Team OLC and the One Lap of America 2012 combined thread

[CarlC]

EDIT: I will combine new posts from James and Carl into this thread as they come in. David Pozzi - Moderator

The One Lap of America is fast approaching for James and I. The OLC has safely arrived at FM3, and with the Hand of David performing all of the tuning and preparation, we are as confident as we can be. The OLoA is a very challenging test of man and machine, but it's hard to beat Mother Nature.

In that light, everything breaks. We try and try and try, but it's pretty hard to beat physics. Last year it was a simple piece of synthetic rubber that failed, and that eventually lead to a differential bearing destroying itself. James and Mary performed a 72-hour tow-fix-drive marathon to get back into the game, but without the help of Prodigy Customs, Team OLC might not have been able to continue. It was due to someone willing to open their doors to a fellow gearhead at odd hours that made all of the difference.

This year our driving route takes us right through the middle of the USA. http://www.onelapofamerica.com/Home.do



We are hoping for the best, but trying to plan for all circumstances. If we run into trouble we might need some help. A garage, lift, welder, helping hand, etc., just a little something to help us get back on the road. So, if you don't mind helping out a pair of fellow PT.com in need, please chime in, but please send your contact information to me in a PM.

Thanks everyone for your support. James and I appreciate it!

Team OLC.

[James OLC]

On Saturday May 5^th the 2012 Tire Rack One Lap of America kicks off in South Bend, Indiana and over the course of the following eight days this automotive marathon will cover approximately 3,500 miles and include 21 competition stops at race tracks across the country. James Shipka and co-driver Carl Casanova will be joining nearly 90 other teams from around the world in what will be the OneLapCamaro's third time participating in this one-of-a-kind event. Once again the OLC will be the oldest entry in the race and this year we're heading out as the two time defending Vintage America Class Champions so the pressure is on.


As we have in years past, we will be blogging throughout the race – your best bet for live updates will be at our website – www.OneLapCamaro.com or www.OneLapCamaro.com/live.html. We'll have the live map up and running tomorrow and will have a constant RSS feed throughout the week. You can also get your fill on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/TheOneLapCamaro. Communication through the week will probably be spotty from time to time but we'll do our best to keep everybody on top of our progress.


This year we will be running the One Lap of America in support of a local charity – the EvenStart Foundation for Children of Calgary. The EvenStart Foundation's mandate is "to give at-risk children who are economically disadvantaged, the educational, therapeutic, nutritional, and nurturing supports necessary to gain an 'even start' in their lives." I had the privilege of seeing their work first hand earlier this week and couldn't help but be touched by effort that the volunteers to help give these children the opportunity to grow up in a "normal" environment that we so often take for granted. I encourage you to take a look at work they do and the goals that they have set to help out the community; their website is http://www.evenstartfoundation.org/.


And as always we have to thank our sponsors and supporters - without whom we wouldn't be able to do this - ridetech, optima batteries, HRE Wheels, SpeedTech, Touchstone Exploration, FM3 Performance Marketing, Baer Brakes, Currie Enterprises, Centerforce Clutches, Rick's Stainless, vaporworx, Marquez Design, Heighton Restoration, Camaro Performers, Vintage Air and Pozzi Racing. Thank you all for your continuing support!


For more information on the Tire Rack One Lap of America you can visit www.OneLapofAmerica.com or you can check out a couple of the articles that came out after last year's event. I penned this one for Motor Trend - http://www.motortrend.com/features/p...a/viewall.html - and my co-driver last year, Mary Pozzi did this one for Camaro Performers Magazine - http://www.camaroperformers.com/even...ica/index.html.

Cheers all and we'll see you in when the dust clears!


James Shipka
Carl Casanova
Team OLC 2012

[Larry Callahan]

Carl Casanova has been texting me pictures from the 2012 One Lap of America event. As I get time I will be posting them here.

Good luck James and Carl!

[Larry Callahan]

Just your average Motley Crew on the the highway. The OLC, a Ferrari 430, and a 700+hp GTR. It's pretty funny that OLC is the quietest of the bunch.




Mike and Damon's 2nd-gen. This is their 25th time running the OLoA.


Matt Farah and Mike Musto stickering-up their BMW supplied X5M.


Godzilla has arrived


Marking tires


Waiting in line for tech

[Larry Callahan]

[Larry Callahan]

The OLC in 2012 livery

[BuddyP]

Sweet! I'll try and get some good shots tomorrow also.

[Yelcamino]

Cool pictures, thanks for sharing! The OLoA is on my bucket list!

[moreHP]

I am digging that old Plymouth! Something tells me there is a lot of cool stuff under that thing that would leave you wondering what just happened as he blows by you!

[damannhw]

I am digging that old Plymouth! Something tells me there is a lot of cool stuff under that thing that would leave you wondering what just happened as he blows by you!

That Plymouth is a local upstate SC guy (Glenn Dodd) who owns the Carolina Rod Shop. He's been running the One Lap for many years. It has Corvette running gear w/ an LS1.

[Larry Callahan]

The trailer, thanks to the good folks at Autozone, is now properly attired with some sweet chrome emblems.



Notice anything new?




Tire Rack HQ lobby.

[Jeff70]

Anything new? Raccoon radar up front?

[Kenova]

Anything new? Raccoon radar up front?

That would be a gruesome sight once that splitter has it's way with any wayward raccoon.

Ken

[David Pozzi]

Ultrasonic Racoon avoidance?

[Larry Callahan]

More pictures from Carl's Blackberry


Viper on the wet skidpad, though it's starting to rain so it will make the day interesting once we get to the oval track.




OLC getting ready for the wet skidpad

[LeighP]

Great pics. thanks for posting.

[Larry Callahan]

Waiting in line for official photos and wet skid pad.

[David Pozzi]

Link to the One Lap Of America results page: http://www.onelapofamerica.com/event....do?eventId=31

[Jeff70]

Ken, I think Mary hit one last year while they were doing the One Lap.

[Larry Callahan]

Sunday updates

Rain or shine, the OLoA show must go on. We're getting packed up to head to the track and test the wet adhesion limits of the new Pilot Super Sports.




Late last night while Carl was driving the 440-mile transit stage to Council Bluffs, IA, Team OLC tag-teamed a deer on I35S. Thankfully the big rig took the first hit, but now it's a stew of Raccoon and Deer on the undercarraige of OLC.