Fast Lap in Qualifying Blown Gearbox for Race

Gregory Jezarian and the G. JEZARIAN Fine Jewelry Formula Atlantic racecar visited the New Hampshire International Speedway for a double race weekend. The team arrived early Friday for a much needed test and tune session.

The Friday test went well as the team was able to put the finishing touches on the setup, compensating for the weather.

“While I probably have 400 laps around NHIS on a racing motorcycle,” said driver Gregory Jezarian, “I’d never driven it in a formula car which uses no chicane on the front straight and the super fast NASCAR turns 1 and 2. I took a full session to get acclimated to the car, by session two I felt more comfortable. I used a bit more rear wing and eased off on the sway bar to try and dial out the oversteer since we’re still running the same super soft Hoosier compound since last race. Trying to nurse dead tires is no fun especially running so close to the wall coming out of 2 but we just made the best with what we had.”

While the lap times showed the tire issue, the team managed fast lap and pole position in qualifying. Crew chief, Monty Mathisen was concerned, “I had him on the radio every lap reminding him to mind the tires and that they needed to last all weekend. I could see the car squirming around the banking which meant he was all arms and elbows in the cockpit. I was pleased with the fast lap and had him bring it in on lap 5 of qualifying to save what we had. That’s when he radioed back he had no gear box.”

The crew got a flat tow back to the garages and after examining the car realized their weekend was over. “I could hear the crunching noises coming from the transaxle during the tow back to the pits,” quipped Mathisen, “and knew immedeately it wasn’t going to be a pretty picture. The car was prepped flawlessly and I was looking forward to seeing Greg repeat but that’s racing. We’ll get them next time.”