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For the second consecutive year, Saturn Corporation put its vehicles to the test in Michelin's One Lap of America. Saturn Engineering entered a race-modified 2001 SC1 and a LW300 in what has become the premier event of this type. After the SC2's second-in-class finish last year, the Saturn team had their sights on the top spot this year. And we're proud to report that they took first in class with the SC1 that they entered. Endurance Performance Teamwork History Cars & Drivers 2000 LW300Ken Wasmer Jon Heltman Chuck Taylor Tom Brandlehner Chris Berube Road Report "Thank
You. Good Luck. Farewell." Twenty minutes before their departure time and still no sign of Tom Brandlehner, the fifth team member from Saturn's One Lap of America crew. "I guess that his plane is tied up at Metro," said Chuck Taylor. "But he will be here in a few." It will be the last time, at least for the next eight days, that this team will be hindered by late airplanes. "These cars will be our homes for the next 4000 miles or so," said Taylor. "I don't know how to thank this group enough," said Ken Wasmer, as he addressed the 20 or so teammates that gathered at the Saturn Vehicle Engineering Center. "This has been yet another demonstration of what it means to work for 'A Different Kind of Company.'" Different indeed… Wasmer explained that the crew in attendance worked around the clock to finish last-minute preparations on the yellow SC1 and medium red LW300 for Saturn's entry in the One Lap. After passing out T-shirts and appropriately themed "Whatever It Takes" jackets, everyone in attendance took a moment to sign the cars. "For support, we wanted to bring everyone with us," said Chris Berube. "The budget wouldn't allow it, so we had to settle for their signatures." The five-man team said their farewells and boarded the cars for their trip to Watkins, New York, where they will race their first event at Watkins Glen International in Watkins Glen, NY. DAY 1
... Start your engines. "The most important thing is that we remember that we are representing motorsports… everywhere we go for the next eight days," said Brock Yates, originator of the One Lap and contributing editor of Car and Driver Magazine. "So above all, we have to keep it safe. Understand? Good. Let's eat." The 96 teams made quick work of dinner and then flocked to the parking lot to check out this year's competition. A '65 James Bond-type Jaguar, a right-hand-drive Mini, various SUVs, a vintage AC Cobra, and a slew of ultra-modified BMWs, Benzes and modern-day mechanical wonders were staggered in the lot next to their proud owners. "We definitely have our work cut out for us," said Ken Wasmer. "It's gonna be a great week." All agree. "Let's go get some rest...while we have a chance." Watkins
Glen Raceway The Saturn team arrives at Watkins Glen and quickly unloads their gear to prepare for time trials. Heads turned when the SC1 lead its division by nearly 20 seconds after the first race! It placed in the top-third overall, in front of a BMW 535i, a Porsche and a host of others. The LW300 placed just a half-second behind a Corvette, putting it in the top two-thirds in the overall standings. By lunch, a group of Saturn race fans from Connecticut arrived to support the team. And true fans they were - they drove nearly six hours to see the races! In the second race, Chuck Taylor shaved six seconds off of the LW300's first time to take a solid eighth in what was becoming a very competitive division. However, this proved to be a strong enough finish to edge out a BMW 528e, a Volvo 850 Turbo Wagon and a SAAB 9-5! After a solid showing in the second race, the SC1 finished the day tied for first in its division. Within 40 minutes of their last race, the team repacked their cars, reinstalled the passenger seat in the SC1 and began the 11-hour journey to the Michigan International Speedway for Sunday morning's races. DAY 2 -
There's no place like home... After catching a good night's sleep (the guys pulled into Stanton at 2:45 a.m., which gave them at least four hours of sleep!), the team arrived at the Motorplex and unloaded the cars for a morning of drag racing. Brandlehner drove the coupe and Heltman the wagon. Brandlehner nailed the quarter mile in 14.175, which is nearly 1.1 seconds faster than the Porsche that he dragged against. Jon Heltman pulled a 15.6 in the wagon. Both miss their bracket when they beat their first time. Michigan
