Buttonwillow Results+CdL on TV

[BigMike]

Fiat 600 LEMONS ARSE-FREEZE-APALOOZA 2010: FIAT 600 DOMINATES
Of course, domination in LeMons has little to do with actual finishing position--it's more about Fattest Dude in Funniest Outfit, Most Convincing Village People Tribute, or in this case Best 1964 Fiat 600D Fitted with 1000cc V-Twin Salvaged From Hella Broken-Ass Moto Guzzi Motorcycle, Attached to Car with Velcro and Some Tape.

Seriously though, setting themselves apart from the Arse-Freeze field--which included a Maserati Quattroporte, a Mini Moke, a Citroen DS, three different cars with blow-through turbo/carburetor contraptions, and a 27-foot stretch limo--was no small feat for the Fiat team. Check out the final results and official photo gallery here, Judge Phil's The Truth About Cars coverage here, and Judge Jonny's Motor Trend blog here.

CONCOURS d'LEMONS ON TV
The first few episodes of HD Theater's Chasing Classic Cars featured a barn-find Bugatti, a Shelby GT500, and the restoration of a Ferrari Daytona. More recently, CCC has focused on Fiat Multiplas and Saab 96s covered in mud. Next week, the show hits rock frickin' bottom by spotlighting the Concours d'LeMons: Check your local listings for channels and times.

HO-HUM. BACK IN THE NEW YORK TIMES
It seems that Canadian-market Russian cars, a series for $500 dung-piles, and the aforementioned gay disco bands and costumed fat guys have been deemed "fit to print." Or to blog, anyway: Click here to check out the NYT's coverage of Total Loss Racing's Lada Signet.

LAST CALL FOR CMP AND MSR
Entry deadlines for the first two 2011 races are already upon us (which incidentally also serves as my personal reminder to re-up my meds). Check out the full 2011 schedule with all entry deadlines here, or click here to enter a race.

Cheers,

Nick

[BigMike]

So here are the results:

# WINNER ON LAPS: #760, POS Racing (1990 BMW 325i, Encinitas CA) 312 laps

# INDEX OF EFFLUENCY: #64, Italian Stallions--The Blue Meanie (1964 Fiat 600D, Woodside CA)

# WINNER, CLASS A (THE GOOD): #111, Eyesore Racing (1994 Mazda Miata, Long Beach CA)

# WINNER, CLASS B (THE BAD): #93, Clergy MC (1991 Nissan NX2000, San Francisco CA)

# WINNER, CLASS C (THE UGLY): #430, Petty Cash Racing (1989 Jeep Cherokee, Issaquah WA)

# ORGANIZER'S CHOICE: #10, Rolling Chicane Limo Service (1996 Lincoln Town Car Limo, Oakley CA)

# I GOT SCREWED: #43, Phony Express--Clydesdale Edition (1975 Lincoln Continental Town Coupe, Fresno CA)

# MOST HEROIC FIX: #301, Apollo 18 (1968 Austin Mini Moke, Escondido CA)

# JUDGES' CHOICE: #185, Pendejo Engineering (1980 Maserati Quattroporte, San Diego CA)

# GRASSROOTS MOTORSPORTS MOST FROM THE LEAST AWARD: #53 and #8, Deepest Valley Racing (1975 Jaguar XJ6, Lone Pine CA) and Team Tinyvette (1969 Opel GT, Davis CA)

# HIGHEST PLACING '70s CONTENDER: #914, LaHonda Bandits Racing Grope (1976 Porsche 914, LaHonda CA)

# LEAST HORRIBLE YANK TANK: #95, Model T GT (1927 Ford Model T, Danville CA)

[BigMike]

The fastest lap time recorded for the entire race was 02:11.0 by the Ford Model T GT. What engine did that car have?

The fastest top speed recoded for the entire race was 71.478 MPH also by the Ford Model T GT.

Hey Bryan, what does it take to hit 70 MPH at Buttonwillow?

