Spec Miata at the Runoffs

[Phil Royle]

I don't really have any time to post multiple images, but I thought this picture pretty much summed up the Spec Miata race at this year's SCCA Runoffs...it didn't rain during the race, but it rained earlier and the track was still wet. I would say there'll be more images to come, but I'm not sure when I'll have time to post 'em.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6ce34b3127cce8e7aea4c2f3400000016108AZuGzRy1Ztx

[Dennis Murray]

So what's the verdict on Heartland Park's premier?

[Phil Royle]

All in all, people semed happy. There were several things that could have gone better, but that's to be expected at a new venue. Many think the track didn't quite know what to expect when it came to how the Runoffs would work -- which is a little odd since the track owner is a GT-1 competitor and I believe has run at the Runoffs in the past. But all the races started on time, or within reason, and for those not behind the scenes, everything looked flawless. What was really interesting is Mr. Mid-Ohio (aka: John Heinricy) didn't win a sinlge race this year, where as at Mid-Ohio he'd drive away from the pack in any class he entered. This year he stuffed his car in the SSC race (lap 1, turn 1), came in something like 4th in T1 and I don't think podiumed in AS. It was nice to see some one else lead and win T1 for a change...Scotty White cut a tire otherwise he would have run away with the win, and Cindy Lux could have won, but she made a couple errors and gave the lead away.

Where there was a lot of grumpyness was at the Solo Nationals. The track grided the cars funny and I heard the event stewards had to tell the track that things had to change.

[Phil Royle]

Here's another picture. This one was a result of first or second lap antics in the E Production race. From what I hear, everyone walked away okay.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6ce37b3127cce8e6c87ad063a00000016108AZuGzRy1Ztx

[Jeff Boerio]

It was nice to see some one else lead and win T1 for a change...Scotty White cut a tire otherwise he would have run away with the win, and Cindy Lux could have won, but she made a couple errors and gave the lead away.

Where there was a lot of grumpyness was at the Solo Nationals. The track grided the cars funny and I heard the event stewards had to tell the track that things had to change.

Cindi said her brakes were fading and she just simply couldn't hold Lance off any longer. She could have defended her position when he went for the pass, but it would have resulted in both of them getting a DNF. Discretion being the better part of valor, she did the smart thing, but just couldn't get back to him before the checkered flag.

Jeff

[Phil Royle]

I heard Cindi entered turn 14 trying to defend her position and that resulted in her sliding wide onto the front straight, leaving Lance an opening. I spent the race at turn 8/9 so I didn't see the pass myself. If her brakes were fading then I can understand her running a defensive line to try to protect the position -- and that could have been dangerous had she tried to do that for the duration of the race. I think she made a wise decision.

But it was nice watching her lead for a while.