Relay Rally Wrap Up

[bhoss]

We had a great time Saturday night at the Relay Rally - 5 teams - 9 drivers per team - each driver doing almost 6 laps.

We started the night with all 5 teams lined up side by side at pit out - the green team - the Millwrongs, captained by Craig Herrick, were on the inside pole position, next to them were the Yellow Jackets, captained by Tom McPherson. Working our way out we had the Blue Magics captained by Barry Gammon next to the Florida Oranges, led by Marc Fuchswanz. Holding down the outside pole position was the Purple Panthers led by Tom Cannon.

All of the teams were setup to have nearly identical average lap times so we started the rally by sending everyone out at 10 second intervals. The passing (point bys) was fast and furious during the first three drivers as the teams had created their own strategy by mixing up the starting order - some ran their hot shoes early - some held them for the end. After the third driver we equalized the times by holding teams for the reverse interval that we used to start them - this tightened the pack up even more.

I was very impressed by the driving at the rally - I think that each team took to heart the moto - to finish first you must first finish! We had one mechanical where the driver was smart enough to pull off the track to a safe location so that the rally could continue - we completed the rest of his group and then sent the wrecker for him. Because he used his head we did not penalize his team.

As the rally wound to a conclusion we had several passes for the lead - seemingly every other lap. After 54 laps of heated competition, the top four team were within 32 seconds of each other.

The Blue Magics beat the Purple Panthers by a mere 15 seconds who in turn were 12 seconds ahead of the Florida Oranges. The Millwrongs were another 5 seconds back with the Yellow Jackets taking up the rear - unable to make up their penalty lap.

Our congrats to the Blue Magics
Barry Gammon
Kurt Hissong
Cort Wilson
Shawn Sweeney
Bob Brooks
Stephan de Penasse
Brain Springman
Dan Darcy
Peter McParland
Jon Cowen

All took home a commemorative plaque and I am told that the checks will be in the mail soon!

A big thanks to the volunteers that made this event possible - Alan, Sam, Donna, Diane, Troy and Liz. Also a big thanks to Shake & Bake for a great BBQ afterward.

This event was special for the Board of Directors who championed the event and the entry fee ($0) - for the first time in a long time we saw club members working together as a team and we also had a lot of socialization at pit out. It got everyone out of the garages and talking with each other.

Stay tuned for the next Drift for team and event pictures.

[breakaway500]

This was a very entertaining added competition venue for the COM 4th of July event,and looking back,I'm sure glad it wasn't raining. Having randomly selected the team members, who had to then organize themselves (or not) was genius. It kept the mood fun as well as competitive. Well done!

[joncowen]

The relay rally was far more fun then i ever thought it could be. I really thought it was going to be just another 6 laps.

At first, i thought having randomly selected teams would suck. However, it was great. I got to know a bunch of people i had never met, and the team work aspect of it was lots of fun. I was fortunate enough to have a really great team.

Plus, i was fortunate enough to be picked to go out last for my team. Sitting waiting for the start, everyone was so amped up. I drove harder than i ever have before. It was easily the highlight of the weekend for me, and one of the best times i have had at NHMS.

[TroyV]

I felt a lot like Jon did about there just being more open track time, but as the race progressed, Liz and I started to see all the lead and place changes, and by the last few laps things got very exciting. You could almost see which drivers were self concious and who wasn't......what with the entire field of drivers down at T1 looking.

Congrats to the Blue team!!

[6PAK72]

I really want to thank and support the BOD for going out on a limb for this. I understand it wasn't quite what had been proposed, but the end result - inclusiveness, fairness, and competitiveness - is what I've learned are hallmarks of COM. Once again, our management proves why all the other driving clubs speak of COM with awe!

This was a great way to keep the field safe, while amping up the driving to each driver's level of comfort. I did 2 personal best times in the rally, knowing that I had 6 other colleagues and friends counting on me to keep our team in the game. Definitely introduced me to 2 people I had not met, and deepened a few other friendships.

And, if anyone from NHMS is on the forum, all of us should thank the crew for the extra effort. The track is not my favorite, but the management and crews are the best I've seen in my comparatively limited exposure. They also took a risk in accommodating us - I hope it was worth it from their perspective because we should do this again!

[SEISAN]

WOW... Congratulations to Bill and his crew for pulling off a great addition to the weekend event. It was competitive and a lot of fun, as it should be. Thanks to our captain on the blue team, Barry the G, in setting up our run order. I wish I could have stayed on the pit row longer with my team members, but I had to get back and fire up the grills for all the hungry racers after the Rally.

The results of the BBQ were as follow: 42 pounds of sausage, peppers and onions, were consumed along with 22 pounds of chicken wings, 50 Cheeseburgers, 100 Hot dogs, 10 pounds of potato salad, 4 pounds of macaroni salad, 4 pound of ribs, 3 pounds of Chili, 1 large watermelon, and chips, brownies, sodas. If you were part of this winning eating group, congratulations, I hope you enjoyed the food.

From my perspective, it is a pleasure to be a member of this club and I have made a lot of friends and with this weekend I just added a lot more. With a personal best in TT it was the icing on the cake for the July 4th event. Thanks to all for your help, encouragement, and kind words.

See you all in NJ. The menu for the event will be posted on the social tab shortly for you to sign up.

Bob

( Shake N' Bake )

[jeffw]

The results of the BBQ were as follow: 42 pounds of sausage, peppers and onions, were consumed along with 22 pounds of chicken wings, 50 Cheeseburgers, 100 Hot dogs, 10 pounds of potato salad, 4 pounds of macaroni salad, 4 pound of ribs, 3 pounds of Chili, 1 large watermelon, and chips, brownies, sodas. If you were part of this winning eating group, congratulations, I hope you enjoyed the food.

Thanks for an amazing dinner...it was great being able to have a relaxing dinner after the relay rally. The BBQs have become a really part of what make COM special for me.

And congrats on the fast time!

[Gidyupp]

Hi,
First time with COM and only my second weekend on the track.
Just wanted to say I had a blast, you guys/gals are a great bunch of people.
The rally was a ball even if I was "that guy". (I'm the one who mis-counted my laps for the yellow team and caused the penalty lap). Not one person busted my chops for it.
Just wanted to say sorry to team yellow.
I let the yellow flag /car off situation going on distract me an lost count. Too bad though as I was turning my fastest laps of the day.

Again, thanks for a great time, I'll definitely be back (With a lap timer / counter in the car!)

M. Richards
2011 Mustang GT #44

[nateh]

Giddyup -

I was frankly amazed that there weren't a handful of drivers who miscounted their laps. It's really hard to keep count while driving "flat out."

It was great to see you at the event, and to witness your steady driving progress. Looking forward to sharing the track with you again in the future!

[Chrispy]

Mark, to be honest I was second guessing my count as well. Fortunately as the last driver I didn't have to count, and I only did 5 laps as well If anything it was the teams fault not yours, we should have had someone on pit wall signalling. You were driving nice and clean out there.

[savage217]

Yep I agree. I was on the yellow team and Chris and I had been talking throughout the rally that we should have had somebody to tell each of us when to come in. I had a lap-timer so I knew to go for 5 timed laps and then pit in.


-Nick DeRosa
Car 305 SPB
E36 m3