Just wanted to say thanks to our RMW drivers that podiumed at NASA NATIONALS

[RMW]

Ricky Johnson took 2 second place trophies
1 in TTB
1 in PTB

Joe Cattaneo took 3rd in his TTD Mini

Congrats to a job well done........:dance:

[minimark]

Congratulations!!!!

Think it's pretty dang strong that on his way to a second straight podium at the nationals Ricky Johnson also out paced the Grand Am winning RSR 198 Mini despite being at nearly a 250 pound disadvantage.

Great job Ricky!!!!

[RMW]

Guess you really don't need a stand alone to win.............

he won the race on Saturday.............

[BThayer23]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Grand Am racing (aka Continental Tire Series) and NASA time trials are different races.

Grand-Am has wheel to wheel racing, NASA has time trials.
Grand-Am races for 2+ hours at a time, NASA has ~30 min sessions in which to score a fast lap.
Grand-Am has a spec tire, NASA has open tires.
Grand-Am has pit stops, NASA has a paddock.

RSR recorded a best lap of 2:10.299 in the recent Salt Lake City 200 race. Not sure if they were on the same circuit at Miller, but that's faster than Ricky's 2:11.686 in TTB and 2:13.908 in PTB.

I applaud Ricky's podium finish, but let's not compare apples to oranges here. There's lots of different opportunities to race MINIs, and we should celebrate the publicity and legitimacy as a racing platform that these opportunities afford.

[N2MINI]

Great results, but looks like there is alittle room for improvement!!!! Gives ya something to work on over the winter!!!

[minimark]

You are correct Ben in the differences in the two series but as the 198 was entered into and competed in Ricky's NASA class at the nationals and Ricky posted faster times at this event and won a podium finish which the 198 did not, he should be applauded for his efforts..... :)

No disrespect for the 198 at all.

[RMW]

Just so you know the whole story...............

Owen who drove the 2:10 for RSR also drove Ricky's car last year for testing on the same track. He went faster lapping than Owen did with the RSR car. He was going to crack off a 9 when he had to slam on the brakes to miss a poorly driven porsche that he had caught.
Owen is 2-3sec faster a lap DRIVER than Ricky. No disrespect to anyone, but Owen is a hell of a driver.......

all of this in a car that weighs 266 ish lbs more than the Grand Am car.............

[minimark]

Great results, but looks like there is alittle room for improvement!!!! Gives ya something to work on over the winter!!!

Yea Ricky got a third last year and now a second this year so maybe next year he'll be atop the podium and win a Championship!!!! Ian should be back in the hunt next year for a TTA title too!!!!

Add in the way RSR finished the season in Grand Am, a MINI just won the open class at the Targa Newfoundland, what our friends north of the border have been doing and then the greatly anticipated MINI entry into WRC and our little cars are really starting to make an impact. Next year should be sweet for MINI in motorsports everywhere, can't wait!!!!

[jcauseyfd]

I just like hearing about MINIs winning stuff!

[RMW]

actually Ricky podiumed twice
2nd in the wheel to wheel race of PTB
AND
2nd in the TTB which is the time trial

[BThayer23]

actually Ricky podiumed twice
2nd in the wheel to wheel race of PTB
AND
2nd in the TTB which is the time trial

Gotcha. I wasn't sure what the PTB class was. Glad to see there are drivers and car designers out there pushing the envelope.

[RMW]

in NASA classes that start with T= time trial
classes that start with P = wheel to wheel racing

[minimark]

Thanks Jan for that clarification! Still new to NASA and even though I have the entire rule book downloaded on my phone, I'm still just getting a handle on how all the classifications work. They really do try and have something for everyone at all levels!

[RMW]

Thanks Jan for that clarification! Still new to NASA and even though I have the entire rule book downloaded on my phone, I'm still just getting a handle on how all the classifications work. They really do try and have something for everyone at all levels!

NASA is a great series