cbuzzetti wrote:


...or as you USUALLY say "NO NEW RULES!"

Very well said by OUR 944-SPEC NATIONAL Champion.

i'm no tax guy, but i can easily see expenses associating with winning a national championship easily exceeding $4000. Think entry fees, gas getting there, hotel/RV fees, tires, gas for the racecar, maintenance, etc. Add to that the regional races you need in order to qualify for nationals and all the associated costs there. It would be hard for the IRS to claim that this is a profitable business even for Charley.

Congrats again Charlie.
By the way, were you still using the "inferior" Bilsteins (as I am) for this win?

Why yes I was. I tried using Koni rears and Bilstein fronts based on some info from an ex Pro driver. But it did not work as well as the Bilsteins all the way around.

It is my understanding that the Konis overheat after about 20 minutes. The Bilsteins will go about an hour. This may have made a difference in this race.

The difference between the (rear) Koni valving and Bilstein is dramatic. One has lots of compression resistence and the other has lots of rebound.

I have never driven the 944 with fresh Konis but with the Bilsteins I can say that I do not ever feel that I am giving anything up. Except that I get to keep $300 of my money.

Charlie,
I can't speak for the others, but my car never gave up during the race. When leading I made some mistakes and Norm and you guys closed-up. Sadly I felt every one.

Once he got in contact I had pace, but defendig all time was hard and you were in the perfect spot to capitalized on Jim and I going all out. Then you made no mistakes when leading while the 3 of beat on each other hard.

You ran a perfect race in that you let it all come you. And when it did you ran your best. I had it come to me early, but let it slip away. Then when pushing hard to regain 2nd I lost 3rd. It is just the way the race was going. Probalby should have just held on for 3rd, but chose to make Run at Jim and when it failed I left a run open for Norm. Norm to his credit took advantage. Hey that is what happens in race like this.

So I am not certain your car was "better", but you certainly got the most from it did all the right moves to win. Watching Norm's incar it became clear to me how tough it was. So nice job!

Thanks Joe, I don't think my car was better but it was easy to drive since I was not having to defend all race long.

Only having the 8th fastest lap time tells a big story. There is no doubt I was in the right place at the right time for the passes.

On the long runs when the lead pack was not attacking you guys were pulling away from me. I had to keep my head down and drive my car at my pace.

It was great racing with all the 944 Spec drivers.

You drove a great race Joe. I would happily race with you any day.

Charlie Buzzetti