Schenley, Schenley, Schenley. What an awesome event. It could really use help in the department of making it run smoothly but man, it's hard to complain when that is the track we're racing on.
Short Version - I don't clearly remember my times from 2018 but I think they were in the low 2:40s(?). This year my fast time was a 2:31 and I have no doubt I could have been into the 2:29s with clear track and more actual track time. I think there are three factors at play causing a 9-10 second drop off my time. 1) Frankly, I'm a much better driver than I was 3 years ago. 2) It's my second time at the track - I was more comfortable 3) The car is better/lighter.
Long Version - I left Cleveland around 7:45 Friday morning, made one stop and got to Schenley around 10:45. It's 2 hours in a car and no stops so I call that good time. Bonus, Elmore got about 8.3 mpg towing!
Tech was no problem and I decided to attend the driver's dinner this year which allowed for a cool photo on the bridge.
There were LOTS of delays this weekend with spectators on track and much carnage. At least two cars rolled and one driver went straight into the jersey barriers at the conservatory. Big impact. I definitely spent more time sitting on grid/sitting stopped on track this weekend than actually racing but, oh well. Two of my sessions were black flagged, one of those was also red flagged.
Qualifying Saturday afternoon was cut so short that I had a total of 3 timed laps and was stuck in traffic the entire time. I had a great dice with an angry Spitfire in the Axis v. Allies race Saturday evening though. That thing should be a 1500 but it pulled me going up the hill. It had twin sidedrafts on it so it's probably pretty hogged out. Poor Hatchet is suhlow. That's OK, it's good through the corners. With the Serpentine yellow flagged all weekend, pretty much my only opportunity to pass anyone was through the conservatory as I tended to carry more speed than others but that was a bit sketchy with some terrible new pavement. I made it work a couple times though.
Sunday morning practice I was stuck in traffic again for much of it but the car felt good. The race Sunday afternoon I was behind two MGBs. The one was quite slow and made himself very wide. He got the blue flag a number of times to let me and the other B through and never did. We finally both got around him. Then I was chasing the other B who proceeded to almost literally stop in the haybale chicane and turn 11, both corners where I was quicker. He slowed down so much at the chicane that I almost hit him and completely lost all momentum in turn 11. 2 laps later, the race was red flagged, then black flagged, then called. I pulled up next to him during the red flag (asked permission from a corner worker) to tell him it was fun playing with him and he immediately said "I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to block you". Which means, he purposefully overslowed to get me off him knowing he had more straight line speed.
All in all it was a great weekend. I got to see a good friend that I haven't seen in person literally in years and other vintage racers that I haven't seen in a while either. There was some good on-track action and the experience of Schenley is unlike any other.
Hatchet ran warmer than usual this weekend. I'm guessing it has something to do with the new front valence having less flow along with I'm betting the looped coolant hose at the back of the engine is heat soaking a bit. I've got ideas for both. The rear main leak hasn't gotten any better but when compared to the leaks I saw left from other cars in the paddock, it's in good company. The oil level hardly changed all weekend.
"Nasty" and the A which my friend takes care of. Q was running the Nash great on Saturday afternoon but the right rear brake gave up the ghost and he came in 1 lap before the end of the race with no brakes and big smoke. It was exciting.
He drove that 02 off the track to the paddock in that state...
