The final points race for the San Francisco Region SCCA season Championship proved to be thrilling. The top four drivers were so close in points that any one of them could have walked away with the Championship, or moved to 4th position.

The weekend started off with open testing on Friday, winds a howling, the Off Camber Racing / Northern California Racing Club Spec Miatas took to the track. Justin, Dave and Peter did a half day of driving to try out their new MyChron data acquisition systems. For Dave this time proved invaluable practice at a track that has eluded him. Justin knocked out a personal best, 2:10:96 while dicing with Barry Hartzel. Peter worked on speed and consistency. In the later sessions, Justin went to the tower and coached Dave and Peter as they continued to tear up the track via radio contact. Tommy Olivier, the points leader did a full day of testing. Ed Railton, 3rd in points, opted not to test. Afterwards, many of the drivers went to dinner together to discuss stimulating topics such as the California gubernatorial race, current racing strategies which included Jedi mind tricks (Luke use the force), as well as controversial past racing incidents.

Saturday's weather proved a welcome relief from the wind. Cool and sunny conditions greeted the drivers. During morning practice the Off Camber Racing drivers worked together. Dave knocked out a personal best lap, and Peter and Justin continued to hone their skill. During qualifying, Justin took the pole with a 2:11.074 and Tommy O was just behind him with a 2:11.189. Peter and Dave ran into some traffic and their plan/strategy never truly materialized. They qualified 6th and 7th respectively. Barry Harzel qualified 3rd, Ed Railton in 4th and with a surprise flyer, Greg Adams laid down a screaming last lap to jump into 5th. (Qualifying Results) SCCA treated all the workers, drivers and guests with a fantastic dinner catered at the new building.

On Race day, the points battle thickened as Barry (Zen of Racing) who works primarily with NASA, opted to start from the back, so as not to influence the tight Championship points battle. This put Dave and Peter starting next to each other in row 3, and Peter's competition in points, Dave Vodden, breathing down his neck, right behind him in row 4 next to Paul Barham. Thirty-nine cars took the green flag as Justin, who is noted for his strong starts, let Tommy O slip out in front on the first lap. Coming out of turn three, Ed, Peter, Dave, and Paul rounded out the top six cars. On lap three, Justin pulled off a beautiful pass and took over race lead, Peter got around Ed to wind up in third and shortly after that Dave also got by Ed with a superb effort set up going into turn 14 and resulting in a drag race down the main straight. Eventually Peter had a off track excursion in turn 14 that put Dave into 3rd with Ed in 4th. For over 15 minutes of the race, the top four points leaders held the top four positions, Tommy O, determined not to make a mistake and guarantee himself the season championship held his spot behind Justin and only drove hard when he needed to keep Dave far enough at bay. Ed stayed tight but was never able to make a move on Dave. They took the checkered flag in that order. Justin added a second race-win flag to his collection. Dave had the fastest lap of the race and his best finish at Thunderhill. Peter made up several positions and finished in 6th. (Race Results) Tommy O received Driver of the Weekend award from the SCCA staff.

With the season coming to a close, the banquet promises to be a hoot as Tommy Olivier takes the Championship, with Off Camber Racing's Justin Hall in 2nd and Dave McAnaney in 3rd. Peter Hsu will finish his season in 7th. This year, over 100 drivers participated in SCCA San Francisco region Spec Miata races. Join us next month as we participate in the Western States Championship, finish the Spec Miata Challenge and run the 4-hour Enduro.

Written By: Jeanine McAnaney