Waterford Park

MapWaterford.jpg (44708 bytes) Road Atlanta to Waterford Park is 737.6 miles. Northeast out of Road Atlanta to Greenville, northwest past Asheville to Knoxville, then north to Lexington, Cincinnati, Dayton, Toledo, and Ann Arbor. Dennis and Doug made it to Ann Arbor by 1:15 AM, just in time for a few quick shots and some shuteye. They got up the next morning and drive the 40 miles to Waterford. It was raining as they drove. It was raining at the track. No a good sign.

Time Trail #1

A serious mistake knocked out the #7 Porsche 911. In first overall entering Atlanta, he broke a rocker arm pressing the red line in the second run at Atlanta. While the other top competitors were battling the rain, the Griffiths were comfortably asleep in their hotel room in Ann Arbor. This was not to be their year.

And a change in circumstances. By now Dennis was running consistently in the second group out. The first two groups ran in heavy rain. Then the weather broke, a strong wind dried the track out rather quickly, and the rest of the groups ran under much better conditions. The early track conditions added 30 to 40 seconds to the leaders’ times. Not one single car that was in the top ten overall after Atlanta was in the top ten in the first run at Waterford. Not even in the top twenty.

 

Position

Number

Entrant

Class

Time

Points

1

39

1981 BMW Hartage H3 Vint For

4:17.030

510

2

54

1978 Porsche 911 SC Vint For

4:17.661

505

3

52

1998 GMC Sonoma S U V

4:19.738

500

4

55

1998 Nissan Altima MidPri Sed

4:21.997

495

5

34

1994 Chevrolet Corvette SSGT1

4:24.241

490

6

50

1993 Chevrolet Camaro SS SSGT2

4:25.098

485

7

77

1997 Dodge Neon Econo Car

4:25.261

480

8

70

1989 Lingenfelter Corvette Vint Amer

4:25.703

475

9

43

1992 BMW 325is MidPri Sed

4:26.022

470

10

33

1999 Chevrolet Corvette SSGT1

4:26.048

465

The top ten were so far back that their positions are worth noting.

Position

Number

Entrant

Class

Time

Points

25

61

1998 Mitsubishi Lancer SSGT2

4:31.780

390

37

5

1997 Mosler Raptor SSGT1

4:35.617

330

45

17

1995 BMW 318 Ti MidPri Sed

4:38.496

290

49

14

1993 Mazda RX-7 SSGT1

4:38.891

270

60

10

1998 Lamborghini Diablo SSGT1

4:41.850

215

66

2

1998 Mallett - Chev Corvette SSGT1

4:43.228

185

83

87

1965 Superformance Mk III Vint Amer

4:57.016

100

84

3

1994 Mercedes Renntech SL600 SSGT1

4:57.420

95

87

9

1998 Mallett - Chev Corvette SSGT1

5:03.279

80

90

7

1975 Porsche 911 Carrera Vint For

DNS/DNF

0

The best finish for a top 10 car was 25th for the #61 Mitsubishi Lancer, making the most of the four wheel drive traction in the rain - and a truly gonzo in-the-wet driving style. The Raptor’s huge wing helped it find traction amidst the hydroplaning to come in 37th. The relatively narrow tires of the BMW found some pavement to cling to. But the wide tires and light weight of the Mk III conspired to turn it into a hydroplane at speed. Dennis showed remarkable skill and restrain in staying on the track.

Worse yet, what was typically a 50 point spread top to bottom for the top 10 was now a 300 point spread. In this one run, the #17 BMW gained 190 points on Doug and Dennis. The #2 Mallet Corvette gained 85.

Time Trial #2

The second run, on a much improved surface track, produced better results for the leaders. Except for the #2 Mallet Corvette, who exited the track at high speed and broke a wheel. He was out.

Position

Number

Entrant

Class

Time

Points

1

5

1997 Mosler Raptor SSGT1

4:00.831

510

2

1

1997 Mallet - Chev Corvette SSGT1

4:04.392

505

3

10

1998 Lamborghini Diablo SSGT1

4:06.837

500

4

9

1998 Mallett - Chev Corvette SSGT1

4:08.642

495

5

29

1997 Dodge Viper SSGT1

4:09.601

490

6

14

1993 Mazda RX-7 SSGT1

4:09.929

485

7

48

1967 Lotus 7 Vint For

4:10.053

480

8

3

1994 Mercedes Renntech SL600 SSGT1

4:11.119

475

9

4

1992 BMW 325I MidPri Sed

4:11.542

470

10

87

1965 Superformance Mk III Vint Amer

4:11.637

465

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