RJRacing

2009 25 Hours of Thunderhill

Willows, CA – The RJ Racing team descended on Thunderhill Raceway, determined to not only endure the grueling 25 Hours of Thunderhill, but to better its results from the last running of the event. In 2008, in only its first running of “The 25”, the team scored an impressive 2nd place in class. Nothing short of the win would satisfy.

That was the plan anyway.

Throughout the entire weekend and the race itself, the entire team gained a better appreciation for just what was necessary to not only finish the race but to overcome severe adversity and some downright bad luck.

For an endeavor as big as the 25 Hours, the team necessarily expanded. Norm Sandstrom, John Mueller, Bob Rinck, Eric French, and last but definitely not least, Steve Stepanian joined the crew, led once again by crew chief Tim Gibson. John Gibson returned to driving duties, joined by Dion Johnson, Lee Niffenegger, Andrew Novich and J.G. Pasterjak. J.G. would be pulling triple duty, driving for not only RJ Racing but also doing a stint in the Mazda “25 in 25” car, all the while pooling information for Grassroots Motorsports magazine’s coverage of the event. Rob Gibson headed up team management duties in lieu of driving since he was still recovering from a broken wrist sustained at NASA Nationals.

Numerous sponsors came on board for RJ Racing. Long-time sponsor Weekend-Racer.com was joined by Stewart Development, Porterfield Brakes, BF Goodrich Tires, Hartzel Automotive, MiataPartsSource.com, RentMyRV.biz, Cromwell Pacific Corporation, Fat Cat Motorsports and Santa Ana Tustin Physical Therapy. Their support was invaluable during the preparation and running of the race.

Makeshift Tire Warmer

The team arrived late Thursday and set up their paddock and pit areas. Friday’s test day went well. The team was on unfamiliar tires courtesy of BF Goodrich so most of the day was spent trying to dial in the G-Force R1s. The tires had great grip and longevity, but the setup was a moving target with the extremely low temperatures in Willows, California. The BF Goodrich engineers on site provided invaluable assistance in getting us close, but it wasn’t until the race began that things finally clicked.

The electricity in the air Saturday morning was palpable. The forecast was for cool temperatures, and unlike last year, there was no forecast of fog, so it looked like we’d be running the full 25 hours this time, straight through, non-stop.

John Gibson took the reins of the #23 RJ Racing Mazda Miata MX-5 for the start of the race. The clock struck 11 a.m. on Saturday and the entire 70+ car field was off and running. The track would not go quiet until noon on Sunday.

For the first few stints, we traded 3rd and 4th position with the 3D Racing Miata, but the tires were still not in their comfort zone. Air temps were very cool and the tires just weren’t getting up to optimum pressure. John’s times were still respectable, so the decision was made to change all 4 tires with higher pressures at the first full-course caution. This came a few hours into the race and the team was ready. All 4 tires were changed simultaneously, and the car was heading for pit exit without having lost a lap. Unfortunately, race control held us at the end of pit lane, somehow deeming that it was “unsafe” to rejoin the track even though the pace car was still four corners away from start-finish. Nearly two minutes passed before the car was finally released at the tail end of the pack, losing a lap in the process. But that’s racing, and it made everyone all the more determined to get the lap back and get back into the fray.

Pit Stop

The good news is the car really came into its own with the raised tire pressures. Lap times dropped by over 3 seconds, and we were back in the hunt for a podium position. Pit stops and driver changes became routine. The pit crew was spot-on, never spilling a drop of fuel and ready for anything.

Day became night and that’s when the race really began–the race to endure. Being run in December, more than 13 hours of the race would be run between dusk and dawn. Sleep shifts for drivers and crew were running smoothly, and that’s when it happened.

The RJ Racing MX-5 got caught up in a skirmish between an Acura Integra and a BMW, leaving us in their wake, demolishing the right front corner of the car. Andrew Novich limped the car back to the paddock and the damage was assessed. The fender was pulled out and it initially appeared that the only damage consisted of a excessive negative camber and a severe toe-out condition. To avoid losing time on possibly unnecessary repairs, the toe setting was corrected and the car was sent back out for a reconnaissance lap. Andrew reported that the car pulled violently to the right under braking. The car was called back to the paddock and the inner tie rod was reinspected, revealing excessive play in the joint which required replacement. Since we were already making repairs, the upper control arm bent in the accident was replaced as well. This required cutting off the control arm bolt with a Sawzall since it was also bent and could not be extracted. Replacements were sourced and the team’s extensive spares were pillaged for the repairs.

