2001 DSR Race Results

July 14-15, Watkins Glen, 
as reported by Jerry Bergman on 7/16/01

There was a potential for 7 DSRs in the Sunday race. Friday's test day eliminated Dave Gomberg from the race, after 1 and 1/2 laps. This would be engine No.5 this season. The right thing to do would be to send him a card, at least. [Dave says, "It only seems like 5 engines this year. The truth is that there was one wiped cam and, now, two seized rod bearings (resulting in broken rods, big holes in block)." editor.]

Saturday morning qualifying
The qualifying session began with Richard Leslie forgetting to turn on his timing transponder, then testing the off road capability of the Radical. After going over a banked curb, he landed with a whump and cracked the oil pan of the ZX11. Scratch one entrant. He was going rather well, with reported 2:03's, according to his crew. However, he neglected to get any official times and was only out for a short time before the incident.

The rest of the session was incident free, and as I crossed the timing line at the end of the session, the starter waved the checker to signal the end of my engine. Goodbye Jerry and the ZX11. I don't think JB weld can repair rod bolts or, as Larry Kropp said, "the biggest hole in a case" he has ever seen. Bent the cross piece holding the motor mounts. It was at this point that my conversion to recalcitrant international automotive journalist occurred.

Qualifying results:

Saturday afternoon practice

The afternoon practice was clogged with incidents resulting in 2 black flags and much traffic. Lapham didn't bother to go out, as he has plenty of track time. Incidentally, David serves as an instructor at the track for other non-SCCA events. Only Beasley improved, to 2:07.835.

Sunday July 15th's race

Sunday's race had 3 cars starting. Houston, suffering from a back ailment, took 4 attempts to get out of bed. This physical problem prevented him from racing, and he elected to pack up rather than race unsafely. His R1 equipped vehicle is filled with technical innovations such as an LED gear counter of his own design. We look forward to seeing his return.

There was a contact incident on the pace lap which resulted in the field getting the first 3 laps behind the pace car. A clean race followed, with Lapham setting a new record along the way. Al Sr. could not exceed 9500rpm in last years champion car (FZR engine) finished a comfortable second. MacCluskie, with a balky shifter linkage, finished a lap back, in third.

Race Results (impound scale weights included with drivers permission)

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