My Perspective on an Improbable Victory
Million, Technik Competition Take Victory at NASA 25 Hours of Thunderhill
Willows, CA - In what will turn out to be a story told in the grassroots endurance racing community for years to come, Technik Competition took their first ever E2 class victory at the 2019 NASA 25 Hours of Thunderhill last weekend.
The small team sent magnitudes of energy through the paddock Sunday afternoon after managing a seemingly impossible comeback from P7 in class and P38 overall, to P1 and P6 respectively.
This marks the first win in the event for the entire drivers crew of Peter Hopelain, Sean Neel, Matt Kehoe, Will Rodgers, and Matt Million.
More to come…
Monthly Update for November 2019 - The Road Ahead
Prepping for the 25 Hour Battle with Technik Competition
November 8th, 2019
One month away. That’s all. It feels like a cliché to say, but I can’t believe we’re this close! Since being introduced back in May to the contagiously passionate and spirited folks at Technik Competition, the past six months have been a whirlwind of unique experiences that I’ve never had before in 14 years of racing, and the closest I’ve felt to truly have a “family” in motorsport. It hasn’t all gone smoothly, hasn’t all worked perfectly, and we’ve barely scratched the Bauhaus-livery surface of our future potential together. Though, if the upward progress Technik has seen since I’ve been here continues through 2020, this is going to be one hell of a worthwhile adventure. The 2019 25 Hours of Thunderhill will be my third time racing the event, but my first with Technik Comp. From touching down at Sacramento on Thursday to the ceremonies on Sunday, it’s pure speed and consistency in the car, and pure support and gratitude in the garage and pit box. After many months of being away from competition, I’m immensely fortunate to be ending my year on this highest peak of motorsport challenges.
So our E46 endurance warrior is currently at its home in North L.A., Hi-Tech Automotive. Spencer, the team’s head car chief and mechanical genius, is applying the magic sauce and knight armor for the final time before the battle (and also doing actual prep, too). On November 15th, the majority of our Technik crew will be meeting at the shop for role assignments, pit stop practice, and the final time to capture pre-25h film. Maybe then, just maybe, this will sink in.
- MM
Defining Racing Plans for 2020
Racing, is quite good. But there’s a catch. It’s expensive. Is this a secret? No, not in the slightest. However, I’m in the business of finding solutions, not finding reasons to complain. I love motorsport, any category, anywhere on the globe. Which is why I see myself in this space for a long while to come, driving or holding other positions in it. As I’ll be a university student for at least the next three years studying Global Business Management and entrepreneurship at CSU San Marcos (and abroad), I feel a great use of my time outside of studying is to use what I’m learning and apply it in the business of motorsport. An easy task? Probably not. Motorsport is a unique entity of business requiring a lot of untraditional tactics to make your ends meet. Having grown up in this sport since before entering Kindergarten, it’s a challenge I welcome with both arms, not wanting to trade it for anything else!
That said, I plan on using these next few months to dig deep. I’m not sure where it might come from, or when. But I know that if my goals are well defined, reasonable, and angle of approach hits on the right tone, something may come!
September Shakedown with Technik Competition
WILLOWS, CA
With 3 months remaining until the 2019 25 Hours of Thunderhill in December, Matt and the Technik Competition team completed their final pre-race testing weekend at the circuit. Primary objectives for this final test included team procedure practice, shakedown of new driver comforts and in-car technology, and data collection.
Matt tested alongside team owner/drivers Peter Hopelain, Matt Kehoe, and Sean Neel. This weekend also marked the reveal of Technik Competition’s new livery and branding.
After the car arrived at the circuit from Hi-Tech Automotive on Friday, it was all hands on deck getting the teams’ freshly revised E2-class endurance car ready. Most notable new features include the PodiumConnect live data telemetry system, RaceTech 4100 Series seat, and a 100th anniversary Bauhaus-styled livery by Stoller Barakat Design. The weekend ran smoothly, with no major issues concerning the car. Between 2-3h of running occured between multiple 15-20 minute sessions during the PCA Golden Gate Region event.
