The Trek to the Track

You have to wonder why the world’s longest road race is held the first weekend in December. With the early December dates we can expect nearly 15 hours of racing in the dark, and it’s REALLY dark at Thunderhill, nothing like the simulated daylight at the 24 Hours of Daytona. And the weather can be an issue, but right now the forecast is for dry weather, low 60’s during the daylight and down in the 30’s at night.

So, let the trek to the track begin.

Andrew’s grandfather left the Seattle area yesterday afternoon with their motorhome. Roger, Ruth (Dad & Mom) and Andrew will be leaving early this afternoon for the 10 - 12 hour drive. Weather and road conditions in Western Washington have been horrendous with record rain fall, snow and freezing rain. We wish them a safe drive – and that they arrive in time for practice Friday.

Johnny K., John K. Sr. and Brian Mezger will be flying in from Orange County, CA to Sacramento. Then, overloading the rental car with gear for the 80 mile cruise up I-5 to the track.

Jason, Tony, Matt, Kevin, Mark (the other Mark) the rest of the crew from the Central California region will be heading to the track for move in today. It, as always, will be a hectic process. It’s always amazing how a huge blank boring piece of asphalt can turn into a small town in a matter of hours. There is a book in my head somewhere titled “Paddock City” – not sure what it’s about, but I like the title.

I haven’t heard Sammy V’s plans, but I think he is flying in from Las Vegas today.

I’m in Bend, Oregon this morning finishing up packing and getting ready to hit the road. I’m faced with about 200 miles of packed snow and ice between here and Redding, CA. Taking commercial flights from here to there takes about as long as driving, so it’s not worth it. But, there is a slight chance I will get a call from a buddy who will fly me down in his plane.

So, it’s off to the track. More updates soon.

Mark P.

Only 2 days left

So I get a phone call from Jason at 2 in the afternoon, Tuesday. Jason is in charge of the car. He is pretty self contained and I only hear from him when a problem occurs. So when I saw his name on the caller ID I was ready for bad news. I answer the phone and we talk about the weather and all sorts of boring stuff. I asked him what he was doing and he replies "nothing" So we talk some more about the weather and finally he asks me if I am going to ask him why he is doning nothing. So I ask. He replies BECAUSE I HAVE NO PARTS!! So Fed EX has not showed up with our parts from Mazdaspeed. We are missing the driveline, shifter, and some electronic parts to make our ABS behave. Back to the phone to track down the parts!

Kevin sent me the communications plan today. Looks like we will have a hard wired radio in the car, so no worries about batteries. Two hand held radios in the pit with extra batteries and chargers. Timing and scoring with be monitored on a laptop with connection via Wi-Fi. Another laptop with a radio modem will be used as a back-up to Timing and scoring. We will have web access in the pit to monitor weather and to add to this blog.

Jason reported that two sponsors came through with tires and lights. I will post who and what when I have more info.

Getting ready

Ok so here it is, the monday before the race. It's been quit an adventure just getting to this point.

We started last month, The car was in Michigan and the project was headed up by Marshall Pruitt. The plan was to have Marshall oversee the team and have myself provide logistical help. Jason Hoover motorsports was to provide car set-up and race support.
During a phone conversation between Jason and the car owner, Larry Webster, a deal was struck and Jason ended up purchasing the car. Now with just weeks before the race, Jason owns the car and needs to put a team together. Matt and Johnny were onboard from the original team but in order to have enough funding to run the car we needed a few more drivers. Luckily word got out and Mark then Andrew and now Sammy joined.
Ok so we take the car out to see what might need to be done before the race, First thing that is found, rear shock is blown out! So we decide "no problem" we can get another one from mazda. When we call mazdaspeed they tell us that the cup cars are getting new shocks for next year and the shock we need is no longer available. Jason takes the shock to Ground Control where it is determined that the shock can be repaired. Over the next few days the team members make phone calls and cash in favors all over the country. Soon spare parts start arriving at Jasons shop. Jason in the mean time is pulling his hair out getting the car ready. The list seems endless. Lights, light bar, top, transmission, driveline, brakes, tires, wheels OH NO we need 4 sets of wheels! Jason has had to deal with so many things in such a short time.
We take the car out again on the 22nd, we discover that a few of our used wheels are bent! We only had one set of tires with us and early in the afternoon the ABS system decides to have a mind of its own and flat spots the front tires. The day was cut short but many things are noted about car set-up and a few problems are noticed, like an exhaust system that likes to fall off.
So that brings us to taday, Monday before the race. Things are coming together. We have all of our drivers and most spare parts are here. We still need a few things, like a driveline. We have our lists that we are working on with such things as fuel, heaters, food, radio, flashlights and so on.

I will put out another post before we leave for the track

Tony Silva

Welcome...

Hello and welcome to the live blog site for the 2006 25-Hours of Thunderhill. This site will follow the progress of the Hoover Motorsports Mazda MX-5 Team (class E1). Drivers are Matt Cross, Johnny Kanavas, Mark Powell, and Andrew Caddell. Drivers and crew from the team will do their best to keep the site updated through this Severe Endurance Race.

Thanks for visiting and please check back beginning December 1, 2006.