Blog

Life is Good at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2009 !

What does a good cigar, a glass of good cold beer, a huge crowd of people, lots of noise and excitement have in common – simple – The 24 Hours of Le Mans.
WOW what a show the cars and drivers put on this year. Beauty on the race track is about the only way to describe the outstanding job all the drivers and crew members did at Le Mans this year. Fifty five cars started the famous race, over 30 finished after 24 gruling hours of punishment. It was such a privledge to be there and witness what some people only dream about. An amazing spectical in deed realized by me because of my wonderful French friend Christophe.
When I strap myself in to the racecar my job is to drive it to the maximum, to get the most out of myself, the car and the crew. In other words – I am trying to push myself to the point that I am within an inch of being out of control, to push the car to it's breaking point by giving it so much punishment that it can't stand it and it gives up. If I can keep it on the track and it doesn't give up then we have a good day of racing, if either myself or the car breaks then we did what we expected to do from all the punishment. To realize that over 30 cars drove hundreds of laps around the punishing facility without a hitch is truly an amazing fact.
The competition was fearce and enjoyed by the hundreds of thousands of fans that lined the course. The drivers were exhausted, the cars were used completely used up and the fans were treated to a flawlessly presented display of racing excellence from the ACO. In this writers opinion, there are many other sanctioning organizations can learn from the ACO. The lack of tolerence for anything other than total professionalism is very refreshing. I applaude their professional manner and their continued ability to present on a truly amazing event to the world.
Next we talk about one of my favorite people, Heshel McGriff. Hershel is 81 years old and is getting back into his brand new DEI NASCAR Chevrolet to run the road course at Portland International Raceway in Portland, Oregon and again in Salt Lake City on the road course of Miller Sports Park . We will follow Hershel and how he does in his quest to come back from several years of retirement and give it another shot. Watch Petrol-Head for more on Hershel.
July 2, 2009
Portland Intl. Raceway with the Corvette
First let me apologize for taking so long to get this article done, I am a bit technology challenged and had to figure out how to publish the first practice video of the car. I have finally figured it out. Therefore, without further hesitation, I bring you my first practice laps in the Chevrolet Corvette at Portland Intl.Raceway in Portland Oregon.
We had a tough weekend, the car ran well but small problems kept us from being too competitive. Once we got the chance to practice a bit, we found several items on the car that were in need to tightening, etc. The biggest issue all weekend was the power steering lines leaking, big problem when they leak on to 1200 degree headers, lots of smoke fills the cockpit ! One of the two pressure lines was split and in need of a creative fix to make it through the weekend, two "O" rings work wonders with small cracked lines in pressure situations.
Last year while driving my friend Ken Osage's Porsche 928 my fastest lap in Portland was a 1:36, not good in a field of cars averaging mid 1:30's. But this year we have a whole new situation to deal with, a 1:25 was my fastest lap and that was the first time out with the car, impressive even if I do say so myself. The car is very fast. Now that I have sufficiently patted myself on the back, let me also say that the car is capable of going much faster, but the driver has to be better to make that happen. Needless to say, I was pleased with the car last weekend, even with all the small problems. The problem that finally took us out, was a broken half shaft and u-joint on the right rear of the car. Unfortunatley it broke going into the chicane, the fastest place on the track, I was sure the transmission had blown up, but it was the u-joint popping that I heard. Pretty scary the first time out, don't want to break the race car !
As I write this piece we are suppose to be racing in Bremerton, Washington, but rain has kept us away from the track this weekend. Next up is Pacific Raceways in Aurburn, Washington, where we will run with the big boys at the first SCCA National event of the year. This should be allot of fun for us as we will be competiting with cars on a National level and very experienced drivers. But, we have a good car, both Jeff Powell (my partner and other driver of the car) and I know the Pacific Raceways track very well, we should be pretty competitive. There will be more video to come now that I have mastered the video situation, we'll get some good video at Pacific Raceways, a beautiful but tough track. Enjoy watching !
Next up : Our latest project for shipping to Europe, a 1970 Plymouth Barracuda, inspired by the famous Barracuda driven by Dan Gurney and Swede Savage. We're making good progress building it right now, we'll have a full report coming up.
May 2, 2009
Racing Priorities………….What are they ?
There are many things that have to be taken into consideration when building a competitive race car, some more important than others…………………

The priority for any race car is driver comfort and safety. While it is important to have lots of horse power and good brakes in a road racing car such as our Corvette, it is even more important to be sure the driver is comfortable and safe when driving the car. In the photos hereafter I will point out some of the specific items built into our car for the purpose of driver safety and comfort.

