Redline Time Attack has teamed up with OWLE TV on Live Coverage of the event at Fontana Auto Club Speedway. They have a dozen cameras out roaming the pits.
Day 1 Coverage – Redline Time Attack
Fast Time so far is the Cobb R35 with a 1:40.892 in Modified Class. Check out with the live streaming coverage below.
The Tire Rack One Lap of America is the toughest 8 days of racing featuring the fastest street-legal cars on America's most challenging racetracks! Seasoned One Lap of America contender Catesby Jones who finished 3rd place overall last year decided to up the ante this year. Catesby went out and bought a beautiful white 2010 Nissan GT-R. We put our heads together and come up with a game plan for the project. The plan was to drop of his car brand new car at Forged Performance and pick it up a week later on the way to One Lap of America ready to compete! We didn't have a lot of time for this build so we knew we had to act fast. We ordered all the parts and immediately started going to work.At the first event, the wet skidpad, the 2009 winner Cannonball GT-R dominated with a 0.962 G average, followed by a 0.911 for the Catesby GT-R. The one to watch Leh Keen in the Porsche GT2 came in 8th place with a 0.853 average.
Cumulative Overall Points as of - Tue May 04 15:37:24 2010
Page 1
Results sorted by position
Pos Car # Vehicle Class Points
1 3 Porsche GT2 SSGT1 BB 3660
Douglas Wilks, Leh Keen
2 4 Nissan GT-R SSGT1 BB 3650
Catesby Jones, Jose Collado
3 5 Chevrolet Corvette SSGT1 BB 3550
Jeremy Herzberg, Danny Popp, Todd Rumpke
4 25 Chevrolet Z06 Corvette SSGT1 BB 3490
Dan Corcoran, Kyle Corcoran
5 9 Porsche 997 Turbo SSGT1 BB 3325
Rene von Richthofen, Hugh D. Bate
Urban Racer has been covering the “Sport Compact” segment for years, lifestyle to racing to time attack. One of their recent articles covers the Long Beach Grand Prix, and the multitude of events that make up a Long Beach weekend. Team Drift , ALMS, World Challenge, and Pro Celebrity race.
They seemed suprised by the World Challenge series, with its new format. Three classes of cars, and a Formula D driver Tyler MacQuarrie winning GTS has sparked some more interest in the series.
Head over to the site to check out the massive gallery of images from the weekend.
Source: Urban Racer
Robert Stout Drives Number 18 Car to World Challenge Touring Car Victory
TORRANCE, Calif. — In front of one of the largest crowds at any race in the world, the DG-Spec Scion road racing team showed they have what it takes for World Challenge gold. Robert Stout drove the number 18 Scion tC to a decisive victory through the historic streets of Long Beach. The win brings Scion their first in the Touring Car category.
The event began with positive signs during the first practice on Friday. Team owner and driver Dan Gardner was the fastest Touring Car, with Stout taking second position. Neither driver had ever driven the course before, showing just how fast the two can come up to speed. Things were looking good, despite Gardner and the 36 car getting drilled by a GT Porsche early in the session. Most of the damage from the incident proved to be cosmetic, and the team had it fixed in a jiffy.
The second and final practice session of the event would take place on Saturday morning, so teams had little time to make any preparations. The 18 and 36 cars took to the track, but on the first complete lap on the front straight of Shoreline, something clearly was wrong with the 36. Gardner looked in his mirrors and saw them filled with a thick cloud of smoke. He radioed in that he thought the car was on fire, but heard over the radio that it might be oil. As he pulled his finger away from the fire button, Gardner tried to assess the situation. Further down the straight, Gardner saw the oil pressure warning going off. As he limped the car down the straight, he shut the engine off, and coasted past Turn 1 into the runoff.
The team would find a severed oil cooler line, and it was time to find out if the motor could be salvaged. The motor shut-down had kept it from grenading, but other damage still may have occurred. The team did their due diligence, and all signs were positive. Unfortunately, when they finally started the motor back up, the gut-wrenching sound of rod knock dashed all hope for the engine.
The second practice did, however, yield some good news as Stout was now the fastest Touring Car, nipping the RealTime Honda Civic Si by two-tenths of a second.
