The Rush Motorsport and Onyx Motorsport team of Don Thibaut and Clement Lee scored a 1-2 finish at Willowsprings Raceway on Saturday and a 2-3 finish in Sunday's race, Running clockwise in Willowsprings 2.5 miles road racing circuit.

Did anyone say summer in Willow Springs? With ambient air temperature in the triple digits, our double regional proved to be a summer sizzler. The idea of getting to an air conditioned room after the race became a prime motivator to finish quickly.

Beside heat, tire wear was another issue. Compounding the problem was that none of Toyo dealers and distributors in the country had Spec Miata RA1 tires available. One set of worn tire was what I have and no more. After the practice session, we (the Rush Motorsport team and I) decided to just run only a couple of laps in qualifying in order to conserve our tires.

Holding our breath, both Don (Thibaut) and I went for it before calling it off after just a couple of laps. Our in-car timer did not register but our hand time showed we should be in the ball park. When the qualifying sheet came out, we were surprised to find ourselves 1-2 in the SM field with Andrew (Fernandez) just fraction behind in third, all of us sandwiched by several I.T. cars.

Without a split start for Spec Miata, We are like sitting ducks for the I.T. cars running right behind us. The pole sitter kept the field really tight as we headed down the straight. As the green flag waved, the Civic and Integra blew right by Andrew and I. Don managed to stay ahead of the other cars as they backed off going into turn 1. That in turn caused me and Andrew to back off a bit as well, and loosing some momentum in the process.

I and Andrew ran nose to tail for several laps before Andrew successfully drafted and completed a pass in turn 1. I immediately countered attacked and returned the favor next time around in turn 1. Back in nose to tail formation around we went once more. Andrew tried his pass once again in turn 1 but instead a nudge sent me pointing 45 degrees from where I was going. Somehow I manage to catch the car and kept it ahead of Andrew. Having lost some momentum, Andrew drew level and made his pass going into turn 3.

Regaining my composure, I tucked in behind Andrew and tailed him several laps before trying him in turn 1 one more time without success. We continued in this formation for several more laps as I looked for holes here and there. While Andrew and I diced and Andrew plugging all the holes, Don steadily pulled away unchallenged. A couple more tries at turn 1 was close but no cigar. Finally Andrew managed to make use of some back markers going into the Omega, turn 3, and put a few car lenghts in between him and myself. But as the saying goes, "what goes around comes around", Andrew got caught up in some other back markers in turn 9. While he had to lift, I was able to keep my foot down and completed the pass on the front straight.

But Andrew was not giving up... a lap later, Andrew faked an outside move in turn 2, dived inside, then completed a pass into turn 3. The laps were winding down as I showed my nose again going into turn 1 with no avail. Andrew went just a bit wide at turn 4 (top of Omega) was all I needed to slip through but Andrew was right back on my tail. The 1 lap board was shown as we headed into the last lap nose to tail. Andrew tried to tuck inside in turn 2 and I barely out braked him going into turn 3. Finally, Andrew put 2 wheels off at the bottom of the omega, giving me a few car lengths breathing room heading towards the finish, making it another 1-2 finish for the Rush Motorsport cars.
 

Click the following links  for video footage:

The Start - 1:00 - 2MB

Passed by Andrew - 0:20 - 1MB

S2000 Spin - 0:13 - 1MB

Re-passed Andrew - 0:28 - 1MB

Nudged by Andrew - 0:14 - 1MB

Another Nudge by Andrew - 0:12 - 0.5MB

Passed by Andrew - 0:17 - 1MB

Try to re-pass Andrew - 0:15 - 0.7MB

Try to re-pass Andrew again - 0:16 - 0.7MB

Another try to re-pass Andrew - 0:13 - 0.6MB

Andrew's trick and Celica spin - 0:37 - 1MB

Andrew caught in traffic - 0:20 - 0.9MB

Another pass by Andrew - 0:30 - 1.3MB

Try to re-pass Andrew - 0:15 - 0.7MB

Final Pass - 0:18 - 0.8MB

Disaster almost struck during qualifying as both Don and I went off the track in turn 1 at a high rate of speed. Surprisingly, we still managed to qualify up front before being called in. Andrew meanwhile switched to an alternate car, which proved to be quite a bit faster, although he had to start from the back.

Sunday's race was shortened to 20 min (as opposed to the regular 30 min), I assumed due to heat and everyone wanted to go home early! With tires all used up in Saturdays race, this was more a race to stay on the track. Andrew with his alternate car quickly made up any disadvantage of starting in the back by turn 1 in the opening lap. Within a few laps, Andrew easily charged into lead. With a pitted windshield and no tires remaining, Don and I managed to stay clear of everyone and maintain a 2-3 running order at the finish.

I want to thank all the workers, safety crew and especially the corner workers that flagged for us under the sweltering heat. The event would not be possible with you. Thanks again to Rush Motorsport for getting my car ready for the races. See you all at the next event.