Whisky Chasers Racing

Race Day 1: Final Race Update

So the race was a total bust for the team. When you push a 30+ year old car and engine to the extremes that are required for racing, there are no guarantees. You are in effect driving a craps/poker/blackjack table (insert any gambling addiction or sports related metaphors you might have) around a race track hoping to keep the he current rush you are in going. It’s amazing while it’s happening, but you know in the back of your mind that it eventually come to an end and you need to be thankful that you experienced it.

Normally race day mornings are filled with anticipation and a serious cadence of events that culminate in racing. Unfortunately not on this day. For some it was filled with early morning life contemplation about personal paths forward and listening to nature’s symphony on the river in Bridgeton.

Oh and before I forget, he update in the shutdown of the highway had to do with a literal shoot out between two cars that caused an accident in the off ramp. The police were actually looking for shell casings on the highway. In retrospect, we were a mere five car lengths away from being in the middle of that. Sometimes life gets pretty interesting as long as you are in the right side of it.

Steven Serabian

Race Day -1 Open Track Day
Update #3

With no car to race, the decision was made to pack up the city circus and do what any responsible racing team would do…….head out to a local watering hole to lament the loss of our car engine. Dinner subsequently followed and after a trip to a local smoke shop we later found ourselves at the fire pit of our Air B&B for some ci**rs and beers.

As we drank it became apparent to some that the activity began to feel like that of a Viking Norseman funeral (without sending the engine down the river). The burning embers and smoke of the fire that drifted out over the river just seemed to join the spirit of Dieter’s car engine that had just been sacrificed.

Steven Serabian

Race Day -1 Open Track Day:
Update #2

Now with all the logistics taken care of it was time to get out in the race track. While we have raced on this track before, we hadn’t done so in our BMW e30. Each driver began the process of reacquainting themselves with the race line thru the track and working up to their maximum corner entry and exit speeds. Each he order of drivers was determined by scheduled work conference calls with each driver being out on the track for about 30 minutes.

While the 3rd driver was coming off the track, the car’s engine made some not so subtle concerning sounds which were unfortunately missed (but later found in reviewing the in car GoPro footage).

The 4th and final driver up was Steven Serabian who took to the track for his session. Six laps into his session the car lost power around one of the turns and came to a “grinding halt”.

After the tow back to our area and subsequent inspection, we realized our worse. A connecting rod in the engine let go and violently blew a hole in the engines oil pan.

A contemplative team captain Kevin Bolen was deep in thought about what the teams next step would be at this point.

Race Day -1 Open Track Day:
Update #1

We arrived at the track in the AM and began to get set up. We weren’t able to arrange for a garage, but found a section of gravel surface not far from where he hit pit.

All of the pre race paperwork was filed, individual race gear tech’d while our Johnny Walker Red bribe was graciously accepted by our he judges during the inspection of our BMW e30 named Dieter. As usual we were certified in a he top A Class A without a mileage penalty.

Steven Serabian

Race Day -2: Travel Day:

Whisky Chasers Racing is in the move again to the New Jersey Motorsport Park in lovely Millville NJ. Team Captain Kevin Bolen was in work assignment in FL and will join the team via a flight to PHL and Uber. The rest of the team loaded up and headed out.

Our trip was elongated 2X as we were unfortunately were 5 cars back from a complete shutdown of I84 in Waterbury, CT. I counted 8 police cars with all officers out scanning cars he road service 100 yards in both directions looking for what we don’t know. While held there for over an hour we developed many theories that ranged from looking for the bullet casings resulting from a shooting to the detonator of a suitcase nuke.

We arrived at our Air B&B a 1:30AM after an 11 hour journey. We made it there on vapors driving well into the reserve of gas.

The trip could potentially be a harbinger of what’s in store for us as his race weekend?

Steven Serabian

Race Day 2 Final Update:

Next driver up was Steven Serabian who suited up and strapped in. Both he and he driver before Kevin Bolen did so armed with the data analysis from the previous day’s sessions as taken from the onboard lap timer. The data compared speeds around the track for all four of the Whisky Chasers Racing drivers and allowed them to determine their braking zone , entry/exit corner and straight away speeds. The comparison across drivers stimulated some interesting dialogue among them and produced some helpful insights. As a result, Steven was able to shave an impressive 7 seconds off his previous days best lap time.

After about an hour in the car, Steve radioed in that the car’s engine was making some troubling sounds. After being the car back to the garage, the decision was made to stop racing to avoid any further potential damage to the engine. And with that, the race weekend was unfortunately over after only 6 hours of actual racing. The silver lining of the weekend was that the 1st time drivers of the Watkins Glen fell in love with the racetrack!

And with that, we packed up the circus and left town.

Steven Serabian

Race Day 2 Update 1:

We awoke to a different Kevin Bolen at the AirB&B his morning. Yesterday’s flying brake shoe incident created some additional swelling and unique coloring around his right eye with the night’s passing. The swelling actually limited his vision a bit. A race day decision was made to suit Kevin up and grid the car with him for the first driver session with the possibility of an early driver change.

We dropped a slot in our initial start location to 5h place due to yesterday’s extended time off track. Kevin completed his session with a gigantic 6 sec faster best lap differential from yesterday.

Race Day 1 Final Update:

Phil McGurk finished his session and the next driver up was Kevin Bolen. During the repair of the lug nut while the caliper was being removed Kevin took a break pad to the forehead while prying them out. The ensuing headache and golf ball size welt on his forehead precluded Kevin from driving so Steven Serabian suited up and enthusiastically roared out of pit lane.

Unfortunately half way through his first lap, the electronic flagging unit in the car displayed ”Return to Pit Safety Net Missing”. when the car rolled into the pit, it became clear that the required driver side safety net was not attached to the top of the roll bar and was dragging on the track. The metal bar on the top of the net with the seatbelt like attachment had slide out of the net and landed somewhere on the racetrack. We attempted to find a solution to the problem by using a megshift prybar, but that was ruled out because the driver couldn’t disconnect it.

Feeling like our race day was over, define intervention ensued when God spoke to the atheist of the team leading him the conversation he race track lost and found where he retrieved metal bar. After a number of minutes using an assortment of tools the bar was straightened. Steve got back into the car and finished up the day.

Overall it was a very disappointing day, but the AER race format has a race per day and we will be competing for a podium finish tomorrow!

Race Day 1 Update 2:

Next driver up is Phil McGurk. A very successful pit stop was completed with time to spare under the mandatory 3 minute window. Unfortunately laps into his stint Phil reported some shaking in the rear end and brought the car in. A wheel lug had snapped and necessitated the replacement of all of hem on the hub. In driving back to the garage we observed a huge wobble to the tire. A blow torch, channel locks and a lot of Whisky Chasers Racing brut strength was required to remove the broken lug after the caliper and rotor was removed. Break pads were flying not without incident. The culprit was that an aluminum concentric spacer came off of yesterdays rims and was left in the hub. Although the lugs were tightened to spec, they loosened when the aluminum spacer deformed snapping the lug.

We were all set to get back to racing, but he e30 wouldn’t fire up. We ap not the next 2 hours trouble shooting the he problem to the fuel system validating power to the pump, operation of the pump and flow all along the way up to the pump Maine. We turns out that it was a faulty connection at the pump which was zip tied and we are back to racing at about 2:15PM dropping all the way back to 7th place in our class.

Just goes to prove, if it ain’t something it’s something and that’s just racing!

Steven Serabian

Race Day 1 Update 1:

Beautiful day for racing at the Glen! Drivers meeting, fueling the car and bleeding down the tires was easily accomplished in time for the morning drivers meeting. Grid up went well and was even treated to The Star Spangled Banner prior to the rolling start of the race. 1st up was Al Yin who pounded out the laps at a great pace and brought the Whisky Chasers Racing team from 7 out of 12 class one cars to 4th place. All is looking good and the car is running well!

Steven Serabian

Steven Serabian

Our trial laps are over and we are heading into time trial laps to determine starting order for the start of tomorrow’s race. Whisky Chasers Racing is feeling confident and our BMW e30 known as Dieter is running well. Let the time trials begin!

Qualifying Seasions:
AFter gridding the cars up, qualifying sessions began with the wave of the green flag. Each Whisky Chasers Racing driver took a 15-20 minute turn behind the wheel to record their fastest lap. There were 15 cars in our class (1) and between our laps times and attrition of other cars that broke down, we are starting in the 7th position of our class. Familiarity of the course was setting in and each drivers fastest lap times improved significantly. After dinner, we reviewed our in car GoPro footage to review/critique each others driving.w

Open Track Testing:

Upon arriving at The Glen, the first hour was spent preparing the car to drive and attending a drivers meeting. This included insuring that an RFID sticker was attached to the left side of your helmet, mounting the race transponder, setting tire pressures and fueling the car. Each driver took 1-2 driving sessions to learn/reacquaint themselves with the track. Given that most of the cars are much faster than ours, we all spent a lot of time giving them point byes to safely pass us. Learning the track and understanding how to drive it was so important for the afternoon’s qualifying sessions that determines start order for the race. The weather was beautiful and the team mood was upbeat.

Our trial laps are over and we are heading into time trial laps to determine starting order for the start of tomorrow’s race. Whisky Chasers Racing is feeling confident and our BMW e30 known as Dieter is running well. Let the time trials begin!

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Race Day 2 Final Update:

With 30 minutes left in the race, it was time for the team captain Kevin Bolen to take Whisky Chasers Racing to the checkered flag. While most people think that this should be an easy session it actually isn't. Many of the remaining teams are driving on the edge in their last attempt to gain spots in the standings prior to the race ending. Kevin used his racing experience to turn great clean laps in the final moments of the race without incident. Taking the checkered flag picking up another position to 21st overall and 13th in our class. And with that the race was officially over.

Race Day 2 Final Update:

With 30 minutes left in the race, it was time for the team captain Kevin Bolen to take Whisky Chasers Racing to the checkered flag. While most people think that this should be an easy session it actually isn't. Many of the remaining teams are driving on the edge in their last attempt to gain spots in the standings prior to the race ending. Kevin used his racing experience to turn great clean laps in the final moments of the race without incident. Taking the checkered flag picking up another position to 21st overall and 13th in our class. And with that the race was officially over.

Follow Whisky Chasers Racing Whisky Chasers Racing Whisky Chasers Racing and Steven Serabian as they compete for the podium at NHMS.

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Race Day 2 Update 3:

With 2 hours to go, we pitted for a fuel and driver change. Into the seat went Phil McGurk. He was eager to get his clean laps in and as the only Scotsman on the team he could be heard yelling "FREEDOM" as he left the hot pitt area and blended into the track. Phil quickly went to work pounding out the laps and avoiding any contact. The comms were eerily silent and that is a sign of a driver and car are running well. This was the case thru Phil's entire session. Phil was able to push up 3 spots in each of the overall and in class to 22 and 13 respectively!

Follow Whisky Chasers Racing Whisky Chasers Racing and Steven Serabian as they compete for the podium at NHMS.

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Race Day 2 Update 2:

Unfortunately the tire issue set us back to 31st position overall from 24th and 16th in class.

Next driver up was Steven Serabian. Track conditions had areas of open track followed by a clumping of cars. As a result of the one hour penalty rule for contact, drivers were more apt to not take undo risks at passing. The challenge became safely getting thru high density areas without incident. Steve was able to do that on several occasions and ended his clean session picking up 3 spots at 28th overall and 16th in class.

Next driver up was Al. When Al is out there, the rest of the team tends to relax in the pitt based on his high level of competency. Even more so given his stated intention to sacrifice lap times for no contact. With about 15 minutes to go in his session, he was blacked flagged for contact with another car. In the penalty box, both drivers said that there wasn't any contact. The car was checked for damage. There was none on either car and thankfully the race officials let both cars back out onto the track immediately. Al moved us up to 25th overall and 16th in class by the end of his session.

The Whisky Chasers continue to claw there way back!

Race Day 2 Update 2:

Unfortunately the tire issue set us back to 31st position overall from 24th and 16th in class.

Next driver up was Steven Serabian. Track conditions had areas of open track followed by a clumping of cars. As a result of the one hour penalty rule for contact, drivers were more apt to not take undo risks at passing. The challenge became safely getting thru high density areas without incident. Steve was able to do that on several occasions and ended his clean session picking up 3 spots at 28th overall and 16th in class.

Next driver up was Al. When Al is out there, the rest of the team tends to relax in the pitt based on his high level of competency. Even more so given his stated intention to sacrifice lap times for no contact. With about 15 minutes to go in his session, he was blacked flagged for contact with another car. In the penalty box, both drivers said that there wasn't any contact. The car was checked for damage. There was none on either car and thankfully the race officials let both cars back out onto the track immediately. Al moved us up to 25th overall and 16th in class by the end of his session.

The Whisky Chasers continue to claw there way back!

Follow Whisky Chasers Racing and Steven Serabian as they compete for the podium at NHMS.

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Race Day 2 Update 1:

A driver meeting was called before the start of the race. In 3 years of racing these events this has never happened. My guess was they weren't speaking to us to complement us on our day one driving. It turns out that half of the 115 car field were involved in some sort of contact (let that sink in). The race officials told us that contact would require any car to be taken off the track for one hour regardless of whose fault it was. We discussed this as a team and decided that good clean laps were prioritized over speed.

Our 1st driver up was Kevin Bolen. We sent Kevin out with under inflated tires at 20 psi. Like yesterday Kevin did a great job of racing cautiously while the tires were coming up to temperature.

Towards the end of Kevin's ride, he felt the rear end become unstable and shaking. The car was flat bedded back in to our garage and we discovered that the rear driver side tire had an inner sidewall failure. We replaced the tire, fueled the car and did a driver change.

Kevin ran a clean session AND picked up two spots in the overall standings (24th) one spot in class (16).

Race Day 1 Final Update:

With 30 minutes left to go, a full course yellow track condition presented itself and allowed us to fuel and change drivers. Fighting visibility issues from the sun, Al was able to maintain the positions of 26th overall and 17 in our class to complete the first day of racing.

Prior to departing for dinner, the team installed new rear brake pads, changed the motor oil and tires. We also diagnosed and repaired the starting issue. Turns out that one of the wire to the starter had come lose.

Completing our tasks, the team headed out for dinner feeling great about Race Day 1 results.

Fillow Whisky Chasers Racing and Steven Serabian as they compete for the podium at NHMS.

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