Huge logistical challenges stood in the team’s way, as their rig was a mile away, and because the track was constantly hot, they couldn’t easily get their spare motor over to their pit in the convention center. But with the dedicated crew of Brad Allen, Sean Morris, John McNulty, David Fredrickson, and special addition Merritt Johnson, they figured out a way. A furniture dolly and a lot of pushing took care of the motor, and the great guys at CRP Racing loaned their engine hoist.
The crew’s blood, sweat, and tears took them into 4 in the morning, but they got it done, and the 36 car would be ready for Qualifying, which would take place just four hours later. (Time lapse video of the motor swap can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uildnwW9m7M.)
Bleary eyed and filled with caffeine, a few hours later the crew began staging the cars for Qualifying. The entire session had been shortened, as it was to be split, with the GT cars going the first 12 minutes, and the TC and GTS cars heading out for the second 12. As they went out on track, Gardner constantly watched his gauges, radioing back to the crew the status. Things were looking good, but the entire session was spent with an eagle eye on the dash, looking for anything that could cost the team another motor.
Gardner was working on a decent flier when he caught the Mazda RX-8 of Eric Meyer doing a cool down lap going into Turn 1. That would put an end to the flier, but the car looked to be in good shape…frustrating, but some good news was to come. When the results came in, Stout had barely gotten edged out by Nick Wittmer in the RealTime Civic Si. The difference was the same two-tenths from the second practice, but this time it had gone RealTime’s way. Still, the team now sat with the 18 and 36 cars, second and fourth on grid respectively.
The race was to take place that afternoon. The 18 car was looking good, but the 36 showed some minor signs of detonation. World-Class tuner Shawn Church of Church Automotive Testing sprung into action, analyzing the logs and emailing Gardner a tweaked map for the new motor. This was to be the final step of the motor swap.
As the race approached, both cars took their starting spots and prepared for the standing start. The light boxes extinguished and both Scions churned their front tires, boiling a bit, but launching hard forward. Stout mostly held his line, as Gardner made a move to the inside up against the wall. He passed a few cars and then situated on the back bumper of the 18 car, on the outside of Turn 1. GTS and TC cars were now intermingled and it looked like the cars would go 3 or 4 wide into the first turn. Gardner moved to the inside, and then moments later got rammed by Meyer’s Mazda, putting a hole in the Scion, and tearing off the RX-8s front bumper.
Stout stood his ground and followed Wittmer’s Civic through the mayhem, holding onto the second spot, as Gardner moved up into third. Coming back around and entering the hairpin, the RealTime Civic got a bad exit, allowing both Stout and Gardner to make a run on the leader. Stout motored by before start-finish, but Gardner would see Wittmer make his one move hard to the inside to thwart Gardner from getting around. As Gardner swung to the outside, the Civic made another move down the straight to block that lane, then weaved a bit, until bailing out to go track right in preparation for Turn 1.
Gardner stayed inside, late-braked, bounced of the apex and moved track right. On the way to the Fountain, Wittmer crashed into Gardner, causing the Scion to lose a mirror, but Gardner stood his ground and took the position. Stout and Gardner were now 1-2. The Civic started to slow, and the team would later learn he had flattened his tire after making contact with Gardner. As the Civic pulled into the pits, Meyer took over third and began hunting down Gardner. All the while, Stout started to pull away.
A call came in from the crew to the 36 car that race control thought it may again be leaking oil. Gardner noticed some strange behavior with the oil pressure and became concerned that they may have another motor problem. He watched the gauges relentlessly, all the while trying to keep the gap between his car and the Mazda.
Most of the rest of the race was spent keeping a close eye on GT cars as they pushed their way back up through the TC cars several times. Gardner kept an eye on the dash, and Stout just drove smart. Late in the race, Stout would report that the car was wandering on the straight, but he kept in all in check.
Unfortunately for Gardner, on Lap 15, as Turn 9 approached, he turned in a hair early, clipped the apex, and then felt the car go to an evil push condition. Gardner saw the wall at the exit fast approaching. He turned the wheel harder right, but still glanced the wall. The incident would unfortunately bend a lower control arm, forcing Gardner to retire. Stout, however, would hold onto the lead, taking the number 18 DG-Spec Scion tC across the finish line for the big win.
“It’s quite obviously a huge win for the team,” said Gardner. “We just won Long Beach, and that’s a major accomplishment. My hat’s off to Robert for a good, clean drive. I’m a bit disappointed in myself. It just goes to prove what all racers know…small errors on a street course have major consequences. It’s my first DNF that’s entirely my fault. It’s hard when you know you were sailing to a 1-2 finish, but you have to get over it, move on, and go kick some butt next time.”
