[Eric_K]

This Saturday we are attempting our 3rd run at the Cascade 8 Hour endurance race in Portland. This is always a fun event with a LeMans style start, pit stops, and running into the night. The 968 is classed in P1 which is for cars over 2.5 liters. This means we are thrown in with all kinds of fast cars, including GT3 Cup cars. The classing is a little silly but it doesn't stop the fun and if the car runs like it has the last 2 years we will end up beating a lot of faster cars. The forecast is for 67 and sunny. Incredible for October!



Here are some pics from previous years:

   

   

   

   

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[Dave]

Go get 'em Eric!



Be Fast and Be Safe!

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[doster]

Is this the cascade enduro? if so what time do you start i'm having trouble finding info.

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[Eric_K]

The race is from 12 to 8 with practice in the morning.



http://www.icscc.com/forms/r_announce/casc...nduro_sched.pdf

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[ether_joe]

whoohoo! keep us updated.



You switch between two drivers yes?

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[Eric_K]

There are going to be 3 drivers each doing about a 2:40 stint in the car with a quick stop for fuel in the middle of each stint. If all goes to plan there will be 5 pitstops, 2 driver changes and less than 10 miutes total in the pits. I'm driving the last stint which will go thru sunset and be an hour plus of night racing. That is always an adventure.

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[Eric_K]

Woo hoo! We finished 2nd overall (out of 35) and were only beaten by a 996 Cup car. It was the most intense enduro I've been involved with. We spent the last 4 hours of the race swapping positions with a BMW Euro M3 and a 280Z with a Chevy V8 in it. Those cars were faster but we had more consistent drivers and quicker pit stops. There was also a fast Mustang, another really fast M3, a 350ZX and couple of sports racers that were quicker, but they all ran into trouble.



The race didn't go without problems though. The car did not feel right all day. The rear end was really sloppy, especially on full tanks. I suspect one of the poly bronze spring plate bushings was letting go. The biggest problem was that one of my co-drivers put the nose of the car into a tire wall with 10 minutes left in the final practice and one hour before the race! The crew did a great job and taped/tie wrapped the nose back together and guessed at re-aiming the headlights. Luckily it was mostly cosmetic. Then about 3.5 hours in, the car started to smoke. Oh s***, I thought we were gonna be done. We looked the car over at the next pit stop but couldn't find anything. Then it just stopped smoking. Just kept driving. On unloading the car yesterday, I discovered a torn CV boot just above the exhaust and grease sprayed everywhere. We were luckly the CV lasted another 4+ hours.



I got into the car at 5:20 with a little over 2.5 hours left in the race. At this point we were in second but the yellow M3 was on the same lap. Soon after my stop, the M3 did a quick fuel stop and came out of the pits a few seconds ahead of me. If I could catch him it would put them 2 laps down. I wasn't able to pass them but I stayed in close contact for next 50 minutes or so as we sliced thru traffic. I had to work hard to keep up as he could use his superior power to put lap cars between us on the straights. We both pitted again. We did fuel only and they did a fuel & driver change. Because of a full course caution they were able to stay only one lap down. Their last driver was fast and they were coming for us. With 30 minutes left they unlapped themselves and were picking up seconds per lap. I was having to take risks in traffic and keep pushing. It was like a 2 hour sprint race. The race could not end quick enough. I was getting time remaining and gap information over the radio and it kept getting closer and closer. I had to be fast and not make a mistake. Finally, the checkered came out and we finished about 38 seconds ahead. Which is nothing after 8 hours.



There are some pics of the race here:

http://thedigitalperspective.exposuremanag...r_enduro_102106



It was nice to meet Doster during the race, unfortunately there wasn't a lot of time to talk.

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[968rz]

Congratulations Erik <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> , Keep on showing them 968’s are nothing to be ignored. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/ph34r.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[sasilverbullet]

GO ERIC!!!! GO ERIC!!!! Yeeeehaaa!



These cars are soooooo cool!

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[Dave]

Extraordinary racing and, I'm sure, extraordinary FUN!



It's gotta feel especially good after overcoming more than your share of adversity.



Great run!

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[doster]

Congrats! the m3 was fast, good to hear you spanked him <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> the 996 was ridiculusly fast that wasn't fair.



nice to meet you and your car is beautiful i didn't even notice the damage .

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[mike]

Congrats Eric! I'm sure that overcoming adversity and being in the underdog 968 made your excellent result all the more satisfying. Can we look forward to some video?



mike

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[Jim Child]

Congrats on the great finish! 2.5 hours at full tilt is a long stint. I bet you were glad to see the checker!!

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[Eric_K]

your car is beautiful i didn't even notice the damage .

Its amazing what body color racers tape can cover up. We used a lot of it.



I'll post some pictures soon and I was able to get 6.5 hours of the race on video before the battery died. I probably won't be posting all of it. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

I bet you were glad to see the checker!!

It felt real good to see the flag! A huge relief and it felt like a victory.

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[Jason Judd]

Erik,



Congratulations!



I was getting tense just reading your post about the last portion of the race...



I can't even imagine a stint of 2 1/2 hours! That must have been draining on you...That's an amazing amount of stamina.



As Jim sain, I bet you were happy to see the checker...especially with the M3 behind you.



Best,



Jason

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[Eric_K]

Here are some pics from the event.



Getting ready for the LeMans start.

       



Race action.

        [attachment=3004:attachm

ent]

        [attachment=3008:attachm

ent]

   



First pit stop:

   



Some of the competition:

        [attachment=3009:attachm

ent]



First & Second:

   

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[Clem]

Congratulations.

Sounds like an amazing drive.

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[sguy]

Eric,

Congratulations on a stellar performance! I'm familiar with the Adare BMW team (black/yellow) and know how fast they are and it would not have been easy to beat the good BMW teams. I'll be on the track with them this weekend at Spokane BMW school and I'll have to point out to them that it was a Porsche day. Great pictures, especially with Mount Hood in the background. Keep us posted on any future events, I'm in Portland quite often. I'd be glad to help out however too, even Gofer.



Cheers, Stephen

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[Darth Coupe]

Congrats Erik on what sounds like a great race!

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[Eric_K]

Thanks guys.



Stephen - be careful what you ask for, you'll be in the pit lane before you know it. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/tongue.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> They are running the 8 Hour again in March.



The Adare BMW is very fast. I have nothing for them in a straight fight but endurance racing takes a lot more than just speed. We just try to stay close and wait for them to break or hit something - which they have done the last 3 times. A few well placed Porsche comments would be good. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/laugh.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



Are you going to have your 968 at the BMW school? I've done that event before - it's fun.

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