Saturn Motorsports Double Win

[KPWSerpiente]

This news is still only interesting because when Jack hit up the Ultimate dyno Jason Hunt is the man who strapped his car in and ran it.

Saturn Motorsports Earns Double Win in Season Opener

Phoenix, AZ ÔÇô Two new drivers, a new crew chief and crew didnÔÇÖt slow Saturn Motorsports momentum from last season as the team blazed to victory this past weekend in Phoenix, with Jason Hunt winning in Pro Outlaw FWD and Brain Ballard in the Turbo 4 class.

The season opener of the Nopi XBOX Cup Racing Series also marked JasonÔÇÖs inaugural race at the wheel of a Pro FWD car. Jason drove Saturn MotorsportsÔÇÖ Valvoline/Matco Tools/Pilot Automotive ION into the #2 qualifying position with an 8.097 elapsed time at 184.98 mph. Race day Sunday; Jason clocked an 8.226 at 185.12 mph in a first round bye run. In the finals, Jason took it all the way to the winnerÔÇÖs circle with an 8.098 ET at 187.31 mph over Marty LadwigÔÇÖs 8.101 at 171.55 mph.

In Turbo 4, Saturn MotorsportsÔÇÖ Brian Ballard, the 2004 XBOX Cup Turbo 4 champion, virtually dominated the entire event, qualifying his Zeon/Cooper Tires entry on the pole with a 10.040 at 148.44 mph. On Sunday in round 1, Brian defeated Phillip Francisco with a 9.946 at 150.63 mph to FranciscoÔÇÖs slower 13.174 at 109.48 mph. Round 2, Brian logged a 10.131 at 145.11 mph over Mike Barreraz and in round 3, took the win light over Arturo Ortiz with a 9.878 elapsed time at 150.45 mph. Advancing to the finals, Brian again proved his mettle with a 9.765 winning time at 150.98 mph over Jeremy BretschneiderÔÇÖs 11.165 at 130.95 mph.

ÔÇ£We could not have scripted a better debut in our first race with a new team,ÔÇØ exclaimed Saturn Motorsports Director, Jim Epler. ÔÇ£In the finals, Jason had a huge hole shot, he really adjusted quickly to the Pro FWD car. Brain was flawless all weekend, actually both these guys were and itÔÇÖs great to be successful right out of the box. I also canÔÇÖt say enough about crew chief, Charlie Schafer. Although heÔÇÖs been with Saturn for the last two years, this was his first official race as crew chief and he tuned everything to perfection. Charlie, Jason and Brian have worked together for a number of years and their chemistry is a great asset; with crew guys, Mike Spraker and Dan Surge, they really got the job done for Saturn Motorsports and all our sponsors.ÔÇØ

Fresh off their first win with both drivers leading the Nopi points series, the team will take a two-week break before heading to the next event at Alabama Motorsports Park in Steele, Alabama, on April 9th and 10th.

[.RJ]

Lunchbox ownz j00

[Evan]

but does it have dent resistant doors?

[.RJ]

Dont hate

[KPWSerpiente]

I understand this topic has absolutely no value to anyone on this board...but I'm swinging by Ultimate tomorrow to pick up some stuff and if he's around I will ask him some questions about the event. If he says anything interesting I'll post it up here.

-T

[ScottyB]

I understand this topic has absolutely no value to anyone on this board...but I'm swinging by Ultimate tomorrow to pick up some stuff and if he's around I will ask him some questions about the event. If he says anything interesting I'll post it up here.

-T

just bc i didn't reply to anything doesn't mean it has no value! man, as soon as i have a car that's fast enough to merit going to the strip i'll take it there.

let us know some cool stuff if you get a hold of this cat.

[Mike]

I understand this topic has absolutely no value to anyone on this board...

So much negativity :thumbup:

[KPWSerpiente]

So much negativity

I didn't bring the negativity. Last year's NOPI event at MIR was called a waste of time and or ricefest by several alumni.

as soon as i have a car that's fast enough to merit going to the strip i'll take it there.

The majority of members of this board think you should start track events in a low power vehicle. I would give the same advice for those planning on hitting the strip.

let us know some cool stuff if you get a hold of this cat.

Get a hold of him? Jason and I are tizzight. And by tizzight...I mean I bother him and Mike Gerber every week.

I gave Jason congrats today on the win in Az. Asked him how it was, and he told me 'it was cool' and that it 'felt awesome.'

I asked him what Lisa Kubo did in the same car last season (knowing that she did a 7.7@197) hoping he would oblige me with his predictions for the year. Which he did.

He explained how she had ran the car for almost two full seasons and that this was his first time running that vehicle in a real event. He also reiterated his street car background (his 9 second CRX) and explained that things would work themselves out over the season.

He didn't say it, but I could tell he was more than sure that he would eclipse not only her time from last season which would set a a new class record but that he would also pilot the first fwd drag car into the 200mph zone once he has more seat time.

He also said that the head that was on the car didn't undergo the rebuild it should have prior to the event...he said that it had almost 30 passes on it and should have been stripped and rebuilt to make sure it was in spec after the tenth pass. He offered this neither has an excuse for a poor performance or as absolute proof that he would improve. Just as an obervation. He said that these heads (GM) are not like Hondas. I didn't follow up on what he meant. When speaking with the pros I like to pretend I understand at least half of what they say.

I told him good luck in his event in Alabama next weekend...and he told me it was in Florida. And I said, who cares...I won't make that one...just sort everything out by the Maryland event.

-T

[JohnC]

So much negativity

I didn't bring the negativity.

Yeah you did. Read your damn post - "I understand this topic has absolutely no value to anyone on this board" - Thats NEGATIVE. Luckily you followed it up with a nice interview with a premier drag racer. Cool stuff.

That being said - I for one would appreciate it if one of the more drag-oriented folks on *this* board would be willing to explain the sport in more detail, without it devolving into a flame war. If this ends up being a presentation at a meeting, or just a well written post on the forum, I think it would go a long way towards educating some of us "turning" folks. I can *read* your comments about meeting this driver, but I'd be lying if I said that I understood much of the context, or what is important with regards to the sport.

[Dragon]

As John said, yes you were quite negative in your post. Granted Mike's post was an obvious retaliation for your post in the other thread about him always being negative. So a few alumni and other members of the board don't have any love or understanding of drag racing, does that mean you shouldn't express your opinion or views, no. This forum is about motorsports in general whether it be straight line, roundy round, or road courses. Never be afraid to post positive thoughts about whatever form of motorsports you love.

[Mike]

Never be afraid to post positive thoughts about whatever form of motorsports you love.

unless it involves clear tail lights.

Mike's post was an obvious retaliation for your post in the other thread about him always being negative.

uh no it wasn't, i don't even remember that. even if i did, i'd be over it by now. with that said... BACK TO YOUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED PROGRAMMING!

[KPWSerpiente]

For once I will side with Mike. I don't remember the thread in which you speak of.

-T

[ScottyB]

The majority of members of this board think you should start track events in a low power vehicle. I would give the same advice for those planning on hitting the strip.

touche! this is true, but honestly, 17 second time slips just aren't worth the drive for me. 15 and 14 seconds? sure i'll make a day of it.

also remember that track driving and drag racing are risky, but IMO track driving is much more so, due to braking and turning at high speeds.