Stout, at just 18 years old, became the youngest driver in World Challenge history to win a race. The win brings the team, Stout, and Scion their first TC victory.
“I’m on the top of the world,” Stout said. “I’m not sure I dreamed of winning a World Challenge race so soon, especially not Long Beach. Dan and the DG-Spec crew gave me a great car to drive, and I just put my head down to get the job done. Right now I’m still filled with excitement, but soon it will be time to put the game face on and get ready for Mosport. Anything can happen in racing, and I’m not going to take anything for granted.”
With the victory, Stout moves into first place in the season points standings with 350. Gardner holds his fourth place standing, and is just a single point out of third and 18 out of second. The team’s performance pushes Scion into the lead for the Manufacturers’ Points, ahead of second place VW and third place Honda.
Standings and results can be viewed at http://www.world-challenge.com/index.php. The race will be broadcast on the Versus Network on Saturday, May 1 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern. Twenty-four hours later the program can be viewed online at www.world-challengetv.com. Rounds 1 and 2 of the series can now be viewed at http://www.world-challengetv.com/#/races/161.
The team now readies for a double-header at Mosport and the Victoria Day SpeedFest, in Ontario, Canada. The event will take place May 21-23. Saturday’s race will begin at 2:50 p.m. Eastern, and Sunday’s race will begin at 12:45 p.m.
The team’s progress throughout the season can be followed at www.scionracing.com and www.facebook.com/scionracing.
The DG-Spec team uses and is supported by:
• Scion-supplied OE parts
• TRD-supplied supercharger and intercooler, front big brake kit
• Jackson-Dawson Communications
• Pilot Automotive HID driving lamps
• Nitto NT-01 tires for testing
• Enkei PF01 17x8 wheels
• OS Giken Super Lock Limited Slip Differential (LSD)
• Dezod-supplied AEM standalone engine management, plug-and-play harness, fuel rail, injectors, end links, and stainless clutch line
• Church Automotive Testing dyno tuning
• Moton Suspension remote reservoir coilover shocks
• Vogtland springs
• DG-Spec Progress Technology rear swaybar and camber kits
• Motul brake fluid, engine oil, transmission fluid, and super coolant
• Racepak IQ3 logger dash and VNET sensors
• AEM sensors, EMS, and dry flow air filter
• Kaminari carbon-fiber roof and composite headlights
• Reflections body work
• America’s Tire Co. tire mounting and balancing
• Racetech Viper head-restraint race seat and 6-point harnesses
• Centerforce clutch and low-inertia steel flywheel
• AIT carbon-fiber hood and hatch
• DG-Spec Wild Pony Motorsports-supplied camber/caster plates
• Goodridge fittings and lines
• Carbotech XP10 and XP8 brake pads
• G-Force racing suit, gloves, helmet, window nets, and other safety and crew gear
• DC Sports header
• Energy Suspension bushings and motor mounts
• HoseTechniques silicone hoses
• Tri-Mountain Racewear team gear
• NST supercharger pulley, Braille batteries, and shifter bushings
• SquareSkull designs
• Sampson Racing Communications (SRC) radio systems
The World Challenge is North America's top production car-based racing championship. Divided into three separate classes (World Challenge Touring Car, World Challenge GTS, and World Challenge GT) races follow a sprint format and are 50 minutes start to finish. Each race features thrilling standing starts, adrenaline filled door-to-door action, and top-notch drivers. Drivers pilot cars from the world's most popular manufacturers. Race prepped versions of the cars we drive on the streets! The World Challenge is sanctioned by SCCA Pro Racing and races at North America's premier road and temporary street courses.
DG Spec is a line of parts designed and endorsed by National Champion Scion road racer Dan Gardner. Gardner draws up the specifications for the parts himself. The parts are then tested and proven on the track. The goal of DG Spec is to provide enthusiasts with parts that have been developed on the track and that have significant performance advantages at an honest price. Parts are offered either in hardcore track trim, identical to what Gardner and his team race with, or in Gardner-specified standards more appropriate for enthusiast use on the street. www.DanGardnerSpec.com
We had a chance to participate in the Thunder on Pine Avenue event during the World Challenge Weekend . Pine Avenue is closed down, and the race cars are displayed, along with Indycar pitstops, and motorcycle jumping. We got to drive the cars up Pine Avenue to Ocean, Pacific, to Broadway with a police escort. That was fun.
