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TAKE ME TO...
Grand Am
IN THE COCKPIT: Adam Burrows, New Jersey CTSCC
It became clear, early on, that this would be a race of survival. The heat would play a role in every element of this weekend...
Adam Burrows  |  Posted July 29, 2011  
Adam Burrows and Trevor Hopwood battled the treacherous heat in New Jersey. (Photo: Wes Duenkel)
Leading up to the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge B+ Foundation Heros 200 race at New Jersey Motorsports Park, I spent a lot of time opening the Weather Channel app on my phone. The ten-day forecast indicated that intense heat wave that had been torturing the mid-west was making its way east, and would coincide with out arrival in southern Jersey.

In years past, our races at NJMP had been held in the substantial heat of mid-summer, causing Trev and I do battle with our management team over the “no shorts for drivers” policy that kept Gold Bond in business for the past few years. This year, however, I didn’t hesitate to jam a few pairs into my suitcase . . . along with a bathing suit for good measure, in hopes that a hotel pool would be in the frame.

Three days of virtually constant perspiration started with Thursday’s test day, where an ambient temperature of 100 degrees and a heat index of 115 meant that fluid consumption was more than just a moderate priority. Staggeringly, temperatures inside the cockpit of our Forte Koup were hovering in the neighborhood of 140-150 degrees. And, dealing with the heat was a double-edged sword. When on-track, the extra airflow helps to cool things down a bit, but the physically demanding Thunderbolt circuit, with it’s short front straight, meant that you had precious little time of enjoy the breeze. When in the pits for tires or chassis adjustments, you were roasting like a Christmas Turkey at the Griswold’s.

It became clear, early on, that this would be a race of survival. The heat would play a role in every element of this weekend. Jim, our engine builder, would be keeping a close eye on engine and gearbox temperatures. We would be carefully watching and managing our tires throughout the weekend to see how they would perform in the race. Our crew, and God love these guys for the monumental effort that they’d be putting in this weekend, would be working outside, in the dirt that makes NJMP’s paddock area, for three straight days with little chance of finding genuine relief. Need I mention how we, as drivers, were going to manage our energy and concentration levels throughout the race?

We are fortunate to be working with a team of the caliber of Kinetic Motorsports because when the #12 Koup rolls off the trailer so close to perfect, it means that little energy is expended with set-up adjustments. In fact, after just two sessions on the test day, Trev and I were so content with the handling that we gave the car and the boys a break and called it a day.

Knowing that the heat was going to be a big part of the game, Trev and I decided on an unorthodox strategy for this race. Rather than doing a single driver change, we would actually come in twice . . . just to be sure that both of us maintained our energy, and we would have to opportunity to run to the end with a fresh set of tires. We were also workin’ on a plan that would keep the pits clear for the #10 which, with Nic leading the championship, would need the most strategy flexibility.

This round would also find us qualifying and racing on the same day. This is never my preference because, should anything happen in qualifying, such as an incident or mechanical problem, the crew has little time to effect any repairs.

We were fortunate though, as qualifying went well, and I was able to secure tenth on the grid. Surely there were a few more spots to be had, as I was held up on my fast lap while exiting the final corners onto the front straight. Those precious tenths cost us, but we were at the sharp end of the field. And, as the post qualifying technical inspection would send one of our competitors to the back of the grid, we would move up a spot to ninth in the coveted inside row leading into turn one.

Now, with only hours before the start, Trev and I would head back to the transporter to stay cool in the air conditioning and saturate ourselves with water.

The race proved to be as grueling as we had anticipated. At the start, I quickly realized that we would have to pace ourselves to get to the end. We hovered in the top six for the first portion of the race but, keeping in mind that I would be driving the last hour of the race, it seemed like a good plan to aim for an early stop to save some energy. Fortunately, a yellow at the half hour mark played into our hands. I ducked into the pits and Trev and I made the exchange.

Admittedly, I was a little caught off guard by the ease at which the heat had sapped my energy. Not that I was done, by any stretch, but I know that my body was in need of water and that I should rest and prepare for my final stint. I grabbed a cold bottle, parked myself in some precious shade in pit lane and the guys were kind enough to aim a fan in my direction.

While I cooled off in the pits, Trev made use of a fresh set of tires to carve through the field for the next hour, a stint that was punctuated by a series of full course cautions. Another indicator of the effects of the heat was the increased number of full course yellows. As drivers press on, on of the first things to go is concentration, and thus errors and off-track excursions follow.

As the clock wound down, I gulped down a final bottle of water and threw on my helmet and gloves in anticipation of Trev’s return to the pits as the final hour approached. We were lucky to catch a yellow just at the hour mark and Trev and I swapped for the final time as the boys threw on a fresh set of Continentals on the front of the #12 Forte and I returned to the field in 22nd place.

The new tires would be a huge advantage, giving me the sure power I needed to make my way through the field. Additionally, the hour rest in the pits had recharged my batteries for this final stint. I wouldn’t be a breeze, but I definitely had what was needed to make it to the end.

Looking ahead, I could see the #10, with Michael Galati at the wheel, a number of places ahead of us and I made every effort to catch up with him to see if I might be able to help him though the field. Unfortunately, that was not to be, as a spinning GS car would take out not only Michael, but also the #25 of Tom Long, another championship contender.

This incident would bring out the race’s final yellow, and we would finish under caution in 8th position. While we were happy to finish under these harsh conditions, we definitely desired a better result, not only for ourselves, but the #10 as well.

We have a long break now . . . with the final race at Mid-Ohio staged for the middle of September. Certainly, with the championship still wide open, the team has a lot to contemplate . . . looking for any performance or strategic advantage possible.

Until Mid-O…

AB

Adam Burrows won the Continental Tire Sports Car Championship with co-driver Trevor Hopwood in his rookie season. After making the move to front wheel drive machinery in 2008, his race wins made him a threat in the championship battle as he closed out the year second in the year-end standings. The 2011 season will see him once again partner with Hopwood at Kinetic Motorsports in ST competition as part of the factory Kia Forte Koup campaign.

Learn more about Adam at http://konichamps.wordpress.com/
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