It was too good. We should have known. The weather was mild, 50s at night and 70s during the day with a strong wind and overcast skies. Pleasant enough to hang out all weekend at the track. The car was running fine and well sorted, and the trailer and tow bus were better than ever. Our only hint of trouble was Judge Phil's 3 penalty laps he assessed during B.S. inspections. One glimpse of "VTEC" on our valve cover and he figured we were fast. I can assure you the D16 SOHC will never be fast, no matter what is stamped on the valve cover. BUT, we were class B and we had a very solid shot at overcoming those laps.
Then the race started. Gradually the penalties and mechanical failures sorted out the competition. By mid-day we were top 20 and second in class. However, 8 laps in front of us was a clean and fast #140 Escort, being driven annoying well by Team Questie. By the end of the day Team Questie was turning laps faster than most of the top Class A teams and still six laps ahead. We were 2nd in Class B and 6th overall. No penalties and no mechanical problems. It was the best we've done.
After changing the brake pads, shuffling some tires, and filling the tank, we were set for Sunday. That night we drank beer, ate grilled animals, and generally had a great LeMons time. The next morning it was more of the same. Clean laps no problems and Team Questie kept their lead. Resigned to a 2nd place finish, barring the Escort's untimely demise we started to be OK with second in class and our highest overall finish. It would be a team best.
Then Ricky pulls in with issues. No power. Were had lost compression in one cylinder and had three left. Roger pulled the injector power, and I figured I could keep us top 20 if I could just turn some laps for the last 2 hours. I went out on track and was able to keep pace with the Class C cars, for a bit. 5 or 6 laps in, the rest of the cylinders went. I made it to the pits and we packed up and left. 33 out of 86, another typical LeMons for the Duff Beer Civic.
Here's the pics:
