QARTOUMY WINS AT COTA

QARTOUMY WINS AT COTA

LIMITED CLASS Champion

Feras Qartoumy Dallas, Texas 2008 Chevrolet Corvette ZO6 7.7 LS7 468 with 660 WHP and 600 WTQ Normally runs with the Optima Search for the Ultimate Street Car series. When the Super Lap Battle USA was announced I was over the moon, it was one where I thought I could be competitive at. A new American event designed to be similar to the World Time Attack Challenge that runs every year in Australia. And it would be right here in my home State of Texas at the Circuit of the Americas no less. I got on the Internet and check out some of the Time Attack cars that would be showing up and said “Oh hell no” but I decided to give it go anyway. So, I signed up and got ready to be part of history, only I never knew how much. During the past season I dealt with nothing but brake problems and reduced power mode issues, so I put all my focus on our short offseason towards fixing those issues and not worrying about adding more power or other upgrades. Since I run in Optima Search for the Ultimate Street Car series I have to follow very strict aero and tire rules so after registering for the Superlap Battle and checking out the opposition I knew I needed to add some aero

goodies and drop some weight in the car to even be somewhat competitive.

Man, where do I began? The weekend started off great, we took to the track Saturday morning for the first time at the Circuit of The Americas in four years, it has not changed much other than being a bit bumpier. I ran two laps in session one and laid down a 2:24 which I felt was pretty good for an opening session. The car felt great and I was ready to start dropping time. In session two and on my first lap dropped almost four seconds to a 2:20.9. I was pumped when I felt I had left a bunch of time on the table, so I went for a second lap. I got good speed on to the back straight but approaching T12 I shifted from 4th to 5th and the car revs to the moon. I hear all kinda of noises I don’t want to hear so I immediately shut the car off and parked it.

The safety crew comes around and they tell me I’m not leaking anything, so we tow it back in. As I’m being towed in I’m feeling pretty let down. I know what this car is capable of and didn’t want to leave this amazing track without giving it my all. We get

back to the pit garage and narrowed down the issue to either the trans or torque tube. Alex Vincent Peitz immediately starts calling and texting local shops to see if anyone has anything that can help us out. Amazingly Calvo Motorsports answers the call and opens up their shop for us. We get the car to Calvo and Adam Torres and I start taking the car apart. Once the drive line was out it was obvious that we killed the drive shaft and to our amazement Antonio’s got one at a buddy’s house, so we rush over and pull the old drive shaft out the torque tube and slap the new one in. So back to Calvo, reassemble the car, bleed the clutch and brakes and we are done by 10.30pm!

We wake up early on day two and head back to the track. I run a 2:20.4 and drop another half a second, I am still in the lead, but Scott Dollahite is getting dangerously close. Session two ends being a slide fest as someone left oil on the track so no change of making any improvements there. I head out for session three and Scott jumps me, laying down a 2:20.1 while I’m stuck on that 2:20.4. It comes down to the last session of the day before

the SL Battles. I go out knowing where I have to make improvements but am annoyed at myself when I blew a few corners but still managed to run a 2:19.6 and take the lead back but Scott is still crazy close when he ran a 2:19.8.

After all the crazy things that went on over the weekend it all came down to the SL Battle. I really wasn’t going to run the battle since I really pushed the braking point on the back straight to the 150-mark trying to get another lap in and as I came into the pits I had a small fire coming from my brake rotor. It ended up just being some rubber I picked up off the track, so we quickly cooled the tires and headed into the Battles!

For the Battles you go on track by yourself and get one flying lap. So, I kinda knew what I had to do in order to get the time I’ve been after all weekend, but I ruined turn one and came in too hot into the Esses and didn’t think I was on a good lap. Mid back straight I look over and see I’m running

1.5 seconds faster than my 2.19.6! I couldn’t believe it and was thinking my timing must be off, but I stay in it. I pushed the braking into T12 to the 200 mark and slightly overshoot the apex. As I’m finishing off the lap I see I lost half a second somewhere but am still one second faster, so I tell myself I’m not going to over shoot turn T20 and just brake early.

I come across the finish line and see the time of a 2:18.5 and my number (72) go to the top of the board! I have never been so overwhelmed to see my race number before. To run my fastest time under pressure at one of the most iconic tracks in the world and see my race number in the number one spot on the tower was a feeling that I can’t describe. I was ecstatic to say the least knowing I had just won Super Lap Battle and everything we had gone thru getting the car fixed the night before was an amazing feeling of accomplishment.

So that’s my story and I couldn’t have done it without the most incredible people in my life. For

one my amazing wife Julie Abuqartoumy for being by my side and supporting my hobby. My father Said Qartoumy for getting me addicted to racing at such a young age. Watching him race and being pit crew for his cars will always be memories engraved in my mind.

I really want to thank the Ultimate Street Car Association and OPTIMA Batteries because without them. I wouldn’t have met amazing people like Peitz Performance Tunes, Alex and Adam. No way

in hell could I have gotten this victory without you two. Race Ready Motorsport for getting me wheels made in time. Gspeed and Penske for getting my shocks re-valved and back to me in two-week’s time! Alcon brakes and Pro System for the amazing brakes! Horse Power Research for the giant 7.7-liter power! And Dusold Designs for all the downforce their diffuser makes! Also, thanks to everyone else that has helped me throughout my journey and getting my car to where it is today.

Above: Nailing the Esses Top Left: A hard working crew, thanks guys! Bottom Left: Back on track Below: Many lines into turn one