Ontario TGT @ ALMS

[rmicroys]

Just a big thank you to everybody at CASC-OR. A very full field, 48 cars were supposed to take the start. I noticed a couple were missing, but all and all it was an incredible event. Sherissa had a great time in the race, thanks for the clean racing. The BBQ at the Krikorian's trailer at the end of Saturday was a nice touch. I had to get my crew back to Ottawa - so I couldn't stay long and socialize much. Cheers!

[de Jager]

I'm always the last to know. :(

It was indeed a great weekend, as a driver and a fan. Although our TGTC race was very busy, it was nice and clean. Well...I did have a "moment" during Saturday's qualifying.

http://www.touring-gt.ca/images/videos/ALMS%20Crash.wmv

It was clear I was going to T-Bone him. Turning right would have put me into a spin and I would have hit him anyway, so I tried to go around the back of him since there appeared to be plenty of room. Then he lifted off the brakes and rolled into the side of me. What do we all say about "both feet in"? Hmm...he must have missed day at drivers ed.

Thank you for shopping at Mosport!

[ITMN]

Im gotta say, you guys were awesome out there. The race was phenomenal and clean. Great job!!!

[Director]

Originally posted by de Jager
I'm always the last to know. :(



Nice to know you didn't attend the drivers meeting where it was announced.
We'll be taking attendance next time!

[de Jager]

I was at the meeting...Saturday.

[23Racer]

Just wanted to add my $.02. I have been racing for over 12 years and this past weekend was one of the most enjoyable events that I have ever had. The ALMS event contained everything that I like about racing cars.

First, the competition. I went out in practice, 10th in class, and thought "yeah a little off using the full rains but I will be okay in qualifying". Stepped up 2 seconds in qualifying and ended up 13th. My crew worked like dogs on Saturday, changed springs, brakes, engine tune and even hot scraped the dry tires. Ran a very busy race. There were a couple of very hairy moments but overall everyone drove hard and clean. It forced me to push very hard just to compete. Got set back pitting under green just before full course yellow (hey worked well in OCC races) got set back almost a lap. Put my head down and went 1.5 seconds faster than I had ever done before, 1:38.2 (woohoo). Ended up 20th overall 10th in class. The in-car video is quite spectacular. Just a great race by everybody, thanks to the other drivers, marshalls, officials and teams.

Second the crowds, Don't know about everyone else but we were busy all weekend talking to people, handing out SHReK Bars, schmoozing and answering questions. It was great. The BBQ was a ton of fun. Got to bench race a bit, shoot the breeze and meet other drivers that I only really know under nomex. The coolest thing for me was leaving the track at dusk. Pulled out onto the track at Turn 8 to go to the trailer exit. There must have been 200 people on the track hanging out, riding bicycles, walking and even a dozen kids playing soccer on the apron of Turn 8. It was like a great celebration of motorsport culture. Just fantastic atmosphere.

Finally a couple of thanks. First to Cliff and John. Thanks for the loan of the brake fluid after the use of our own 3 bottles trying to bleed the brakes on a car with a stuck proportioning valve, I will return them soon. Finally and most importantly a great thankyou to the powers that be at CASC for providing the opportunity to race at the ALMS. The CASC still puts on a great weekend with great racing and it was very enjoyable. I can hardly wait for the next one.

[Civic13]

Where can I find the results of this race online? Thanks.

[Trackside]

Civic 13 I don't think they are up yet but this is the link

http://www.mylaps.com/index.jsp

[rmicroys]

Results are up!

http://www.mylaps.com/results/showevent.jsp?id=39524

[Schmoo]

Great race folks.

Sure made it very entertaining for us and busy for the blue flaggers. Especially that restart.

Now did I not see a yellow vette number 99 in the field, where was he in the standings?

Just curious.

[johnb]

Thank you to all for the turnout. We certainly were the show! Many spectators came by after the race and again on Sunday to praise the competition. I believe we may have gained some groupees. (yes, I'll send them your way, Ray)

Thanks to Eric for arranging the eats, Nigel and Nicholas and Handsome for their barbeques, and to Debora and Laura for being chefs.

What a crowd! I arm is still sore from all of the waving.

[Pat_B]

Originally posted by de Jager
[B]I'm always the last to know

...so you hung out with the marshals instead...at least you got your stuff back!;)

Jokes aside, thanks Shaun for all the time you spent talking to and filming the marshals over the weekend, we really appreciate it when you guys remember we're there.

Pat

[Pat_B]

Originally posted by Schmoo
Great race folks.

Sure made it very entertaining for us and busy for the blue flaggers. Especially that restart.

Now did I not see a yellow vette number 99 in the field, where was he in the standings?

Just curious.

I came back in just as Jerry was getting his prizes (for coming in second, I think). I had to hide behind the medical team as he was threatening to spray me with the bubbly...luckily Malcom got to him first and gave him a good drenching, at which point Jerry had to return the favour :D (thanks Malcom! I would have had a heck of a time explaining why I was coming back in from a corner smelling of booze :D :D )

Pat

[Nabs]

Hey, how come us touring car guys didn't get a chance to spray the champagne on winners circle? Or maybe i missed it? :)

Yeah, it was a terrific run event. Thanks to CASC and everyone involved for putting on a 1st class show!

[Tony Kloosterma]

pics from winners circle are at
www.spda-online.ca

look under fotos
and then tonys treats,
pics of both the alms and the toronto gp
lots of pics of the spraying of champagne

Tony

[Rich]

Originally posted by Pat_B
...so you hung out with the marshals instead...at least you got your stuff back!;)

Jokes aside, thanks Shaun for all the time you spent talking to and filming the marshals over the weekend, we really appreciate it when you guys remember we're there.

