not an atypical event. Stuart Kestenbaum from Charleston struggled in the Z3 for most of the year, but we are not totally unsatisfied with the results. Stuart was third in SCAC points behind Zimmer and Myrtle Beach's Greg Lipscomb driving a Mazdaspeed Miata, but during the year he drove brilliantly finishing ahead of excellent drivers such as Don Bruner, Jr., Jon Krolewicz, and Nick Hallman.
Struggling with Development
2007 was tough as we struggled with car development and setup issues while we were taking the Z3 to a level where no-one else has taken a Z3 in STS2 before. Most of our competitors believe we are fighting an uphill battle as we try to make the Z3 competitive in STS2, but neither Stuart nor I believe that to be the case.
During the year, we learned quite a bit about suspension setup, and by the end of the year we were "miles ahead" in knowledge compared to the start of the year. Additionally, we started the year on Falken Azenis RT615 tires, and made a late season switch to Bridgestone RE-01R tires which was probably a mistake. I am not criticizing the Bridgestone tires here, but we didn't know enough about them to switch to them late in the season. However, the learning experience will bode well for 2008, and we believe Bridgestone is the right choice of tires among the sizes available to us.
At the end of the year, we discovered we had an Engine Control Management (ECM) module problem in the car, and we hadn't even realized it. This "computer problem" was costing us horsepower and torque while creating drivability problems. In and of itself, the discovery and rectification of the ECM problem has given us a brighter outlook for 2008.
Another Championship Year in STS2
While Stuart was struggling in Pro Class, I was having a somewhat better time of it in STS2 open class. Matt Palombi from Columbia, SC has emerged as one of the better drivers in the Carolinas, and he had his Honda CRX prepared extremely well as the season started. Matt had campaigned in G-Stock with the car the previous year, but both he and the car seemed to come to life as they entered 2007 in a street tire class. Matt continued to develop the car during the year and went faster and faster as 2007 progressed.
In short, the season (and Championship) came down to a last event "shoot-out" between Matt and me for the SCAC STS2 title, and all I needed to do was finish no lower than one position behind him to win the Championship. Matt's development (and our problems) had seemed to put the CRX driver miles ahead of us, and the outcome of the Championship was in question. Then I got a break from the "autocross fairy" as Matt's co-driver edged him out in the final event, causing him to finish in second place compared to my third place finish, so the STS2 crown came back to me for the second year in a row.
During the year, other STS2 competitors began to emerge as Marty Bull (Miata) got better with each event he entered. Additionally, both Aimee Fincher and C.D. Rozsa had STS2 victories during the year driving Matt's CRX.
Outlook for 2008
All in all, 2007 was quite a learning experience for both Stuart and me. For 2008, we intend to do it again, and we believe we have the Z3 closer to being nationally competitive than anyone realizes at this point.
For the SCAC, new competitors will be in place for 2008. Michael Jones will be competitive in his Honda CRX as the season begins, and Marty Bull has driven his Miata to two victories in off-season events. This coming year should be fun.
In Pro Class, Per Olof Ezelius who is back from Sweden should be able to compete during the entire season this year, and Geoff Zimmer is back in his VW "Super" Rabbit. Nick Hallman will be interesting with his well-prepped Van Damem Formula Ford, "Turbo" John Robinson's Acura can never be counted out, and Charlie Fullwood has proven he can win with his MR2 on any day.
2008 should be a great year!
Later,
JB
