Last week we published the Time Trial reports from Barber Motorsports Park in July. This week, we bring you the racing action from Barber, and there was a lot of it. You can scroll down to pick up the classes you’re most interested in.
Divided into Thunder and Lightning groups, racers battled throughout the weekend at America’s prettiest road course. Barber is a wonderful track, and it’s so alluring that drivers from surrounding regions came to the NASA Mid South event, including NASA Texas, NASA Southeast and NASA Florida. Here’s how the weekend’s racing unfolded.
Lightning Race One
Honda Challenge 1
Saturday’s first race witnessed a fierce competition in Honda Challenge 1. Kevin Hennings emerged the victor in his silver 2005 Honda S2000 with a best lap time of 1:41.452 on his 13th lap. Not far behind, Braeden Kelly finished 4.283 seconds later with a fast lap quicker than Hennings at 1:41.274. Taking the third position was Daniel Madamba in a 2006 Honda S2000. With a gap of 1:09.903 to the leader, Madamba’s fastest lap was clocked at 1:43.516. Madamba was sponsored by TOTAL-D/Express Automotive.
Honda Challenge 2
In Honda Challenge 2, Patrick Brunson clinched the top spot with a fastest lap of 1:44.805. Brunson was backed by Scott Adams Driver Development / Ottoline MOT. Dane Byrd followed in second place with a 33.924-second gap, registering a fastest lap time of 1:45.945 in his 1991 Honda CRX. Team Scott Adams Driver Development secured third, three laps behind, with the best lap of 1:46.180 in a 1993 Acura Integra.
Spec E30
Eric Pennington, driving a 1989 BMW 325i and sponsored by FASTtech Limited, led Spec E30 with a best lap of 1:46.295. Brian Edmonds, backed by BPE Motorsport, trailed by 21.204 seconds, also in a 1989 BMW 325i, clocking his best time at 1:47.266. Walter Araya took third with a 24.975-second difference to the leader and a best lap time of 1:47.658.
Spec E46
The Spec E46 race was heated, with Rob Eskew taking the win, setting a blistering pace with a fastest lap of 1:41.794. Turner Hilliard, sponsored by Carey Hilliard’s Restaurants, was only 3.879 seconds behind, driving his 2002 BMW 330Ci to a best lap of 1:41.782. Samuel Siemon came in third, 6.783 seconds from the lead, marking his best time at 1:41.152 in a 2003 BMW 330.
Spec Miata
In Spec Miata, Travis Wiley drove his 2002 Miata to victory with a best lap of 1:46.728, backed by X-Factor Racing. Wiley also won Time Trial 6 both days. Spencer Lofton, with Lofton Chevrolet/ No Xcuse Fitness as his sponsor, finished just 0.816 seconds behind, registering a fastest lap of 1:46.735 in his 2003 Miata. Mark Curlee rounded off the top three with a 13.410-second gap to first place, setting a best lap of 1:47.403 in his 1999 Miata.
Super Touring 6
Christopher Simmons ran unopposed in Super Touring 6 all weekend, driving his 1991 “greenish” Mazda Miata to a best lap of 1:48.644.
944 Spec
In 944 Spec, John Duffy emerged victorious with a fastest lap of 1:51.244 in his 1985 944. NASA Mid South Regional Director Shawn Taylor came in second, one lap behind the leader, clocking his best time at 1:52.240 in a 1986 Porsche 944. Brian Hurley settled for third, six laps from the top spot, with a best lap of 1:54.991 in his 1985 Grey Porsche 944.
Lightning Race Two
Honda Challenge 1
As in race one, Kevin Hennings finished first with a best lap time of 1:41.474 on his fifth lap. Chasing closely behind was Braeden Kelly in a 2004 Honda S2000, just 0.875 seconds behind with a fastest lap of 1:41.489 on the 9th lap. Daniel Madamba in his 2006 Honda S2000 took the third spot, with a gap of 1:10.797 and a best lap time of 1:48.723.
Honda Challenge 2
In a repeat of race one, Patrick Brunson was the class leader with his best time of 1:44.182. Dane Byrd trailed by 9 laps in a 1991 Honda CRX, clocking his best lap at 1:50.306.
Spec E30
Brian Edmonds in his 1987 model took the top spot with a lap time of 1:45.846. Walter Araya trailed by 14.919 seconds, with a best time of 1:47.788. The third spot was secured by Ty Young, behind by 18.025 seconds and clocking his best at 1:47.725 in his 1989 Spec E30 sponsored by Ty J Young Inc. Wealth Management.
Spec E46
Race two had a super close finish, but Rob Eskew again clinched the top spot with an impressive 1:41.120 lap. Turner Hilliard was hot on his heels, just 0.187 seconds behind, driving his 2002 BMW 330Ci and sponsored by Carey Hilliard’s Restaurants. He clocked a fastest lap of 1:41.246. John Clark in his 2002 model finished third, a mere 0.223 seconds off the leader, with a best lap time of 1:41.124.
