The C-Note Racing Team returns with their 1970 Datsun 240Z
The C-Note Racing Team will contest the 2009 NASA 25 Hours of Thunderhill, in the top ES class. This year's entry marks the team's 5th consecutive run in the ES class, at the world's longest endurance race.
The C-Note Racing team will once again race their trusty steed, a 1970 Datsun 240Z known affectionately by the team as the "War Horse". The team hopes to build on the car's current 2229 lap total at the 25, which may possibly be more than any other car to have ever run the 25.
The 39 year old race car was originally built in 1970, and is always
one of the oldest entries in whatever race it runs. Not to mention many
times considerably slower than most. This means that the team strategy
consists in large part on a classic Tortoise vs. Hare approach, where
speed isn't the focus, but simply trying to stay out of trouble and
collecting laps. In fact, the team has employed a rule over the years
to reinforce that strategy, where the driver that turns the fast lap of
the race wins the privilege of buying dinner for the entire team after
the event.
The overall team philosophy consists of four basic
principles. In order of priority they are; 1. Have fun 2. Finish the
race 3. Finish well in class, and 4. Finish well overall. These
principles have proven themselves over the years, with the team finding
success on multiple occasions beyond all expectations, or even the most
optimistic hope. Notable finishes for the team at the "25 Hours of
Thunderhill" include a 4th place in ES and 5th place overall in 2006, a
fantastic result backed up by a 3rd place in ES and 9th overall in
2007.
Team principle and car owner Manfred Duske credits an
unusually high level of team esprit d' corp for these results, built on
a platform of friendship and a shared passion for the sport. Team
drivers have all contributed in one way or another, by helping service
or prepare the car, transporting equipment, or filling in as crew when
needed. Several crew members volunteer their expertise, year after
year, traveling from as far away as Vancouver, British Columbia. Most
of the time, when the team has begun with the first principle of having
fun, the results have followed. When the results haven't been so good,
we still have fun and enjoy the experience, because the people make the
experience.
Over the years, the War Horse has seen more butts than
an ash tray outside a sports bar, with drivers from all over the
Pacific Northwest, including Vancouver BC Canada.
Team principle/car
owner Manfred Duske along Scott Morton, both 24 hrs of Nurburgring
veterans, have been the core of the team drivers for most of the races,
joining Michael Conatore and Bob Mearns for this year's race. Past
regular team members include Patrick Boyle, Rick Bostrom, Steve
Pfeiffer, Jeff Remfert, Jeff Van Lierop, Dave Haire, Rod Powell and
Randy Blaylock.