“The progress we’ve had as a group has been fantastic. I’ve only been apart of this group since June, and the level of passion, preparation, and energy being put into the program by everyone is really special. The testing went well, we collected a good amount of tire, fuel, and telemetry data and the car feels solid and consistent. The renovations that this car has seen since June is awesome, the interior feels organized and clean! Hopelain’s done a good job tuning the shocks, Kehoe has put magic into the live telemetry and data recording, and Sean has been the positive motivator we all need! Not to mention Spencer, Mark, and Koko who make this car and program complete! Being a small part of the equation with this group has been quite rewarding, and putting it all together in December will be a truly special event that’ll propel this team onto the next level!” - Matt Million
Sweltering Midsummer Endurance Test with Technik Competition
WILLOWS, CA
With temperatures well in excess of 90 degrees, the Technik Competition team and Matt headed to Thunderhill Raceway in the middle of June for an extended endurance test in preparation for the 25 Hours of Thunderhill.
The primary objective of the two day test was to gather technical tire data through extended stints, as well as collect AiM driving data from each driver for analysis.
Matt tested alongside team owner and driver Sean Neel, as well as team co-principle Matt Kehoe.
Overall, mostly every objective was met in over 7 hours of on-track testing time. The team gained as much tire data as possible, driving three sets of Hoosiers and BFGoodrich Tires to the cords. In between sessions, the team made large strides in understanding AiM driver data, ultimately leading to a sharpened idea on how to drive Thunderhill faster while in an endurance mindset.
Successful First Test with Technik Competition Ahead of 25 Hours of Thunderhill
BUTTONWILLOW, CA
Matt completed a successful first test with the West Coast based endurance racing team Technik Competition on Friday, June 7th. The team competes regularly in NASA’s Western Endurance Racing Championship, so far capturing 3 in-class podium finishes out of 3 races in 2019. Technik Competition’s primary focus is the annual NASA 25 Hours of Thunderhill in December. In 2018, the team finished 3rd in class with their BMW 330 CL.
Matt joins Technik Competition in June 2019 after a successful driver evaluation and development day in Buttonwillow Raceway. Matt was able to demonstrate clean consistency and pace on track while also beginning to understand Technik’s expectations of endurance fuel and tire management. Matt also got his first taste of the team’s off track expectations such as feedback and data knowledge, understanding the roles within the team, and an introduction to how Matt can positively contribute to Technik Competition outside of race weekends.
Technik Competition and Matt are next on track for an extended test at Thunderhill Raceway from June 19-20th.
Podium Finish for Million in SCCA Majors Tour at Willow Springs
ROSAMOND, CA
Matt takes home a 3rd place finish to conclude his one-off Spec Miata weekend in the SCCA U.S. Majors Tour at Willow Springs.
Since having to sell his personal Spec Miata in late 2017 to compete in the 2018 Spec MX-5 season, Matt had retained the urge to jump back into one and apply his new skills to his Spec Miata foundation.
That perfect opportunity came in March 2019, getting to race one prepared by his former support shop RM Autosports at a circuit Matt had found good fortune at in the past.
More to come…
2018 Season in Review - 2018 Spec MX-5 Challenge Series, Central Region
Coming soon..
In this review, I won’t be going race-by-race, but instead will highlight a few key moments and learning experiences from my first season of semi-professional competition!
1) The Weather (Rain, Endless Rain)
One completely new element (for me) that featured at nearly all races throughout the season would surely have to be the weather. More specifically, rain. And lots, and lots of it. Being a resident of San Diego and local California racer, I can honestly say that my “racing in the rain” experience was woefully low coming into the season. With the championship consisting of races in Kentucky, Texas, Georgia, and Louisiana, I was sure to get a chance to improve my wet skills. What I didn’t expect however, was an amount of water so large that you’d swear a nearby dam was busted. In 6 race weekends, 5 of them featured rain. The first of which, the season opener at NCM Motorsports Park in Kentucky, I won! As it was the first race, in a car and track I’d never seen before, in a type of weather I’d never driven in before, it was one hell of an exciting performance to pull off! One minor achievement I’m quite proud of is that through all the rain, I never once spun the car around (seriously!) Inclimate weather also played to my favor in the finale at Road Atlanta. As the rain fell before our qualifying session, our MX-5s were fitted with rain tires. However, the weather cleared up just in time and the track was drying fast. By the time we got on circuit, only large puddles remained amongst an almost completely dry track. Our tires quickly lost grip and many drivers lost control, spun, or went rallying off going for quick lap. I was able to make the best of it, and qualify pole by .4s, a nice day in the office for sure!
