A beautiful weekend to kick off the first of 3 Palmer events for us this year. A few track records and numerous personal bests highlighted the weekend. There were also some great times to be had Saturday after the track went cold, special thanks to Ken Story, Will Martin, and Brandon Ganem for making that happen! Best to stick around after each event!
Paddock Heroes:
Mike Guertin
Mike Guertin – The coolant overflow tank on Matt Daniel’s Spec Ford developed a crack late Saturday, and threatened to put him out of commission for Sunday. Mike Guertin stepped up and took the tank back to his shop that night and welded it up, along with some custom graphics.
Mike Guertin, Ken Story and many others
“As a newly licensed COM driver, I still have a lot to learn. During day 1 I was 3 seconds faster than I was the previous year, but I knew I could do better. I decided to sit in on Dave Wittmer’s turn by turn video presentation alongside the other students. Boy was that worth it. I immediately shaved off another 3 seconds the next time I was out on track. Thanks Dave!
Then things went sideways. On Sunday, lap three of my TT, I heard a crunch and immediately slowed down and pulled into the pits. Another bad front wheel hub (two in two seasons). I jacked it up and without thinking, I started to remove the hub while still hot from the track. BIG MISTAKE. I ended up stripping two bolts in place. As much as I tried, I couldn’t remove them. I’m still more of a parts replacer than a mechanic.
Andrew LaValley came over and immediately tried to help. We borrowed some tools from Mark Swinehart and were able to remove one of them but he was packing up to go home, I felt bad for imposing, so I thanked him for his help telling him I’d find another way. I reluctantly walked down to the paddock and found Ken Story, Mike Guertin, Brandon Ganem, and Jesus Montoya, all who were willing to help. Within 15 minutes Ken, a master mechanic, was able to wedge a crowbar between the hub and the knuckle providing enough pressure on the bolt to back it out. Hub Off and I had a spare! But the new hub needed bolts…
Kyle Boldon immediately offered to take me to find some. No dice on the auto shop but we found some non-automotive bolts that fit at Lowes. “That’ll get me home at least”.
So many others checked in with me asking if I needed help, that I can’t recall them all. Scott Rosnick mentioned that a lot of drivers had good luck with SKF hubs, Chuck Comeau, who comes from the bearing world also confirmed that SKF is likely a good choice. I immediately ordered two bearings on my phone.
While finishing up the repair, Brandon, Mike, Ken and Jesus all stopped back by before they left to make sure all was well. Brandon told me they had come up with a plan B if I wasn’t able to get the car fixed, which involved me driving Mike’s track car 2 and a half hours home and him trailering my car to his house. “We can figure out the details later”. Wow, such an amazing group of new-found friends. So much generosity.
Bob Steenson refused to leave the track until I was all packed up after repairing the hub and told me to call him if I had trouble on the way.
On my way home, I got a message from Mike reminding me that if I had a problem to call him. The next day I got a message from Kyle asking if I got home safely. Amazing.
What can I say, I have told this story to all of my friends and family so many times already. I’m moved by the kindness that COMSCC engenders. It feels like family.
Thank you to all of you and I’m sorry if I missed any names.”
-Vince Collins #003
Class Results Summary
Super A – Tom Greer and Jon Harris both putting down some impressive times in the low 1:40s, but Tom ran a 1:41.111 to not only clinch first place, but also FTD and a Track Record!
Super B – This is going to be a class to watch this year with a lot of great competition with freshly licensed Daniel DiMatteo narrowly edging out Jeff Zissulis both driving M3s. They were followed by a couple of AWD cars and a V6 swapped RX7 just to show how diverse these classes are.
Super C – Jon Cowen put down a smoking 1:45.242 on some sticker Hoosiers to narrowly beat out Scott “Diagonal Cutters” Rosnick and Tom Cannon in their BMW. Matt Daniels was close behind them in his newly acquired Ford Spec Racer.
Super D – Jesus Montoya in his RX7 claimed first place, showing that rotaries can be reliable when you swap them out.
Super E – Jeff Wasilko put on a dominating performance in the Super Miata Class getting first place and setting a new track record in the process. Mark Swinehart got the most consistent award and he was not even in his own car!
Touring 100 – Bob Cairns took the top spot with a 1:43.109 with Steven Amanti following with another 1:43, both driving Corvette Z06.
Touring 90 – Brandon Travassos sporting a fresh set of New Balances took first place over Jeff Doolan who gave him a pretty good run for his money….get it, sneaker puns. Brandon’s time of 1:43:202 set a new track record for T90.
Touring 80 – A real shocker here…Chris Taylor won T80, but did so with a scorching 1:46.390. However, with some fast drivers lurking not far behind, who will be there to put some pressure on Chris later this season?
Touring 70 – Eric Breckner proving stickers do make you go faster, as long as they are sticker Hoosiers! This will be an entertaining battle to watch this year with Brandon Ganem and Andrew LaValley right on the heels of Eric’s 1:48.058.
Touring 60 – When a driver is developing a new car and chassis, you expect them to be slower and take a long time to sort out the car, can somebody please tell Dave Wittmer that? He ran a 1:48.655 which was plenty for a first place finish. Bob Steenson although not feeling 100% still managed to put down a 1:50.952.
Touring 50 – Dave Lemoine showed that Mazda MX-5’s can actually be driven fast by putting down a 1:49.127 to claim first over Dan Baldwin in his BRZ.
Touring 40 – First place went to Rodney Carriere in his Miata with an impressive 1:51.330. Emily Berthier former Miata driver showed she made the right choice of switching to the FRS platform by running a 1:52.255
Touring 30 – Nick Gaumond’s VTEC must not have kicked in, as T30 perennial front-runner Andrew Grigg took a commanding first place. Congrats to Jon Gomes for receiving his COM License and participating in his first COM Time Trial!