NASA SoCal Region, 2011 Season, ROUND 5 Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Buttonwillow, CA

Weekend Racing Recap 25/26 June 2011

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*** 6 July 2011

The June Buttonwillow event was a SCORCHER! BUTTONWILLOW RACEWAY WEEKEND RACE SUMMARY: + 2 CMC2 races toward California championship points + 2 AIX-Outlaw races towards the Outlaw championship + 6 total race group sessions with over 2 hours of track time! + 2 newly licensed CMC’ers, Aaron Schroeder and Matt Renna make the grid for their first ever races! + CMC newcomers Brian Gust and Randy White came to the track to check out the action, and meet their fellow V8 racers. + AI newcomer Bryan Rogers began his quest for a competition license, driving the Brothers Performance Mustang in HPDE. + 14 cars came to prove their mettle! + Mechanical attrition, heat, and driver mistakes made for a challenging weekend. + Two blown engines, a dead brake booster, cracked rotors, blown oil line, torn front splitter, forgotten hood pins (leading to a tossed hood and broken windshield), fuel supply problems and ugly valve train noises took their toll. FRIDAY – afternoon temperatures topped 100 degrees as the CMC and AIX-Outlaw drivers arrived at Buttonwillow to get set up. Friday’s temps held a clue as to what was in store for the American V8 racers! A few drivers decided to dyno their cars to see what kind of numbers they were putting down.

The #99 on the dyno. Image by Corky Schroeder.

SATURDAY MORNING PRACTICE – Friday’s warm temps eventually cooled overnight, making for a bright, sunny and slightly breezy practice. However, as the day wore on, temperatures climbed as they usually do in the California desert, and quickly pinpointed the cars that wouldn’t be able to handle the heat. The CMC and AIX-Outlaws got on track, and the timing system started clicking off laptimes. SATURDAY MORNING QUALIFYING – The AIX-Outlaw drivers got into the groove quickly, with Ryan Walton posting a 2:04.677 putting him on pole over Bryan MacMillian (2:10.551), Corey Weber (2:10.631). Steve Butscher didn’t post a qual time due to an offroad excursion that ripped the entire lower facia and splitter off his car, forcing him back to the garage for repairs so he could make Race 1. A sudden tapping valve train noise on the #25 indicated a problem, but in true racing spirit, Ryan Walton and soon-to-be AIX racer Bryan Rogers got to work. Within an hour….just in time for R1, they got the valve train re-adjusted, and running great.

The CMC’ers got down to business as well, but issues soon began to appear. Rookies Aaron Schroeder and Matt Renna, experienced mechanical problems - a broken oil line (Schroeder) and severe cooling issues (Renna). Nick Steel forgot to set his hood pins, causing his hood to fly up, destroying both hood and windshield, ending his weekend. Mike Plum’s #77 lost the brake booster right at the end of the session, but still managed to post a good qual time. Tisinger put his yellow #57 Camaro on pole with a 2:09.309, followed by the StopTech/Maximum Motorsports/Donovan Racing/CMCParts.com #5 of Ginsberg (2:10.797), Mike Plum (2:12.223), Ken Pearson (2:14.603), Aaron Schroeder (2:14.996), David Brown (coming back from a blown motor with a 2:15.642), Don Lariviere (2:15.734), Nick Steel (2:17.568), Carson Scheller (2:17.614), Matt Renna (2:20.640) and Team BAF Racing (2:25.464). SATURDAY RACE #1 – “The race that never was.” Desert temperatures climbed throughout the day, and that would soon create problems. AIX and CMC gridded up for a flying start, based on their qualifying times. At the green flag drop, the AIX drivers roared off towards T1, with the CMC drivers hot on their tail.

The Saturday afternoon CMC start. Image by Suzi Plum.

Walton took a quick lead in AIX, with the rest of the group close behind. In CMC, Tisinger got a good start, with Ginsberg close, but Plum and Pearson got a better launch. Ginsberg moved left to defend the inside line, which worked to keep the #77 and #50 behind. The #99 of Schroeder was asleep at the flag, giving Lariviere the chance to get around.

The CMC racers roaring towards T1. Image by Suzi Plum.

