Sunday May 15th was a big day for myself and my '05 MSM. On Sunday I raced in the Nevada Open Road Challenge.
I ran solo without a navigator in the 100 mph class...and WON!!
- Receiving 1st place trophy at the banquet
The Nevada Open Road Challenge is the sister event to the Silver State Classic Challenge which runs in September. Both races are known as "Open Road" races. These are events that are basically high speed timed rallies. There are several speed classes running over a set distance. Each speed has it's target time for covering the distance at an average speed. The closest to perfect time is the winner.
The big difference between the two races is that the SSCC is a 90 mile one way race down Nevada highway 318, the NORC is a two leg race, 60 miles south and then 60 miles back north (actually 61.38 miles each way). The times for both legs are added together, so you need to be as close to perfect at both finishes, or make up for any southbound mistakes when running back north.
I had been in the event several times as a navigator for my friend Wally Stevens, in everything from a supercharged Miata to C6 and C7 Vettes to his Gallardo. We have a few seconds and thirds, but no wins. Wally couldn't make the race this spring, so I decided it was time I ran the race, and I decided to run solo - no navigator. Heck, I've navigated enough times, I figured this time my driver might listen to me! (there was debate around the shop, lol)
So I ran it solo in the 100mph class in my MSM against 10 other competitors. I recognized the names of some of the other racers/navigators in my class. I figured that there was at least three if not four teams that would beat me, so I had slim hopes for a podium. I figured since I was a "rookie" driver and doing it solo, I needed to just run my race and enjoy it.
When you finish the race, the only way you know if you did well is by how things look on your stopwatch. Results are not posted immediately, so you really don't know how you did or who won. The podium finishers are announced at the awards banquet later that night, so if you feel you ran a good race and were close to a good time, you have to wait until the evening when they give out the awards after dinner. The excitement builds.
When they announce the top finishers, they list their time variance (how far off of perfect time) and their speed variance (how far off of average speed) so everyone knows how close the competitors finish.
My time variance was 0.3375 seconds from perfect time and my speed variance was 0.0076 mph off of target speed of 100mph for the distance. How close can finishes be? Second in my class was 0.3395 secs off. I won by .002 secs, whew!
The best finisher was in the 145 mph class with a time variance of 0.0058 secs. Yeah, I know.
Here is a look at my timing setup:
- Two stopwatches and an enduro motorcycle roll chart holder. The bottom stopwatch is a backup. Both stopwatches are started at the same time. As I go down the course I spot mile markers and time them as I pass. I look at the chart and see if I'm early, late, or on time. I adjust my speed as needed. You can see my outstanding handwriting on the chart. I used a roll of calculator paper and hand written every mile marker and target time. Listed are mile markers and target times. Some have notes for turns and corners that are upcoming. It takes a few minutes to write down over 120 of them.
During the weekends of both races, there is a parade through Ely and in one of the local parks a car show of all the entrants.
- In the parking lot before the parade.
- Here I am at the car show. I joined a team, so I'm parked with Team Invaders - All imported cars.
There are some cool cars that race - other than Vettes, Challengers, and Mustangs.
- Here's an Alfa 4C with Team Invaders
- Bjorn from Norway races a Diablo he keeps in the US. It's his first race in 2 years due to the Pandemic. Long time Team Invaders member.
Here's a few more fun photos from the race:
After all the cars leave the pre-grid (which is in a truck stop parking lot) we all line up on Highway 318 in a race grid. This year there were a total of 92 cars entered. My grid spot was 89. I wasn't the last to leave, but close.
- Racers lined up on the grid on Highway 318
Once in grid, you slowly move to the start line.
- The starting line
As you move to the start line, you get your gear together - Helmet & Hans on, get into your harness, and continue to roll to the line as directed by the grid workers. At one point, the grid workers perform a cabin check on each car. They check for and remove any loose items. Then they make sure all harnesses are secured and then they TIGHTEN them for you. You had better taken a deep breath because they make sure your belts are tight. One of them had climbed into my passenger seat to check my right side belts. These folks are serious about safety, I'm grateful to them.
- Going to the starting line
There will be two cars at the start line, alternating between left & right lanes for departure. The starter let's you know when it is your turn. You watch the clock and when it arrives at the minute you are to leave, you don't leave. Don't leave? No, when the clock gets to the top of clock at your departure time, you start your stopwatches (in my case) - or computers, GPS, whatever your timing setup is - and then you roll off the line. Since this is actually a rally, timing is everything. No need to do a burnout leaving the line, after all you want the car to be undamaged and capable of finishing the race.
- Here I go!
During the race I'm spotting mile markers and hitting the lap splits on the stopwatch as I pass each one. I check the time on the stopwatch and compare it to my chart to see if I'm early, late, or hopefully on time. This goes on for most of the race. No need the check the first few because you are accelerating to your average, so you are trying to catch up to your time. There is also a place on course called "The Narrows". The Narrows is a spot in the small mountain range where the road cuts through and it is several turns. The higher speed cars need to slow down for The Narrows, so it affects your average speed and timing. I was able to maintain a 100 mph average through them and not lose time in either direction, going south or north.
So my race was spotting mile markers, checking time, and adjusting my throttle to achieve my speed. Running solo meant I did not have a navigator to tell me when curves, sweepers, and turns were coming up. I added those notes to my chart, but turns out with the vibration of driving at 100 mph and that I wrote them too small, I had a couple of surprises. I would look up from my notes and would be entering a curve. Luckily everything but The Narrows is easy to take at high speed and I never felt in trouble. I have learned to check my notes quickly!
Time seems to fly as fast as you do down the road. Was that really 36 minutes for that leg?? It felt like ten. Before you know it, you are at the finish.
- Coming up to the finish!
I had a nice, uneventful drive back home. I am still very excited about winning. I have chased a win as navigator for several years, having some seconds and thirds (and a couple of bad races), so a win driving solo means a lot to me.
I can't wait for the next race!
- Winner's Photo back at home at GWR HQ