944 Racers Test their Grit at RoeblingBy Patti Mascone
The 944 Cup joined the Florida Crown Triple Crown PCA at a joint race, May 16-18, in Savannah, Georgia. The warmest temperatures in this race’s history—and an unexpected head wind up the front straight—greeted the two grids of Porsche competitors (one of them, 944 Cup) with equal spite on a track that went from green and sandy to greasy and hot.
Facing three 26-lap “sprints” that would test their endurance, drivers tweaked set ups and driving lines to find speed and confidence that was not to be had. In fact, most track records at this sweeping, nine-turn track have stood safely out of reach since the race’s move from December. However, for 944 Cup and Super Cup, the rewards to be had were great—points times three.
Some of the newest and most veteran visitors to Roebling found success, with Super Cup’s Jonathan Foulds earning his first-ever class win, driving a 1991 944 S2. Meanwhile, his runner-up Newsom Baker—piloting a 968 he only acquired this year—left Savannah also runner up in the current 944 Super Cup South standings, with 240 points. Baker and Joshua Barnes are set for a show down at VIR later in June for the lead in points, if not the championship.
With three smooth drives on a track where drivers were humbled by conditions, Dave Rodenroth stayed in control of the 944 Cup South standings, with two more race weekends to go in regional action. The Florida driver sits currently with 308 points, while Larry Helm and Tim Pruitt have more than one-race deficits.
http://44cup.com/south-standings-2014