Drivers Gardner and Stout Put Scions on Podium and Secure Five Awards Along the Way
TORRANCE, Calif. — This past weekend, at the World Challenge season opener in front of an estimated 150,000 fans, the DG-Spec Scion road racing team proved again that Scion is the real deal, even at the top of the pro ladder. Three podiums, and five awards of distinction were racked up by drivers Robert Stout and Dan Gardner, driving the number 18 and 36 DG-Spec Scion tC Touring Cars, respectively.
The event was a double-header, with a race on Saturday and another on Sunday, both for season championship points. Stout qualified well, putting the number 18 car third on grid, with Gardner a couple rows back. The Qualifying session would determine starting order for both races.
Saturday’s race saw Stout battle with the pole sitter, big-motor Honda Civic, eventually getting the best of the Civic and finishing second place, along the way collecting the MTM Special Ops Best Move of the Race award for avoiding the spinning Civic. Gardner blasted through the field, gaining 9 positions overall, which netted him the third spot on the podium along with the Sunoco Hard Charger award.
Sunday began with a bang, as Gardner laid the rubber down on the start, zipping through the field, earning the Optima Batteries Best Standing Start of the Race award. He also repeated, again collecting the Sunoco Hard Charger award, en route to a fourth place finish. Stout’s 18 car partially collected a spinning GT Porsche three turns after the start. Even with the damage to the body and suspension, Stout pushed his way back up, battling the Honda Civic, and eventually getting the best of him. The pass on lap 24 earned him the Invisible Glass Clean Pass of the Race award, en route to another second place finish.
“Aweome, awesome, awesome,” said team owner and driver, Gardner. “First place would have been nice, but it’s hard to have expected more at the season opener. This is great for the team, the drivers, our sponsors, and especially Scion, who just showed the world that even at this level, we’re still the real deal.”
Stout, at just 18 years old, is the youngest driver in the series. That made no matter, as he piloted the number 18 DG-Spec Scion to the second step on the podium both days, proving that he knows how to get the job done. Both drivers are rookies in the series, but showed their mettle all weekend long.
“What a great run,” Stout Said. “My hat’s off to Dan and the entire team. I had a great car the whole weekend. It’s hard to be more pleased with my first pro race starts. A podium both races…it doesn’t get much better than that!”
Credit the crew of Sean Morris, Brad Allen, John McNulty, David Fredrickson, and Jayson Altmiller with keeping the cars 100-percent bulletproof, as the cars didn’t blink all weekend. Tom and Robyn Lepper supported everyone all along the way.
Stout ends the event second in the championship points race, with Gardner in fourth. The two also netted Scion 14 manufacturer points, instantly launching the brand to second in the manufacturers’ championship standings. Scion trails VW by just 4 points.
Standings and results can be viewed at http://www.world-challenge.com/index.php. The race will be broadcast on the Versus Network on Sunday, April 18 at 2 p.m. Eastern.
The team now readies for the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, the only race of the season in the team’s backyard. The event will take place through the historic streets on April 16-18. The World Challenge race starts that Sunday at 4:15 p.m.
The team’s progress throughout the season can be followed at www.scionracing.com and www.facebook.com/scionracing.
