Goodsport Racing and Robispec Win USTCC 2008 Round One
Mar 10, 2008, 06:07 PM
#1
Evolving Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Goodsport Racing and Robispec Win USTCC 2008 Round One
The Goodsport Racing Mitsubishi Evolution, driven by David Bongiovanni, took first place in the first United States Touring Car race of the 2008 season. Held at Thunderhill Raceway in Willow, CA, the inaugural race held much promise with good weather, excellent car count, and some fierce competition including past USTCC champions and Grand Am veterans.
The team arrived at the track with the car in top shape, though with little information about the new to the series Nitto NT-01 race rubber sized in 225/50-17 for all competitors. At an all up race weight of over 3350 lb., the Goodsport team had to scramble to find suspension settings that got the most from the tires, as the Evo was heavier than the next heaviest car by over 400 lb., and was running the AWD mandated 12.45 lb/hp, the lowest power to weight ratio of any car in the field. Luckily, Robert Fuller of Robispec was able to supply critical suspension components and settings without any track testing opportunities, using his many years of experience to make great decisions on how to best manage these tires.
The qualifying session only lasted for two laps due to an on-track incident, and traffic only allowed Bongiovanni to qualify in fourth position. With three cars ahead at the start, using the great launch characteristics of the Evolution would be difficult.
When the green flag dropped the traffic kept all cars in their qualifying position through turn one as the pack settled into the single file line that would last the first few laps. A small mistake in turn nine sent the 2nd place Mini to sixth place in one turn, as the other drivers struggled to maintain position in line. After another two laps, the leading Dodge SRT-4 suddenly lost power on the main straight, instantly falling back to mid-pack and 6th place. With the Honda Civic in the lead, Bongiovanni settled into second place with the Chevrolet Cobalt SS, which ran the fastest lap of the race, filling the rearview mirror of the Evolution.
The first place Honda was fast enough to keep the Evolution behind it in second, but as the race wore on, the abilities of the AWD really began to shine. Eventually, the Honda pushed its tires beyond their abilities, and had a big spin coming out of turn eight. Bongiovanni was able to capitalize on the mistake and pushed through to take first place, with the Chevrolet Cobalt in close tow. As the pack came back across the finish line, a full course yellow was shown due to an incident behind the lead pack. The yellow continued until the checker was shown, giving Goodsport Racing and David Bongiovanni the first win of the 2008 season.
Bongiovanni states "Goodsport Racing is very pleased to return to USTCC after a one year absence. The newly developed promotional opportunities and fantastic new series sponsors including Nitto Tire have made this the premier pro touring car series on the West Coast. Today's win is directly attributable to the fantastic efforts over many years by the Goodsport crew and our sponsors Robispec, Innovate Motorsports, and Evil Genius."
Goodsport Racing will return to Round Two of the United States Touring Car Championship at Infineon Raceway on April 13, 2008 with Dave Bongiovanni behind the wheel once again. The hard work starts now, however, as the competition is fierce and the Goodsport crew will have to continue to improve the capabilities of the Evolution in order to stay at the front of the pack.
For more information, visit:
http://www.goodsportracing.com
http://www.robispec.com
http://www.innovatemotorsports.com
http://www.evilgeniusracing.com
http://www.ustcc.com
http://www.nasaproracing.com
The team arrived at the track with the car in top shape, though with little information about the new to the series Nitto NT-01 race rubber sized in 225/50-17 for all competitors. At an all up race weight of over 3350 lb., the Goodsport team had to scramble to find suspension settings that got the most from the tires, as the Evo was heavier than the next heaviest car by over 400 lb., and was running the AWD mandated 12.45 lb/hp, the lowest power to weight ratio of any car in the field. Luckily, Robert Fuller of Robispec was able to supply critical suspension components and settings without any track testing opportunities, using his many years of experience to make great decisions on how to best manage these tires.
The qualifying session only lasted for two laps due to an on-track incident, and traffic only allowed Bongiovanni to qualify in fourth position. With three cars ahead at the start, using the great launch characteristics of the Evolution would be difficult.
