There was little surprise when the final numbers came back, with Stasis winning the track portion of the event by over half a second. In fact, the only real surprise was that Achtuning, in a mostly stock RS4, managed to keep pace with Stasis' full race car and professional driver. Then again, Achtuning's driver, Gary Sheehan, is a professional driver in his own right. Stasis' top positioning reconfirmed our knowledge that a good driver is equally as important at the track as a car's setup. Since we're not nearly at Paul's driving level, however, we're going to continue to build overpowered cars.
B5 Audi A4Driver: Paul LambertLap Time: 1:28.901Contact Info: Stasis Engineering, 888/9-STASIS, www.stasisengineering.comEngine: 2.8L 12v V6, Stasis competition engine design, Motec engine managementDriveline: five-speed manual, Tilton dual-plate clutch, Stasis lightweight flywheelInterior: Momo race seat, full cage, fire suppression system, Auto Meter gaugesSuspension/Brakes: Ohlins three-way adjustable dampers, Hyperco competition springs, modified suspension arms with rod ends and spherical bearings, Stasis adjustable front camper links, upper wishbones, and rear toe linksWheels: 17x7.5 forged aluminum race wheels
TJM Motorsport'00 Audi A4Driver: Tim McLeanLap Time: DNFContact Info: TJM Motorsport, 866/DAHLBACK, www.tjmmotorsport.comEngine: '04 model 1.8T I-4, customBorgWarner KKK turbo, Dahlback Racing/Schrick cams and pistons, Dahlback Racing wastegate and blow-off valve, custom rings, crankshaft, valves, valve springs, retainers, intake manifold, fuel system, exhaust, downpipe, cam gears, and oil pan, Bosch spark plugsDriveline: five-speed manual, Sachs double-disc racing clutchInterior: Sparco Evo seats, TJM custom dash and center console, Auto Meter gauges, Audi RS4 shift knobSuspension/Brakes: Dahlback coilovers and sway bars, factory disc brakesWheels: 18-inch BBS CH wheels
TJM did exceptionally well on the dragstrip, and the little 1.8T wowed everyone on the dyno, so we were looking forward to seeing how its Dahlback-built four-banger would do at Streets of Willow. There were two slight concerns before the track day, though. One, car owner Tim McLean had limited seat time in this particular car. And two, we'd noticed slight levels of blue smoke flowing from the car's tailpipe at the dragstrip. Blue smoke means oil problems, and oil problems are the last thing you need at a road course.
During the practice sessions, TJM amazed everyone by posting a time of 1:32.352, just 3.5 seconds off the prac-tice session leader, Stasis. During its fifth practice lap, however, Tim noticed an oil pressure problem and pulled the A4 into the pits to see exactly what the issue was. Unfortunately, the motor was in the initial stages of spinning a bearing, and rather than risking a thrown rod and ultimately a totaled motor, the TJM crew withdrew from the competition. Sad, really, because if the car would have made it to the timed runs, it stood a good chance of posting a fourth place finish.
WRDJohn Gardner, owner of WRD, took part in etGP for the first time this year. He entered his personal car that housed a fully built VR6 and not much else. The car was a race car under a very thin veil of somewhat shiny paint. Every time the car passed on the track, you felt it in your chest. The car was fast, but not quite fast enough. John finished seventh out of nine on the road course, but we're confident that was only due to the driver. You see, while 90 percent of the participants brought a ringer with them to drive, John did it all himself. And not unlike Momentum's driver, he was faced with the stark reality that professional drivers whoop your ass no matter what you try.