The DG-Spec team uses and is supported by:
• Scion-supplied OE parts
• TRD-supplied supercharger and intercooler, front big brake kit
• Jackson-Dawson Communications
• Pilot Automotive HID driving lamps
• Nitto NT-01 tires for testing
• Enkei PF01 17x8 wheels
• OS Giken Super Lock Limited Slip Differential (LSD)
• Dezod-supplied AEM standalone engine management, plug-and-play harness, fuel rail, injectors, end links, and stainless clutch line
• Church Automotive Testing dyno tuning
• Moton Suspension remote reservoir coilover shocks
• Vogtland springs
• DG-Spec Progress Technology rear swaybar and camber kits
• Motul brake fluid, engine oil, transmission fluid, and super coolant
• Racepak IQ3 logger dash and VNET sensors
• AEM sensors, EMS, and dry flow air filter
• Kaminari carbon-fiber roof and composite headlights
• Reflections body work
• America’s Tire Co. tire mounting and balancing
• Racetech Viper head-restraint race seat and 6-point harnesses
• Centerforce clutch and low-inertia steel flywheel
• AIT carbon-fiber hood and hatch
• DG-Spec Wild Pony Motorsports-supplied camber/caster plates
• Goodridge fittings and lines
• Carbotech XP10 and XP8 brake pads
• G-Force racing suit, gloves, helmet, window nets, and other safety and crew gear
• DC Sports header
• Energy Suspension bushings and motor mounts
• HoseTechniques silicone hoses
• Tri-Mountain Racewear team gear
• NST supercharger pulley, Braille batteries, and shifter bushings
• SquareSkull designs
• Sampson Racing Communications (SRC) radio systems
The World Challenge is North America's top production car-based racing championship. Divided into three separate classes (World Challenge Touring Car, World Challenge GTS, and World Challenge GT) races follow a sprint format and are 50 minutes start to finish. Each race features thrilling standing starts, adrenaline filled door-to-door action, and top-notch drivers. Drivers pilot cars from the world's most popular manufacturers. Race prepped versions of the cars we drive on the streets! The World Challenge is sanctioned by SCCA Pro Racing and races at North America's premier road and temporary street courses.
DG Spec is a line of parts designed and endorsed by National Champion Scion road racer Dan Gardner. Gardner draws up the specifications for the parts himself. The parts are then tested and proven on the track. The goal of DG Spec is to provide enthusiasts with parts that have been developed on the track and that have significant performance advantages at an honest price. Parts are offered either in hardcore track trim, identical to what Gardner and his team race with, or in Gardner-specified standards more appropriate for enthusiast use on the street. www.DanGardnerSpec.com
http://www.world-challenge.com/event/gallery.php?ID=95
Robert Stout in the #18 Scion tC
Robert and Dan.
Robert and Dan on the podium
Dan gets the “Best Standing Start” award.
Robert posing for some photos
Ken Stout working on Roberts helmet.
I mounted the video camera to the golf cart, and did a time lapse from the staging area to the pits, and back to impound for the 2nd TC race of the St. Petersburg weekend. Robert Stout in the #18 Scion tC finished both races in 2nd place. Dan(Don) Gardner #36 Scion tC finished 3rd on Saturday, and 4th on Sunday.
The last time lapse for at least this week. The final prep work for the first World Challenge race. http://www.gtrusablog.com. Aligning the cars. Checking out the truck. Starting to load the truck, and eating dinner. http://dangardnerspec.com
The posts got a little few and far between as last week we prepared for a test day at Buttonwillow. Friday we had both cars out at Buttonwillow for a test. We had a few teething issues with the #36 car that we figured out. Brad, Dave, Johnny,Dan, Ken,Robert and myself spent the day working on the cars, and putting them on the track. I have some pictures and videos from both test days to post.
The cars go into the trailer on Thursday night. March 26-28,2010 is our first race of the year in World Challenge TC.
Sumo Power in the UK had an open day at their immaculate facility. Some beautiful cars and equipment in their shop. It gives me tool envy.
Source : GTR.co.UK and THECLICKHQ
An oldie, but its a goodie. Cryodon Wholesalers R32 GT-R on Pukekoke Circuit in New Zealand. T88-34D and Holinger sequential transmission equipped.
Croydon Wholesalers Racing Nissan Skyline GT-R Godzilla running a hot lap at Pukekohe in 2002 with onboard camera as Nick wrestles the new Holinger 6-speed sequential and 1000hp around during a Track Day.
That’s right – standing-start, flat out speed, as fast as you can go in ONE MILE! In conjunction with the Mojave Air and Space Port, a private airfield in Mojave, CA, we will host the first ever Mojave Mile Shootout event on March 6, 2010. This facility features a 12,000’ runway which will allow for very fast speeds (250+ mph) and a comfortable braking margin. Since Mile Shootout racing is already very popular in Texas, the Midwest, and the East Coast, we look forward to being the premiere site for Mile Shootouts in the West! While the premiere of the Mojave Mile is scheduled to be a one-day event, future events will be 2-3 days long and will attract up to 300 participants!
The Mojave Mile will be open to both cars and motorcycles, and, as the event grows in popularity, is forecasted to be held multiple times per year. Mark your calendar to attend one of the most exciting new racing venues in the country!
