loumindar Posted April 20, 2013 Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 Good morning and welcome to Road America, in the beautiful Kettle Moraine region of Wisconsin. I’m Lou Mindar (Brother Lou) and I’ll be letting you in on all of the action from this weekend’s Optima Batteries ChumpCar World Series race.Despite what the calendar says, we have been greeted with winter-like temperatures since our arrival at the track. The good news is that today is supposed to be warmer than yesterday and tomorrow should be warmer still.Drivers are currently making their way to pit lane for the pre-race drivers meeting. The green flag is scheduled to fall at 9:00 AM CT for the start of today’s 7-hour endurance race. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loumindar Posted April 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 I can hear you asking, what is a moraine? And what in particular is the Kettle Moraine? Good questions. According to Wikipedia, the depository of all knowledge, a moraine is:any glacially formed accumulation of unconsolidated glacial debris (soil and rock) which can occur in currently glaciated and formerly glaciated regions, such as those areas acted upon by a past glacial maximum. This debris may have been plucked off a valley floor as a glacier advanced or it may have fallen off the valley walls as a result of frost wedging or landslide. Moraines may be composed of debris ranging in size from silt-sized glacial flour to large boulders. The debris is typically sub-angular to rounded in shape. Moraines may be on the glacier’s surface or deposited as piles or sheets of debris where the glacier has melted. Moraines may also occur when glacier- or iceberg-transported rocks fall into a body of water as the ice melts.Again, according to Wikipedia:Kettle Moraine is a large moraine in the state of Wisconsin, United States. It stretches from Walworth County in the south to Kewaunee County in the north. It has also been referred to as the Kettle Range and, in geological texts, as the Kettle Interlobate Moraine.Aren't you glad you asked? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loumindar Posted April 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 Road America HistoryIn downtown Elkhart Lake, WI there is a historical marker commemorating the days of open road racing in this small burg. The marker was erected by the Milwaukee Region of the SCCA and reads:The Village of Elkhart Lake and the roads surrounding Elkhart Lake hosted open-road sports car racing in 1950, 1951 and 1952. The races were sponsored by the Sports Car Club of America , organized by SCCA members Jim Kimberly, C. Bayard Sheldon, Karl Brocken, and Fred Wacker. Bank president James Johnson, fire chief Ray Kramer, resort owner Ollie Siebken Moeller and dozens of volunteers provided local support. The inaugural races were held with great success on Sunday, July 23, 1950. around a 3.35 mile circuit on what are now CTHs P, J and JP. [sic] Thirty-three cars were entered in four races and as many as 15,000 spectators arrived for the event. The race circuit was expanded in 1951 to a 6.5 mile circuit running through the village on Gottfried and Lake Street and around the lake on CTHs AJ, A, P and J. Two races were held on Sunday August 26. The events drew 98 entries with attendance estimated at 75,000. The 1952 races run over the same circuit, were held on September 6 and 7 and featured three races. A total of 238 cars were entered and attendance was estimated at 130,000. No admission fee was ever charged and revenue to offset expenses came entirely from program sales and parking fees. European sports cars gave the races a decidedly international flavor. Allards, Ferraris, Jaguars, and MGs dueled with American-made Cunninghams for racing supremacy with each taking home its share of glory. Sports car racing legends Briggs Cunningham, Jim Kimberly, John Fitch, Phil Walters, Fred Wacker and Formula One World Champion Phil Hill all raced here and left their mark. Although open-road racing ended after 1952, momentum from the open road events lead to the establishment of Road America in 1955. Road America and the Elkhart Lake area continue to draw sports car enthusiasts from around the world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loumindar Posted April 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 We're 20 minutes from green flag. The temperature at the moment is 27 degree with 10-15 mph winds. That may sound bad, but it's better than yesterdays 30 degrees with 25-30 mph winds and snow. We should see a high of 43 degrees today with plenty of sun. For those of you familiar with concession food at Road America, you know that the local Lions Club provides some of the best track food in North America. Sadly, the cold weather froze the pipes in the Lions Club shed and they were unable to cook their delicious food. However, disaster has been averted and the pipes have been thawed. Food is now being cooked, and ham and egg breakfast sandwiches are now available. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChumpStang Posted April 20, 2013 Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 Lou, you're at RA, too?! You're getting around. Thanks for the updates! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loumindar Posted April 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 I've been driving a lot these past few weeks, Pete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loumindar Posted April 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 We have cars on track and we are getting ready to start the ChumpCar Landjaeger Cup race from Road America. