VARA Willow Springs April 5-6

[RtbRacer]

He better be careful, I have already gotton signed up this weekend for that car in race group!!! See you this weekend at willow. Also on Sunday the #181 turned a 1:36.

Richard

[ECARRILLO]

I Just had to go search the archives I had and look for 1997 times!

I was amazed to read 1:37!!! Back in 1997 when I raced in Willow the best time of the Alfa-Porsche Challenge was Rex Chalmers with a 1:38:448 followed by Kevin Mckee with a 1:38:993.

On the DP race the fastest time was done by Henrry Manney in a GTA with a 1:37:656

Now, is "FLZCAT" GTV-RTB a very good combo? By what I read it seems RTB just started racing, maybe I'm wrong.

What has changed in the rules or what new technological improvements have been made to get this times.

Could it be that times @ Willow are subject to change (drastically) due to weather conditions. It was cold wind and sunny, not extreme conditions.

Regards,

[75evo]

Yes weather does play an important role. In January, some cars usually running 1:40+ in warmer and windier September events turned 1:38-1:39s. But Even if you add 2-seconds to Rtb-racer's time, it would still be below 1:40, which is nothing short of impressive.

[Sniady]

It's the next generation comming up.

[Bruce Colby]

All this talk of lap times got me curious. According to the AROSC website the time trial lap records for WSIR are:

Class time Driver Car Date
A 1:39.974 Grubb, Jake GTV 01/12/03
B 1:36.434 Henderson, Robin GTV 02/05/95
C 1:40.164 Mayring, Chris Sprint 01/12/03
D 1:40.670 Brown, Alex GTV 12/04/94
E 1:45:139 Brown, Alex GTV 02/09/92
F 1:45.139 Simon, Avakian Berlina 12/04/94
Z 1:38.138 Stoher, Derk GTV/GT3 01/14/01

Clearly anything in the high 1:30's is fantastic!

Bruce Colby

[ECARRILLO]

Bruce,

For us who don't know details could you please explain the diferences in classes?

Thanks,

[Bruce Colby]

I wish there was a simple answer to this but there is not. Classification is based on a point system similar to, but not the same as, that used by AROC National (www.aroc-usa.org). I believe you can download the AROC Competition Code from their website. Basically, class A through F cars are production Alfas of one sort or another. Class Z is a nonproduction vehicle (formula or sports/racer) using Alfa power with >1300 cc's. Each Alfa model is given a point value based on it's preceived competitive potential. After that, points are added (subtracted?) based on modifications that alter that potential. For example, a 1600 GTZ is given 186 base points while a 1600 Giulia TI is 125 base points. Changing to hotter cams adds points. The number of points depends on how "hot" the cams are. Going to race tires adds points as does changing the size of the wheels and/or tires. You get the idea. All the points are totaled and the final value determines the classification.

Basically, an A class car is a very race oriented car, lots of mods. An F class car is a very street oriented car with relatively little speed potential. Oh, there are actually G through J classes but I've never seen one at the track. There is also an X class for non-production Alfa powered cars with <1300 cc's.

I hope this helps. If you want more detail, the best bet would be to contact the Competition Chairman at AROSC (www.arosc.org).

Finally, I appologize for spelling Derk Stoher's name incorrectly.