Scion and Team JD Win 2009 WERC Endurance Series Championship
Team Finishes with Near Perfect Record with Six-Hour Race Win at Thunderhill
TORRANCE, Calif. — Just days ago, the Scion road racing team headed by team owner and driver, Dan Gardner, added another highlight to their 2009 season with yet another championship. The six-hour win at Thunderhill clinched the season championship for the Western Endurance Racing Championship (WERC) series.
The team won every race, save one, en route to the E1 class victory, for a near perfect record…impressive, especially in an endurance format series. The team also accrued more points (585) than any other team in any class in the series. The Scion tC race car was completely bulletproof even with the engine spinning 5,000 to 7,500 rpm for three to six hours straight.
The win adds to the highlight season for the team as they also end the season having won the national championship in Performance Touring as well as bringing Scion home their first pro win with the victory at Laguna Seca in World Challenge.
Regular team co-driver Scott Webb was unable to make the season finale, but experienced racer Jeff Lepper filled-in to help the team bring home the race and the series victory.
“Scott and I were both disappointed that he couldn’t make the final round,” said Gardner. “Scott has been a great teammate all year long, but Jeff stepped up and did a great job during his stint.”
Going into the race Gardner had planned for each driver to take two shifts, but after further thought the call was made to try to ironman it by doing only one driver change during the six hour race. The team was determined to gain every advantage possible. And with a crew that consisted of Sean Morris, John McNulty, Shawn Meze, and David Fredrickson, pit stops would be hammered out in lightening speed fashion.
During Practice, Gardner had run the fastest time in the E1 class, for both cars competing in the six hour as well as those registered for the 25 hour. Things were looking great. Qualifying took an unexpected turn, as teams were required to qualify during darkness. The four, big Pilot Automotive HID driving lamps were fitted to the front bumper, and Lepper went out and ripped off a 2:03.1 fast lap. It was fast enough to be on pole for the six hour and also put the team in the third starting spot for the E1 class overall.
Said Lepper, “The car was one of the best-handling front-wheel-drive cars I’ve ever driven. Kudos to the team for all the development they’ve put into making the car turn. It was quite dark during Qualifying, but the Pilot HIDs were so bright I could see God if I wanted to.”
During the two test days, the team did various things to help prepare for the big show, including calculating fuel economy, and figuring out the stop intervals. The decision was also made to have Gardner start the race and see if he could help Lepper by running over the three hour mark. Both drivers had agreed to the one driver change strategy, though neither knew how the long shifts would weigh on them. It was also a frigid weekend, with temps routinely below freezing. Just before the race started a wicked wind picked up, adding an additional chill factor.
During the start, Gardner found the leaders accelerating long before the green flag flew, and so he too was forced to stay in the gas. The spotter called out the green, but the cars were mostly all away by that point.
Shockingly, all 75 cars made it through Turn 1 without much incident, and Gardner found himself battling with one of his fiercest competitors, Dennis Holloway in the Mazda RX-8. The two went back and forth, and Gardner eventually let the Mazda go, as it was to be a long race, and battling early wasn’t a strategy the team wanted to employ.
“This team’s been smart all year at staying out of trouble, and playing to the strengths of the car,” said Gary Boler, TRD business operations manager. “I’m confident that our TRD supercharger and big brake kit really help the car in the power and braking department. It’s awesome to see how they handle the endurance race format abuse.”
During the first hour of the race, Gardner got settled in. Keeping the car on the track and not getting crashed out are two of the most important rules of the endurance racing game. All was going well until a Miata hit the Scion hard two times between Turn 3 and 4. Gardner’s tC slid sideways, and he caught the car just as he was being hit again. After straightening out, Gardner assessed the damage, and concluded that the car felt fine for the most part.
During the first fuel stop, however, the team would find a partially destroyed right rear wheel that was digging into the sidewall of the tire. The crew finished fueling the car, and then made quick work of the wheel and tire change. Rules stipulate that you can only change one tire at a time.
Gardner went back out and got on the radio to say that the car was instantly going sideways under braking and left hand turns. It took a solid two laps for the tire to come up to temp and even things out.
Radio contact was solid for the entire race courtesy of the Sampson Racing Communications radios, which performed flawlessly during the whole show. Radio communication is one of the most important tools for the driver and team in endurance racing. Indeed Shawn Meze and John McNulty were able to communicate a wide array of information to the drivers during the event, helping to make up-to-the-minute decisions, and communicate race control chatter to Gardner and Lepper.
