LATEST NEWS:
The Record Breaker Nationals presented a
challenging weekend for our team.
On Friday we experienced technical difficulties
with our electronics. Steve Bothwell and the
Bothwell race team heard that we were having
difficulties and offered to help. Unfortunately,
we ran late into the frigid night making repairs.
We would like to thank Steve Bothwell and the
entire Bothwell team help in diagnosing the
problem and lending us replacement parts.
On Saturday, things started out pretty good.
Our qualifying times improved with each pass
and it looked like we were back on track. Well,
almost on track. On our last qualifying pass,
just past the finish line, the intake manifold
opened up and fuel poured onto the exhaust. The good news was we ran a 6.26 which would have put us in the #1 qualifier position. When I reached the end of the track I was feeling heat coming from the front of the car. As I pulled the chute I realized the car was on fire and immediately pulled the fire suppression pin. After activating the fire system the fire continued to burn. When the fire crew arrived they made short work of putting the fire out. The brake lines were burned and the car had to be hauled on the flat bed. And given the extent of the damage, we did not feel it was necessary to scale the car. This turned out to be a mistake, as George pointed out in a previous post. Lesson learned! We would like to thank the Las Vegas track crew for taking care of our car and getting it back to the trailer. You folks are the best in the business! Unfortunately, it looked like our weekend was over.
After close inspection the Crew decided to dig deep and see if it was possible to get the car back on track. With the crew fired up and support from all our competitors, it started to look like we might just make it. Jay Syvertson lent us a set of brake lines, Boswell lent us a welder and Ignition coil, we borrowed a spare fire bottle and a spare boost control solenoid and there were surely others helping that we have regrettably missed. We cannot thank you all enough for your support. Ron Weems stopped by with a kick butt blast furnace! With the extremely cold temperatures, the heat he provided was much appreciated!!! Thanks Ron! Around 2 am we finished most of the repairs and the car was ready.
Sunday morning we arrived back at the track after 3 hours sleep for the third night straight. Although we were exhausted, we were definitely pumped to still be in the game! First round we were up against Jay Syvertson. We ended up winning that round.
The next round we had Jim Knight, with his revamped Corvette. Jim lost control of his race car and hit the wall, thank God he was all right, and we moved on to the next round. Round three we were up against John Scialpi. John shook the tires and we advanced to the Finals.
In the Finals, we were matched up against Clint Hariston. Clint had been consistent all weekend and they were on a roll. Clint took the win with a 6.304/233.52 to my Red Light 6.434/223.06. Congratulations to the Hariston's on the win.
Many great teams helped us last weekend. Bothwell Motorsports was a huge help with parts, tools and expertise and congratulations on setting both ET and MPH records in your class. Jay Syvertson and Rob Guazzaroni from Diversified Race Cars helped throughout the weekend. PSCA has some of the most competitive racers in the sport, however if you are a racer in need, they are there for you.
I would also like to take a moment to thank our sponsors whose generous support is greatly appreciated. Muscle Motors, Deeds Performance, QMP Racing Engines, Turbo People, Bigstuff3, Mickey Thompson Performance Tires and Wheels, Pro Torque, Northwest Auto Body .
Associate Sponsors, Ford Racing, Isky Racing, Accufab, Aeromotive, Olmos Landscaping, SCE Gaskets and Rossler Transmissions.
See you all in March!
Gentile Racing
Gentile Racing is off to a great start in 2010, we have already been
to 1 final round, losing to red light. We have another final round to
finish at a later date for last weekends Fontana race.
Please check out the link below.
