Infineon Oregon Invasion - Brian Towey

I had called Colleen at the San Francisco Region offices to inquire about entries possibly being closed as there was a lot of buzz about a huge field for the Spec Miata Festival. I was assured that no entries would be refused – I remember what happened the last time I was assured of something, so I sent mine in just in case.

Ten days before the event came an announcement that 87 cars were entered and no more would be accepted. The maximum number of cars on track would be 69 – so there would be a “go or go home” qualifying scenario. How cool is that?

We all made our way separately. Bruce and Lori Wilson with kids in tow had planned a family vacation around the event and were traveling in a large motor coach with A/C (thank God!!!). Ken, Carrie and Emma did their usual family road trip - Chuck and I each did our solo road warrior programs.

We rolled into a mostly empty paddock Wednesday afternoon (empty and about 110 degrees). My car had been on the trailer since being loaded at the conclusion of the Oregon Region finale the previous Sunday. I used the time after setting up camp to insure no important bits were about to fall off of it. I also successfully removed most of the now caramelized apple juice that had been so carefully deposited that day – thanks Will. If I were to do something like that it would surely punch my ticket for passage to Hell.

The facility is absolutely beautiful and the San Francisco crowd immediately made us feel right at home. Previous acquaintances reintroduced themselves and we met many more for the first time. We had more offers to show us around the track than we could accept. Everybody should experience Tommy O’s Beverage and Concierge Service – you name it, every courtesy was extended.

Infineon is a real race track, with real penalties. Thankfully, I’d had an opportunity to study some of Dean Thomas’ video. Still, with at least four corners having an element of blindness, short looking run-off areas and an intimidating turn10 it was going to be a serious challenge to get speed. We all did laps on the Thursday before the event. All of us use AiM logger systems (in addition to my lager system which is filled with ice) so we would benefit from the sharing of data

In first practice the Oregonians were 3rd, 5th, 13th and 38th. - not so bad for our first timed session at a difficult venue. Ken then made us all proud by putting himself on the front row for the first race – the rest followed in 8th, 14th and 40th. In the race Ken was 4th, I was 9th, Bruce moved forward to 12th and Chuck was 56th. Afterward, Chuck looked as though he’d seen his life pass before him – it seems there is a unique sort of “aggressive” behavior in the mid-pack that I am happy not to have witnessed…

We survived the second race in similar fashion. The qualifier for the second Regional would also set the grid for the Festival race. Ken was 8th after suffering a gearbox malfunction (it seems that the part on top was going too far to the left when pulled rearward toward 4th from the gear known as 3rd). This also marked the start of a decline in the performance of his motor. I would start 10th, Bruce in 18th and Chuck 45th. Chuck experienced a differential failure in the second race and as we were without a spare he chose to call it a weekend.

The Festival race was much like the second except that on lap 13 Bruce had worked to the top 10 only to be unceremoniously booted back to 14th – that kind of sucks!!! I moved forward several spots (and botched a last lap chance at a top 5), Ken (with his failing power-plant) faded slightly. Most importantly, all of us were able to drive our cars back to the paddock. Perhaps “crash fest” doesn’t mean what I think it means… Well done everybody!!!

Brad Rampelberg had destroyed the field and Mark Drennan was the bridesmaid 3 times. Dave McAnaney, Rick Ramondo, Ken Dobson, Tommy Olivier and Jeremy Hittle all ran near the front as did Ken and I. There was plenty of the hardest and cleanest racing you’d ever care to see. It was terrific.

Another highlight for me was at the Ian Cook Spec Miata Party and Tequila Gala on Friday night I won the prize of a flight with Dan Mairani (aka Dr. Dent and the Tooth Fairy). It was great fun to see the Napa and Sonoma Valley’s and the race track from above – thanks Dan.

I’ve declared the Oregon Invasion a success (so the issue is settled) and look forward to the threatened “counter strike” from the south – but, you know what they say about San Francisco… First they’ll need a committee meeting to determine whether anybody’s civil rights could be violated by making such a trip. Hope to see you guys and girls soon.

BT

Race Report Archives

Pacific Raceways May 2007 Race Report

May 2007 ORRC Race Report

April 2007 ORRC Race Report

2007 Thunderhill Double National Re-cap

March 18 - Thunderhill National Race Report

March 4, 2007 - Fluge Global Adventures Regional

2006 Runoffs Ken Sutherland Race Report

April 23, 2006 Oregon Region Spec Miata Race Report

April 2, 2006 Oregon Region Spec Miata Race Report