As part of my West Coast Redline Time Attack tour, I entered Round #6 held at Willow Springs International Raceway (otherwise known as “Big Willow”) on the July 4th weekend. Special thanks to the folks at Buddy Club USA for sponsoring my entry!







The excitement began during the Saturday practice sessions, where I was hitting 1:36/37 on old, beatup Dunlop Z1’s street tires. Weather was hot, and very windy making for less than ideal conditions. After the day’s practice sessions, I enjoyed some downtime, drinking beers from a keg with the Berk Technology Team and Paul Walker (esteemed actor and driver for the AE Performance team). At night, Redline put on a 23min fireworks show with the pyrotechnics shot from right on top of the Omega turn.





Come Sunday, time attack day, I knew I had to find some more time in order to beat the AE Performance 370Z driven by Paul Dentice (who has been kicking my ass all year). I threw on my semi-fresh NT05’s (used once during the last RTA) mounted on my brand new 949 Racing 6URL wheels. During Sunday morning qualifying, I positioned 3rd in Enthusiast RWD class and in 3nd overall in the Enthusiast Class, trailing the AE Performance 370Z and the HP Autowerks E92 M3. I would just like to note that these cars have nearly 100hp and 200hp, respectively, on my underpowered S2000.



During the first time attack session, I managed to RUN OUT OF GAS and didn’t even finish one timed lap. My fuel gauge read 1/3 full. NOTE TO DRIVERS WHO TRACK THEIR S2000 - The fuel gauge becomes extremely inaccurate under hard cornering conditions so 1/3 basically means EMPTY! I was extremely bummed out that I had to sit out the first time attack session. During the 2nd and final attempt, I went for broke and hit a 1:35.780 on my third and final timed lap, good for 2nd place in RWD and 2nd Enthusiast Class overall! Unfortunately it was not good enough to beat Paul Dentice in the AE Motorsports 370Z who did a 1:34.111. Anderson Tanoto in the HP Autowerks E92 M3 came in 3rd with a 1:36.392.



My next stop on the Redline Time Attack Western Regional Series is at the season finale at the Auto Club Speedway on November 13th & 14th. Hope to see you then!

 

congrats! now in for vids

 

go Ed!

btw, isnt "s2000 power" an oxymoron?

 

Daryl - my SD card ran out of space so I didn't get a vid of my TA laps

LOL @Jim. Pretty much sums up why I was only 1 of 2 S2000's at RTA this round (and the only one to podium)

 

good job Ed! you will get the 370z next time!

just make sure you have gas.. lol

 

Nice congrats ed

vik- smirfs brother