1708 ORAF 500 Race Report
Round 3 of the 2010 ATK Engines Jeepspeed Desert Race Series
M.O.R.E. ORAF 500, May 22, 2010
Team 1708Race entered the MORE Oraf 500 with a target on their back as the team to beat. With impressive wins in the first two of five rounds of the Jeepspeed Desert Race Series, we were solidly in first place for the championship run.
A conservative strategy was the plan of the day. A requested rear start in a field of 15 Jeepspeed 1700 racers would allow us to watch the race unfold in front of us, keeping in contact with the leaders and stay in a position for a podium finish and preserve our run at the championship.
At 15 second intervals between cars, the first car left the line with a 3min 30 second head start. Spotters all along the course would keep track of our position on course and corrected time.
Upon taking the green flag, the first car was quickly passed before the first mile. By mile 5, another 6 cars were passed. By mile 10, over half the field was checked off. It was clear that with the adrenalin of the start of the race, we were pushing a bit harder than we needed to. We slowed and settled in to a comfortable pace for the car and we would let the front runners set the pace and let the race come to us.
End of lap one had all but the 1706 and the 1730 passed on course and we were 2nd on corrected time.
Lap two, the 1706 was having mechanical issues and was passed with their hood up in the pits. The 1730 was the only car left in front on course. By mm40 on the second lap, they were in sight. Running a hard pace in the fast sections, we ran in their dust for miles before the single track would open up a second line. The 1730 went left, the smoother faster line. We had no choice, 4th gear pinned through the whoop section we made the pass. Giving them the thumbs up as we went by in appreciation of the ear to ear grin we had on our faces.
The car was less than perfect. The driveline vibration we had been battling all year was back, although we had now learned to embrace it. It was now our self imposed governor, keeping us from overdriving the car and actually helping us to keep it in one piece. Our BFG Baja tires were performing flawlessly once again. The King shocks absolutely dialed in. Deaver Springs were working overtime over the rough sections and our Currie Enterprises F9 rear end giving us the confidence to push it through the rough.
We would start our third lap with a 15 min lead over the 1736 car in second place.
The third lap we found ourselves in cruise mode. Status reports started coming in. The 1736 was running a slightly faster pace. We would pick it up and keep the 15 min buffer.
Leaving our main pit starting lap 4 we asked for a time split. It came faster than we expected. The 1736 was only 10 minutes back and on the move. They were making time on us. We would ask the spottersto do the math and figure our corrected time and get back to us with the next split time report.
At mm10 we got the call”1736 is 8 minutes back and you have a 1 min 15 sec correction on time”. We knew they had nothing to lose and they were going for the win. We would have to step it up.
As we picked up our pace we noticed something was wrong. The rear suspension was fading. As we pushed harder, the rear got worse. Split times showed the 1736 gaining fast. We wouldn’t tell our team anything was wrong, but they could tell. With 30 miles to go we got the call “1736 is less than a minute behind you!!!” “Skinny pedal, skinny pedal!!!” we knew there was nothing we could do. We would concede and be happy with a 2nd place finish and preserve our championship points run.
With 20 miles to go, the 1736 went by. We knew we had a 1:15 corrected lead so we would do what we could to stay close. The car was getting worse as we helplessly watched our lead slip away.
With 10 miles to go, we were 1:30 down but not necessarily out.
A quick discussion in the car. We needed a finish… but we were now only 10 miles away from the finish line and help if we broke the car and needed it… time to roll the dice. Lets go get’em.
Like a thoroughbred race horse sprinting to the finish line, we reeled them in. They saw us coming and the battle was on. 5 miles to go and we were back on their bumper. All we needed was to stay in contact for the last few miles. Driving a broken race car as fast as it would go, the 1736 couldn’t pull away. With 4 miles to go the final pass was made and we had clean air to the finish.
The checkered flag was ours, winners by 1:34 corrected time and 19 seconds on course.
Another win and a perfect 3 for 3 for the 2010 Championship run, could not have been realized without all of our friends, team mates and sponsors.
Keith, Matt, Doug and Chris for cheering us on in the middle of the desert.
Rob Renkin, for always being the man ready to jump in for the last minuite repairs.
Bryan Dodge. Thanks for figuring out a way to get the the race and becoming the “Jeepspeed” gas man.
Mark Linder for putting up with him.
Denise and Mike Slater Sr. for running the best and most efficient main pit in the desert.
My girls, Brittney, Megan, Devan and Daylee for keeping perfect time splits.
And our sponsors. Please support them as they support us and our sport and are invaluable to our success.
Black Rock Wheels, For our awesome new wheels. www.BlackRockWheels.com
Deaver Springs, for an outstanding product and customer service. www.deaverspring.com
King Shocks, The best shock on the market. www.KingShocks.com
Twisted Stitch, Nets, bags, straps and seats. www.twistedstitchinc.com
Anaheim Gear , For our bulletproof transmission. www.anaheimgear.com
With Special thanks to Currie Enterprises. Your continued support through the years means so much.
www.currieenterprises.com
BFGoodrich Tires, Since joining the 1708 Race team we are a perfect 2 for 2. www.bfgoodrichtires.com
And our Jeepspeed series sponsors, without you, our Jeepspeed Series would not exist.
ATK Engines-O.C. Motorsports-Orange Coast Jeep-Raceline Wheels-Currie Enterprises-General Tires
As we head into the 4th round of the Jeepspeed Desert Race Series, Sept 10, 11… Lucerne Valley, CA. The “Chili Cook Off 250″ Sancioned by M.O.R.E. 1708 Race is solidly in first place and looking to extend their successful 2010 campaign for the Jeepspeed Championship with a repeat of last years win.
Thank you for all your support, “1708 Race Over and Out”