AQ Motorsports/JC Meynet at ACS 8-15-10
08-31-2010, 07:55 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Cali
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Car Info: 2006 STI
AQ Motorsports/JC Meynet at ACS 8-15-10
The AQ Motorsports team recently enjoyed another outstanding race event at Autoclub Speedway (ACS) on 8-15-10. Racing in the Speedventures Time Attack "Challenge" series, the team was able to set the fastest time of the weekend out of over 150 cars, win the STI vs EVO shootout portion, and reclaim the Mod/Ltd/TTU track record.
Speedventures has been continuously running timed track events throughout the Western United States for 9 years (since Jan 2002). Their main focus is HPDE driving/racing schools but they have often been called upon to manage and officiate races for several organizations. In recent years, they have started to hold Time Attack style races within their own track events. We have raced in their Miata Challenge, S2000 Challenge, and STI vs EVO challenge. They also hold races for Corvettes and Lotus cars. Speedventures has a solid and respected reputation, and their move into running such races fills a much needed void for Time Attack racers.
In preparation for the event, we spent time improving several aspects of our car including front aero grip, suspension balance, and power. JC Meynet, Adan Quezada, and Peter "Jamal" Leclaire focused their efforts on a new front diffuser with better supports, a new rear sway bar, and a return to our trusted Stoptech brake system. Shawn Church worked his tuning magic with E85 fuel to net us an approximate 100whp gain. Frank Chen as usual performed an excellent job trackside managing tires and suspension. Leilani Solomon, Matt Wooley and Ryan Novak added their color to the event.
Our STI had been relegated to the "show" circuit lately and this would be our first race event in over two months, and nearly a year since the last trip to ACS. Undeterred, the AQ crew headed out to ACS bright and early Sunday morning. After the usual unloading, driver's meetings and final checks, JC went out in the first session with low power and old tires to blow out the cobwebs. JC was able to click off laps in the 1:45 range which would have put us on the podium at every previous race, and this was in traffic! We upped the power a little for our next session and nailed several solid 1:43 range laps, also in traffic. FTR, the old record was just a tick over a 1:43 flat.
We knew the day would be getting hotter as it always does in Fontana in August (ambient temp was already in the upper 90's with track surface temps nearing 150) so we put on some fresher tires and upped the power to about 90%. We also swapped out a front axle as we had damaged a CV boot causing grease to leak near the turbo and we didn't want a fire concern. The next session immediately revealed a brake problem, causing a bad imbalance and premature front lock up. Assuming that something was damaged during the axle swap, Adan quickly replaced some sensors and got JC back out on track before the end of the session. Unfortunately, the problem still existed and the session was over. With the pressure off between sessions, the crack AQ team was able to trace the problem to a bad connector elsewhere on the car. Problem solved, but now with just one session remaining and during the hottest part of the day.
With the fresh tires, solid power and most of the brake issues solved, the crew got JC out to grid in first position for a good shot at a clean lap. The car ran great in every way and JC cranked off an "eventful" lap to get the Challenge win, fastest time of the weekend, and new Mod/Ltd/TTU AWD/Overall track record, 1:42.556 With the minimal testing we got, we were very happy to come out of the box swinging and be able to nail those lap times even though we only clocked 7 hot laps all day in three sessions. Needless to say, with more testing, set up adjustments, full power, and more time for JC to get in the rhythm, we feel that even faster times are possible, especially if conditions were cooler.
This race event was the fifth of the year for our Subaru STI. After a disappointing mechanical failure at the beginning of the season, we turned things around and have not only won the last four events, but have set track records at each of them. With another break in the racing schedule until October, the car will be in a few more shows/displays and get a few more updates. We can't wait to get back on track with all the other fantastic teams and racers and always look forward to the excellent competition they bring. Look for us to compete at Subiefest, the Global Tuner GP, Superlap Battle Finals, and other select events over the rest of the year. As always, JC and the entire AQ team would like to thank all of their excellent sponsors and supporters. Without them, none of this could be possible.
Speedventures has been continuously running timed track events throughout the Western United States for 9 years (since Jan 2002). Their main focus is HPDE driving/racing schools but they have often been called upon to manage and officiate races for several organizations. In recent years, they have started to hold Time Attack style races within their own track events. We have raced in their Miata Challenge, S2000 Challenge, and STI vs EVO challenge. They also hold races for Corvettes and Lotus cars. Speedventures has a solid and respected reputation, and their move into running such races fills a much needed void for Time Attack racers.
In preparation for the event, we spent time improving several aspects of our car including front aero grip, suspension balance, and power. JC Meynet, Adan Quezada, and Peter "Jamal" Leclaire focused their efforts on a new front diffuser with better supports, a new rear sway bar, and a return to our trusted Stoptech brake system. Shawn Church worked his tuning magic with E85 fuel to net us an approximate 100whp gain. Frank Chen as usual performed an excellent job trackside managing tires and suspension. Leilani Solomon, Matt Wooley and Ryan Novak added their color to the event.
Our STI had been relegated to the "show" circuit lately and this would be our first race event in over two months, and nearly a year since the last trip to ACS. Undeterred, the AQ crew headed out to ACS bright and early Sunday morning. After the usual unloading, driver's meetings and final checks, JC went out in the first session with low power and old tires to blow out the cobwebs. JC was able to click off laps in the 1:45 range which would have put us on the podium at every previous race, and this was in traffic! We upped the power a little for our next session and nailed several solid 1:43 range laps, also in traffic. FTR, the old record was just a tick over a 1:43 flat.
We knew the day would be getting hotter as it always does in Fontana in August (ambient temp was already in the upper 90's with track surface temps nearing 150) so we put on some fresher tires and upped the power to about 90%. We also swapped out a front axle as we had damaged a CV boot causing grease to leak near the turbo and we didn't want a fire concern. The next session immediately revealed a brake problem, causing a bad imbalance and premature front lock up. Assuming that something was damaged during the axle swap, Adan quickly replaced some sensors and got JC back out on track before the end of the session. Unfortunately, the problem still existed and the session was over. With the pressure off between sessions, the crack AQ team was able to trace the problem to a bad connector elsewhere on the car. Problem solved, but now with just one session remaining and during the hottest part of the day.
With the fresh tires, solid power and most of the brake issues solved, the crew got JC out to grid in first position for a good shot at a clean lap. The car ran great in every way and JC cranked off an "eventful" lap to get the Challenge win, fastest time of the weekend, and new Mod/Ltd/TTU AWD/Overall track record, 1:42.556 With the minimal testing we got, we were very happy to come out of the box swinging and be able to nail those lap times even though we only clocked 7 hot laps all day in three sessions. Needless to say, with more testing, set up adjustments, full power, and more time for JC to get in the rhythm, we feel that even faster times are possible, especially if conditions were cooler.
This race event was the fifth of the year for our Subaru STI. After a disappointing mechanical failure at the beginning of the season, we turned things around and have not only won the last four events, but have set track records at each of them. With another break in the racing schedule until October, the car will be in a few more shows/displays and get a few more updates. We can't wait to get back on track with all the other fantastic teams and racers and always look forward to the excellent competition they bring. Look for us to compete at Subiefest, the Global Tuner GP, Superlap Battle Finals, and other select events over the rest of the year. As always, JC and the entire AQ team would like to thank all of their excellent sponsors and supporters. Without them, none of this could be possible.
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