Algarve | 2010 NALMS S.2 | 4-Class

[Kinst Vonsterga]

Tim Collier wins at Algarve! Racing his Acura ARX-01B in the P2 class, Tim was just shy of taking 3rd in the P1 category ... which just illustrates how driving technique can surpass pure horsepower. Jerry Hamilton and Chris Hamilton, both racing for team HMI ARX-01B, finish 2nd and 3rd respectively in the P2 class. All three podium finishers were in jeopardy of losing their position to Mike Tribble, as he was extremely quick in his Pescarolo Mazda P2, but a corner mishaps on lap 25 caused him to lose 6 positions. From there, Mike Tribble and Jerry McComas were in each other's sites, with Jerry taking 8th overall in the final 8 laps of the race.

Scott Clark (Team Artic Ford GT) was the man to beat in the GT class, ending the race 1 lap ahead of his nearest competitor Kevin Wood (Team DDP Corvestte C6-RGT). After 58 laps of racing, Tanner Berry (Rush Racing Ford GT) fended off long-range attacks by James Sharkus, protecting Tanner's 3rd place finish. Constant radio chatter was focused on the state of each racers tires, pushing the high-tech rubber compounds beyond their engineered specs.

The grand show was found in the P1 category between Paul Shuman (Acura ARX-02a) and Henry Hudson (Lola Judd EX264), both of whom consistently put in sub-1:30 laps against the rest of the field. After a freak spin off the grid, Henry did not panic, making up an incredible 13 places over the next 68 laps, finishing Algarve 20 seconds behind Paul ... and closing. This was a gutsy showing by the Lola driver as this track is very difficult to force faster laps upon.

In the end, Paul took the victory in great style, leading all laps after taking pole position. Phillip Brown was another P1 racer who making up serious time against the podium contenders, though could this brutal pace be sustained for another 10 minutes, let alone another hour by the field? Any speculation of how this race may have played out beyond 1hr 45 minutes has to be tempered by the exhaustion that most drivers felt after navigating hundreds of turns and elevation changes.

Bravo for all those who finished this Autodromo of Algarve!

Race Report
Season Standing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBXDYPggtSg

[TimCollier]

Another great write up...thanks Lenny! Also loved the video...thanks!