International Speedway The team was greeted by a group of Saturn Performance Club members from Chicago and Minneapolis. An early arrival allows a break for lunch and a moment to prepare. By 4:30 p.m., Berube took his place on the Start/Finish line between a Corvette and Porsche. Four minutes, 28.499 seconds later, the SC1 secured the 16th overall position at the Speedway! It finished faster than nearly 80% of the field, including a couple of Porsches, a Honda S2000 and a handful of BMWs. The closest finish in its class registered nearly 20 seconds slower -- again! This finish secured the first position in its class for the SC1. Not to be shadowed by the coupe's stellar performance, Ken Wasmer secured eighth place in its class for the LW300. "This is the meanest wagon in the West," proclaimed co-driver Chuck Taylor when Wasmer returned to the pits. Der Panzer Vagon (translation unknown), as it has been affectionately dubbed by the team, gained nearly 10 spots in the overall times from yesterday's performance at the Glen. By day's end, the LW300 was 10th in its class. With no time to celebrate today's great driving, the team loaded up the cars in a record-breaking 18 minutes and wished everyone a farewell. After several failed attempts at clicking their shoes and repeating the age-old mantra, "There's no place like home…", the team agreed that the quickest way to Kansas is to drive the 800+-mile journey. In a perfect world they will land near Heartland Park in Topeka, Kansas, by early morning. DAY 3 -
This coupe is HOT... Two hours can seem like an eternity if you are stuck in rush-hour traffic on a sunny Friday afternoon. But if it is all the time that you have to sleep before you begin racing a car at 100+ mph at 8:30 in the morning, it may seem like the blink of an eye. "It was not good," Ken Wasmer agreed about the 5:30 a.m. arrival into Kansas after the 800-mile journey from Michigan. "Especially when you have to be at the track at 7:30 a.m. to get prepared for a race." However, lack of sleep didn't slow down Saturn's One Lap Team at Topeka's Heartland Park Speedway. Piloted by Chris Berube, the SC1 took first in its class in both races; it once again distanced itself from its class by nearly 20 seconds! The crowd rose to their feet to watch the coupe overtake a super-tuned Mercedes C43 in the straightaway. "All we have to do is keep it between the lines," said Tom Brandlehner. "And it looks like we will take first in class." The coupe took 19th overall for the day in both races. It also secured first in its class and 29th overall in the cumulative standings. The LW300 once again outperformed both of the Volvo 850 Turbo Wagons in its class. It placed 50th and 55th in the overall standings for the day and finished 7th and 8th in its class respectively. Today's finishes pulled it into 8th in its class and 61st place overall in the cumulative standings. By 3:00 p.m., the team began its trek to Ft. Worth, TX. But first they stopped at Saturn of Wichita for some routine maintenance. Another great example of Saturn teamwork, the facility opened its doors so they could perform tire rotations and oil changes. A few enthusiastic customers and Saturn race fans also stopped by to share some pizza and get an up-close look at the cars. After departing the facility they estimated that they should make it to their next stop by 1 a.m. to get some much needed rest. DAY 4 -
Will race for food. Although the team was able to get nearly six hours of sleep last night, the event has not gotten any easier. Anyone who has traveled knows how difficult it is to find a good meal on the road. "I haven't had a good meal since we left," said Ken Wasmer of the limited menu that the road offers. "But that's not what this (event) is about." This is an event of endurance. And the team is doing just that: enduring. The coupe continues to dominate its division after two first-in-class finishes. Again in the first race, the coupe distanced itself with a 20-second gap between it and the second-place car in its class. It placed 21st consistently in overall standings for yesterday's races. These finishes helped the coupe maintain first place in class and move two places to 27th in the cumulative standings. Ken Wasmer also made sure the wagon maintained its position. The LW300 finished 9th in its class in both races. This put it in 61st and 62nd positions in yesterday's overall race results. It also maintained 9th in its class and 61st place in the cumulative rankings. So maybe the team's hungry for a home-cooked meal. That is not going to stop them from finishing this race. In the true spirit of Saturn teamwork, make sure to think of them when you are pulling the skewered shrimp off the barbecue. Hit snooze one extra time tomorrow morning in honor of the sleep that they aren't getting. Be glad that it is them, not us, who have to endure the 920-mile journey through the night on the road to Atlanta's Road Atlanta Motor Sports Center. DAY 5 -
