C.A.R.T. Track Day at Pocono: The Weather Gods Smile!

What do you get when you combine a Gurney Eagle, an MGA, a stock BMW and a flock of Fieros? A C.A.R.T. track day!

The Connecticut Autocross and Rally Team invaded the Pocono mountains on Friday, August 27 for a track day on the North Course. After last year’s lashing, the weather gods took pity on us and served up a day from a travel brochure: low humidity, bright sun and temperatures in the mid 70’s. The only way to improve the day would have been free beer.

Forty three drivers registered for the event. A surprise greeted registration as an 18 wheel transporter delivered a fleet of open wheel racers to join the fun. They ranged from a Super Vee to a 1973 Indy contender. Add in the usual mix of stock vehicles, moderately modified cars, and outright race vehicles, and you had several interesting visuals.

After the driver’s meeting, led by Paul O, the track was open for “A” and “B” group drivers. The novices were attending their own, separate driver’s meeting. After the A & B cars got a session, the novices went out under the watchful eye of the C.A.R.T. instructors. The track then switched over to open session for the rest of the morning. It was the usual mix on the track, as cars came and went, some broke, some fell off the track, but pretty much everyone had a good time. I decided to liven things up by blowing a 15 year old heater hose on my Miata and doing a 270 degree spin in my own coolant. Note to self, step up the maintenance schedule.

We broke for lunch, and in my case, repairs, at noon. Time trials were held when we came back from lunch to take advantage of the natural break in the action. Thirty three cars showed up for timed runs, and several new class records were established. The track had some new rough spots, but was faster for the most part. It must be the effect of the goose droppings on the pavement, or something.

The track ran open sessions again after the time trial, while teams were formed for the Team Relay event. Team Relay is about as close to wheel to wheel you can get. A team of five drivers sign up. Their fastest time from the time trial is multiplied by five, and that number is added together for a total. The team total is compared to the other teams, and the start is handicapped, with a time advantage given to teams with the slowest going first, next slowest next, etc. Each driver has to drive five laps. As you drive into the pits at the end of lap 5 and the next driver on your team starts. Drive less than five and you have to go back out again at the tail end of the team. Run more than five, and your team gets no benefit, and you’ve wasted time. The normal passing rules apply, violate the rules and your team is disqualified. Safety first, you know. In theory, if everyone runs five laps at their fastest time, then all the teams will cross the finish line at the same time. You know theory, that’s the idea that you and George Clooney have the same chance at dating hot chicks.

Six teams showed up for the relay event. Two teams had two drivers running twice, since this part of the event is optional. C.A.R.T. drivers make up two teams, Team Fiero and Team Mixed Nuts. Mixed Nuts has a 3 – 1 record, so the bragging rights are very important, and a source of trash talk for the entire year. Team Fiero was going to lead off, with Team Hard Luck next, then Mixed Nuts, Team Old Dog, Subie / Evo with Team Formula starting last, over two minutes behind Team Fiero.

Drag style starts were the most common feature of the event. The first 3 teams started with 30 seconds of each other. Passes were made and remade as horsepower versus handling versus position played back and forth. In the end, the Subie / Evo team won the event with a pass on the last lap on Mixed Nuts. Team Fiero dropped out of competition early as they suffered a mechanical out on the course. Team Formula were awarded the “I Can’t Count” award since several of their drivers confused 4 with 5 and came in a lap early. In the end, it was a lot of fun, an exciting time, and Mixed Nuts gets to needle Fiero, cause we came in second.

At the end of the day, we had trophy presentation, and a good time. During the presentation, It was announced that our Activity Director, Liam Dwyer, had re-enlisted in the US Marine Corps and was headed to Afghanistan. We all wish Liam a lot of luck in the future, and look forward to seeing the red number 32 back running for FTD.

Thanks to everyone who supported our track days this year. We cut our schedule to improve the quality, and I hope it showed. Thanks to our tech staff, instructors, timers, photographers and everyone who worked very hard before, after and during the event to make it work. We’ll be back next year, and look forward to seeing old and new friends at the track.