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1^st> apologies for the late posting…been flat-on-my-back sick.

The first 2 races of the fledgling 3D Carbon S2 Cup are over and by all measures, A GREAT SUCCESS!!

Jerry Anderson has written a race report and posted a great many VERY good photos in the "Race Report" section of the www.3DCarbonS2Cup.com website. I've posted some paddock shots in "The Hangout" section. I encourage everyone to post their own POV's and photos.

For now, here's how our weekend went>

Team Allison showed up with Kathy's (ex-Dan Scully) DB2 and my MS/02 Lola, just reassembled from a new Prince tub. I had just installed the last item (wicker) the day before, so we had no great expectations from the Lola. The first time it moved under its own power was to drive to Tech for a sticker. Kathy was still getting tuned into her new car. Yes, we were rusty and dusty, but the new 3D Carbon Series seduced us into showing up, pretty much totally unprepared. Exactly how I envisioned starting the 2009 season!

Friday had a test morning available and I hoped to get in some installation laps in the 1^st session and then start to dial the car in. No dice. It rained Friday AM and we had to watch our test hopes wash away (I hold sacrosanct my SoCal right not to own a set of rain tires). My first laps in the rebuilt Lola would be during National Practice on Friday PM….and I sure wasn't looking forward to that.

Friday afternoon cleared up and the Lola ran 5 easy laps with aplomb. We spent the rest of the day nut and bolting the car, just to be sure it was really ready for the races Sat & Sun.

Saturday's schedule was a Regional qualifying session, then later in the AM a National qualifying session, with a Regional race (and the 1^st race of the 3D Carbon Series) in the afternoon.

Saturday I had to come in early from the 1^st qual. session because the car started to overheat. Somehow the water pump belt had come off, which was odd, because I'd removed & installed the motor & trans as an assembly when rebuilding the tub…never touched the belt (or the entire drivetrain assy for that matter). Well, at least it was an easy fix….or so I thought. Unfortunately I qualified DFL because of the glitch. That's what happens when you use a qualifying session as a shakedown run, oh well…

Kathy soldiered on and qualified mid-pack, which we were satisfied with considering her limited driving experience, that, and the quality of the field at this event.

The 2^nd session on Saturday (the National qualifying round) had the Lola overheat again…and again, the belt had spun off. A brand new belt was installed (thanks Joe!) and the overheating issue was fixed for the rest of the weekend. Unfortunately, I qualified very, very low because of it.

Kathy again qualified mid-pack…even improved her qualifying position over the Regional qualifying time, so she was pleased with that.

The final session on Saturday was the 1^st race for the 3D Carbon S2 Cup Series!...11 cars took the green and it was good, close racing the whole time…..5 cars in the front pack all vying for 1^st place. Meanwhile, in the back of the pack, I was moving up steadily through the ranks. I had passed four cars by lap 7 when the car started to feel really loose in the back end. I came in with a tire puncture! What a day. What's worse, is that Kathy came in 2 laps later with a high speed miss. Team Allison was out of the race with both cars. Damn! Well, at least we got to see a great battle for the podium, with all around good guy Doug Ota taking the checker to become the 1^st winner of 2009. Congrats Doug!

Sunday dawned blustery, but the weather held all day, with more good S2000 racing ensuing!

Kat ran a hardship lap in the morning to confirm that we'd exorcized the demon miss. The Lola had new shoes on the back end. We were ready for Round 2 of the Series.

Once again, the front 5 cars mixed it up fast & furious (OK, Dave Ferguson was late to that party due to a cold tire mishap on the warm up lap….but he got back up there quick enough). I moved up a couple places and was trying to get into a rhythm after so much time off, when my brake pedal went ½ way to the floor, and then only to a sponge, at T16. I was quite fortunate that that turn had a runoff area, and I took it with all due immediacy! Joe Moran had a good view of it and probably wondered just what the hell happened to me! I soldered on for a lap or two, but the brakes never came back and I retired the car for the last time of the weekend. Ah well……

Kathy had a decent run, finishing the race in 6^th place.

Congratulations go to Ted Guenther…1^st time winner in his DB5 and a hard fought battle with Mr. Ostlund the entire race!

Willow Springs coming up next weekend…..should have another 10+++ cars….whoo-hoo!!

More details of the race in general and many photos at www.3DCarbonS2Cup.com.

BA