From Prima-Racing

We’re back with the Speed Element EVO! It has been a while since the car sees the track. In fact we can count it over a year since the last time at Buttonwillow, the car only made one lap before it encounter problem. This time the Speed Element team is more prepared as we are a young team and learn more every time we go to the track. Everyone on the team is excited with the potential and we just want to go and finish an event.




Saturday is use purely for practice. None of the times will count. We didn’t get our AMB transponder charged up so we won’t have any times for today. We do however, have AiM MXL so we can monitor our times ourselves throughout the day.

Saturday first practice,
The objectives for this session is to get Hartanto acclimated with the car and the track since it has been a while since he drove the car and even longer since he drove the track. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned as on the start of the second lap, we noticed the front bumper is dragging on the ground. Devin quickly called Hartanto to pull in so we can address the issue.




At the garage, we found out that the bumper broke off where it mounted. This is our first time on the roval, and we didn’t realize that the downforce created at such speed pushed the bumper down and broke it off from some of its mounting point. The dragging damaged the bumper and the Speed Element team will have to do some repair before we can go out again. The team worked as quickly as they can, but we couldn’t finish it in time for Hartanto to go out on the seconds practice session.

Saturday third practice,
Since the first objective wasn’t met in the first session, the schedule is moved back and we use this session to get Hartanto acclimated. After the first lap, Hartanto reported that the car making some weird loud noise that seem to sync with speed. The Speed Element team decided to pull it back to the garage to assess the unknown problem before it becomes a major problem.

After a quick inspection, the team found out that the rear license plate seem to catch wind behind it and cause to flap. We took them off the car, unfortunately the session ended as we were ready to send Hartanto out. This is not looking good as our practice day since so far, Hartanto was only able to accumulate 2 laps.

Saturday fourth practice,
With only 2 laps under his belt, Hartanto is yet to feel comfortable with the car. Time is quickly dwindling down and we are determined to make the most out of the rest of the day. Imagine our surprise when Hartanto reported the same noise he experienced earlier is still there and he is pulling in so the team can check it out.

Back at the garage, Speed Element team quickly found that the rear diffuser has broke off from its mounting. They were able to quickly take off the rear diffuser and send Hartanto back out to salvage the session.

The roval bring whole new challenges and experience for the Speed Element team. We are happy that all this happened on practice day not on Sunday where it counts.



Saturday fifth practice,
Everything went well, and this is the first session where everything start to go together. Hartanto is getting comfortable with the car and making progress. In the end of the day he was able to post respectable lap times at mid 1:50s. Hartanto felt there still a few more seconds to shave as he gets more comfortable and confident with the car. We are happy that we overcame the problems and making progress.

Sunday first practice.
Sunday practice is particularly important. This is the first session where we get official timed lap which will be used to grid us on the time attack session At this session, Hartanto made further progress and was able to clock in a few 1:49s, and a bunch of 1:50s. This put us on the top of the time sheet, but we doubt it will be enough to win as everyone will get faster as the day progresses. We are upbeat and also believe there still few more seconds to shave.

Sunday second practice.
Things start to go bad again. Hartanto reported pressure loss from the clutch pedal every time he shift or uses the clutch. With every three gear shift the clutch will loose pressure all the way that it stayed on the floor. Hartanto limped the car in so the team can check it out.



The team quickly identify one of the line which goes to the slave cylinder is leaking and gone to work to replace them. Unfortunately we weren’t able to finish in time and missed the seconds session entirely. The next session will be the first time attack session. We decided to run with fresh tire on our first time session as most R compound tires are at their fastest when they are fresh.

Time Attack session 1,
Hartanto is gridded on first as his morning session was the fastest in class so far with 1:49.626. Hartanto quickly get up to speed. The car however doesn’t seem to handle as well and Hartanto reported lack of grip and bad understeer. Hartanto completed the 3 run laps and quickly checked his time. He only managed a 1:51.076 which confirmed his handling problem. The team quickly made an adjustment for the practice session.

Sunday third practice,
Hartanto was able to do some quick laps and able to post 1:48.648 which is fastest time for the class. Dieter actually posted faster time but with illegal tire, so his time doesn’t count.

Time Attack session 2,
Hartanto tried his best and cut his time further. This time Hartanto was able to post 1:47.793. However that time is only good for second place as Dieter was able to post 1:47.595. Beating us by less than .2 seconds.

We are happy with what we accomplished. We are still a young team and we will go back to the drawing board and come back stronger next time.




We would like to thanks all our sponsors, as without them we couldn’t make this happen.

Supertech Performance for their awesome valvetrain and pistons.

Perrin Performance for the awesome intercooler and new P.S.S.R

Toyo Tires.

Swift Springs

And again, more pics HERE and in car video HERE