In this photo you can see many items specific to the purpose of driver safety and comfort……………..they include,
a removable sterring wheel for quick exit in case of an accident, side impact bars protecting the driver from a side hit from another car, a heat proof shield floor mat keeping the drivers compartment as cool as possible, the two way radio for communication to the pits, note the mounting is within arms length to the driver once strapped into the seat to allow volume control, etc., the red "push to talk" button is mounted on the steering wheel itself eleminating any need to remove a hand from the wheel to communicate to the pit, the dash board is built in a manner that is easy to read for the driver to see at a glance while on the track, the electrial kill switch is within reach of the driver in case of emergency all electrial current can be shut down quickly. These are but a few of the items just in this photo, check out the next photo……………

Perhaps the most important piece of safety equipment on any race car is the fire equipment. Our Corvette is no exception, we have a fire system plumbed to the engine compartment and the driver compartment. Note in the photo the "pin" located just below the panic button, this allows the bottle to remain in the car at all times, the pin is removed when the car hits the track, then replaced when returning to the pits.
Another item seen here is the extra heat and sound pad over the tunnel area. In our Corvette the exhaust pipes run under the floor pan and beside the transmission just below the tunnel, as a result the cockpit can fill with extreme heat, this pad eleminates a vast majority of the excess heat and in turn keeps the driver more comfortable and alert while on the track.
Another item seen here and in our next photo, sometimes taken for granted, is the drivers seat.
Note that the seat if formed to fit the driver and to keep the driver in a comfortable and stable position when in a heavy "G" force corner. When racing such a car as our Corvette there is a tremoundous need to keep the driver in a position centered on the steering wheel to maintain complete control of the car.
It is very important when driving a race car the driver become one with the car, it is impossible to drive the car to a win if the driver is simply "in" the car. He must "be one with the car", know every inch of fender, know when and where he can make a move to pass and when he cannot, he must be able to "feel" the car, impossible if he is sliding in the seat when driving. A good well fitting seat is but one piece of safety equipment but a very important one, great care should be taken when considering the purchase of a race seat.
There are many good vendors all over the US and Europe for safety equipment, make your selection very carefully when considering safety equipment for your race car. Here are but few of our suppliers for the safety gear seen in these photos ………….
Summit Racing, Racing Electronics, Sparco
using these links you can get a good idea of what equipment is availble for driver safety and comfort.
We are scheduled (and excited) to run the upcoming SCCA race in Portland, Oregon on April 18th and 19th with our Corvette. We will give you a full report complete with a few track photos on our return.
Here's to good safe racing, see you around the next corner !
April 9, 2009
2009 Sponsor Party
Following the tradition started by our good friend Christophe Schwartz for the Le Mans Classic events, our 2009 Sponsor Party was a success.

On Friday evening we hosted our 2009 Sponsor party in the airplane hanger owned by team driver Jeff Powell. All those in attendance had a good time, got to meet the drivers one on one and had a great chance to see (and hear) the car personally.
Dick explains tire width requirements to one of our guests.
Dorothy and Donna, enjoy a good time at the party.

