I’d like to apologize for my tardiness. We’ve been late with our updates and articles from the last few races. Rather than have multiple updates, I decided to write a longer blog to capture a few of the updates together.

Round 3 and 4 of Honda Challenge was held at Infineon Raceway. I must say it was one of those “weekend to forget” for Prima Racing, especially for Telly. On Friday practice, first, Telly managed to find the outside wall on turn 11. Luckily, the damaged to the car mostly cosmetics. We did a quick fix in the paddock, pulling the fenders out, realigning the bumpers and panels, as well making some emergency bracketry so the car is functional as well as aesthetically acceptable.

However, Telly’s bad luck didn’t stop there. A few session after, he mis-shifted and this resulted in a blown engine a few laps later.  We didn’t expect this and didn’t bring the spare engine with us.  It is however available back at Prima racing HQ.  So, we packed it up and head back to do the engine transplant.  The transplant team consists of Jimmy, me and Telly.  We all tired and work through the night.  This was not a good idea, surely enough we made a costly mistake that we found out the next day.

Saturday morning, with the new engine, Telly went out for first practice.  He came back a lap later reported of unusually high water temperature.  Which, suddenly reminded me that none of us remember to put water in the radiator.  Crossing my finger and hoping it hasn’t damaged the engine, I decided to add water and bleed the system and see how it goes.

At the paddock everything seem to work ok.  With the water now inside the radiator, the temperature seem to be at ok range.  Still, we weren’t sure what will happen once the car hit the track.  All we can do is hope for the best.

Unfortunately, we damaged the engine pretty bad.  In Qualifying session, Telly dive back to the pit after just one warm up laps reporting again high water temperature.  We did a quick inspection and found out that the oil system is now saturated with water.  I think we’ve blown the head gasket, or the head or the black is warped so they can’t perform a good seal.  Just like that, our weekend has ended.  It was a weekend to forget.

The next month, we regrouped and faced another challenge.   April is the only month where Prima Racing has to be at 2 places at the same time. There is the Redline Time Attack at Las Vegas and Honda Challenge at Thunderhill. We decided to have Telly race the full weekend at Thunderhill, while I headed to Las Vegas with N1 Racing.

It was quite an exciting weekend for us in Vegas.  We know this is one of the track that we can shine.  A technical track that rewards a good handling car and good driving skills.  All we hope is a reliable car after the tough weekend at the season opener.

It all started well.  Friday test day was nice and we were able to clock in a respectable time.  That is until the rear end took a dump and we do not have any spare parts.  Tom, the team principal tried to locate replacement part locally to no success, so we called back to N1 in the bay area to ask them to drop the spare parts to GST who would be leaving to Vegas is a short while.

When we got a hold of the spare rear end the next day, the team quickly did a replacement and I was able to get back on the track just before lunch time.  It was really an swesome job by the team which enable me to get the much needed practice.  We were able to improved and gave a good show for the locals.

Sunday, the day where it all counted, we were able to pull it off and win it, despite tough competition.  You can read the official press release here.  It was definitely one of the proudest moment in my career.

Back in Northern California, Telly also has his own successful weekend.  He qualified 2nd on both days (Round 5 & 6 Honda Challenge race), but managed to grab his first win for Round 5.

With good weekends on both part, that means we are leading the championship points in both Redline Time Attack and Honda Challenge!

With good results, I headed to Asia for some overdue vacation. I went back to my motherland, Indonesia for the first time in 14 years. It was an interesting 3 weeks and a very relaxing time. Those 3 weeks were the first in a long time that my mind was totally free from racing and any work related.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I came back to the US just in time for our Honda Challenge Round 7 and 8 at Llihrednuht (Thunderhill in reverse configuration). With my mine refreshed, I was ready for the Challenge. Telly took the driving duty on Saturday and captured his second win for the season from outside pole.   I had a less successful race and only managed a second place finish, the same place I started the race.

At the time I wrote this blog, Round 9 and 10 of Honda Challenge will have concluded.  However, I’ve decided not to include it in this blog, instead will have a dedicated article.  Some of you might have heard that I got into a big accident and damaged the car pretty good.  That would be correct.  However, the car is now at RedZone Performance.  In the hand of the most expert and who I trusted thoroughly.  I have no doubt that Brandon will pull some magic and have the car repaired and will perform better than ever.  I will try to give more frequent update on the matter.  Stay tuned!

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