2008 May Nationals at Nelson Ledges
May 23, 2008
79 GTL Mark Connolly
The team arrived at Nelson Ledges and began preparations for the race weekend. Mark chose to waive the first qualifying session as it was relatively cool. Decided to instead run the second qualifying session when the track would have more rubber on it. After running a few laps to get heat into the tires it was time to get a good qualifying run. But, the session was cut short by an incident with another car dropping oil on the track as a result we were unable to get a good qualifying run.
25 DSR Laurence Meisner
Laurence arrived at the track and wanted to go out to get comfortable with the car and the track. He informed us that he was feeling a little ill and was not sure he could drive. He was able to complete both qualifying sessions and decided to go back to the hotel to lie down and rest.
May 24, 2008
79 GTL Mark Connolly
It turned out to be a much warmer morning and the team again decided to waive the first qualifying session. The team went out in the afternoon for the second session, the car felt great and Mark was very comfortable with the handling and the track. Mark ran his fastest ever lap time at Nelson with the car on the SCCA specified restrictor. While it was good session Mark commented that there was more time out there.
25 DSR Laurence Meisner
Laurence got to the track mid morning and stated he was feeling a little better. He went out to complete both qualifying sessions. Once again he decided to go back to the hotel to lie down and rest and prepare for the double header race weekend.
May 25, 2008
79 GTL Mark Connolly
The team arrived at the track early to go over the car and start prepping the car for the race. The morning was warmer and the track was clear. Our race was the 1st race after lunch with Mark qualified in 5th place in GTL and 11th overall with a time of 1.18.374. Mark got a great start but was unable to catch the top GTL cars. With the ever increasing track temperatures the front tires were slowly starting to fade. With the front tires fading Mark went for into preservation mode and brought the car home in 5th place in GTL and 9th overall with a fast time of 1.17.226.
25 DSR Laurence Meisner
Laurence got to the track around lunch time. His race was after ours in group 7 after lunch. The car was prepped and ready to go. He got to grid and was off on the pace lap, the green flag flew and he was off and running. Laurence completed the race with no issues and recorded his first ever victory in DSR with a fast lap time of 1.15.424.
May 26, 2008
79 GTL Mark Connolly
Forecast called for rain and the team arrived on track early to get the rain tires and the intermediate tires ready just in case we needed to use them. By lunch time the rain by passed us so we did not need to use them. Finished prepping the car and got ready for grid. Mark had qualified 4th in GTL and 11th in group with a time of 1.16.425. Did not have a good start and Mark fell to 5th place in the GTL class and was fighting the car the entire race. Mark was not the only one with issues as two other GTL cars came in to pit and headed back to paddock with motor issues. Over the radio Mark stated the car was starving for fuel. After the checker flag, Mark took 3rd in GTL and 6th in group with a time of 1.17.533. Once back in paddock we found out that the air box came loose and it will be an easy fix for the next race at Mid Ohio.
25 DSR Laurence Meisner
Laurence arrived to the track with the forecast stating 50% chance of rain, but the skies quickly cleared and the temperatures rose. The green flag flew and after an incident free Laurence went on to complete his second DSR win and second win for the weekend with a fast time of 1.12.570. He decided not to take his victory lap since he had to catch a plane for home.
All in all it was a very successful weekend at Nelson Ledges in both GTL and DSR. Both cars left the track with no issues and the team will be back racing next weekend for the Mid Ohio race. |
