How do you beat a guy who has a track in his backyard? Full-scale modified racer Liquid Lou Cicconi's raceway is in his old workshop for his full-sized cars which is located right next to his house. Damn, the guy can get up in the morning, walk ten feet and practice while still wearing his pajamas and eating breakfast. Basically Lou is pretty damn awesome on his home track. After the spanking he gave everyone on Sunday, he should change the sign over the door to Liquid Lou's House of Pain.
Lou's beautiful super-fast track, high traction, and a killer kink in the back straight. The track is much harder than it looks because of the broad sweeping turns. You have to dive really deep or you just are scrubbing off too much speed upon exit. Personally I just have a hard time here, not enough confidence to drive as deep as required for more than a couple of laps, nothing more practice will not help.
Liquid Lou's was the kick-off race for the Retro East™ summer session featuring the IRRA rules package with the sole exception of the East Coast race format, which is basically like that used for D3, qualifying, seven in each main with one move-up for the winner to the next main. We tweak it depending on entries of course.
Seventeen entries showed up to do Can-Am battle, with a couple of new faces which is always good. The traveling circus of retro racers knew we faced a hard challenge at Lou's because of the nature of the track and the strong base of home track heros that run just at this track and run it well they do.
The star-studded field from the bottom.
The field from the top.
Noose techs Rob Kurylo's car while John "Jersey John" Molnar looks on. To speed up tech we have adopted first to tech (and pass) is the last to qualify. This worked well as the faster guys teched in early and they were able to spend more time helping the guys new to the retro experience get their cars through tech. Not surprisingly Lou built most of those. Lou, you have to use some kind of tool to measure things. I have an extra R-Geo tech tool I will have to chain to your pit box.
Liquid Lou showing how many times he failed tech before he finally got through. At one point the only legal thing on his car was the rear tires. LOL...
Noose gave everyone a break and has decided he will judge concours for awhile instead of entering. The winners were (L-R) 2nd Randy Kohr's Red Fox McLaren, 1st Rob Kurylo's Eddie Mac-painted O/S McLeagle, and my 3rd place rattle can O/S Ti22.
Here is another shot of Rob's winning entry.
Noose had this beautiful Blue Moon Beer sponsored O/S Ti22 that would have been his entry if he did not decide to have mercy on everyone for awhile and not enter.