The Turn #3 Club. Turn #3 of Road Atlanta is one that drivers remember. "Tom, Chris and I all became members of the Turn #3 Club," said Chuck Taylor of the slippage that they experienced yesterday at Road Atlanta. The dynamics of the track coupled with only two-and-a-half hours of sleep took all three drivers off of the course, momentarily. "It was a pretty tough night," agreed Chuck Taylor of the 4:30 arrival in Atlanta after the 920-mile road to Atlanta's Road Atlanta Motor Sports Center. Despite the turn and the lack of sleep, both cars continued to make their presence known at Michelin's One Lap of America. Chuck Taylor took strides in the Midprice class, pulling some solid times in the LW300. Solid enough to advance two positions into 7th in its class and edge off the Subaru WRX that they have been dueling with all week. The LW300 took a 5th and 7th in its class yesterday. This put it in 48th and 55th positions in yesterday's overall race results. It also moved it up two positions to 7th in its class; and advanced it 4 spots to 57th in the cumulative rankings. The coupe continued to dominate its class. However, increased pressure from a Volkswagen Scirocco that returned to the race should heat things up for its class. The Scirocco made its presence known in the second race when it finished only one second behind the coupe, which again recorded two first-place finishes in its class. With 365 cumulative class points, the SC1 still stands 60 points on top of second place. However, it slipped two places into 29th in the overall cumulative standings. An early departure should bring the team into Virginia International Speedway at a reasonable hour, allowing the team to get some well-deserved rest. With Road Atlanta Motor Sports Center's turn #3 behind them, there are only two more days of racing to bring home first-in-class for the coupe and maintain position in the wagon. Until then, let's cross our fingers that their coffee is hot and their beds are…well.. not so lumpy, and they return safely to Watkins Glen to cross the finish line. DAY 6 -
Bringing it in. The Saturn Team made the best use of their check-in at an official One Lap of America stop, the Carolina Rod Shop in Easley, South Carolina. The SC1 team opened up the Coupe's transaxle to fit a quicker final-drive gear ratio. This necessary changeover to replace a longer, cruising differential gear took up some valuable time but still put them into Virginia around 1:30 a.m., affording the team some much-needed sleep before starting the day's events later that morning at the Virginia International Raceway. The standings after Day Six place the SC1 in 19th and 24th overall for the day. The team, piloted by Chris Berube, had a very successful day with the turbocharged Coupe taking first in its class in both races. This gave the SC1 team an 85-point lead in-class and placed it 26th in the overall cumulative standings -- the Coupe is currently nipping at the heels of a Pontiac Formula and two Porsche 911s. Led by Ken Wasmer, the LW300 team fared well, running 55th and 62nd in the overall standings for the day -- and placing 61st in the overall cumulative standings. Currently tied with a "warmed-over" V-8 Olds Bravada, the LW300 team is 8th in its class and now holds a 20-point lead over a Subaru WRX, with which they have been flirting all week long. Now, with the end nearly in sight, both the SC1 and LW300 teams are feeling the pressure to make a strong finish on the last leg of the event at Watkins Glen in New York. With three races slated for The Glen, the SC1 team is hoping to finish 25th out of a nearly 90-car field. Team member Ken Wasmer says, "First in class is a sure thing for the Coupe." DAY 7 -
