race Results

[Cobra 61]

WERC round 1 is now in the books. First time driver, Carl Rydquist, of Sweden, proved to be a force to be "noticed" in the FFR, Mendeols, Myraceshop GTM! Carl's first time competing in the NASA WERC series, was a profound success in the GTM (IN THE RAIN!) Mike will post video later and "the rest of the story"). The race was run in dry and wet conditions. A few practice sessions in the early afternoon yielded a perfectly set up car and driver confidence (except for the 100+ MPH hydroplane wake up call down the main straight). With race about to start and the radar showing a good storm in about 15 minutes, we chose to begin with wet tire set up. All others started on dry slicks. The GTM took the green and Carl started to go to work taking a commanding lead and pulling away from the group. Every turn, the GTM gained more space between the P2 competitor. Still dry surfaces, Carl began to lap cars on the fourth lap and increasing his lead. Then the sky opened up and rain began. Carl kept the pace and even added some more corner speed and logging laps 4 to 8 seconds faster than the rest of the field. Mike Holland's run in the rain at the 25 hour race and Carl's performance this weekend proved that the Factory Five/Myraceshop GTM is a huge threat in the rain! During this duration, Carl had placed the entire field two laps down! Our biggest and toughest competition, the Mother's Truspeed Porsche was no match today. Competing top teams came in for rain tires and lap time began to improve. The strong and cold wind was very present and quickly dried out the track surface. Still leading the race, we chose to stay out on rains and the others came back in and changed out to dry slicks. Carl put everyone down another lap in the process. The radar indicated a storm coming in again in about 20 minutes. The sky grew dark and was covering what little daylight was left on this Friday evening. Carl, still extending his lead, was then called back to conserve the only rain tires we have. The storm stalled at the mountain range and the others began to catch us doing lap times 4-8 seconds faster. Strong winds, 41 degrees, and wet clothes do not make for a fun race experience. Radio voice comes in: "I have to come in for new tires! I have no more rears left" Unprepared for a tire pit stop and thinking the rain tires that brought us to the podium finish at the 25 would last just three hours more proved to be the wrong move. Losing a couple lug nuts, and under manned for the task, the team managed a successful tire swap and losing 6 laps falling to 6th place. Two laps down and a tall order to fill, Carl went to work again with a little different agenda. Back at the pits, we talked over what went wrong and knowing we needed a final pit stop fuel splash, regrouped, and prepared what will be the most important stop of the race. Carl eventually got within striking distance and the leader has not made their final pit stop. The front runners now included various class competitors and then it was time! The leading super truck came in, The GTM passed him for the lead and continued around to put the ruck down a lap. Carl eventually put the slower lead cars down a lap too. The truck retired after a few minuted in the pits because of a failed hub and caliper bracket. Carl continued his quest to win the race. It was time to bring the Factory Five GTM in for the final pit stop for that splash of 15 gallons. Mike Holland, Steve, Robert, Jim, and I all put together a perfect 12 second splash and got Carl back out losing no position in the contest. About 20 minutes left in the race, Carl put the work horse into a casual rhythm and took the checkers leading second place by a full lap.

I want to thank the great volunteer men and women that make this team what it is today! AND this race wasn't possible without True, Robert, Dale, Jim, Steve, Yvonne, myself,Carl, and Mike Holland for providing the patience and detail preparation for this wonderful and exciting car!

Adding to our list of partners that keep us going: Myraceshop.com, TEL TAC, Hankook Tires, Factory Five, Mendeola Powertrains, Hooked on Driving, Champion Spark Plugs, America's Tire, Chase Chevrolet, and Yvonne Migliori and James Haussler.

The results of Round #1

Fast qualifier: Pole position WERC record
Fastest lap of the race WERC record
Most laps at WSIR in a WERC event: 107 WERC record
Overall race winner

A great start to a great year!

See you at the races!
Richard

[dallas_]

That is awesome, great work!

[tucker298]

Exciting write up and nice work!

[WIS89]

Congratulations Richard!! Congratulations to the entire team for what sounds like a pretty awesome race. It sure sounds like you have the car dialed in pretty tight, which should lead to an exciting race season.

Best of luck the rest of the season, and I look forward to more results. Awesome start!!

Regards,

Steve

[claybags]

SUPERB !!!!
Cheers, Jeff

[carlewms]

Congratulations ... especially considering the conditions. You all did great!

[Cobra 61]

Thanks for all the kind words! I would have to say that the winter and the addition of Carl coming on board made a big difference! He tested and immediately gave us a short list of suspension items to address and Mike adding some clean up on the under carriage proved to be progress in the right direction. Carl does know his stuff
Why, you say? I'm not going to tell you right now!

R