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2005

press release:

12/10/04 Bolton, CT

Tangerine Racing Announces New Sponsors for 2005

For the 2005 racing season the #14 Tangerine Racing Porsche 914 will be receiving fresh powerplants thanks to an agreement with two VW Type IV engine specialists located in Georgia, Jake Raby of Raby's Aircooled Technology, and Len Hoffman of Hoffman Automotive Machine Inc.  In addition, A&B Cooling and Heating, located in Manchester, CT has signed on as an associate sponsor.

Hoffman Automotive (HAM INC.) of Athens, GA will be providing cylinder heads using the same modern technology components as found in professional racing series such as the Indy Racing League.  Aircooled Technology (RAT) will be assembling the engines at their newly renovated facility located in Cleveland, GA.  The combination of HAM INC. and RAT, along with custom modified components made at the facilities of Title Sponsor CFR Welding, will produce the highest output engines possible within the current rules structure.

The Tangerine Porsche 914 competes nationally in the SCCA F Production class for highly modified sports cars.   A season opening race at Road Atlanta, at the end of March, is first on the '05 schedule. Beginning in April, the car will be raced in the Northeast Divisional Championship series.  The National Championship Runoffs held at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in September will be the focal point of the season.  In the last two seasons team owner Chris Foley has driven the 1.8 liter Porsche 914 to 14th and 15th place finishes at the Runoffs using an engine he built at home.

24 National Championship races are televised on Speed Channel in separate one hour programs.  Look for the Tangerine 914 to be in the thick of the competition during the F Production broadcast later this year!  In the meantime look HERE for more information about our sponsors.

2004

Pocono Race Report

On the weekend of August 20-22 the Tri-Region Race Group held its yearly Double National Races at Pocono International Raceway.  It was the last event on the Northeast Division schedule for 2004.  For many teams including Tangerine Racing, this was the last chance to qualify for the SCCA National Runoffs held in September.  In our case both races were critical to meet the requirements, having started late in the season after repairs from a heavy crash at the end of 2003 put us way behind schedule for 2004.  Our minimum requirement was to finish one race in a points position and at least post a start for the other race.

Friday’s qualifying results were supposed to count as provisional grid for both races with a second session both Saturday and Sunday mornings to determine the final starting positions for each race.  Having never raced on this particular track configuration, our provisional position of 6^th in class was satisfactory.  It was expected that we would improve that position in final qualifying later in the weekend and we left the track Friday evening feeling confident.  A thorough inspection of the #14 Tangerine Racing F Production Porsche 914 had revealed no unexpected issues other than worn front brake pads.

Squeezing two complete race events into one weekend is always a big challenge for competitors and officials alike.  Couple that with the unpredictable weather at Pocono and you have a recipe for true adversity.  The advance weather forecast had been for hot and humid conditions all weekend, with a slight chance of thunderstorms.  Little did we know what was to ensue.  It rained overnight and we awoke early Saturday to gray skies.  At the track the conditions were the same, but the television weather maps had shown a large mass of heavy rain approaching.  A decision was made to replace the brake pads before qualifying and use the wet track qualifying session to bed them in.  Sunday qualifying would therefore be a better opportunity to improve our lap times for the second race.  Our qualifying went as planned and we were set for a 16^th place overall starting position out of 36 cars.

It started to rain while the next race group was qualifying and the following race group never made it onto the track as the wind and rain became quite intense within a matter of minutes.  Before long people were milling around watching the water rise in the paddock area outside the garages.  As we watched, the low areas of the driveway paddock became saturated and changed from streams to ponds.  In less than 2 hours the water rose to the center of the wheels of vehicles unfortunately parked in the lowest parts of the paddock around the garages.  We even became concerned that the water might flow into the garage, as the level reached right up to within inches of the doorways.  The water actually came in the garage when a 4WD truck drove by, pushing a wake ahead of it.  It seemed like an eternity, but in fact it wasn’t even noon yet, and we had a flooded race track and paddock area.  Finally the rain let up a bit and the water level around us began to recede.  By 2 pm there was no more rain and it was again possible to walk outside without wearing hip waders.  A driver’s meeting was held at 3 o’clock where we were informed that all further qualifying was cancelled and final grid positions were based on Friday’s sessions.  The first 3 race groups (we were Group 1) would be run on Saturday, starting at 4 pm with a 30 minute timed race instead of going the full 45 mile National race distance.  It was announced that the chicane before the final turn would not be used due to flooding conditions in that area.  That meant we would be entering the 16 degree banking of the Bowl (Nascar turn 1) at top speed, with another ¾ mile of straight before braking for the first turn, where a small stream of water was still crossing the track surface.

