Bill Bonsell
Well-known member
I am a newbie to racing - this is only my 2nd year and I collect social security. I love to race as we all do. I love the entire weekend, all of it...on track and off. So, for me, the season ends way too soon. Last April I entered the 4 hour enduro at Pacific. My motor is original to the car - 126,00 miles. Our team had a great time and even with some issues (non mechanical) we finished 2nd in class out of 5. The car performed extremely well and we all got a nice stint behind the wheel. Even with the iffy weather it was a great experience. And very easy in the L3 class we were in. Fill it up with 10 gallons, go drive for about 80 mins or so, do a driver change and refuel with another 10 gallons and then go back out and take the checker flag after 4 hours. Easy - cheesy.
Now running 8 hours takes a bit more fuel and a lot more luck and a bit more preparation, but what's not to like. Arrive Friday night or Saturday morning....do some warm up sessions and wait for the 1pm green flag. The toughest part is just making sure you have sufficient lighting for the 2-3 hours or so which will be run in the dark. In car communications is great, but we managed the 4 hours without. I just put a clock in the car and every driver knew to go 80 minutes and then pit for fuel, etc. You do not need to have a dedicated enduro car to enter. That's why they have a limited class.
Mechanical issues can always surface, but hey that's racing. And keep in mind that you can't win an enduro unless you finish, and it is certainly not a 30 minute sprint race, so you can dial it back a bit...short shift...double clutch if necessary. Save the car. If the engine goes, well...it was probably going away soon, anyways. . At least one has the whole winter to rebuild. If you truly look at the enduro and estimate known costs of registration, fuel, etc; when divided among drivers, it's a pretty good "bang for the buck".
I would encourage any Conference racer to give serious thought to entering this truly last event of the year! You will not be disappointed regardless of where you finish. :smile:
Bill-
Now running 8 hours takes a bit more fuel and a lot more luck and a bit more preparation, but what's not to like. Arrive Friday night or Saturday morning....do some warm up sessions and wait for the 1pm green flag. The toughest part is just making sure you have sufficient lighting for the 2-3 hours or so which will be run in the dark. In car communications is great, but we managed the 4 hours without. I just put a clock in the car and every driver knew to go 80 minutes and then pit for fuel, etc. You do not need to have a dedicated enduro car to enter. That's why they have a limited class.
Mechanical issues can always surface, but hey that's racing. And keep in mind that you can't win an enduro unless you finish, and it is certainly not a 30 minute sprint race, so you can dial it back a bit...short shift...double clutch if necessary. Save the car. If the engine goes, well...it was probably going away soon, anyways. . At least one has the whole winter to rebuild. If you truly look at the enduro and estimate known costs of registration, fuel, etc; when divided among drivers, it's a pretty good "bang for the buck".
I would encourage any Conference racer to give serious thought to entering this truly last event of the year! You will not be disappointed regardless of where you finish. :smile:
Bill-