Special Guest Maddie Pust gets a chance to sit in the 1996 Corvette Race Car, a special treat for "the future race driver". We're always looking for "new talent" !
For those in attendance later on in the afternoon we had a special little treat, a quick run of the car for a couple of laps in front of the hanger. All were impressed with the speed, acceleration capability and braking capacity of the car in such a short distance. We received lots of nice comments on how good the car looked, ran (and how loud it was) and impressive it looks at a distance.
A good time was had by all in attendance. Final plans were made for the 2009 season, the tracks we will be racing were announced and travel plans were discussed. Looks like we will have a great year this season, a few sponsors announced they will be attending the events to help with the car and suppport our efforts, which is always welcome. It never hurts to have more help there is always something to do in the pits during race weekend so I doubt anyone will find themselves without a job (or two) during race days.
Next up: Our 2009 race schedule – watch this blog for the upcoming schedule.
March 30, 2009
Our New Racing Corvette
Our new Corvette race car is really something !
This is its younger cousin in Le Mans:
Now that the racing season in almost upon us here in the Northwest portion of the US, we are getting our new Corvette ready to go. Today we have the sponsor party, I'll update you more next week on that one, and fire up the beast for all of our potential sponsor friends. Ours is a small friendly racing group but the atmosphere is not unlike that of a American Le Mans Series Team once we get to the track, it is all business. The car is fantastic, we were so lucky to find it and buy it this year, this promises to be an exciting year for the Prime Development Group/Dick Pierson Racing Team. More to come !
March 27, 2009
Next 7-Series to be revealed on July 7th
The next-generation BMW 7-series is reported to be officially unveiled on July 7th.
BMW is expected to take the wraps off its new flagship next July. For the carmaker, it will be a come back to the roots with a more conventional design and a focus on technology. The next 7-Series will be available with two petrol engines at launch, both twin-turbocharged, the 4.8-litre V8 unit that appeared on the X6 and a re-engineered V12 engine. Both engines will be hooked up to a new eight speed automatic gearbox. The V8-powered version will feature two square pipes, while the V12 engine will come with four square pipes.
For the first time, the 7-Series will be available with an all-wheel drive transmission. However this option won’t be available at launch like the four wheel steering System. The 7-Series will the first company’s model to offer this technology. Without a doubt, the four steering wheel system will help the heavy limousine to be more agile than ever in corners.
The interior will re-introduce the famous driver orientated console. Abandoned on the current model, this move confirms that the carmaker wants to go back to its roots. However, the controversial iDrive will still be available. The 7-Series will debut a second-generation which will allow the carmaker to control everything, even personalize the warning system!
June 9, 2008
Audi S4 to be unveiled at Paris
Audi has announced it will unveil the new S4 at the Paris Motor Show in October. As expected, the future sporty saloon will feature 350bhp under the bonnet.
As previously reported, the future S4 will drop its V8 engine to get a smaller and more fuel efficient V6 engine. Thanks to a Eaton roots-type supercharger, the new TFSi engine will deliver a similar power output of 350bhp. Audi explained that a supercharger was chosen because of the available power at lower revs than compared with a turbo, more suitable for a premium saloon. IN other words, say your farewells to the sporty S4. The new S4 will be bourgeois.
The new gearbox confirms the new direction taken by Audi. A new S-Tronic gearbox will replace the current manual transmission. At 284 lbs, the new gearbox will be 80 lbs heavier than the manual model. However, Audi promises better performance and claims the future S4 will shuttle from 0 to 62 mph in less than six seconds. Top speed will be electronically limited to 155mph as usual.
June 9, 2008
GM seeks tax breaks to build Chevrolet Volt in Detroit
GM wants to build the eagerly-awaited in Detroit, but is ready to change its plan if the company doesn’t get tax breaks from the city.
The future Volt is a crucial model for the American carmaker and is even the spearhead of a revival by GM itself. Producing the upcoming electric car in Detroit would be a tough message sent to foreign carmakers, but GM isn’t ready to lose money on the future model and has met the recently met with Detroit City Council members to discuss possible tax breaks.
Building the Volt in the US would also GM to improve its brand image at a time when the carmaker closes plants to restructure the business. Beyond the symbol, will the Volt be enough to keep the jobs in the US? Probably not, but GM bets that building the Volt in its hometown will have the same effect as the Prius for Toyota. Boosting the brand image enough to sell more conventional cars.
June 9, 2008
Volvo announces pricing for the XC 60
Volvo has announced pricing for the long-awaited new XC 60 SUV set to compete with the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and the Mercedes GLK outside the UK.
The Volvo XC60 was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March and has already won a UK technology award for its innovative City Safety system, an autobrake collision avoidance system which is a standard feature on this new car. Starting at £24,7501, the Volvo XC60 will be available in three trim levels: S, SE and SE Lux and will have the choice of three engines: the turbocharged T6 producing 285bhp, and two variants of the D5 turbodiesel generating 185bhp and 16bhp, respectively.
The S model features 17" Segin alloy wheels, front fog lights, roof rails and rear spoiler, the advanced safety systems, City Safety and RSC, short for Roll Stability Control. Equipment includes climate control, information centre, cruise control, leather steering wheel with remote audio controls, aluminium trim and performance sound audio system with aux input and CD player.
The SE trim level adds Hill Descent Control, power driver’s seat with memory and auto-folding power door mirrors with ground lights, Eriksberg T-Tec/Textile upholstery, auto-dimming rear view mirror with compass and chrome window trim.
In addition to the SE, the SE Lux comes with chronographic instrument dials, leather upholstery and Nordic Light Oak natural wood trim, while both front seats will be powered and heated. Other equipments include floor mats and chrome detailing, 18" Merac alloy wheels, active bending headlamps, power tailgate and rear park assist.
Pricing
2.4D AWD S: £24,750
D5 AWD S: £25,750
2.4D AWD SE: £26,250
D5 AWD SE: £27,250
T6 AWD Geartronic SE: £31,995
2.4D AWD SE Lux: £28,750
D5 AWD SE LUX: £29,750
T6 AWD Geartronic SE Lux: £34,495
June 5, 2008
Nissan reveals teaser for 2010 compact SUV
Nissan has unveiled a teaser of the forthcoming compact SUV that the carmaker will start selling in 2010.
Nissan might have the magical potion with the Qashqai. After years of failure with the Sunny and Almera models, the Japanese crossover meets a big success in the UK and elsewhere in Europe. The Japanese carmaker is determined to take the opportunity to expand its lineup by launching a new smaller SUV on the market by 2010. The decision was announced following a visit today by the British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, to Nissan’s European Design Centre in central London where he met Carlos Ghosn, Nissan’s President and CEO.
The all-new vehicle will be an addition to the current Nissan range and for the Sunderland plant. Nissan will move the production of the next Nissan Micra to India to make room for the future model. The next generation of Micra will be based on a dedicated new A platform that will be used for at least three models. The British government will give a £6.2 million grant to build the future small SUV.
At this stage, details remain scrace. However, Nissan isn’t the only carmaker to paln a small SUV compact model. Mitsubishi and Nissan have recently signed an agreement to build a smaller SUV than the current Outlander model which will be sold on the European market.
June 5, 2008