VIDEO // CAMDEN THRASHER @ 2009 25 HOURS OF THUNDERHILL

ColdTrackDays correspondent, Camden Thrasher, just sent us this short video edit from his visit to the 2009 NASA 25 Hours of Thunderhill. Albeit brief, it is nonetheless an interesting look at one of the most impressive endurance races west of the Mississippi. Enjoy! // [comment]

DOMESTIC INDULGENCE // AGENT 47'S AMERICAN IRON MUSTANG

NASA's American Iron, American Iron Extreme and Camaro Mustang Challenge are three of the most underrated racing series in the country, in my opinion. Featuring full bodied, solid rear axle, V8 powered muscle cars, the American Iron series is a throwback to the days when Trans-Am cars ruled the road courses.

The car featured above, Agent 47 Racing's 1995 Ford Mustang, is a fine example of how additional horsepower, a tuned suspension and a few aerodynamic improvements can transform an otherwise mild mannered Mustang into a monster!

Follow the link for a bit of video... [read more]





For additional information on Agent 47 Racing, click here
For more info on the NASA American Iron Racing Series, click here

PHOTO GALLERY // CAMDEN THRASHER @ THUNDERHILL

ColdTrackDays correspondent Camden Thrasher was one of two photographers we had at last weekends NASA 25 Hours at Thunderhill. And although Mr.Thrasher was busy finishing his homework ahead of the holidays, he was able to send us a handful of images from his recent trip to California.

Follow the link for a look... [read more]










For a look at more photos from the 2009 NASA 25 Hours at Thunderhill, click here

Photo: Camden Thrasher
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

RACE REPORT // THE 2009 NASA 25 HOURS @ THUNDERHILL

The 7th Annual NASA 25 Hours at Thunderhill presented by Mothers was yet another great race. The weather was perfect, with highs in the low 60’s and lows dipping into the 20’s, just what you would expect in the valley. The list for this years event was pretty deep at 72 entrants (11 of which where from the Pacific Northwest) and included teams from Oregon, Washington and British Columbia, with more than 40 drivers representing those teams... [read more]


For the teams that come in Wednesday they would have two full days of testing on Thursday and Friday before qualifying would begin Friday evening.  

Drivers and crews spent both days working on the final setups for the cars as well as driver lineups and pit stops and driver changes.  

Of course this wouldn’t be endurance racing if you didn't have things go wrong! That said, on Friday evening the very dedicated crew of Frost Engineering Team Racing would spend most of the night changing engines on the 48 car.     

The standout cars for this years race would be two 997 GT3 cup cars entered by Mercer Motorsports #75 and Ehret Winery Racing #7.  

A few notable teams entered in this years race was the entry of #20 Nickel Motorsports Grip Industries Lexus IS300, the cars owner had recently been diagnosed with cancer.  Car #57 PHS Motorsports a 1991 325 was put together by high school students, once school was out the students came out to Thunderhill to help with crew duties. The iron man award goes out to Steven Gorriaran of Team Gorilla Racing/Driven Performance/Racer Motors,  Steve drove the entire race solo.  His pits stops where around two minutes, and included a port-a-potty near his pits.  The difference in the overall winning teams laps and Staves was only 107, keep in mind Steve was in a Miata and the other car was a 997 GT3 Cup car that was shared by five drivers...way to go Steve!!!

Just around 7:00pm the Team MER/Mazda 1 driven by Charles Espenlaub burst in to flames in front of the turn workers station at the top of the hill at turn 9. The safety crew was on the seen in seconds and was able to put out the flames but not before the car was a total loss, as for the driver he was taken to a hospital as a precautionary measure due to the extreme heat from the car fire.  

As the sun started to make its appearance on Sunday morning it was evident what happened during the night. The paddock was strewn with cars in various conditions of running and not.  During the night many teams spent hours turning wrenches, Team Frost Engineering changed a second engine this time in the #40. BIGGSB racing spent some time fixing issues with its WRX that had a turbo fire at the end of pit lane. The Panoz DP-02 car of BMC Tool Racing also would have to call it a race due to an off that would break the only parts they did not have spares of.

For a look at more photos from the 2009 NASA 25 Hours at Thunderhill, click here

Photo/Editorial: Curtis Creager

PHOTO GALLERY // THE NASA 25 HOURS @ THUNDERHILL

25 hours of racing is a thing few have witnessed and even fewer have accomplished. What has become the longest and certainly the most grueling test of endurance this side of the Mississippi, last weekends NASA 25 Hours at Thunderhill is just such an event.

Held at the Thunderhill Raceway in Willows, California, the 25 is an annual endurance race that draws competitors from all corners of the country. This year, ColdTrackDays had two correspondent at Thunderhill, Curtis Creager and Camden Thrasher.

Assigned to cover a few different teams as they competed for endurance racing glory, what follows are a handful of images from Mr.Creager's visit to the 2009 NASA 25 Hours at Thunderhill... [read more]












For a look at more photos from the 2009 NASA 25 Hours at Thunderhill, click here

Be sure and stay tuned for additional images from both Curtis Creager and Camden Thrasher

Photo: Curtis Creager
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

NASA 25 HOURS AT THUNDERHILL // ... ACTION!

Following our initial post from the 2009 NASA 25 Hours at Thunderhill, enjoy a handful of images courtesy of ColdTrackDays correspondent Curtis Creager, as both he and Camden Thrasher have been trackside all weekend documenting the longest endurance race in the country.

Follow the link for a look... [read more]








Photo: Curtis Creager
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

NASA 25 HOURS AT THUNDERHILL // LIGHTS, CAMERA...

ColdTrackDays correspondents Camden Thrasher and Curtis Creager are live at the NASA 25 Hours at Thunderhill, documenting what some consider the premiere endurance race on the West coast. And while the pair are lucky enough to be trackside all weekend, I am enjoying a late breakfast and preparing to watch our good friend Joey Atterbury make his television debut, when the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup airs on SPEED this afternoon at 2pm (PT).

But in the mean time, enjoy a few photographs courtesy of Camden Thrasher, and be sure and stay tuned for additional coverage of the NASA 25 Hours at Thunderhill... [read more]







Photo: Camden Thrasher
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey