Thunderhill Preview
The 2018 drive towards the Runoffs picks back up April 6-8 at Thunderhill Raceway Park. It was at this race last year that things looked to be going well for Brad Hayes, until a hard crash in Race 2 would abruptly end the weekend, and also create challenges over the remainder of the 2017 season.
Last year's Thunderhill Major ended with lots of broken parts after a big crash in the Sunday race.
Now fast forward to 2018, and the team looks forward to returning to Thunderhill after a strong start to the season. A stout field of 14 FF's are entered for Thunderhill, making it one of the largest and most competitive fields seen on the west coast since the Runoffs last visited the west coast in 2014. Nicky Hays will be back in the #4 car after taking the Majors win at Fontana last time he sat in the Piper DL7. Since Fontana, Nicky has been back in karts for Phil Giebler Racing, scoring a convincing win at the Rok Cup USA Challenge of the Americas race in Phoenix. He will look to continue the winning ways when he takes to the challenging Thunderhill circuit for the first time. Detailed study of video, data, and team notes, as well as a full day of testing on Friday will insure Nicky is prepared for the challenge.
Brad Hayes will be behind the wheel of the #7 car. His season has also started well. While not yet finding victory lane, the pace continues to improve. Extra seat time gained at the March Laguna Seca Regional races has confirmed that Brad is getting back in form....confidence is high heading to Thunderhill.
Detailed data analysis, and some new software tools have helped maximize the learning from running two cars this season. Reviewing data from different intake/engine cover combinations has revealed some valuable info.
The team has also started using some new software tools. Track Attack software has allowed quick and efficient comparison of synchronized data and video from different sessions, drivers, and cars. With two cars in the stable this year, there is the opportunity to learn much more than would typically be possible. This has already started to pay off. The team started the season with two different air intake/engine cover designs on the two cars at Fontana. This was done to analyze the tradeoffs between air intake pressures and aerodynamic frontal area. Comparing data from not only Fontana, but also last season, it is now clear which combo is preferred. To find out that answer, watch to see which design is on both cars at Thunderhill. This data-centric approach not only helps maximize performance of the cars, but is also used to tune the team's drivers. Nicky is a natural talent behind the wheel, but is taking his first laps in an FF car as he makes the transition from karts to cars. Brad has had more seat time in these cars, but relies less on natural talent and more on his methodical approach in taking steps to improve at each race. Sharing data from both drivers in equally prepared cars gives each the chance to compare, contrast, and identify areas for improvement.
As Brad and Nicky spend the final days leading up to race weekend doing the mental prep, Doug Learned and Doug Learned Jr are putting the final touches on the cars. This includes everything from fitting the proper gear ratios, inspecting and cleaning everything after the recent Laguna Seca regional, and putting the final setup on the cars. As usual, the cars will be meticulously prepared when they arrive at the track Thursday night, ready for Friday testing.
The weekend's schedule starts off Friday morning, with a total of five test sessions planned for the day. The weather forecast is currently predicting a 90% chance of rain for Friday. While a dry track would be preferred, if it does rain on Friday it will be a chance to prepare for potential wet race on Saturday, as the rain is predicted to hang around through Saturday morning. The Saturday schedule brings a morning qualifying session, followed by a 20 minute sprint race in the afternoon. Better wether is in the forecast for Sunday. Sunday morning starts with another qualifying session. Then the 35 minute/16 lap feature race will conclude the weekend on Sunday afternoon.