2008 25 Hours of Thunderhill: #19 Mazdaspeed/Team MER1 2006 Mazda MX-5 WINS overall!
Before we get to the results and wrap-ups, just a quick apology to all of you following along at home. Thunderhill's wifi left a lot to be desired -- namely, a steady connection -- and our EVDO card was constantly struggling to keep a signal, let alone allow us to post galleries and on-the-fly standings. Thankfully, by the time the 24 Hours of LeMons rolls around in a few weeks, the track will supposedly have a T1 connection for blazing uploads and constant updates. Thanks for your patience. On to the good stuff...
After two grueling days and one sleepless and stationary night, the #19 Mazdaspeed/MER1 2006 Mazda MX-5 took the overall and ES class win at the 2008 25 Hours of Thunderhill, racking up a total of 477 laps. The age-old utterance of "slow and steady wins the race" couldn't be more true, but to short-change the Mazdaspeed crew without mentioning their die-hard attitude and utter determination does a disservice to the team and the rest of the participants.
In a race that saw the destruction of one Daytona Prototype, the loss of four (five?) engines and countless competitors, it's amazing that after 18 hours and 17 minutes of track time the first, second and third place overall finishers were separated by less than three seconds. Team Achilles Motorsport #44 1995 BMW M3 took the number two slot (1st in the E0 class), followed by #16 Dreams Motorsports 2009 Honda Civic Si. The Cytosport-challenging #87 Green Alternative Motorsports E85-powered M20F took fourth, with the #29 Mazdaspeed/MER2 MX-5 coming in fifth. All these standings are subject to change over the next week, but the current results can be viewed here.
As impressive as the finish was, it's the field of competitors that truly left us in awe. The endurance format and range of classes means that nearly any kind of car can campaign. The 25 Hours of Thunderhill is easily one of the most awe-inspiring motorsports events we've attended in recent memory and we hope to be back next year -- fog or not -- to bring you even more coverage from the rolling hills outside Willows.
A special thanks to our photographer Brad Wood for putting hundreds of jaw-dropping shots. More is on the way tonight (we've got a few more galleries and we'll do a Top 10 competitors gallery soon). Also, props to NASA's Jay Shirley who kept the servers on boil to give us up-to-the-second standings, and thanks to the timing crew on the 2nd floor for their help, patience and bad jokes.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Kitko 6:24PM (12/07/2008)
After winning Le Mans 24 in 1991, Mazda has docked another major motosport victory, by winning even longer endurance race - 25 Hours of Thunderhill :-)
This time, Mazda triumphed with an MX-5, much modest car compared to the 787B 4-rotor Wankel monster that powered the small Japanese manufacturer to the historic Le Mans victory. Mazda was the first and so far the only Japanese manufacturer to win Le Mans, and first and only to win with a non-piston engine.
OK, enough reporting, Congrats to Mazda and all folks that contributed to the victory.
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Mobius_1 6:53PM (12/07/2008)
Proof, once again, power isn't the only thing in racing, (just the most impressive :P)
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Jon 7:27PM (12/07/2008)
Great coverage guys! Much appreciated on a weekend sitting at home studying.
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J. Shirley 7:59PM (12/07/2008)
Hey Damon,
Thanks for your coverage, it's nice to see the results of the broadcast. I wish that things ran a little more smoothly with the live timing, but all in all I'm happy.
The T1 is scheduled for install on December 10th, so that should make the LeMons a little better.
Hope to see you guys again next year!
-Jay
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Patrick Wheeler 8:31PM (12/07/2008)
Damon, thanks for your coverage. Wish there were more updates after the restart, but I understand, in the middle of almost no where its tough. Brad, Great shots, Keep up the good work, cant wait to see the rest.
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Aki 8:20PM (12/07/2008)
I love Miata's on paper--light-weight, RWD.
But in person they look so... ugh. At worst a chick car, at best a smiling frog. Shallow pride prevents me from getting interested in this car.
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SilverAero 8:30PM (12/07/2008)
+ 1 The styling of the miata has all the drama of a 3 week used bar of soap. Hoping the face lifted one looks better.
Sid 10:58PM (12/07/2008)
Says the guy with a Civic icon
Rev 12:26AM (12/08/2008)
Touche, Sid.
Like they say, those who drive generic, torqueless econocars with Fisher-Price interiors that look like doorstops should not call the kettle black.
Or something like that...
dac 3:01AM (12/08/2008)
I used to agree with you, but my NB (second gen) has really grown on me.
Everyone should take the little car for a test drive sometime. It may seem underpowered and "girly" on paper, but I promise you'll be pleasantly surprised. There's something about the handling feel that just keeps giving and giving.
I love seeing my car win races, especially when "outclassed" by the likes of an M3. Maybe one day I won't always have to justify my purchase as an enthusiast. She may not be the fastest car in the world, but don't bet against a miata!
Aki 3:06AM (12/08/2008)
Rev: hurt your feelings a little?
Sorry, a Civic looks 100x better than the toad Miata. And Honda interiors are some of the best for the money.
Dave 8:17AM (12/08/2008)
Aki - The Civic looks 100x better than the Miata?
lol - that's some funny sh*t man!
Kregg 8:57PM (12/07/2008)
Thanks for the coverage! I've done a little remote reporting and while everything works on paper it rarely works as advertised in reality. You made the day go better while I worked on my Spec E30 car. The updates are great, especially if they split them out by class next year...
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mr.ed 9:55PM (12/07/2008)
To all you guys who brag on your Minis and fancy Krautish crap, I refer to the horse you rode in on.
Mazda Man
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dac 3:08AM (12/08/2008)
Wow, Miata's dominated! Winner and 4 of the top 10 spots. That makes me smile bigger than my car.
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Jason 7:25PM (12/08/2008)
More info on the winning car?
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Dana 7:44PM (12/08/2008)
Thanks Damon,
It was timing's pleasure to have someone to use our bad jokes on. Plus a big thumbs up for the PR plug for the boys.... Let me know if you ever need anything at a NASA event.
Dana
Timing and Scoring NASA NorCal Division
kewldana@aol.com
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