First in class. A 1:30 a.m. arrival into the Gatehouse Motel in East Corning, NY, completed the One Lap of America for the Saturn Team. "Its been a great time, but I am ready to get a good night's sleep… in my own bed," agreed Jon Heltman. "The quarters have become a little cramped." But first they had to stop by Watkins Glen Raceway to complete the last three of the week's 15 races. Chris Berube's three first-in-class finishes clinched first in class in the final overall standings for the SC1. The coupe finished in 19th, 16th and 14th (best finish yet!) place in the day's overall rankings. These results were good enough to push the coupe up four places to tie it with an AC Cobra for 22nd place in the overall cumulative rankings. "What impressed me most during this race was the reliability of the coupe," said Chris Berube after the last race of the event. "All we have had to do is change the oil. And we have been running it hard this week." Chuck Taylor's three 8th-place finishes solidified the LW300's 8th in the final overall standings for the wagon, placing it 20 points ahead of the Subaru WRX that it had been battling with all week. Two 54th places and a 49th finish pushed the wagon into 57th position in the overall cumulative standings. After four thousand miles, seven world-class tracks, 15 races, one lost cell phone and the first-in-class finish they predicted for the SC1, the Saturn team took a moment to change gears and celebrate their hard work with a sit-down dinner. "It feels strange to not have to drive 800 miles after the races," Tom Brandlehner said as he waited for his meal. "It is nice to know that all we have to do tonight is sleep." They agree that after tomorrow's victory brunch, they will depart immediately for the last 600 miles of their journey: the road home. DAY 8 -
One more leg. After a good night's sleep, the Saturn team arrived at the Car and Driver- sponsored Victory Brunch just before nine. Brock Yates, Senior, founder of the One Lap and Contributing Editor for Car and Driver magazine, addressed the group and congratulated everyone on another successful completion of the One Lap. "Four hundred thousand cumulative road miles. Nearly forty thousand miles on the track…" he recalled the cumulative mileage registered by the group. "I am very proud of the group that raced this year, " said Yates. "You have all been a very classy bunch… for racers," he quipped. "You deserve a pat on the back." After several charities, including the Ronald McDonald House, were recognized, the trophies were distributed. Tom Brandlehner and Chris Berube accepted their first-in-class trophy, making good on Saturn Engineering's goal. "It wasn't me, I just pushed the pedals," they would say when various people stopped by to congratulate them. "But you guys looked good out there, like a real team -- the suits and all. A real first-class operation," said one of the competitors in their class. "Thanks, but it would be hard to make that car look bad," they playfully reminded. After the official awards were presented to the top three in each of the classes and top ten overall, a few "extra" awards were distributed, like "The Bent Valve Award," for those who overcame outrageous technical difficulties to finish the race. Of course, there were prizes distributed to the last three places in the overall cumulative standings. "We always try to offer a taste of victory for those that have been swallowed by defeat," the award presenter joked. "Yeah, I'm gonna miss these guys," Chuck Taylor said of his team. "Nah, not really." He quickly returned to character to deliver the sardonic wake-up call that he is known for. "Hey man… I figured we could do it again," joked Tom Brandlehner. "Next year." Of course. But first, it is the last leg of their trip. In the true spirit of One Lap, the guys finish their brunch and take a few brief moments to reminisce with some of the other racers. They then hurry off to drive the last 600 miles (and one-and-a-half-hour plane ride, for Tom Brandlehner) that separate them from their loved ones.
Thank You It took a lot of teamwork to get the Saturn One-Lap team through the One Lap of America. In addition to their individual efforts, there were a lot of people that deserve recognition for the overall success of the team. In particular, the Saturn One Lap of America would like to thank the following: SATURN/GM
ENGINEERING TEAM SATURN
OF WICHITA CAROLINA ROD SHOP SATURN
OF GWINNETT (ATLANTA AREA) SATURN WILMINGTON PRODUCTION TEAM SATURN SPRING HILL PRODUCTION TEAM SATURN SERVICE ENGINEERING TEAM SATURN MARKETING TEAM SATURN PERFORMANCE CLUB (OF CHICAGO) SATURN
OWNERS AND CLUB MEMBERS FOR SUPPORTING US AT THE FOLLOWING RACES: SATURN
FANS (WEB SITE): NEEDLE MAGIC XTREME SATURN (WEB SITE): TURBONETICS EXTRUDE HONE SATURN PERFORMANCE SYSTEMS (SPS) CANNONBALL ENTERPRISES CARLSON MARKETING GROUP TORSEN® VARIOUS
INDIVIDUALS: FAMILIES OF THE SATURN RACE TEAM FOR THEIR PATIENCE AND SUPPORT
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