With one year of racing under our belts, the 3X Racing Team had high hopes this year. Our car was better tuned and prepared, our practice pit stops were fast, and our team members turned in good consistent laps at the official Friday practice session.

While our final results weren't as good as we had hoped, we improved our standings over last year, and were positioned to finish well in the heat races. Unfortunately, some late race wrecks put us in the back of the pack for the start of the championship race. Our final results were 8th out of 20 teams vs. 10th out of 17 teams last year. In any case, everyone had a good time, and the Arthritis Foundation had a record number of paid participants.

Thanks to all of our drivers for a job well done. Now, here is the race by race recap.

Based on our pre-race choice of starting grid positions, our car would start in 4th, 14th, 17th, and 7th starting spots in the 4 heat races.

Heat 1

The 3X car starts in position 4 with Donna Sneed at the wheel. Donna gets a good start and picks up two positions on the first lap, unfortunately, aggression gets the better of her, and she spins on lap 2 in the wet turn 1 hairpin. With the field tightly bunched at the start of the race, she slips back to 16th spot before she is able to get free of the tire barriers. Donna works her way back up to 12th spot when it is time to pit and turn the car over to Bob Evans. After a 15.19 second pit stop, Bob is away in 15th position. Bob too falls victim to turn 1, and loses a position. He pulls his belts a little tighter, digs down, and manages to pick up two spots in the remaining laps, finishing 14th.

Heat 2

Andy Welter starts the next race in 14th spot. As the field roars towards the starting line, the lead car jumps the start. The field flashes past the start finish line but there is some confusion as to whether the green flag was waved. Andy takes advantage of the confusion and gains 5 positions. Unfortunately, the red flag is given and the field re-grids to try the start again. This time the field is lined up much better, and the green flag flies. Again, Andy takes advantage of the initial confusion in the field, and squeezes by several wrecks to complete lap 1 in 7th position. A quick half spin in the wet hairpin costs some time and one position. But Andy is able to turn the car over to John Daugherty in 4th position. A blistering 10.56 second pitstop puts John back on track in 7th position. John has clear track in front of him and gets to work. Between passes and other teams pit stops, John is marching steadily through the field, and finishes in 2nd spot behind the Tide car which had started on the front row.

Heat 3

Scott grids the 3X car in 17th. We'll have our work cut out for us to make up time from this far back in the field. Scott starts well and passes 3 cars on the first lap, and another on the second lap. Some trouble in the hairpin costs Scott a few spots, but he recovers quickly. Scott comes into the pits just behind the IBM car which is in our neighboring pit, and the team has the chance to show off our pit work. We enter 1 second behind IBM, and with an 11.5 second pit stop, we pull away several seconds in front of IBM. Donna is away in 16th spot. Donna is driving aggressively, and picks up a spot. She aggressively chases the car in front of her. With just over 1 lap to go, she goes into the final turn before the pit straight, she goes in too fast and is up on two wheels, and then flips the car!

She is quickly out of the car and on her feet, but the race is over for 3X. Race rule specify that both the driver and car be checked out before they continue. In spite of this mishap, we finish the in 18th place due to other cars falling finishing more than one lap down. Donna survived the roll with some scrapes and bruises, but is in good shape to help with the remaining pit stops. The car is also in surprisingly good shape, with just a few extra scratches to show for its tumble.

Heat 4

Bob Evans take the wheel for our final heat race in 7th place and once again the 3X team has a great first lap with Bob picking 3 spots. After some see saw battles and a minor spin or two, Bob pits in 6th place and turns the car over to Scott. Scott is away in 11th spot after a relatively slow 15.8 second pit stop, but he is moving fast. He picks up a total 4 spots, and decides to show Donna how it is done. Rather just rolling half way, Scott manages to do a dramatic half roll, slide, and another half roll to land on his wheels!

Once again the 3X driver and car take a ride back to their respective inspection areas. Both driver and car are in good shape, but we finish in 19th spot.

Championship Race

Based on our 3 best finishes in the heat races, we start the championship race in 16th place, fortunately the championship race is longer, 15 laps. Andy starts the race and will turn over the car to John for the final leg.

During the pace lap, two cars in front of Andy tangle, and partially block the track, and two rows of cars get by Andy before he is able to clear the wreck. In order to get back to his assigned starting spot, Andy has to start racing early, but gets back in line just before the green flag. Another fast first lap puts 3X in 12th, but Andy gets bottled up in turn 1 and loses a couple spots. He starts reclaiming positions and is up to 11th spot with a big lead over the next car when it is time for the pit stop. Some fast wrench work by Scott gives us a 12 second pit stop and John is away without losing a spot. With clear track John turns in a series of fast consistent laps and is steadily moving up he runs wide in one turn and lets the one of the Sheriff's department cars by. John hangs with him and is able to make up time in the final turn. With the white flag waving, John is side by side with the sheriff... but the sheriff has more straight line speed and pulls ahead before the finish line. One lap to go.

John hounds the sheriff for the entire lap and is again right behind him going into the last turn. John takes a tight line and again gets a better launch. Again, the sheriff has more straight line speed, but this time, John is able to hang on just long enough, and beats the sheriff by a nose.

We finish the race in 8th spot!

The 1999 3X Mini Gran Prix car on display at the Cincinnati airport.
(read this with a southern accent for best effect) I've got to thank the boys back in the shop, and our sponsors, 3X, PSI Net, 3Com, IBM, and Microsoft. They put a great car under us today.	The field lines up and signals that their engines are running and they are ready.
Donna Sneed suiting up for the first race.	Donna waits for the start
Thanks Donna, I wondered what the bottom of Gran Prix car looks like.	Donna walks away from her accident.
Yes, Bob really did fit into the car.	The 3X car is starting to show some battle scars as Scott flashes down the front straight.
Scott does Donna one better. He flips the car, slides upside down, and ends up with the car back on it's wheels.	John anxiously awaits his turn.
Into the pits and gone in 10.5 seconds	Andy after a "grueling" 5 laps. Ok, maybe it is just bad case of helmet hair.
Andy on the move.	John is running fast with clear track in front of him.
John tries to make a pass, but can't make it stick.	The last turn of the last lap, and this time, John gets it done!
The 1999 3X Race Team