Alignment Under Pressure

After replacing the upper control arm, tie rod, a quick stop on the alignment rack to check toe and camber, changing all four tires and fueling, the car was back on track in just over an hour with John at the wheel. He immediately reported that it felt a little loose but solid.

A few laps later John was back on pace with the times set before the accident. Everyone was relieved to see the car back on track, especially J.G. Pasterjak, who often spoke of his “curse” having never finished a 25 hour race.

The hours ticked away, and night slowly turned back to day. The end was in sight. After the accident, the #23 was relegated to the rear of the E2 class but by running cleanly and consistently for the remainder of the race, the team was able move up the running order. Attrition began to rear its ugly head in earnest, hitting teams with brutal DNFs just hours before the end of the race. RJ Racing was not one of those teams. We took the checkers in 5th and kept the team’s perfect record of finishing the 25 Hours of Thunderhill.

Although we didn’t win, we gained even more appreciation for what it takes to just finish the race, and to stay competitive despite the setbacks.

The team will be featured in Grassroots Motorsports magazine’s extensive coverage of the 25 Hours of Thunderhill. Special thanks to all of our sponsors listed below. We’ll see you all at the track in 2010 and beyond.

SPONSORS

Weekend-Racer.com
Weekend Racer is a supplier of racing safety & setup equipment, in-car video systems, data acquisition and general racing accessories. They feature products from the highest quality manufacturers including, Alpinestars, AiM Data Acquisition, G-Force, Bell, Intercomp, RaceTech & Cobra seats, Cool-Shirt, ChaseCam, Sparco, Impact, AEM, Cobalt Brake pads and Hoosier tires.

BF Goodrich Tires
BF Goodrich Tires is a manufacturer of street and racing performance tires.

Porterfield Brakes
Porterfield’s 40 year winning history in road racing gives them the knowledge and experience needed in helping you select the best brake pad for you car. If you need a state of the art race compound for your rare vintage car, or a high performance street compound in a racing caliper application, Porterfield’s professional and knowledgeable sales staff is able to assist in proper selection of a specific brake pad material for your vehicles special requirements.

Stewart Development
Stewart Development is a premier shock absorber supplier and suspension consultant. For over 25 years, Stewart products have been the top choice for professional engine builders, race teams, and performance enthusiasts, from street rodding and OEM replacement applications, to the most extreme forms of motorsports in the world.

Hartzel Automotive
Hartzel Automotive is RJ Racing’s drivetrain supplier. For those with a passion for motorsports, Hartzel Automotive provides a range of parts and services with the emphasis on the popular Spec Miata racing series. Barry Hartzel brings the experience of his numerous racing championships to all Hartzel Automotive Racing parts and services.

MiataPartsSource.com
MiataPartsSource.com specializes in Mazda parts supply with over $250,000.00 in Mazda Miata & RX-7 parts and accessories available. MiataPartsSource.com also races in the Spec Miata series and provides racing parts that have been helping racers get the win.

Rent My RV
Rent My RV is RJ Racing’s RV supplier. Rent My RV owns and operates a fleet of top quality, state of the art, late model Motor Home rentals. All of the RVs are very clean, meticulously maintained and nonsmoking units. Rent My RV is located in Lodi, California, 30 minutes south of Sacramento.

Fat Cat Motorsports
Fat Cat Motorsports, Inc. fabricates and tunes custom performance and racing suspension parts, specializing in the Mazda Miata.

Cromwell Pacific Corporation
Cromwell Pacific Corporation specializes in construction engineering consulting, particularly civil engineering and concrete construction.

Santa Ana Tustin Physical Therapy
Santa Ana Tustin Physical Therapy has been providing superior quality care in Orange County for over 30 years. SATPT is committed to providing the best service for a wide variety of musculoskeletal and neurological problems. From surgical and injury rehabilitation to individualized wellness programs, SATPT is there to improve your quality of life.