1999 Hebert Racing Results

Week 19 - September 11, 1999

After changing my setup from last weeks poor outing I was ready to be back on the pole for a regular points show.  Started first in my heat and finished third.  The car handled much better than last week.  More importantly I made the feature!  I started first in the feature too......after a nasty accident that took place behind me at the start, we did a complete restart of race.  I managed to hold the lead for 2 laps and the yellow flag flew again.  When the racing resumed, every lap I took seemed to be harder.The push in the car I had experienced last week came back to haunt me.  There were many cautions in this race...but I was still on the track.   When the checkered flag flew I was in 14th place.  Ten cars did not finish the race.  I was happy to finish...but still have work to do on chassis handling.

Labor Day Open Show

Been looking forward to this show for a while.  After a few warm up laps I waited for my turn at individual time trials.  After making 2 timed laps the best one was 12.11 seconds......not as good as I had hoped.  Car had a push coming out of turns.  Made a few adjustments for my heat race.  I started near the back because of my slow lap times......It appeared the adjustments I made didn't work...car handled bad and I finished out of the first 6 spots.  In the consolation race there was no improvements.  No feature tonight.  I was disappointed with this race...every adjustment I made...didn't work.  Time to go back to the basics and set up car like it was a few weeks ago.

       PRACTICE DAY -  April 10, 1999

     Finally, after 6 months in the garage building the sprint car, the day has come to drive it for the first time.  After a brief rookie meeting at the track, they let all the rookies on the track before the veterans. After a quick 5 laps it was apparent there was a front end steering problem.  After adjusting the angle of the front axle kingpins I was back out for my second run.  I made a total of five practice runs and each time my confidence increased.  I'll have to adjust the suspension for next week a little bit (right side nerf bar rubbing on the corners).  But, all things considered, my first day out everything went very well. Motor running great, car will be fast when properly set up. The rest is up to me to keep the learning curve as short as possible to capture 'Rookie of the year title'.  Next week, April 17th, is the first race of the year.....now the real fun starts!

week 1 -   April 17, 1999

      The first race of the season was finally here! Between raindrops I managed to get two warm-ups in. I replaced the right rear spring and car seemed to be handling much better. I was scheduled to start 10th in first heat race. I noticed a brake problem while buckling up and had to go back to pits to straighten out. I made the consolation race starting in 9th.  Had a brush with the wall trying to avoid an accident in front of me and managed to keep car going and finish in 6th. After replacing my front right wheel I was scheduled to start in my very first feature!! I started in the 24th spot.  And after 25 laps I moved all the way up to finish in the 16th spot.  I learned a lot and got some good driving time in......I had a lot of fun.........this is cool!

WEEK 2 -  April 24, 1999

     A much nicer day at the track this week....sunny and 60. After drawing a 10th place start in the first heat, I managed to finish 10th also.  The front left tire was still picking up off the ground and seemed to effect the handling of the car a lot.  After discussing my options back in the pits I decided to make a few adjustments to the left rear wheel and shock.  Next up was the consolation race for the 125's.  I had another 10th place start and didn't let anybody else fall behind me...I finished last there also.  The car seemed to be handling a little better...I just need to be more consistent with my driving so it will be easier to pinpoint the exact problem in the future.  I was hoping for a caution in that race so I could catch up to the pack......but it wasn't to be.  I still had a good time and managed to stay out of trouble and come home with the car in one piece.  That's a good thing!!

WEEK 3 -   May 1, 1999

    I was very excited about this weeks race.  During the week I made a lot of major changes to the car.  After consulting with Scott from Leader Chassis in Manheim I had a much better idea of what needed to be done.  In the heat race I started in 10th and finished in 8th.Car seemed to be handling 100% better after the changes I made.  In the consolation race I started 4th and held on to finish in 6th spot...enough to make it to my second feature in three weeks.  In feature I started 24th(last), and finished 20th.   I felt very comfortable in car and was really concentrating on the correct shifting pattern.  I blew another head gasket during race, so I have to work on that problem.  Looking forward to next week, my goal is to make the feature in the heat race!!

WEEK 4 -  May 8, 1999

  After some morning showers I arrived at the track at 3:30 only to find out that they cancelled the race due to the weather.  A decision I think that should be made later in the day......because the sun was out from 1:30 on.......AAAARRRRGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!  Should have time this week to have Hyper racing go over my cylinder head and be ready for next Saturday.  Well....at least I won't have to clean the car this week!!!!!

