Mark Connolly and Dave Heinz headed up to Watkins Glen for the Last Chance 4 hour enduro. This would be the first long enduro for the ITS RX-7 in preparation for a possible 2010 full endurance racing effort.
The team arrived at Watkins Glen and were immediately greeted with bad weather. Dark and dreary skies with small hail. With qualifying looking like it would be affected by weather the team opted for a full wet set up. Both Mark and Dave took it easy as they learned the tricky Watkins Glen circuit. After qualifying the team was a respectable 48th out of 56 cars.
Thankfully the weather begun clearing and the team switched to the dry set up as the green flag fell on the race. Mark would be starting the race from 48th position and looking to do a 1 hour 10 minute stint. As the race progressed Mark began to work his way through the field and a lucky yellow allowed Mark to close back up to the leaders.
Another full course yellow for a stopped car meant the team made full use and opted for a driver change. Dave would get into the car and do a full 1 hour 20 minute stint before handing back the wheel to Mark. Dave's stint went flawlessly and he pitted, a fuel spill meant the team had to take a penalty and lost significant time. At the time of pitting Dave was sitting 37th overall and 5th in class.
Mark headed back our for the last hour of the race and worked his way up to 26th overall and 5th in class and set the 8th fastest lap of the race. in any class. All it all it was a great weekend out with the RX-7 and a good shakedown for future enduros.