When the green flag dropped the traffic kept all cars in their qualifying position through turn one as the pack settled into the single file line that would last the first few laps. A small mistake in turn nine sent the 2nd place Mini to sixth place in one turn, as the other drivers struggled to maintain position in line. After another two laps, the leading Dodge SRT-4 suddenly lost power on the main straight, instantly falling back to mid-pack and 6th place. With the Honda Civic in the lead, Bongiovanni settled into second place with the Chevrolet Cobalt SS, which ran the fastest lap of the race, filling the rearview mirror of the Evolution.
The first place Honda was fast enough to keep the Evolution behind it in second, but as the race wore on, the abilities of the AWD really began to shine. Eventually, the Honda pushed its tires beyond their abilities, and had a big spin coming out of turn eight. Bongiovanni was able to capitalize on the mistake and pushed through to take first place, with the Chevrolet Cobalt in close tow. As the pack came back across the finish line, a full course yellow was shown due to an incident behind the lead pack. The yellow continued until the checker was shown, giving Goodsport Racing and David Bongiovanni the first win of the 2008 season.
Bongiovanni states "Goodsport Racing is very pleased to return to USTCC after a one year absence. The newly developed promotional opportunities and fantastic new series sponsors including Nitto Tire have made this the premier pro touring car series on the West Coast. Today's win is directly attributable to the fantastic efforts over many years by the Goodsport crew and our sponsors Robispec, Innovate Motorsports, and Evil Genius."
Goodsport Racing will return to Round Two of the United States Touring Car Championship at Infineon Raceway on April 13, 2008 with Dave Bongiovanni behind the wheel once again. The hard work starts now, however, as the competition is fierce and the Goodsport crew will have to continue to improve the capabilities of the Evolution in order to stay at the front of the pack.
For more information, visit:
http://www.goodsportracing.com
http://www.robispec.com
http://www.innovatemotorsports.com
http://www.evilgeniusracing.com
http://www.ustcc.com
http://www.nasaproracing.com
Last edited by ustcc evo; Mar 10, 2008 at 06:10 PM.
Mar 10, 2008, 08:49 PM
#3
Evolving Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We are in the process of putting another 90 or so hp into the Lancer to make it competitive in the series, but we hope to have it out with Steve Krshul as the driver before mid-season.
Mar 11, 2008, 02:47 PM
#7
Evolving Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
oh, that...
Yes, there is the little matter of getting the Lancer out of debtor's prison (body shop) before we slap that turbo kit on.
The frame rails had to be pulled straight, and the entire radiator/bumper support area had to be replaced and welded back in. Plus a new bumper and everything behind it. It was a lot worse than it looked.
Yes, there is the little matter of getting the Lancer out of debtor's prison (body shop) before we slap that turbo kit on.
The frame rails had to be pulled straight, and the entire radiator/bumper support area had to be replaced and welded back in. Plus a new bumper and everything behind it. It was a lot worse than it looked.
Trending Topics
Mar 11, 2008, 03:31 PM
#10
Evolved Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Long Beach, CA
Posts: 631
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've actually been waiting for both Robispec and Zzyzx to finish up their 08 Lancer coilovers...still am not 100% positive on which to get. Will the Robispec be a step down from your setup?
Mar 12, 2008, 10:37 AM
#14
Evolving Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As I understand it, the KWs come in both Street and Competition valving, reasonably priced at around $2k. However, Robi has the latest information on what is available for the Lancer.
The Zzyzx dampers are custom made Konis. Koni sells bare strut bodies that you can weld 'ears' to yourself, then insert the Koni SA or DA strut cartridges.
I don't have much experience with the DA Konis so I won't comment. However, I can say that the KW is the only $2k DA shock I've used that performs as well on the track as it does on the street, and is certainly the only shock in its price range that can handle a 900 lb spring in endurance racing conditions.
Robi doesn't sell the crap coilovers, you know the names...He'll tell you to wait and save your money and buy whats good. My first set of coilovers were 'track ready', but when the big springs went in, they couldn't handle it. Robi won't let that happen to you.