The rest of the CMC crew fell into line. Mike Plum’s booster woes only got worse, forcing him into the pits by the end of lap 1. Within 2 laps, the black flag was brought out for an incident between a pair of FFR’s. NASA was unable to restart the race, and since drivers completed less than ½ of the race, it was deemed a “NON-RACE”, disappointing all. SATURDAY NIGHT – NASA held their usual evening bash while many of the AIX and CMC racers set about working on their cars. Derek Tisinger found a replacement booster for Mike Plum, so Plum set about removing the faulty part in preparation for the new one to be installed on Sunday morning. During the testing to figure what was wrong with the booster, Plum found a cracked rotor, as well as a cracked weld on the steering shaft, so both were quickly addressed. Unfortunately, rookie Matt Renna’s engine expired within the first lap of the race due to a sheared water pump impeller, forcing him onto the trailer and ending his first weekend of racing. Additionally, Bryan MacMillian in AIX had an engine ticking noise, requiring him to spend the night wrenching to be ready for Sunday. Ken Pearson was fighting fuel pressure problems that would come back to haunt him on Sunday.

SUNDAY MORNING WARMUP – After an evening of wrenching, the AIX and CMC drivers were ready to go for warm up laps. Plum continued wrenching on his #77, getting the new booster installed just in time for the qualifying race. SUNDAY MORNING QUAL RACE – After having the Saturday race wiped from the record books, the outlaw group decided to consider Sunday Qual session as an actual race. Both AIX and CMC inverted the grid from Saturday’s qualifying times – this put the #13 of Don Lariviere on pole, with Brown in P2, Schroeder P3, Pearson P4, Plum P5, Ginsberg P6, and Tisinger P7 for a flying start in CMC, and Walton P1, MacMillian P2, Butscher P3 and Weber P4 in AIX. Carson Scheller’s #6 did not make the grid due to a massive exhaust leak, and problematic carb.

Sunday morning’s inverted qualifying race start. Image by Suzi Plum.

The V8’s battle for position. Image by Suzi Plum.

Turn 1. Image by Suzi Plum.

The flying start was clean through T1. Walton got through first but was a little loose on exit. Weber took advantage and raced Walton into the esses. They went into the first S side by side. Walton backed off, figuring why chance it when he has confidence he can get Weber later in the race. In CMC, the start was fierce at the drop of the green. Ginsberg and Tisinger, starting from the back, both got good starts. Ginsberg passed Pearson on the outside with 2 wheels at the very edge of the track. Brown and Lariviere went side by side into T1, as did Plum and Schroeder. By the entrance to the Esses, Ginsberg had pulled into P1 and began a charge to put distance between him and the rest of the field. MacMillian and Butscher battle it out fiercely for the majority of the race until Mac's engine finally let go and he watched the race from the dirt outside of the Buttonhook. Meanwhile, Walton’s plan worked out and he passed Weber in the braking zone before Cotton Corners. Walton manages a small lead on Weber until the last lap. Weber finally catches back up to Walton on the second to last corner of the final lap. Exiting the last turn Walton gets very loose and Weber, unaware that Walton is just performing his patented victory drift, lifts for a second to make sure he will not center punch Walton. The drift scrubbed a bit too much speed and Weber got a run on Walton. They drag to the finish line with Weber gaining ground quickly. Walton took the win, followed by Weber and Butscher. In CMC, with Ginsberg held up in traffic, Tisinger caught him, and managed a great move, taking P1 with only 1 lap to go. Rookie Aaron Schroeder pulled off a pass on the #42 of Dave Brown, but then ran out of talent at Star Mazda with an off-road excursion, giving the position back. At the the checker, the CMC winner was Derek Tisinger, followed by Adam Ginsberg, Plum, Pearson (fighting fuel pressure problems!), Aaron Schroeder, Dave Brown, and Don Lariviere. Tech was performed with no problems found.

Sunday morning tech. Image by Suzi Plum.

Sunday morning tech. Image by Suzi Plum.

Sunday morning CMC podium. L-R – Mike Plum (P3), Derek Tisinger (P1), and Adam Ginsberg

(P2). Image by Suzi Plum.

The V8 racers. L-R – Don Lariviere, Adam Ginsberg (kneeling), Mike Plum, Derek Tisinger, Aaron

Schroeder, Dave Brown, AIX-driver Corey Weber, and Steve Butscher. Image by Suzi Plum.

Bench racing and typical “jaw’n” in the tech area. Image by Suzi Plum.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON RACE – since Saturday’s race wasn’t one, NASA decided to make the Sunday afternoon feature a “double points” race, with grid determined by the finishing order of the morning qual race. That put AIX-Outlaw driver Ryan “The Gray Ghost” Walton on pole, Corey “Where’s my cowboy hat?” Weber in P2, and Steve “The Butcher” Butscher in P3. Bryan “Mac-Attack” MacMillian was unable to make grid – his engine had given up and was sporting a new, unhealthy sounding rod-knock. The CMC grid had Tisinger on pole for the standing start, and he took good advantage of his position….as the green flag dropped, he and Plum made short work of Ginsberg as spinning tires didn’t make for good traction.