WEEK 5 -  May 15, 1999

     After a two week layoff I was very excited to do some racing again. After starting 10th in the heat race I managed to finish 7th. Not good enough for the feature so I had to try my luck in the consolation race. Started 2nd in the consolation and held on to finish 6th....just making the feature!  In the feature I started last (24th). After avoiding a number of wrecks and after a few cautions I can honestly say this is the first time I was actually racing.....not just learning to drive.  I finished in 17th place.  The car felt good and I'm really getting the knack for the shifting sequence.  A successful night at the track. I gain more confidence each week, and it's showing.  I'm still aiming to get in the feature through the heat race...next week........!!!!!

WEEK  6 -  May 22, 1999

  After two warm-up runs this week it was apparent that the motor was  still missing....a lot.  After asking lots of question, I determined that it definitely was the ignition that was going bad.  I had ordered one the previous week....but it didn't arrive in time for this race.  I started 9th in the heat race and finished 8th.  I located a used ignition for the heat race and ran with that.  The car seemed better...but that just made it apparent I also needed to change to a larger rear sprocket.I needed to do that after motor was rechambered 2 weeks ago!  In the consolation race I started 8th and finished 7th.  No feature this week.  I did make contact with another car during the consolation and bent my front axle and wheel rim......have to spend a few bucks this week....!!  Looking forward to getting all the bugs worked out during the week and running in the Open Show this coming Saturday!

WEEK 7 --  May 29, 1999

     My first open show......After arriving at the track at noon I borrowed a cdi box (ignition) and replaced my right front wheel.  I was ready to go. After a disappointing heat race I finished 7th.   I screwed up a shift on one turn and it cost me.  In the consolation race I started 2nd and held on to finish 5th....I made the feature. We made some adjustments to the carburetor and put on a new tire in the right rear. In the feature I started 22nd.   On the first lap of the race there was a pileup in front of me so I had no place to go. Slammed the brakes on and made contact with a car and the wall. Didn't appear to have any damage though. Race restarted and car just wasn't handling right. Couldn't hold any of the turns and had to slow down too much to make them.  As a result I was lapped 3 times and with 2  laps to go I was sent off the track.  After checking over the car in the pits we discovered a broken bolt on the left front axle radius rod.  No wonder I couldn't hold the corners!!!!  I ended up finishing 17th in the feature.   After an off week next week, racing resumes in two weeks.....cant wait!

WEEK 8 --  June 12, 1999

After installing my straightened front axle during the 2 week layoff I was more than ready to resume racing again.  I decided to let Doug Michael's take my car out during warm-ups to see if he could pinpoint the motor problems I've been having.   After a few adjustments I started 10th in the heat and finished 8th.I borrowed a head for motor and tried that for the consolation race.   I did get more compression from that head but after finishing 8th in that race, it was apparent I was still having problems.  So after consulting some more people we came to the conclusion that it's probably the 'starter' that needs replacing.  I will put a new one on this week as well as rebuild the motor.After tonight's race I am no longer a rookie, so next week I will be starting near the front in all races (low point total).  Should be fun if I can get motor working again!!

WEEK 9 --  June 19, 1999

I was excited about going into my last rookie race tonight.  I appeared to have fixed the motor problem that has been hanging around for a few weeks now.  I started 10th in the heat race and finished.....10th.  There were no cautions in this race to take advantage of.   In the consolation race I started in 9th and moved up to 7th.  I had a few cautions in the race but couldn't gain on the pack.....everybody was running the same lap times and nobody was doing any passing.  The car handled well in this race and I feel confident for next week.  I should get a good starting position in the remaining races.  I hope to take advantage of them.  I don't want to sit in the stands for any more 125 features!!!!

WEEK 10 --  June 26, 1999

This week I started on the pole in the 2nd heat race.  A few cars passed  me but with only two laps to go I made a bad turn and it cost me two more positions.  I ended up out of the first six spots.   On to the consolation again.  I started in fifth and held on barely to finish in 6th spot. Just made the feature. After starting 24th in the feature I got a lot of good driving time in...The car and motor are running good...I do need to change the rear sprocket for next race......I ended up in 20th place when the checkered flag came down.   I'm hoping with the sprocket change I will be able to hold on to my good starting positions from now on.  Racing resumes on July 10th after an off week coming up!

WEEK 11 --  July 10 1999

    After a two week layoff I was ready to start racing again. After a heavy shower at 3:30 they took an extra hour in preparing the track.  I decided to go with a smaller rear sprocket and use 3rd and 4th gear. I started on the pole in my heat and dropped to 3rd for a few laps.  I ended up getting passed by a few more cars and didn't  make the top six.  Some people like this particular gear combo...I didn't. After replacing the gear to a larger one I finished 6th in the consolation after starting 5th.  Once again I started 24th in the feature. There were a lot of cautions and a few close calls and after the 25th lap I was in 16th spot. The car was very tight the entire race......and the track was very rough.  Will be ready next week and hope to finally take advantage of the good starting spots I'm getting in the heats.