We were given three pace laps to help clear the water, and to allow a few late grid arrivals time to catch the field.  Some of the competitors who had outqualified the #14 car had not made it to the grid on time and I was in 8^th overall position on the track as we took the green flag.  I had an excellent start and moved past 3 cars on the outside under braking for turn 1.  I made a smooth entry into the corner and slotted in behind the F Production leader, Les Handly, also driving a Porsche 914.  A faster E production 914-6 passed the two of us when we reached the Long Pond Straight, but I maintained 2^nd  position in class for the first lap.  FP polesitter Charles Guest, driving a Huffaker prepared MG Midget, re-passed me easily as we went back onto the high speed Nascar Oval section for the second time.  The cars ahead stretched their lead and I began to concentrate on the Midget of Dave Kicak who was closing steadily from behind.  After several laps I conceded that he was in the faster car and he passed me with no further contest.  That gave me the opportunity to study his line and see what I could do to improve my own lap times.  It seemed that I could reel him in on the long straights, but he had the better handling car in the infield section and was able to continue pulling away.  I didn’t feel comfortable going through the Bowl at full speed and slowed to about 110 mph as I entered, then accelerated again up to a top speed of around 120 as we passed the start/ finish line.  I was able to lap many of the slower cars and finished 4^th in class, 8^th overall, just as I started.

Sunday’s schedule started by completing the remaining races originally scheduled for Saturday.  That gave the Tangerine Racing team time for a thorough inspection of the car and to make a few carburetor and handling adjustments.  Our second race was run just before lunch and the weather conditions were sunny, cool and dry.  The grid positions were again shuffled a bit, since some competitors had not returned and others who had trouble on Saturday were in their assigned position.  This time I took the green flag from 10^th overall position and passed the FP  MGB of Bill Ball before the first turn to take over 3^rd place in class.  An EP Mazda was all that separated me from the 2^nd place FP car of Dave Kicak.  I traded positions with the Mazda for a couple of laps before passing him decisively and started to close on the Midget ahead. 

On lap four I put in my best lap time of the weekend at a 1:53.6, completing the lap with a top speed of 125mph.  My time was 3 seconds faster than my Friday qualifying time.  The handling adjustments were paying off, as the car felt very predictable in the tight turns.  Unfortunately I braked a little late for the chicane on lap 5 and made a brief agricultural excursion through the grass before re-entering the track, losing  at least 5 seconds in the process.  That put me well behind the EP Mazda I had worked so hard to pass earlier, but in a secure 3^rd position in class.  I decided there was no point in trying too hard for the remainder of the race and backed off to a comfortable pace to finish 9^th overall.

SCCA National Championship competition rules allow one’s best 6 finishes during the season to count towards a class championship.  We had only attended 4 races this season and finished 8^th in F Production in the Northeast Division.  Despite all the challenges of the weekend at Pocono International Raceway, Tangerine Racing had met its objectives, finishing 4^th and 3^rd in class to qualify for the National Championship races at Mid-Ohio in September.

On June 6^th and 7^th the SCCA New England Region held its Flower Power National road racing event, part of the Northeast Division National Racing Championship Series. Friday’s qualifying was held under sunny skies with temperatures in the upper 70’s, optimum conditions for fast lap times. The Production and small bore GT classes were in race Group 3 of the 8 scheduled races. Chris Foley, driving the Tangerine Racing Porsche 914, posted a 1:04.9 time on the 1.53 mile circuit for 23^rd overall starting position in a field of 37 entries. This was 5^th fastest of the eight F Production cars entered. Not bad considering the 100hp backup engine being used for this event. The Pole position time was 59.4 seconds, set by Eric Kreuger in his higher class E Production MGB.