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tubby Posted April 20, 2013 Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 Lots of great teams in this race.Cheap Shot: Barry and team are fast and after double podiuming at this race before and I expect them to be out front earlyBAR: always in the mix, this team either wins or breaks.Danish Flash: This fast Mustang team never gives up and should be in the hunt for the podium. ABR: Glen and team have a secret weapon this weekend so watch outNNM Motorsports: this Neon is a missile and we hope Noel's hard work keeps it together so it doesn't blow up like oneHoly Rollers: Andrew and team's creative engineering and impeccable build quality means this Acura, if finished, will podiumSlugworks: the turbo magic of this team has the speed needed, avoiding brake melting issues will be keyTwo Ford SHO teams: These fast cars are limited by the fragile glass like transmissions, if they don't detonate, they are out frontFour MR2 teams: fast cars naturally and proven rockets with the Camry v6, it good to see Shake and Bake's cars live on with new teamsStandard mix of Miatas in this race. I hope the Miaro keeps away from and walls but they like good beer so always winnersTeam Flying Circus: my prediction for the win if they don't break as the car is a brand new buildAlfa teams: my favorites and the teams I am rooting for! Belle macchine e auto veloci!Lots of new teams at RA! Welcome and you'll be hooked! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skierman64 Posted April 20, 2013 Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 Lou, you're play by play is a huge asset to the OBCCWS, I loved your posts from the Glen last weekend. Do you know if any teams are doing live streaming video?I hope it's not snowing like it was at the start of the race last Sunday at the Glen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loumindar Posted April 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 The good folks from Optima Batteries are here this weekend handing out batteries to all of the Chumps. We have 72 cars here this weekend and Optima is providing each team with a battery as part of their sponsorship of the ChumpCar World Series. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loumindar Posted April 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 Tubby, good to have you along for the ride.Skierman64, I'm not sure about the live stream. If any team is streaming, I'm not aware of it. Thanks for the kind words. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loumindar Posted April 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 The start is going to be delayed a bit. We have a car that has stalled on the pace laps. An emergency vehicle has been dispatched. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tubby Posted April 20, 2013 Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 With Team Pheonix not at RA, expect the fire crews to be bored. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loumindar Posted April 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 The car that is being towed in is #15 green. I don't have team name or car type yet, but I should soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
underdogg Posted April 20, 2013 Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 That would be the NNM neon.... crap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loumindar Posted April 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 We are green at Road America! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chenkle34 Posted April 20, 2013 Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 Good luck to Crank Yankers Racing in the ole Top Fool Elemonator's subaru! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loumindar Posted April 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 Car #160 black slow on course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loumindar Posted April 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 Car #85 blue is stopped on track near turn three. Possible oil on track. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chenkle34 Posted April 20, 2013 Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 and that would be the crank yankers subaru...crap... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loumindar Posted April 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 The corner worker believes that car #85 blew his engine. He will be towed into the pits. There does not appear to be oil on the track. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loumindar Posted April 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 Car #7 spin and continue near turn 10. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stogie Posted April 20, 2013 Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 Let's keep all the drivers safe this weekend....good luck to all!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skierman64 Posted April 20, 2013 Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 Two StLouis based teams in the top 10. Go FUBAR and Rusty Bucket! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tubby Posted April 20, 2013 Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 Fubar in the lead! Miata fans around the world cheering!North Loop is second. Who is driving this stint for you guys? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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