CMC Sunday afternoon standing start. Image by Suzi Plum.

CMC cars, heading for T1. Image by Suzi Plum.

AIX took a flying green flag, gridded with a bunch of ST cars for the race. Of this 20 plus group, about 15 cars are running within a couple seconds of each other. The start was pretty clean with Weber taking the lead and then Walton, and Butscher with several ST cars in between. Weber and Walton battle with the Sevens Only Mazdas for the entire race. Weber gets lucky and three Mazdas bobble putting 4 cars between Weber and Walton. Weber thinks he has the race in the bag after this situation remains for most of the race. Weber should have known that Walton wasn't going to let a few Mazdas get in the way of his plans for total domination and sure enough by the last lap he is on Webers bumper pressuring him to do something stupid. Weber, in untrue form keeps it together and takes the win. After Walton sees Weber make a clean exit off the last turn he practices his victory drift for the crowd.

AIX podium. L-R – Ryan Walton (P2), Corey Weber (P1). Image by Suzi Plum.

The CMC checker has Tisinger taking P1, followed by Plum, Ginsberg, Schroeder, Lariviere, Scheller (repaired just in time!), Brown and Pearson, who was still battling fuel problems. The CMC2 race was very close, with Tisinger posting a 2:11.886, Plum with a 2:11.443 and Ginsberg putting down a 2:11.643.

CMC podium. L-R – Adam Ginsberg (P3), Derek Tisinger (P1) and Mike Plum (P2). Image by

Suzi Plum.

CONCLUSION – The hot temperatures made the racing action hotter than ever. CMC newcomers Brian Gust, Randy White and Bryan Rogers hung out with their racing brethren, and are now embarking on the quest for their competition licenses. Our group of racers is growing, so come be a part of American V8 racing in California! Our next event is 30/31 July 2011 at California Speedway. Come out and watch the American Iron and Camaro Mustang Challenge V8 racers battle it out! For more information, the following websites should be able to answer any of your licensing/rules/racing questions: www.nasaproracing.com www.americanironracing.com www.camaromustangchallenge.com www.agentfortyseven.com/outlaw/index.html Written by Corey Weber, Mike Plum, Steve Butscher, and Aaron Schroeder Images by Suzi Plum and Corky Schroeder. Assembled by Adam Ginsberg

NASA California AI/AIX/CMC/CMC2 2011 Championship PointsComplete Season

Season calculated (w/drops) D

ate

No

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No

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No

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So

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So

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So

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No

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12/13 Feb 2011 19/20 March 2011 9/10 April 2011 14/15 May 2011 25/26 June 2011 30/31 July 2011 8/9 Oct 2011 6/7 Nov 2010

Track:PL POINTS POINTS Driver: Make: R/V? P 1 2 P 3 P 1 2 P 3 P 1 2 P 3 P 1 2 P 3 P 1 2 P 3 P 1 2 P 3 P 1 2 P 3 P 1 2 P 3 1st 100

1 0 0 John Wheeler Pont V 2nd 902 0 0 Bryan MacMillan Ford V 3rd 853 0 0 Ryan Walton Ford V 4th 804 0 0 Troy Dewell Ford R 5th 755 0 0 Eric Fowler Chevy V 6th 706 0 0 Team DAL Racing Ford V 7th 697 0 0 Don Lee Ford V 8th 688 0 0 Michael R. Hall V 9th 679 0 0 Kevin Smith Ford V 10th 66

Complete Season

Season calculated (w/drops)

Da

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No

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No

rCa

l

So

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No

rCa

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So

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So

Ca

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So

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No

rCa

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12/13 Feb 2011 13/14 March 2010 9/10 April 2011 14/15 May 2011 25/26 June 2011 30/31 July 2011 8/9 Oct 2011 6/7 Nov 2010

Track:PL POINTS POINTS Driver: Make: R/V? P 1 P 2 P 1 P 2 P 1 P 2 P 1 2 P 3 P 1 P 2 P 1 2 P 3 P 1 2 P 3 P 1 2 P 3 1st 100

1 408 408 Ross Murray V 4 100 4 100 100 100 2nd 902 365 365 Corey Weber V 90 85 90 100 3rd 853 358 358 Ryan Walton R 85 75 4 100 4 90 4th 804 333 333 Steve Butscher R 4 75 4 80 85 85 5th 755 170 170 Tim Pinelli R 80 90 6th 706 80 80 Bryan MacMillan V 80 7th 697 0 0 Jim Black V 8th 688 0 0 Paul Brown V 9th 679 0 0 Kevin Smith V 10th 66

