Jeff Seldomridge has been a friend to Konig for years now. He is a grassroots racer that actively campaigns in NASA events with his Mazda Miata. Here is a writeup he did about his experience at Grassroots Magazine’s Ultimate Track Car Challenge at Virginia International Raceway.
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By the early afternoon we finally had the cars new Konig Wheels graphics on, the suspension fixed, the wheels aligned and vehicle secured in the trailer. It is time to get this show on the road. The trip goes well and we arrive safely around 6:30pm. We set up our paddock and begin to unload the car. Here is where the fun begins.
The Ultimate Track Car Challenge begins. Everything from a Subaru station wagon to Lamborghini Super Trofeo we out on track racing for the best lap times. We were separated into two groups, Group B which is fast and Group A which is light speed. Since this was a race for fastest time, the GRM did not want any accidents to occur from slow moving traffic on track.
We landed in position 20 of 31, I certainly was not the fastest but I did the best I could with a car that was simply not dialed in. During the timed sessions on Friday we had a horrible issue with the car giving massive under steer through turns 1, 4, 11 and 17. Without these turns being solid I could not build momentum to the next turn. Momentum is crucial for a low horsepower car. These few turns at VIR are pivotal for just a single fast lap. The fastest I have lapped at VIR is 2:15.1 and I was down at 2:21.4. The difference almost hurt my feelings; I could not believe all this change led to this.
The next day for Saturday’s practice the car handled with considerable difference at 2:19.6. That time is fast enough to have a good race. During Qualifying the exhaust pipe snapped near the header flange, causing exhaust fumes to fill the cockpit. This again, is unacceptable. I cannot risk literally passing out behind the wheel due to carbon monoxide poisoning. So we burned through the paddock hoping to find someone with a welder. Not only did we find someone, he offered to weld it together for free! We were able to make the race because of him and I was grateful.
The race starts. We have an unusual start; our class was placed behind a group of considerably slower class called Spec E30. By the end of the first lap we were all getting jammed into heavy lap traffic. Although the racing was tight and a bit nerve racking, I was able to fight for 3rd place and keep it. I had 1st and 2nd in my sights the whole race but I just did not have enough left in the car to make any safe passes. 3rd place it is and I am completely happy with the result. It raised my spirit, especially after being stripped of 2nd place at the last Hyperfest event in June due to a technical error.
At the end of the day, sun burnt and tired, my dad leaned on my shoulder. He gave me a handshake and said “We earned it this time, son”. I smiled because after all the fails and mistakes, we did our best. Yet, the people that helped us out, at home and at the track, are all I can think of. I will be there to return the favor when their time comes. Of this I have no doubt. -Jeff Seldomridge
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