It's TTAC Vs. R&T And Jalopnik In A Race Of Some Sort

by Sam Miller

Published: August 1st, 2014

it s ttac vs r t and jalopnik in a race of some sort

This weekend will be the inaugural race for the new American Endurance Racing (AER) series. It’s a run-what-you-brung, take-no-prisoners approach to low-cost endurance competition that welcomes everything from prepped SCCA racers to the cheaty-est of LeMons Class A rides.

As you might expect, former Editor-In-Chief Jack Baruth will be there — but this time, he’s the enemy.

Or maybe not.

Hi. I’m Sam Miller, and despite the photo you see below, I try not to be a crappy driver.

I’ve raced a variety of classes and done a fair amount of professional driver coaching. I’m also a long-time TTAC reader and friend of the Texas TTAC crew. So when the call went out for someone to represent this site against Jack (driving for R&T) and Travis Okulski (driving for Jalopnik) I was at least one of the choices.

This weekend, we’ll be running on the New Jersey Motorsports Park “Lightning” course in a couple of Spec E30 race cars, which are old BMWs with a surprising amount of motor and grip to them. Once we all arrive at the track, we’ll be assigned to our cars and sent out to do battle. It’s possible that they will actually make me team up with Jack while putting Travis together with pro driver Randy Pobst in an unbeatable combination we’ve already nicknamed “Randy Travis”. In which case, look for me to thoroughly humiliate my aging teammate with a series of untouchable laps before handing the car over to him for a lackluster finish.

Yesterday, Jack and I drove from Powell, Ohio to Baltimore in a brand-new Buick LaCrosse eAssist. He says there’s a review coming and something something auto-stop. All I can say is that the back seat is very comfortable.

Today’s practice and qualifying. You can find out more at the AER website. Live timing and scoring will also be available. And if you’re in the area, come out and say Hi!

Sam Miller

More by Sam Miller

Comments

Join the conversation

3 of 9 comments

The Heisenberg Cartel on Aug 02, 2014

Randy Travis. Haaaaaa!!! That needs to be a theme for a Lemons racer!!

Like Reply
Claytori on Aug 02, 2014

Someone with as much racing experience as you claim to have would be more appreciative of the benefits of wearing the shoulder belt, even when riding in the back seat. Jack's recent misadventure in on-road driving proves that anyone can have a serious accident.

Like Reply
- Sam P on Aug 03, 2014
  
  Dan Gurney and Brock Yates drove across the United States in a Ferrari Daytona in 1972 during the first "Cannonball Run", at speeds sometimes exceeding 170 mph without seat belts. Yes, the Ferrari Daytona came with belts. No, I'm not saying it was a smart thing to do.
  
  Like

Recent Comments

Doughboy I’ve seen car bras before, but never car beards. ZZ Top would be proud.
Bkojote Allright, actual person who knows trucks here, the article gets it a bit wrong.First off, the Maverick is not at all comparable to a Tacoma just because they're both Hybrids. Or lemme be blunt, the butch-est non-hybrid Maverick Tremor is suitable for 2/10 difficulty trails, a Trailhunter is for about 5/10 or maybe 6/10, just about the upper end of any stock vehicle you're buying from the factory. Aside from a Sasquatch Bronco or Rubicon Jeep Wrangler you're looking at something you're towing back if you want more capability (or perhaps something you /wish/ you were towing back.)Now, where the real world difference should play out is on the trail, where a lot of low speed crawling usually saps efficiency, especially when loaded to the gills. Real world MPG from a 4Runner is about 12-13mpg, So if this loaded-with-overlander-catalog Trailhunter is still pulling in the 20's - or even 18-19, that's a massive improvement.
Lou_BC "That’s expensive for a midsize pickup" All of the "offroad" midsize trucks fall in that 65k USD range. The ZR2 is probably the cheapest ( without Bison option).
Lou_BC There are a few in my town. They come out on sunny days. I'd rather spend $29k on a square body Chevy
Lou_BC I had a 2010 Ford F150 and 2010 Toyota Sienna. The F150 went through 3 sets of brakes and Sienna 2 sets. Similar mileage and 10 year span.4 sets tires on F150. Truck needed a set of rear shocks and front axle seals. The solenoid in the T-case was replaced under warranty. I replaced a "blend door motor" on heater. Sienna needed a water pump and heater blower both on warranty. One TSB then recall on spare tire cable. Has a limp mode due to an engine sensor failure. At 11 years old I had to replace clutch pack in rear diff F150. My ZR2 diesel at 55,000 km. Needs new tires. Duratrac's worn and chewed up. Needed front end alignment (1st time ever on any truck I've owned).Rear brakes worn out. Left pads were to metal. Chevy rear brakes don't like offroad. Weird "inside out" dents in a few spots rear fenders. Typically GM can't really build an offroad truck issue. They won't warranty. Has fender-well liners. Tore off one rear shock protector. Was cheaper to order from GM warehouse through parts supplier than through Chevy dealer. Lots of squeaks and rattles. Infotainment has crashed a few times. Seat heater modual was on recall. One of those post sale retrofit.Local dealer is horrific. If my son can't service or repair it, I'll drive 120 km to the next town. 1st and last Chevy. Love the drivetrain and suspension. Fit and finish mediocre. Dealer sucks.