« Speaking Freely | Main | Next up, Watkins Glen »
June 23, 2008
No green flag. Disappointment at Mid-Ohio
22 June 2008 | Charlotte, NC
After the adversity of Mosport, Kevin was determined to have a good performance at Mid-Ohio.
Along with interim co-driver, Marko Radisic, Kevin worked hard in the practice sessions to tame the reluctant handling of the BMW at the tricky Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
With each change came small improvements. When it was time for qualifying, the plan was to get the car into the show and prepare for race conditions.
On race day, Marko Radisic was to drive the car briefly in the morning warm-up session.
Unfortunately, Marko was unable to select any gears within the BMW's gearbox.
This problem found the Fountain Motorsports crew faced with the tough task of diagnosis and repair prior to race time.
The crew removed the transmission and clutch assembly along with other related components in an effort to hopefully replace a culprit part.
Finishing the repair just as the cars were forming for the grid, the crew then buckled Kevin in for the reconnaissance laps.
Immediately - even before getting on track - Kevin noticed a very unusual vibration and noise.
Radioing in to the crew for recommendations, he was instructed to take the recon. laps and report back.
The vibration and noise remained.
The crew opted to have Kevin line up on the grid and take the formation laps in preparation for the race start.
Kevin never got to the green flag...
Just before the tracks famous "Carousel" corner, there was a tremendous explosion-like sound from the center of the car - the shifter assembly moved up into the car and its linkage fell down through a new, large torn hole in the floor(!)
The car no longer had any forward motion.
Kevin pulled safely off to the track's side and his day was concluded - before it really began.
On to Watkins Glen!
Posted by YORK Group at June 23, 2008 02:29 AM