WEEK 12 --  July 17, 1999

After making a few minor adjustments to the car I was starting on the pole in the 2nd 125cc heat.    I had a good start in the race and managed to stay in front for 7 laps.  On the 8th lap 1 car passed me and then a caution flag came out.  On the restart I held on to finish 2nd!!  This was by far my best race and my best finish yet!  In the feature race I started in 2nd spot beside Scott Heisey.    When the green flag flew my motor bogged down and it took a little while to get up to speed.  I found myself  in 7th position before long.  In the 7th lap a car spun out right in front of me and I slammed  into him.  Had no where to go.  After getting push started again and getting put to the rear I could   tell I had some front end damage.....it just wasn't cornering well. On the 21st lap I got too close to        one of the tires inside turn 3-4 and launched myself in the air.  I came down hard and rolled twice   before coming to rest back on all four tires.  Needless to say I got towed to the pits.  After getting out and assessing the damage I had a bruised wing, front steering axle assembly and a bruised ego.  All the damage is repairable and I will be ready for the Clyde Martin Memorial Race next Saturday.

WEEK 13 --  July 24, 1999

After spending many hours during the week repairing last weeks damage it was time to see if everything worked again.   I started on the pole in the heat race.....I quickly fell behind after experiencing handling problems during the race.   Back  in the pits I discovered the rear axle was loose.Tightened that up and went to the consi.....started 8th.....I drove well and car handled well.  There was a major rut   that developed around turn 3 & 4.  It threw me a few times and kept me from  moving up in the field.  This was a very disappointing night.  With double  points at stake, I needed to make the feature and have a good showing.......I  didn't.                 

Congrats to Scott Heisey for a great feature race....4th place!!!cool.

WEEK 14 --  July 31, 1999

          Hebert Racing finally records a successful evening!!
     After making several changes to my carburetor before the race it was time to see if it worked.   I started first in my heat race and stayed in front for 7 laps....I was passed by a faster car and held on to finish in 2nd place.   My adjustments worked great and I had a good jump from the start.  On to the feature!  I had the pole position in the feature for the first time.  Felt good to be starting first and not dead last!  Had a good start when the green flag flew. After 3 laps when the first yellow came out I was still leading.  On the restart the car behind me got hooked up in my rear bumper and it slowed us both down.  A few cars passed us and I had trouble getting down low for the next few laps.  I found myself in the middle of the field for most of the race and ended up in 18th when the checkered flag came down.  It was a good evening...the car is running good.....my driving is showing improvements every week.......and I had good experience driving in heavy traffic.   I hope to take better advantage of my good starts the next race.

Week15 - August 14,1999

Tonight I started on the pole again in my heat race.  I jumped out to the lead only to be rear ended by the car behind me and spun sideways.  Needless to say most of the field passed me before I could build up speed again. In the consolation race I started in 4th.  After 10 clean laps I finished  in 7th position.  My car was definitely lacking the horsepower tonight.  Time for a rebuild this coming week in the garage.

Week 16-August 21,1999
HEBERT RACING #99 RECORDS TOP 3 FINISH! 

After watching my pit buddy Scott Heisey WIN the rained out feature from last week it was time for me to make some waves.  Once again I had the pole position in the first heat race.  I managed to hold the lead for 6 laps and held on to finish 5th.  I made tonight's feature......The car seemed to be handling well so no changes were made for the feature event.  After starting 1st in the feature I was still leading after 2 laps when the first caution came out.........Had a good restart and in the next 13 laps there were many cautions and restarts.......In the 15th lap the red flag flew and we pulled off the track for the cleanup crew on the track.  I was still in the lead.......After restarting again I held my lead through the 23rd lap when 2 cars passed me and ended up in 3rd. When the checkered flag flew!!!!  I was very happy with the race.....the car handled great and I didn't  make any mistakes to cost me...just got beat by faster cars in the end.  This should be a good confidence builder for the remaining races.

Week 17- August 28,1999

After a good race last week I was very anxious to get on the track again this week. However.........After starting on the pole in my heat, the race the car seemed very tight and had a big push in it. Finished 7th. After the race we noticed the left rear wheel was bent. Didn't have time to fix it....so I ran with it in the consi race. Car still handled bad and didn't make the feature on this night. After getting home and taking the car apart I discovered a bent wheel AND a bent rear axle....!  Will try to get it all fixed for the big 2 day open show this labor day weekend.

09/18/99