Detroit 2011 Day 2: Sector 67 Wins Enduro, 5 Hackerspaces in First 5 Places in Points!
The dust has settled and after an intense battle for the Endurance crown, Sector 67 concluded the season on a high note after fending off the comeback kids from i3 Detroit to win their 1st Endurance race of the season, and clinch the 2011 World Championship.  It was not an easy drive, however, as several race incidents sent their machine into the pits, leaving room for i3 to catch up and out pace them.  However during the mid point of the 75 minute Enduro, Karen Corbeill of i3 pulled into the pits to be relieved with a reserve driver, and the race was handed back to Sector 67’s efforts.  Holding off a flat tire change and a few on-track wrecks, i3 managed to get within couple laps of Sector, but fast pit work by the Madison-based team was too much for Detroit, and the team had to make do with a 2nd place finish.

If i3 faced tumultuous times at Maker Faire Kansas City, it was Milwaukee Makerspace that felt that bite at Detroit. Gravedigger, now without the seasoned expertise of Royce Pipkins was a handful to drive, and as a result spent more time in the tire wall then on the track. Thankfully, i3 Detroit were kind enough to create an award for such a victim, the Crash and Burn trophy. Made from the scraps of the motor they raced last season, which fried up famously in the Kansas City race, the team with the most hardships would be given a handsome consolation prize. Gravedigger needed it, and the reward was just the right bandage for a hard fought weekend.

Other Milwaukee teams were out for fun. Baby Burrito made its first return since 2010 and was much faster than last season, however, far less safer. The “brake” system seemed to be faulty from day one and the car never could manage the tight S curves of the 2nd section of the Detroit track. A dramatic flip on the final turn during the 2nd Road Course Heat proved to be nothing but laughs though.

Tom’s triumphant weekend was bittersweet but well deserved. After so many DNFs in his career, the dominance and perfection displayed when the Pink Trike claimed its maiden victory in the Drag Race was a vindication of the rebuilds. The Trike had evolved considerably since 2010, with battery meters installed and the first signs of a full suspension fixed to the front wheel, which infamously snapped in two last season. With Tom’s final victory he will now dedicate his time to building the Milwaukee Makerspace team’s other entries, including a title-challenging entry for David’s Big Jake. We also may see Tom in the announcing booth next year, to offer us on-track commentary when the mayhem returns in May of 2012.

The dramatic battle for best-of-the rest has left i3 Detroit standing tall this weekend. After a impeccably hasty rebuild from the ambitious black #3 team, we were treated to a dominant return to glory as the menacing Karen Corbeill fought for two massive victories during the 15 laps heats on Saturday. With the mechanical know-how of Team Manager Ted Hansen, Karen was able to fight her way through the field, at one point from dead last with a false start, to win in dramatic fashion. In the 15 lap Road Course show down with Sector 67, Karen battled with Sector’s team until the final lap when a collision sent both teams barreling into the straight away chicane wall. Karen lumbered her machine to the finish line after a maddening mis-launch of the pace car to secure her 2nd victory of the weekend.