Race Report Thunderhill August 11-12 2007
written by Steve Krshul

Well it was August in Willows, CA again and there we all were. The paddock has definitely swollen in the past six months, mostly due to Valley Motorwerks and their growing support for SpecE30. The Valley Motorwerks tandem enclosed trailer was a big hit, and with a few tweaks a paddock favorite. The grid is growing at a good pace and even a few Pro7 guys came by for some shoptalk and interest in our group. Just a quick thanks to all the support, help and all around good comradery from the following (in no special order): Austin Ford IV, AJ Goldsmith, Donny Edwards, Kevin Borchers, Walter Ford, Ryan Johnson, Alex Kang, and everyone from NASA.

Well onto the racing. Saturday started out slow for me with over-camed sway bar end links rubbing on the axles and as Donny put it, the only thing that helped him keep focus for the last laps of practice. Shiny things. Then there was qualifying and once again over-camed swaybar end links. The links on half bar tension would cam over on Turn 5A when the car would become airborne. For those of you that have never been to Thunderhill, Turn5A is a steep little hump with a bite. With a little help from our paddock crew chief Kevin Borchers I was able to adjust the car to keep from cam-over (you don’t get inside help from your Sunday competition everyday). That wasn’t enough for me to hold off Donny Edwards at the start of the race. At the entrance of turn four we were three + wide and at the exit I was in the grass. The first twenty or so feet were almost pleasant and things seem to slow down until the hole appeared and swallowed my right front tire, leaving only the severe and almost unbearable steering wheel shake and vibration form the two massive bends in my irreplaceable 1991 bottlecaps. I continue around the circuit and entered the paddock to find the entire crew minus ready for my response. Walter and Ryan sprang into action removing the right front in an almost NASCAR pit maneuver. I was once again on the track only two laps down finishing second in a field of two. Donny Edwards was victorious again. Way to go Donny.

Sunday is easy. We have spoken of the event now at least three times and every time we both have the biggest irremovable smile I have ever felt. Kevin and I ran our hearts outs, playing, shaking it up, working as one in a field of nearly 50. Our lap times speak for themselves at 2.12.81 and 2.12.82. It was better than any competition I have ever engaged in. It was as if we were one car with two drivers. Qualifying was normal. The race was average with myself getting a jump in turn one and yes slamming the door in turn four (sorry Kevin I had green light-itis). Kevin was on me for sure and his sights focused and precise with my position but a full course caution bunched us up and the pack seemed to fall asleep when the lights on the pace car went out and I kept the lead to the finish. After the race Kevin and I continued to re-live the morning practice and agreed that it will be the pinnacle of our SpecE30 racing for a while to come.

Kevin Borchers (L), Jennifer Germond and Steve Krshul (R)