[BigMike]

Info on the top 30 finishers:

Pos	Car	Laps	Fastest Lap	BS Penelty Laps
1	1990/BMW/e30	312	02:14.4
2	1992/Mazda/Miata	312	02:12.7
3	1986/Porsche/944	307	02:12.7
4	1983/BMW/533i	306	02:14.7
5	1986/BMW/e30	305	02:16.8
6	1985/Nissan/300 zx	302	02:15.0	2
7	1987/BMW/325ie	297	02:12.3
8	1991/Nissan/Sentra	296	02:23.0
9	1927/Ford/T	295	02:11.0
10	1987/BMW/325is	295	02:13.4
11	1985/Mazda /RX7	290	02:17.3
12	1988/Mazda RX7 302 V8 Conversion	289	02:19.2
13	1986/toyota/Supra	289	02:25.2
14	2000/Ford/Crown Victoria	287	02:23.3
15	1991/nissan/nx2000	287	02:13.3
16	1987/Porsche/924S	285	02:16.8
17	1985/BMW/535	284	02:18.2
18	1985/BMW/325e	283	02:17.3
19	1987/BMW/325e	283	02:20.2
20	1991/Nissan/Sentra	282	02:19.8
21	2000/Ford/Crown Vic	281	02:26.2
22	1989/Saab/9000	280	02:16.0
23	1987/BMW/325e	279	02:19.5
24	1992/Ford/Escort GT	279	02:19.8
25	1991/Nissan/Sentra	278	02:18.3	10
26	1987/Mercedes/190E	277	02:16.3
27	1991/Mazda/Miata	267	02:27.8	1
28	1987/Mazda/Mx6 (Faux BMW E30)	264	02:21.8
29	1982/Mazda/RX-7	264	02:21.7
30	1983/VW/Rabbit GTI	263	02:24.3

[BigMike]

Here are all the MR2s from the event:

Pos	Team	Car	Laps	Fastest Lap	Top Speed	BS Penelty Laps	Notes
33	Spirit of Toyota F1 v13.b6	1986/Toyota/MR2	253	02:16.4	68.627	8	TE37 wheels, huge brakes
50	Snowspeeder Pilots Association	1985/toyota/mr2	244	02:22.6	65.651		This is the Silver 1ZZ-FE car
65	Stick Figure Racing	1987/Toyota/MR2	222	02:31.9	61.611		This is the black car
119	Team Fugawi	1991/Toyota/1991 MR2	139	02:23.8	65.088		This is the MK2
160	Lil Smokey and the Bandit Racing	1987/Toyota/MR2	10	02:42.1	57.729

So that 1ZZ-FE powered MK1 was barely faster than the black MK1 with that really nice roll cage. The black MR2 guy said his engine was completely stock and yet they were only 4 MPH slower on the straight compared to the 1ZZ-FE car. Also the 1ZZ-FE car was slower than the 4A-GE "Spirit of Toyota" car. Very interesting....

Also, the Spirit of Toyota F1 was that really clean white/red MK1 we saw right next to the track. They told me that the engine was quote "all stock" and that they hadn't done anything to the engine. So maybe they only had 110 - 120 hp and LOOK at their fastest lap, it was only 2 SECS off from the winner!! DUDE, so if we can get 130, 140, even 150 HP we DEFINITELY stand a SOLID chance against that BMW!!!!!!

Here are some pictures of the "Spirit of Toyota F1" car, this was the fastest MR2 of the day. They have the entire dash skeleton still in the car, both doors, rear trunk lock, and the stock rear tow points are there so I don't think they gutted the bumpers. I'm sure our car will be a good 50 to 100 pounds lighter plus we will have more power. All of this is really convincing me more and more that the success will be up to us, the drivers, more-so then the car. If we drive great and don't make any mistakes I think that is more important than having 180 horsepower.

ps. They finished in the same position number as their car number

pss. Interesting, no side mirrors...

[Sirdeuce]

Sorry Mike, but the team with the 1ZZ was Snow Speeders Association.

[BigMike]

Sorry Mike, but the team with the 1ZZ was Snow Speeders Association.

Yeah sorry, I noticed that about 5 mins ago and just updated my last post. Re-read my last post, I changed the opening paragraph

[Sirdeuce]

Right on