Pat


That WAS a very comfy jacket...... glad we found you tho..

Rich. :)

Oh ya -- Bobby -- 99 excluded from results for passing under yellow between 2A and 3

[rmicroys]

Yup... we caught that on our in car video. We were one of the cars that got passed. Sucks to be him.

[malcolm]

actually, the whole podium ceremony was the only downside to the weekend (well, and my wallet being stolen... but that's another story). There was no-one at the victory circle telling me what to do, so I assumed that there were no ceremonies this year. I drove down to the paddock, only to be told to drive back up. Jerry only came up because he was driving for Phil Strudwick, and his pit was no more than 100 yards away.

anyway, all in all, it was a great weekend, and I really enjoyed it. Thanks John! :D

[LTR]

Some people are never satisfied and always complain.John,Perry,you guys are AWESOME! We needed a complete change in the CASC.You, John and Perry are the best.You guys are bringing back the glory days. The weekend was fantastic.

[Director]

Originally posted by LTR
Some people are never satisfied and always complain.John,Perry,you guys are AWESOME! We needed a complete change in the CASC.You, John and Perry are the best.You guys are bringing back the glory days. The weekend was fantastic.

You're going to give me a swelled head...just like John's!

[malcolm]

Some people are never satisfied and always complain.John,Perry,you guys are AWESOME! We needed a complete change in the CASC.You, John and Perry are the best.You guys are bringing back the glory days. The weekend was fantastic.

I agree that the weekend was fantastic. Did you not read my post? I mentioned that that was the ONLY problem, and I was explaining why the podium ceremony was rather disjointed. Also, that was the fault of Mosport staff, not anyone involved in the CASC Touring GT Series.

By the way, thanks to the marshals (and the rubber chicken on the broom at the top of the backstraight!!), and the Krikorians for the Dolce & Gabbana scents. My girlfriend approves! ;)

[slucas]

Malcolm, would you expand on your wallet being stolen,it may help others avoid such a fate.
Theft at SCCA club events became a real problem a few years ago .There was a band of theives that studied the race schedule , waited for the GT4-5 g,h,&f prod guys,for example, to go out on the track,then they would go through their paddock camps stealing wallets,camera etc.. When you're among friends who thinks of locking up everything. It's too bad.

[malcolm]

well, yeah, I just left my wallet in my pants, which were on a chair in our trailer. I came in after practice, and when I got changed, I realized it was gone. Apparently the Krikorians suffered a similar loss, as well as a few others.

I don't think it's really an issue at regional events, but I think I'll just leave my wallet locked in the truck from now on, since I don't really want to have to close up the trailer each time I am out on the track.

Oh well, that's nothing compared to my parents' store being broken into monday night, and $30,000 of digital equipment, cameras, film, batteries and frames were stolen. They even stole the old computer and printer in the back. Thankfully, the store cat was unharmed, but considering he was the only witness, his inability to speak English is hindering the investigation... :P

[slucas]

That sure sounds like the same scheme. Racers beware!

$30,000......ouch! Your folks have my sympathies, not that they really help. Best of luck getting it back.
Maybe it's time to sack the cat and hire a new Chief of Security.

[rmicroys]

Originally posted by malcolm
well, yeah, I just left my wallet in my pants, which were on a chair in our trailer. I came in after practice, and when I got changed, I realized it was gone. Apparently the Krikorians suffered a similar loss, as well as a few others.

I don't think it's really an issue at regional events, but I think I'll just leave my wallet locked in the truck from now on, since I don't really want to have to close up the trailer each time I am out on the track.

Oh well, that's nothing compared to my parents' store being broken into monday night, and $30,000 of digital equipment, cameras, film, batteries and frames were stolen. They even stole the old computer and printer in the back. Thankfully, the store cat was unharmed, but considering he was the only witness, his inability to speak English is hindering the investigation... :P

Sorry to hear about that! I hate theives. Burns my wagons.

Hmmm... one certainly wonders if these occurances are not linked? Wallet missing, stuff like addresses, names, etc on ID... sure makes it easy to research stuff.

If I had an enclosed trailer - it would be locked everytime I am trackside. I'm really not surprised - there are SOOOO many people milling around on the ALMS weekend you can get your stuff looted in a matter of moments. I remember more than a few times I forgot to lock the truck, paniced and ran back. Heck, cameras, wallets, etc, etc were in it. At least in the back seat the heavy tint prevents things from being obviously visible.

Man does that suck. At least during regional weekends it hasn't become a problem - YET. Let's all keep our eyes out for each other's stuff - and lock up our gear! Every ounce of prevention goes a long way - if the theives realize they need to cut locks to get at stuff - then they are likely to not do that on a race weekend - but the 'easy pickings' well, on the other hand promotes that activity ...

[slucas]

Race track neighbourhood watch.

[malcolm]

Hmmm... one certainly wonders if these occurances are not linked? Wallet missing, stuff like addresses, names, etc on ID... sure makes it easy to research stuff.

naw, I doubt it. we are suspicious of three guys that came into the store two weeks ago, well before the ALMS event. These people were pros. They left only one fingerprint behind, and knew exactly what they wanted.

The cat will stay, however he will be backed up with a full security system (a cat-proof version). ;)

[Trackside]

Possible a "Cat Scan" is warranted

Sorry for the loses Malcolm