GUEST BLOG // TED ANTHONY JR. @ FRESH FROM FLORIDA 200

Only three short weeks span the time between the January Test Days at Daytona and the first race of the 2010 Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge season. The last time I wrote to you, I was optimistic about our chances at the race despite the amount of work the TC Motorsports crew and the staff at Riley Technologies had before them. Both groups stepped up, and we had two well-prepared Camaros when we arrived in Daytona early Thursday morning. Before going any further, I want to thank John and Jeri Graham of Global Diving. They made it possible for me to attend and compete in this race, and they are a huge supporter of Team Seattle and their quest to raise money for Seattle Children’s Hospital... [read more]

We had made some setup changes between the test and Thursday’s practice sessions, so I was elected to take the car out first to evaluate them. I could immediately tell that the car was improved, but felt that there was more there. The TC Motorsports crew made some small adjustments, and then I turned the car over to my co-driver, Rick Edwards. Our race on Friday was schedule for two and a half hours so having a strong driver pairing is just as important as having a fast car. I tried to give my input to the crew as efficiently as possible, so Rick could get more comfortable in the car and on the track. As the #54 car was starting to make progress, the #55 was faced with some pretty big problems. While teammate Joey Atterbury was in the car, the engine decided to let go and spewed its innards all over the race track.

For Thursday’s second session, I had the crew make some further changes to our Camaro’s suspension, and was sent out first to evaluate and see if anymore alterations were needed. I drove 4 laps, decided the car was good enough to qualify, and pitted to get Rick in the car. Unfortunately, the car refused to start once Rick was in, and by the time the crew got it going, the session was just about over.

While we were struggling with some more teething problems, the majority of the TCM crew was back at the garage changing the engine on the #55 Camaro.

One of my favorite quotes from the engine swap:

Chris S. (TC Motorsports): “Where do you recommend we attach the engine hoist?”
(to pull the engine out from above).

Riley Tech: “We haven’t ever seen one come out the top.”

Since we are sharing the track with the Rolex Series, and this particular weekend’s Rolex race lasts 24 Hours, our weekend was a bit abbreviated. With the tight schedule, our GS class was allotted 15 minutes for qualifying on Thursday afternoon. Since the driver that qualifies the car has to start the race, the team elected to have Rick qualify the car, and halfway through the race we’d change drivers and I’d bring the car to the checkered flag. Rick did a great job, and qualified the car 26th out of 45 cars in our class. He also ran his best lap time up to that point, so we knew he’d get even faster throughout the race.

Friday morning brought one final practice session. It was also the shake-down of the #55 car’s new engine. The crew sorted out all the bugs, and both Camaro SS race cars were ready for the first race of 2010. With some final adjustments, the car was ready for the race, and was handling the best it ever had.

Unfortunately, our race was decided for us when the #05 Camaro rear-ended Rick twice at the green flag, popping his left rear tire. Rick had to drive the whole first circuit on the rim, and we lost a lap right out of the box. All we could do was put our collective heads down and keep trucking. Rick brought the car from 70th place up to 31st before coming into the pits for fuel, fresh tires, and a driver change. Since we pitted under the yellow flag, we only lost two positions on the track, which I quickly made up. I was turning good laps and making my way through the field.

With about 20 minutes left in the event, I was in 20th place, chasing positions 18 and 19. A driver two cars ahead of me over-braked for turn 3, forcing the driver in front of me and myself to make a decision. The car in front of me juked to the outside (driver’s left, as the corner was a right-hander), and I dove to the inside of the first car. Apparently he didn’t see me, and although I had nearly completed the pass, he turned in and his right front wheel made contact with my left rear wheel. When it happened I thought the impact wasn’t too bad, but the hit had applied just enough force in just the right spot to bend a rear suspension component. I slowly drove around to the pits, and the crew confirmed my worst thought; we were done.

It was a shame to end the comeback in such a fashion, but we proved that we could run competitive times, and made up 50 places over the course of the race! The #55 car was also hit on track, and lost time in the pits fixing the damage, though they did finish the race in 54th spot, just three places ahead of our #54 car in 57th place. The team did a fantastic job, and though we weren’t pleased with our result, we were very happy with our performance.

After a disappointing finish, it was a treat to just be a race fan at the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona the following day. It was fun to walk around the track watching the prototypes and GT cars running as hard as they could. I also got to spend time with good friends, and catch up with fellow competitors in a more relaxed situation (it’s always more relaxing when you’re not the one racing!).

Thanks for tuning in, and I know the team will be back and stronger than ever at our next race in Miami!

Editorial: Ted Anthony, Jr.
Photo: Curtis Creager