“Shawn Sampson at SRC is a first-rate guy, selling first-rate products,” said Webb. “I was actually supposed to drive with Shawn in an event or two this year, but when he heard we had a chance to make a run at the championship, he graciously gave me an out…helping to make this whole thing possible.”
Gardner was getting in a rhythm, banging off lap after lap. Fuel stops were going smoothly and quickly, and the Nitto NT-01 tires were looking great, hour after hour. The team was unsure the front tires would make it three hours, but the wear was looking perfect.
Sometime in the middle of the race another Miata would mildly sideswipe Gardner, and later an Acura would chop down hard on the Scion down a straightaway, forcing Gardner to take to the dirt. The track was busy with traffic at almost every turn of every lap. Clean laps weren’t something that would happen often. Gardner remained determined to take care of the car, and make sure to make things last his entire shift.
He got on the radio to advise that the gearbox was feeling a bit “crunchy” going into third and forth gear. Slowing down the upshifts and making even more deliberate downshifts seemed to help, and the crew relayed the information to Lepper, who would be getting in the car soon.
Gardner managed what would be more than a triple shift, running the car for three and a half hours straight and nearly 300 race miles. At that point, the team executed a flawless driver change as they dumped the routine 10 gallons in the car. The Nittos were still looking great, and Lepper took off as soon as he was belted in.
Lepper was staying out of trouble, keeping the car together, and trying to make both the tires and brake pads last for the remainder of the race. At the next stop one front tire was changed, and at the next the other front. The rears were looking great, and didn’t need to be touched.
At the five hour mark, the team was leading the class in the six-hour, and was fourth overall in E1, having moved the car up to 25th from 32nd.
Around the five and a half hour mark, Lepper got on the radio and said there were basically no more brakes. The team asked if he thought he could make it, or limp it in, as a pad change would prove very costly. Lepper confirmed that he would try. Indeed, as the car took the checkered, the backing plates of the pads were on the rotors and the pistons had popped out of the calipers, but the car made it back to the pits for another great win.
“We certainly do things differently here at Scion, and Gardner and this team are no exception,” said Steve Hatanaka, Scion auto shows and special events manager. “This is truly a highlight season, something for the record books. I’m proud of everything this team accomplished this year in both the sprint and endurance format. It’s not every day you get to bring home two championships in one season.”
The JD Scion tC team uses:
• Scion-supplied OE parts
• TRD-supplied supercharger and intercooler, front big brake kit
• Pilot Automotive HID driving lamps
• Nitto 235/40R17 NT-01 tires
• Enkei RPF1 17x8 wheels
• OS Giken Super Lock Limited Slip Differential (LSD)
• Dezod-supplied AEM standalone engine management, plug-and-play harness, injectors, end links, and stainless clutch line
• Church Automotive Testing dyno tuning
• Moton Suspension remote reservoir coilover shocks
• Vogtland springs
• Progress Technology rear swaybar and camber kits
• Motul brake fluid, engine oil, transmission fluid, and super coolant
• Racepak IQ3 logger dash
• AEM sensors, EMS, and dry flow air filter
• Kaminari carbon-fiber roof and composite headlights
• Royalty Auto Body body work
• America’s Tire Co. tire mounting and balancing
• Racetech Viper head-restraint race seat and 6-point harnesses
• Centerforce clutch and low-inertia steel flywheel
• AIT carbon-fiber hood and hatch
• Wild Pony Motorsports-supplied camber/caster plates
• Goodridge fittings and lines
• Carbotech XP10 and XP8 brake pads
• G-Force racing suit, gloves, helmet, shoes
• DC Sports header
• Energy Suspension bushings and motor mounts
• HoseTechniques silicone hoses
• Tri-Mountain Racewear team gear
• NST supercharger pulley, alternator pulley, and shifter bushings
Jackson-Dawson Communications (JD) is a 29-year-old privately held company that provides creative and strategic services to a range of national clients. Core competencies include retail training, event marketing, marketing services, business theater, video and media production services, meeting planning, print graphic and design services, staging service and vehicle management.
With corporate offices in Detroit, MI, Jackson-Dawson also maintains offices in Torrance, CA, Nashville, TN and Manhattan, NY. Jackson-Dawson owns and operates several divisions: Peloton Creative Group, BenMar Communications, Drivers Talk Radio and Drivers Talk Testing.
