The NASA Nationals 2011 was held back at MidOhio. It did not go as I had hoped, a crash early in the rain on Wednesday practice had me fixing the car instead of practicing. Getting the car fixed, was back on track Thursday for the first of the qualifier races doing well battling for the lead saw me finishing 3rd (where I started) but not all was well with the car.. ran hot most of the race even with temperatures outside being on the cool side. I decided to try a new radiator cap to see if that would fix the problem.
Friday’s race started great, loads of fun in the front of the pact except my car, running 230+deg decided to dump all of the engine water in turn one (later to find out the lower radiator hose split) causing me, Scott and Paul A. who were right on my tail to spin. Luckily no contact was made and all of us continued the race. I ended up pulling off after 1 lap due to overheated engine. Getting towed back in meant a long night ahead changing headgaskets. Rafe Arnold and fellow FFR racers gave me a hand with the engine changing both headgaskets hoping that will fix my overheating.
Saturday, the big FFR Nationals race day saw me starting the 40min race in 6th, with me quickly moving into the battle for the lead as the green flag flew until on lap 6 my engine puked out water again, seeing me pull off.. race done.
Paul Kaiser finished 1st with a stellar drive, running a bunch of 1:38’s in a row with Scott McKay shadowing his every move in 2nd and newcomer Paul Arnold 3rd.
On a positive note, I did win the FFR East Coast Championship! points here: http://ffrchallenge.com/
Official Nationals Race Report – http://ffrchallenge.com/news-reports/2011/2011%20Nats%20report.pdf
Pictures: http://www.johngeorgeracing.com/gallery/index.php?/category/314
John George Nationals Race: http://vimeo.com/28961888
Scott McKay Nationals Race: http://vimeo.com/28964844
Jim Schenck Friday Quali Race: http://vimeo.com/29014781
Scott McKay Friday Quali Race: http://vimeo.com/29067609