2007 Runoffs Diary

The MCR77 Racing Team competed in the 2007 SCCA National Championship Runoffs in the GT Lite class with the #70 Honda CRX and DSR class with the #25 Radical.

October 16, 2007 - Audio comments from Mark about the weekend are available, click play on the media player below.

October 15, 2007 - Lawrence Meisner in the #25 DSR went out at 4:15PM for his race.  He was able to complete 5 laps when he was meatballed for mechanical problems.  Other than that he said he had a good time.

DSR Final Race Results PDF File

October 12, 2007 - Results just became final.  Mark finished 13th out of 29 GTLs that started.  Times improved and Mark got a 1.50.4 time.  Could have improved one more position but the full course yellow came out.  Car is perfect and already loaded in trailer.  "I had a great time at my first National Championship race.  Thanks to all the family, Friends and Sponsors who helped me through this racing season." said Mark Connolly after the race.

GTL Final Race Results PDF File

Mark Connolly in the #70 GTL CRX finished a strong 13th out of 29 cars. Driver comments will be available once results are official.

Mark Connolly went out at 7:30AM for the final warmup session and got the tires scrubbed in.  Got the motor warmed up, brakes warmed and fluids moving. Just waiting for our time to race.

October 11, 2007 - Final qualifying session updates from Heartland Park.

#70 GTL with driver Mark Connolly
Final qualifying day. Still a shortened session. Made some improvements in driving lines which made the car feel better. No improvement on times, but the comfort level of the track is there. We are now qualified 15th out of 30 GTL cars. Car is prepped and ready to go. A 10 minute warm up at 7:30AM and the race is at 10:25AM on Friday. Weather appears to be great for racing.

#25 DSR with Lawrence Mesiner
He completed his final qualifing session. Still struggling with the track. He will be starting at the back of the pack on Sunday. Hopefully with the help of the other drivers, he will make good improvements during his race on Sunday.

Final Qualifying Sheet for GTL

Final Qualifying Sheet for DSR

October 10, 2007 - Updates from today's session, just one more qualifying session to go.

#70 GTL with driver Mark Connolly
Poor qualifing day due to situations on track and shorten sessioned.  Only had one clean lap, but the car felt great otherwise.

#25 DSR with driver Lawrence Meisner
Finally had a dry complete session.  Still learning the track, but the session was successful.

Photos from the pits at KS.

October 9, 2007 - Qualifying updates from the track.

#70 GTL with driver Mark Connolly
Shorten session at 1:30PM due to combined qualifing groups. Times did not improved today due to several disabled cars on track. The car felt good, but Mark lost 2 positions due to more GTL's coming out to qualify. "Needed more time on track." said Mark after the session

#25 DSR with driver Lawrence Meisner
Lawrence went out for his qualifing session at 5:40PM. He was able to complete 2 laps and was towed in with a broken left rear axle shaft. Mark got it fixed and the car is ready for the next qualifying session on Wednesday.

Some more pictures from KS.

October 8, 2007 - Updates from the team from KS.

Monday October 8, 2007 at 10:50AM. #25 DSR Radical, Driver Lawrence Meisner - First time out on track for the qualifying session. The track was wet due to overnight rain. Took his time to learn the track and turns and had a fruitful session at the end of the day.

"Made some tire pressure adjustments. Improved driving lines and shifting points. Felt more comfortable with the corners. A 4.8 second improvement. As of now I am less than 4 seconds of the new track configuration record." said Mark Connolly after the first qualifying session in the #70 GTL CRX

Some photos of Lawrence Meisner and Mark Connolly from Heartland Park, Topeka, KS.

October 7, 2007 - Updates from today's session with selected quotes from driver Mark Connolly.

Sunday October 7, 2007 at 8:20AM. Mark went out for the first test session. Learning the track, Shifting points, breaking in new Carbotech brakes. Went to the scales to weigh car and driver, 1913 which is good since minimun weight is 1900. Other than that a good session.

Sunday October 7, 2007 at 11:20AM. Mark went out for the second test session after softening the rebound on the Penske shocks, 4 new Hoosier tires, I completed 15 test laps. The session ended with positive results. "Even though there was no fuel pressure due to lack of gas in the fuel cell, I made it over the scales, and back to paddock with a weight of 1889. Oops 11 pounds under. Now I have calculated how much fuel I will need to be at weight after my race on Friday. Another good session." said Mark Connolly after the end of the second session.

Sunday October 7,2007 at 3:20PM. The team chose to sit out this session "No need for the third session since I felt good with the adjustments I made." reported Mark Connolley via email to the crew back home in PA.

October 6, 2007 - The team arrived successfully to Topeka, KS and are all set up. The team wiill go out Sunday for 3 practice sessions, weather permitting.