Spec Miata:
Travis Wiley led the pack again, posting a fast lap time of 1:45.657. Mark Curlee was 7.899 seconds behind, driving a 1999 Miata and posting a fastest lap of 1:46.643. Spencer Lofton rounded out the top three in a 2003 Miata, 8.180 seconds off the lead and sponsored by Lofton Chevrolet/ No Xcuse Fitness. His best lap came in at 1:46.550.
944 Spec
John Duffy topped the charts again in his 1985 944 with a lap time of 1:51.446. Shawn Taylor trailed by six laps in his 1986 944. His best lap time was 1:53.351.
Lightning Race Three
Honda Challenge 2
Scoring a hat trick for the weekend, Patrick Brunson dominated Honda Challenge 2 in his 1993 Acura Integra, finishing first with a blistering best time of 1:43.700 in Lap 9. Brunson’s sponsor was Scott Adams Driver Development/Ottoline MOT. The No. 08 Team Scott Adams Driver Development settled for the second, finishing 15.709 seconds back. The team registered a best time of 1:46.222 in lap 10.
Spec E30
Brian Edmonds reclaimed the top spot he had in race two, with a top time of 1:48.255 in lap eight. BPE Motorsport supported Edmonds in his pursuit. Ty Young came in second, 2.171 seconds behind Edmonds. His quickest lap was 1:48.831 in lap nine. Third place was grabbed by Greg Tresan, who drove his 1990 BMW 325 to a best time of 1:48.680 in lap 10. He was a mere 3.395 seconds off the lead.
Spec E46
Turner Hilliard showed off his driving skills by finishing first, with a top time of 1:40.882 in lap seven. Rob Eskew trailed by 4.262 seconds in the second spot with a best lap time of 1:41.382 in Lap 9. John Clark rounded out the top three, finishing 4.605 seconds behind the leader. His quickest round was 1:41.526 in Lap 7.
Spec Miata
Travis Wiley took top honors again /=in his purple and gray 2002 Miata, clocking a swift 1:46.319 in Lap 9. Spencer Lofton steered his 2003 Miata to second place, 5.871 seconds behind Wiley. His best lap was 1:46.829 in lap 10. In third, Mark Curlee showcased his skills in his blue 1999 Miata, crossing the line just 6.546 seconds after Wiley. He registered a top time of 1:46.702 in lap seven.
Super Touring 5
Ross Carmichael took the lead in his 1992 BMW 325i, setting a best time of 1:42.329 in lap 10. Greyze Vieirain a 1996 BMW 318Ti settled for second, trailing by 22.659 seconds, and posted a top lap of 1:46.910 in lap eight. Richard Bankston managed third in his 2003 Miata, although he finished five laps behind the leader. His best time was 1:57.122 in lap one.
944 Spec
Shawn Taylor raced to the win in his 1986 Porsche 944 with a remarkable 1:51.173 in lap nine. John Duffy drove his 1985 944 to second place, by 12.964 seconds back and posting a best lap of 1:52.065 in lap nine. Brian Hurley secured third in his 1985 944, finishing 27.357 seconds behind the leader with a best round of 1:55.141 in lap nine.
Thunder Race One
American Iron
Robert Miller ran unopposed in American Iron in his 2009 Mustang all weekend and finished with a fastest lap time of 1:44.494 in Sunday morning’s race.
German Touring Series 5
Tyler Stone took first in German Touring Series 5 in 1992 BMW 325, registering the fastest lap of the weekend at 1:37.080. Werner Stark took second place, finishing one lap behind in his 2001 BMW 332ci, sponsored by Ceramic Harmony, clocking in his best lap time at 1:41.575.
Super Touring 1
Leading the Super Touring 1 category was Blair Hosie, in his 2022 Rush SR, with a time difference of 18.695 and a fastest lap of 1:35.401. Al Copeland clinched the second position driving a 2022 Porsche Cayman GT4RSCS, registering the category’s quickest lap time of 1:32.731.
Super Touring 2
Super Touring 2 was a big class at Barber, with 11 cars taking the green flag. Kevin Clayton commanded ST2, steering his 2019 Mercedes GTR AMG to a best lap of 1:33.157. Rusty Bittle and Keith Holdbrooks completed the podium, driving to best times of 1:34.009 and 1:35.579, respectively.
Super Touring 3
Shay Corbin emerged victorious in the Super Touring 3, driving a 2006 Porsche Cayman, sponsored by PMIC, and recording a fastest lap time of 1:38.319. George Saldana was a close second with a mere difference of 0.082 seconds, and Justin Evans took third, posting his best time in a 2004 Porsche 911 at 1:40.869.
Super Touring 4
Rob Rehkopf led Super Touring 4 in his 1995 BMW M3, sponsored by Chris Carver Motorsports. Following closely was Lisa Vaughn in a 1995 BMW M3, with her quickest lap clocked at 1:41.485.
