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July 2005

The week started out on a tragic note as the finish line official was struck and killed by a competitor. This cut the upper section practice to only two runs leaving everyone a bit shaken and uncertain of the upper portion of the road come race day. On the condition of the road Cook commented "I felt the upper road was going to be quick but loose. The lack of practice time up there will be on eveyones mind come race day".

Lower practice was smooth and quick as Cook put in steady runs well within the target time needed for the record run come Saturday. Asked how the day was progressing Cook said; "Gene Pacheco helped make some changes to the car that got us some more bite. I had the back end set up pretty stiff and we were spinning the tires more than I'd like. We compared notes and made a rear shock adjustment in both oil and gas. We should be in pretty good shape for the qualifying run".

Thursday's qualifying came early as all days on the Peak do. One run to half way (commonly caled Glen Cove) to establish the running order in class. Fast time has the choice to start first or last with others in the same class. Cook put down a 5:07.2 just a few ticks off the class record of 5:06.6 and felt it could have been faster. "I could have done more I'm sure, but getting the car qualified is the number one goal. I could run those times all day long. In hind sight the record for qualifying may have been nice but it certainily wasn't worth putting the car in the ditch to try and do it. I'm confident that Gene and I and Barry will have things in order race day."

With Friday off the team worked to make last minute adjustments and prep on the car. Finding a cracked wing support the time proved very well spent. Fluid changes, tire grooving, and a wing pressure adjustment set the stage for the Saturday race run.

Saturday weather once again became a question as thunder clouds and light snow on the summit set in. Competitors looked for the window of running time as the rain showers dropped lightly around the noon hour. Luckily the clouds pulled back a bit and all the car and truck classes got off without a hitch. With the option to run first or last Pacheco made the call that the car run first. "Gene pushed me to go first and follow the Super Stock Cars to eliminate the risk of catching any of the slower cars in our class. Having to pass someone here can be a bit tricky as nobody has mirrors" Cook commented prior to the run.

The run went off at about 1:30 or so and hopes were high for a record run to the summit. When the flag fell however the time came up a bit short. Asked how the run was and how he felt about the time Cook said; "I had a great start and felt we really had a shot at the time, but for some reason I got too wide in one part of the road and pushed out into some soft dirt and stalled the motor. I don't think I'd done that in the past three or four years! I picked a fine time to try it now...the car wouldn't restart quickly as the motor was hot. I lost probably 10-15 seconds easily due to my own mistake."

Was there a chance at the record given the posted slower times by many at the summit? "I think so. The split time to the Cove came in at 5:01.6 which waxed the record time there by five full seconds. I know I can run well in the middle of the mountain. My only concerns were the upper sections and fast turns none of us got to practice." Simiilar comments were heard from other competitors that the upper third of the road was both loose and unpredictable.

"I'm happy with the win and having support from K&N as well as VP Fuels and Goodyear make this win better than last year. I really didn't want the history book to always say I was the winner the year we stopped at half way. Getting to the summit is a win and I'll take it."

Will the team come back in 2006 to try again? Todd says most likely. "With the road changes records are going to be harder and harder to get. I think we might have one more shot at it yet. They are paving some of the W's and that shouldn't effect my car all that much. Might even help a bit. Where I really need to work though is the fast upper portions. I know we left more there than we should have this year too."

Stay tuned....

CC.02.06

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