Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/335414
July / August 2014 39 team of racing specialists, under the guidance of crew chief Joe Varde, worked hard to achieve success. You could see the satisfaction in the eyes of the crew when the Rum Bum Porsche got thumbs up after going through tech inspection with nearly three hours to spare before the green flag. Earlier in the day, waves of monsoon like wind and rain were passing over the track, causing rain tires to be seriously considered on which to start the race. However, by mid afternoon mostly sunny skies prevailed, and on schedule nearly 40 cars roared past the start/finish line at 6:15. Thundering in to the sharp left hander at the turn one entrance to the infields' paper clip like course came Aston Martins, BMWs, Camaros, Hondas, Mazdas, Mustangs, and our favorite Porsches. The first 10 laps of this 2.5 hour race showed that the #07 Aston Martin would be the primary challenger to the #13 Porsche. Longhi kept the Porsche on the tail of the Aston for those early laps. However, when a yellow caution flag waved, Nick was called in to the pits for fuel and a driver change. With Matt Plumb now behind the wheel, sitting in 16th position upon pit exit, his considerable racing talents were called upon to whip the Porsche past those ahead of him. To make this day even more challenging, Matt's in-car radio failed. Communication with the pits for vital information as to lap speed, race position and fuel status was jeopardized. As a result, plan B, the old hand held pit lane signs were brought out and used as best as possible.