Super Touring 5
Ross Carmichael showed his prowess in a 1992 BMW 325i, setting a benchmark with a lap time of 1:46.545. Greyze Vieira and Richard Bankston completed the top three positions with their best times logged at 1:49.719 and 1:57.490, respectively.
Super Unlimited
In the fierce Super Unlimited category, Jacek Mucha dominated in a 2016 Swift 0JMS016CP, recording the quickest lap at 1:31.100. Randall Baskin, sponsored by Polecat Driving Academy, finished second in his 2023 Sebeco NP01 with a best lap of 1:31.756, while John Crosby in his 2022 Porsche Cayman GT4 secured the third spot.
ThunderRoadster GTR
Ken Kirkpatrick was the master of Thunder Roadster GTR, with Major Long following 2.279 seconds behind in his green 2015 TRV Thunder Roadster. Shawn Childress bagged the third spot, finishing 9.358 seconds behind in his 2015 Thunderroadster TRV.
Thunder Race 2
German Touring Series 5
Tyler Stone took the win in GTS5 with the fastest time for the day at 1:38.302. Werner Stark finished one lap behind the leader, clocking his best at 1:38.131.
Super Touring 1
Al Copeland in his 2022 Porsche Cayman GT4RSCS achieved an impressive time of 1:32.616. Blair Hosie, sponsored by Rush Auto Works, drove his 2022 Rush SR, finishing 4.861 seconds behind the leader with a best time of 1:35.087.
Super Touring 2
Kevin Clayton led the way in ST2 in his 2019 Mercedes GTR AMG, with a best time of 1:32.547. Rusty Bittle, trailing by 18.513 seconds finished second. Keith Holdbrooks drove his 2020 Porsche GT4 Clubsport Cayman to third, 30.265 seconds back, clocking a fastest lap time of 1:34.414.
Super Touring 3
Shay Corbin, in his 2006 Porsche Cayman, led the way and took the win with a 1:37.918 fast lap. Justin Evans trailed by 24.924 seconds in his 2004 Porsche 911, marking a best time of 1:40.497.
Super Touring 4
Lisa Vaughn struck back after race one, and sprinted to the top spot in her 1995 BMW M3, with a time of 1:40.626. Rob Rehkopf drove his 1995 BMW M3, finishing seven laps behind the leader and clocking his fastest at 1:46.690.
Super Touring 5
Ross Carmichael led in his 1992 BMW 325i, setting a fast lap at 1:42.784. Greyze Vieira, one lap back, in a 1996 Blue BMW 318Ti, recorded a 1:47.620 as his best. Richard Bankston, driving his 2003 Mazda Miata, finished two laps behind with a best time of 1:58.863.
Super Unlimited:
John Crosby led the charts at 1:32.522. Stephen Dawes, just 0.640 seconds behind the leader, drove his 2013 Elan DP02, sponsored by A.I.G. Technologies and Performance Tech Motorsports, and clocked a quicker fast lap at 1:32.094. CJ Cramm, with his 2021 Chevrolet Camaro, sponsored by Cramm Motorsports/DGK Race Engineering/521 Motorsports, came in third, trailing by 4.657 seconds, marking his best lap that was faster than first and second place at 1:32.067.
ThunderRoadster GTR
Ken Kirkpatrick emerged at the top again, with a fast lap of 1:38.106. Major Long clocked 1:38.851, 2.320 seconds behind the leader. Shawn Childress trailed by just 2.404 seconds, setting a best time of 1:38.759.
Thunder Race 3
Super Touring 1
Al Copeland took the top spot with a fast lap at 1:33.627. He was followed by Blair Hosie, who was 2.262 seconds behind the leader, recording a lap time of 1:35.118.
Super Touring 2
With 10 cars taking the green, Kevin Clayton set the fastest lap time of 1:33.380 once again in his Mercedes GTR AMG. Rusty Bittle came in second with a 1.811-second difference and a best lap time of 1:34.069. Ryan Leach secured third, 4.059 seconds off the lead in a silver 2020 Rush SR, marking a best time of 1:35.195.
Super Unlimited
In Super Unlimited, which produced three different winners at Barber, CJ Cramm topped the class in his 2021 Chevrolet Camaro, with a blistering time of 1:32.329. John Crosby was not far behind, coming in 1.45 seconds behind the leader, registering a fast lap of 1:33.091. Randall Baskin, driving a 2023 Sebeco NP01 sponsored by Polecat Driving Academy, grabbed third, just 2.142 seconds off the pace, clocking in at 1:32.334.
ThunderRoadster GTR
Ken Kirkpatrick scored a hat trick, getting his third win of the weekend in race three, setting the bar with a time of 1:38.757. Shawn Childress closely followed, trailing by 1.923 seconds and achieving a best lap time of 1:38.935. Major Long rounded out the top three, 2.695 seconds behind the lead, with a fastest time of 1:39.269.
It was a weekend of speed, skill, and thrilling competition. As the engines cool and the dust settles, we look forward to the next round of races and the challenges and excitement they bring.
