Idaho Rally Race Report

Ray Piloto Racing 

Idaho Rally race report

It began with a strut that was ordered weeks prior and came in only 24 hours before Ray Piloto racing was scheduled to leave for the Idaho Rally in Boise,ID. With no time to test and properly set up the car, Ray Piloto packed up and began his 10 hour drive to Boise form Las Vegas.  Once Piloto arrived he only had one hour to register, go through tech inspection and then pick up his co-driver; Cory Grunwald, from the airport.  Making it through tech and registration with no time to spare, we hoped the stressful part of the weekend was over….

                Day one, stage one: Piloto reports his right side springs where improperly set. With only a fifteen minute service Piloto and Grunwald could only get one spring fixed. There were two more stages until the next service. Dealing with an oddly balanced car stage times where surprisingly decent.  At the second service the second spring was fixed and the tires where rotated. On the beginning of the fourth stage Piloto stated, ”I came into the first left turn which was a left 5+ and the car didn’t turn, so we went wide and dropped the right wheels in the swamp hit something that bounced us back into the road, luckily nothing was damaged.” Once he finished the stage, he discovered the Right Front tire had a slow leak and we had no tire pressure, that’s why the car wouldn’t turn left.  It seemed to be one thing after another for the Ray Piloto Racing team. They managed to get some air in the tire before the start of the next stage and when they got back to third service they changed the tire and finished the last stage of the day. “The last stage was our best stage! Car felt great and things seemed to finally coming together”, Ray exclaimed.

                Day two brought more challenges for the Ray Piloto Racing team. On the way to Park Ferme Piloto noticed his gas gauge was falling rapidly. On arrival, Piloto discovers a broken gas line poured six gallons of fuel all over the engine and was getting worse. To further complicate the morning, another tire had developed a leak and was not holding air. Thanks to Derik Neilson for cutting off some of his extra tubing in his own race car Piloto managed to fix the leak. Still dealing with a leaking tire and one more stage until service the team had to press on. The end of the first stage of the second day brought a new tire, full tank of gas and hope. The team sat in a comfortable eight overall and second in class. Stage three was the first stage of the day that presented no real concerns.  For the Ray Piloto Racing team the race seemed to finally be coming together. However, Piloto and Grunwald where reported off one mile before the finish of stage four, the second to last stage.

                Once I caught up with Piloto he recounts the off,” I thought I heard Right 5+, but as we approached the turn it looked a lot sharper.  I asked for a repeat, but by that time it was too late. We went off a 15-20 ft cliff but landed gently in some young trees and brush. We only broke a control arm as far as I could see. Turns out, the turn was a Right 4- off camber... I feel like I just couldn’t get into a groove this rally. Got my sights set on Mendocino. “

                Piloto also mentioned his Advanced Clutch and how big of a difference it makes, as well as Project MU brake pads being awesome gravel pads. You can catch Ray Piloto Racing next at Mendocino Rally on July 20-21^st. For all Ray Piloto Racing updates go to www.RayPilotoRacing.com or Follow Ray Piloto Racing on Facebook and Twitter.