Hi everyone;

So I made it back from June 2009 NJ BMW CCA club race.

I did that race because my #111 car was stored in PA and I had to pick it up for the summer events in Canada.

I was also curious to see that new track.

The engine was freshened with new rings, gaskets and a new mapping

I wanted to use that race week-end to do a proper "shake down".

On the very first session after 6 laps, we had an overheating engine..... We found a faulty 22$ thermostat.... Damage was done and we elected to put a new head on after we found the first one would not hold its head gasket well after running hot....We finished at 22h00 and I promised my team I would bring that car to the front for them !

The next day, I woke up around 5h30 and was alone at the track. I still needed to learn the track so I walked it and then did about 10 laps on a scooter before the first employees started to get in for work. Good for me cause the morning practice session was cancelled because of a bad thunderstorm. They had to bring the corner workers in !

The first full session for me would then be the qualification race. Means I have to start from the back of the pack ( yesterday's mechanical DNS ). Means my finishing position, not my best lap time , would serve to set up grid for the PM Feature race. I will finish 10th in a 15 min heavy rained race. The most interesting fight was between me and my wiper / squeegee.....I lost that one.

The feature race was also interesting because 99% of the track had time to dry by early PM. All racers had to go for dry tires no question about it. Rains would have been destroyed in a few laps in 90 deg weather, and a hot and dry track. Problem arised from the 1% of the track that was still wet. Four puddles ( more than an inch of water crossing the whole width of the track ) made it very tricky. The first one in the fastest braking zone of turn one, the second in the chicane entry, the third one in octopus while fully loaded and the fourth one in the last corner ( a fast left in 5th ! ) before the front straight. You would try to hit those puddles straight for the mandatory aquaplaning on slicks. We would clench our teeth and do the best we could trying to control the car after it regained grip on the dry stuff. 

Started 10th and finished FIRST overall..... What a thrill ! 

I had some help from fast CM cars that decided to take it easy I guess. And from some front runners who went spinning and spinning....

As my grandpa used to say " Better be lucky than good "

Good I don't know but lucky, heck yes !

Big thank to German Motor Werks for their outstanding work and support