After suffering from brake troubles at the beginning of the morning qualifying session, the 914 had to be towed off the track. The team spent their time rebuilding the right front caliper and making sure the car would be ready. In the afternoon session Chris got faster with each lap. He made sure the car was performing as expected and he posted his best time on the final lap of qualifying.

Saturday morning the team arrived at the track in light rain conditions, which deteriorated as the day progressed. The switch to rain tires left no time to run the car in the morning warm-up. Other small adjustments were made to the handling as it became obvious that the 30 lap race would be held in steady rain.

As the field took the green flag Chris got a good start, passing several cars by the second turn. Less than halfway through the first lap, two cars just ahead made light contact, causing the red Fiat X-1/9 of Giovanni Tartaglia to spin directly in front of the tangerine 914. Chris had to stop with only inches between his front bumper and the passenger door of the Fiat. The rest of the field went by on both sides, and Chris resumed nearly in last place after Giovanni was able to move his car out of the way. By the end of two laps Chris had passed 7 of the cars which were previously behind him.

Conditions on the track were very slippery and visibility was poor not only due to the rain and mist, but the spray off the car tires as well. With each lap the Tangerine Racing Porsche made its way past competitors at a steady pace, in an effort to gain sight of the class leaders. After 17 laps a GT-4 car went off track, stopping in a dangerous location which brought out a full course caution for 4 laps. This allowed the field to tighten up behind the pace car. Chris was in 3^rd place in FP by this time and could see the higher powered first and second place FP cars of Tom Burdge and Harold Flescher for the first time. There were 5 other cars in between, some of them already running a lap down.

When green flag racing resumed, Chris made his way past the back markers and closed in on the leaders. With 6 laps remaining, the Tangerine Racing Porsche 914 easily passed the maroon Austin Healey Sprite of former National Champion Harold Flescher. Chris began dogging Tom Burdge, also driving a Porsche 914, at every turn. The blue and yellow 914 of Burdge was faster on the straights, but Chris could see that he was able to brake later and go through the turns faster than Tom. In less than two laps Chris passed Burdge’s 914 going into Big Bend to take over first position in the FP class. This was the closest contest within the overall race. Two of the faster EP competitors worked their way between the two 914s as the race wound down, creating a small cushion for Chris. He couldn’t see his FP rival in the mirror until both EP cars passed by him.

With less than 2 laps remaining, the interval between the two rival Porsches dwindled rapidly. Both FP drivers set their fastest laps of the day on the final lap and the CFR Welding/D&D Auto/American Specialty Products sponsored Tangerine Racing Porsche 914 crossed the finish line only a few feet ahead of of the second place car of Tom Burdge. Chris had incredibly finished in 5^th place overall at an average speed of 62.68 miles per hour, with only the top four higher classed E Production competitors ahead of him. This is the second National victory for Chris Foley, both times in wet conditions. These two wins in additon to last year’s Pole position set in the rain at the NARRC Runoffs clearly earn him the title of RainMeister. It also goes to show that more power isn’t always better. Smooth driving and a well balanced car were the key elements to Chris’ victory in some of the worst conditions encountered in SCCA road racing.

Special thanks go to sponsors CFR Welding of Manchester CT, D & D Auto of East Hartford CT, and American Specialty Products of Vernon CT for their continued support of Chris Foley’s Tangerine Racing Team. Their help has been a significant part of the team’s success.

SCCA National events offer some of the most exciting and competetive road racing in the country. Top drivers and celebrities, such as Paul Newman (who also won his race on Saturday), reigning and former National champions, and up-and-coming drivers like Chris Foley, regularly compete at these events. Lime Rock Park, in Salisbury Connecticut, is one of the most enjoyable locations for spectators and race fans to witness the action. The grassy hillsides offer excellent viewing of the races, and the paddock areas are always open to meet with the drivers and get a close-up look at the race cars.

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2003 Runoffs

In September of 2003 the Tangerine Race Team attended the SCCA National Runoffs at the Mid Ohio Sports Car Course for the first time.  24 National Championships are up for grabs at this annual event.  Chris raced to a 14th place finish in the F Production class, on the lead lap.  The event was televised on Speed Channel, and the Tangerine Racing Porsche 914 was the focus of the last lap of the 1 hour F Prod race coverage.