10 0 0 Mark Callaghan V

Complete Season

Season calculated (w/drops)

Da

te:

No

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No

rCa

l

So

Ca

l

No

rCa

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So

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So

Ca

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So

Ca

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No

rCa

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12/13 Feb 2011 19/20 March 2011 9/10 April 2011 14/15 May 2011 25/26 June 2011 30/31 July 2011 8/9 Oct 2011 6/7 Nov 2010

Track:PL POINTS POINTS Driver: Make: R/V? P 1 2 P 3 P 1 2 P 3 P 1 2 P 3 P 1 2 P 3 P 1 2 P 3 P 1 2 P 3 P 1 2 P 3 P 1 2 P 3 1st 100

1 101 101 David Brown Ford V 1 100 2nd 972 97 97 Dennis "Smitty" Smith Ford V 97 3rd 95

3 0 0 Derek Tisinger Chevy V 4th 934 0 0 Team Hollywood Ford V 5th 92

5 0 0 Don Lariviere Ford V 6th 916 0 0 Mike Donohoe Ford V 7th 907 0 0 Kenneth Pearson Ford V 8th 898 0 0 Addison Lee Ford V 9th 889 0 0 Karl Chicca Chevy V 10th 87

Complete Season

Season calculated (w/drops)

Dat

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No

rCa

l

No

rCa

l

So

Ca

l

No

rCa

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So

Ca

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So

Ca

l

So

Ca

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No

rCa

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12/13 Feb 2011 19/20 March 2011 9/10 April 2011 14/15 May 2011 25/26 June 2011 30/31 July 2011 9/10 Oct 2010 6/7 Nov 2010

Track:PL POINTS POINTS Driver: Make: R/V? P 1 2 P 3 P 1 2 P 3 P 1 2 P 3 P 1 2 P 3 P 1 2 P 3 P 1 2 P 3 P 1 2 P 3 P 1 2 P 3

1 1459 1459 Derek Tisinger Chevy V 92 93 95 95 97 92 100 97 97 1 100 100 1 97 1 100 1 200 1st 1002 1452 1452 Micheal Plum Chevy V 97 100 1 91 100 100 1 97 97 92 93 97 97 100 95 194 2nd 973 1037 1037 Adam Ginsberg Ford V 93 92 93 95 92 95 95 95 97 190 3rd 954 1020 1020 Don Lariviere Ford V 1 97 93 100 87 91 91 93 93 90 184 4th 935 871 871 Nick Steel Chevy V 1 100 97 100 92 95 95 1 89 100 1 100 5th 926 729 729 Carson Scheller Pontiac V 90 90 90 92 92 93 182 6th 917 726 726 David Brown Ford V 91 92 91 92 89 91 180 7th 908 647 647 Jeremy Bua Ford V 95 95 97 90 88 93 89 8th 899 554 554 Ken Pearson Ford V 93 95 95 93 178 9th 88

10 278 278 Klamecki Brothers Racing Ford V 93 92 93 10th 87

11 278 278 Aaron Schroeder Ford R 92 18612 92 92 Robert Walters Ford V 9213 91 91 Sam Stowell (BAF Racing) Pontiac V 9114 90 90 Dennis "Smitty" Smith Ford V 9015 0 0 Matt Renna Ford R

Note: Finishes listed in Red count toward Ford Manufacturer Points

NOTES:1) 20% of races dropped from totals (5 races). Boxes colored in YELLOW are DROPS.2) Pole position points are 4 for AI...1 for CMCPoints are awarded as follows:

AI/AIX CMC1st 100 1002nd 90 973rd 85 954th 80 935th 75 926th 70 917th 69 908th 68 899th 67 88

10th 66 87

AI- Must complete more than half the race laps to be considered a Finisher. Non-Finishers receive half of the last place finisher's points.CMC- Anyone who takes the green flag will receive finishing points

Buttonwillow InfineonInfineon Infineon X-Over Buttonwillow Thunderhill Buttonwillow CA Speedway X-Over

Infineon

Infineon Infineon X-Over Buttonwillow Thunderhill Buttonwillow CA Speedway X-Over Buttonwillow Infineon

CA Speedway X-Over Buttonwillow Infineon

Infineon Infineon X-Over Buttonwillow Thunderhill Buttonwillow CA Speedway X-Over Buttonwillow

Class: CMC-2

Class: AI

Class: AIX

Class: CMC

ButtonwillowButtonwillow ThunderhillInfineon Infineon X-Over