2001 was a very good year for the Tangerine Racing Team of Chris Foley and Mary Terhune. The CFR Welding sponsored Porsche 914 posted six victories in six races run, in the SCCA North Atlantic Road Racing Championship. Scoring 98 points of a possible 134, Chris topped the list of eight drivers who participated in the F Production Class. For the second year in a row the championship was decided before the final race of the season. Jennifer Wolff Hopkinson, in her first season in FP, scored 51 points to take second place honors. Other challengers included Giovanni Tartaglia, a seasoned veteran driving a red Fiat X/1-9, and equally experienced Andy Williams in his yellow MG Midget. At mid-season Jennifer had the points lead, as the Tangerine Racing Team had not yet begun its juggernaut.

Starting with two easy victories at NHIS in July, Chris and Mary announced their return in a big way. Next, at Lime Rock in mid-August, Chris proved that he was the one to beat this year. At first, everything seemed to go wrong, like forgetting his driving gear at home, and missing the first practice session, so it was no surprise to only qualify 18^th. An engine problem turned out to be minor and easily corrected, however, and during the race Chris sliced through traffic with apparent ease, driving from deep in the pack to take the overall lead of the race on lap five. Polesitter Andy Williams said " I knew I had to watch my mirrors, but never expected to see Chris so quickly."

The team returned to NHIS on Sept 8^th for a double race weekend with a backup engine installed in the Porsche 914 race car. The primary engine was removed when metal chips were found in the oil screen, only four days before the event. Chief rival, Giovanni Tartaglia, led the first race until a flat tire due to debris on the track from a crash put him out with only two laps to go. That handed win number four to Chris. Sunday’s race was exciting as well. However, the challenge came from E Production competitor and friend, Robert Smart, in his BMW 320. The two raced side by side for a couple of laps, with Chris ultimately pulling ahead before the checkered flag.

The season finale NARRC Runoffs was next, at Lime Rock Park, on Sept 29^th. With double points available, and second place in the championship still undecided, the Tangerine Racing team had to be prepared for the toughest race of the season. The primary race engine was rebuilt and reinstalled for a dynamometer test on Wednesday. All was well, so the team was confident and expected another good result.

Qualifying took place in the rain on Friday and Chris put the Hoosier Wet tire shod Porsche on the fourth row, ahead of all the other F Production cars. At the start of the race, all the cars made it through the first turn OK and Chris was able to move up two positions. Then one of the E Production cars at the front of the pack spun in the left hand turn (turn 3) and partially blocked the track, but not before the tangerine 914 got through. The brief tie-up gave Chris a small cushion as he set off in hot pursuit of the first four cars.

Behind him, Giovanni Tartaglia’s red Fiat was the next F Production car to clear the incident. Lap after lap the two continued at an equal pace. Late in the race, however, lapped traffic played into Giovanni’s hands as Chris was held up on more than one occasion. With one lap to go the Porsche’s mirrors were filled by the Fiat X/1-9. At every corner of the last lap Giovanni looked for an opening as Chris drove a defensive line. Finally the two cars entered the final turn side by side. The Tangerine Racing Porsche 914 was on the faster outside line as they exited the diving turn for the last time and began the drag race to the checkered flag ¼ mile away. At the line it was almost impossible to tell who won. Giovanni piloted his Fiat brilliantly but came up short by less than eight feet. The Tangerine Racing team had triumphed once again, this time in an old fashioned fight to the finish.

This season was made particularly special for Chris & Mary at the Porsche Rennsport Reunion at Lime Rock Park. Many famous historic Porsches and their drivers gathered along with an equal number of currently active Porsche Club racers for a weekend of fun at the track. The Tangerine Racing Team sported a new paint job with graphics, on the Race Support Vehicle, for the biggest gathering of Porsche Race cars ever. In his race Chris finished eighth out of 27 cars. The only cars to finish ahead of the 914 were 911s with much greater displacement and horsepower.

Many thanks go to the team’s associate sponsors: D & D Auto and American Specialty Products. Their support was invaluable throughout the season. Additionally the many volunteer specialty workers of the SCCA made each race a success and a true joy to participate in. We thank them all.

1998

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Last modified:  November 12, 2008