Million Captures Pole to Highlight Spec MX-5 Finale Weekend from Road Atlanta
More to come…
Million Battles to the Podium in Tough Penultimate Rounds at COTA
More to come…
Highs and Lows: Million Pushes Through Hardship to Win at NOLA
NEW ORLEANS, LA - Matt Million pushed through weekend long adversity to come home with a win during Rounds 7 & 8 of the 2018 Spec MX-5 Challenge Series Central.
Friday saw Million's first impressions of the NOLA Motorsports Park circuit, "It's certainly a different challenge compared to the past races at Road Atlanta and COTA. It's very flat, slick, short lap with a high average speed!"
Series testing on Friday saw plenty of mixed condition practice sessions. From dry in the morning, to raining by afternoon, and drying again by the final sessions of the day. Million felt that these challenges added positively to his learning curve this season and at this circuit.
Saturday saw a much more calm weather forecast, with no rain expected. Million had topped the time charts in a few sessions on Friday and was ready to transfer the speed into qualifying. However, a whining gearbox that had been prevalent for much of the day before had finally found its end, failing at the end of Saturday's qualifying session. Million would start the race in fourth position, but his current car was unable to be repaired in time, he was reverted to a backup car. Million's first laps in the backup would occur in the race, where it quickly became obvious that it was not in a competitive form, and Million fell back from the lead group throughout the race. Million finished fifth.
Sunday was looking to see fortunes change for Million, as it was elected to repair the main car instead of use the noncompetitive backup. Million tested the repaired car in warm up, and everything felt alright. There was no qualifying session on Sunday, therefore the grid would be set by the previous day's qualifying session, meaning Million would again start fourth. The race got underway, and the difference from Saturday's race was immediately noticeable. On the opening lap, Million found himself passing for third, only to shift down again to fourth, and back up to third before the line. A three car breakaway formed at the front, as Million sat patiently behind the two leaders fighting each other hard each lap. A little over halfway, and Million began to make moves, with an outside pass right before the start/finish on second place before passing for the lead on the exit of turn 1. From there, Million maintained his lead and grew the gap into over 3 seconds before crossing the line for his second victory of the 2018 Spec MX-5 Challenge Series.
Less than a week after this, the Spec MX-5 Challenge Series headed to Circuit of the Americas for the second rounds of a two weekend double header at the 2018 NASA National Championships.
Vital Learning Experience for Million at Road Atlanta Against East Series Drivers
BRASELTON, GA - Matt Million leaves the middle of the season Spec MX-5 Challenge East vs Central showdown at Road Atlanta solidifying his points, capturing a double podium with a 2nd and 3rd for the Central Series, however was left yearning for more.
12 competitors entered the combined East vs Central series.
FRIDAY: Arriving at Road Atlanta on Friday morning for practice day would be the first time Million had been to the facility. "Driving in, you are struck by the steepness of the circuit running down out of the bridge and into the start/finish line, I can't wait to get started!" Million would be driving the white #07 Spec MX-5 in the weekend, as the series assigned cars at random to the drivers. After the first few sessions, Million had a few takeaways. "This place is ever bit as fast, flowing, and wild as I trained for! Turn 1 is a huge commitment, and diving out of T3 into the esses flat out is like nothing I've experienced in a race car!" Million felt like his simulator training had paid off, and after studying data through each car's AIM Solo 2 software, it was clear that Million was a top 3 competitor on pace... except for the long backstraight that was. Each lap saw an average of 7/10th's of a second lost per lap on the straight, which would unfortunately play a large part in Million's weekend.
SATURDAY: Million learned post Friday practice that the Spec MX-5 he was assigned had a considerable power deficit in the form of a fresh, not broken-in engine and a fresh differential. The series agreed to try and compensate by removing the weight ballast, which offered little to no benefit. Million decided on a qualifying plan to separate from the pack and work with fellow East series competitor John Allen. To much the shock and surprise of Million, he set the 4th fastest time of the 12 competitors, much better than anticipated. Data analysis after the session showed about a half second loss on the backstraight, which without would have placed Million well into the top 2.
The race got underway and Million was able to retain his 4th position through the start. However, it quickly became apparent that the race was to become a steep uphill battle. Million could retain the pace of the top 3 from T1 to T7 and defend with relative ease as there was a lack of passing opportunities in this section of the circuit. Once onto the long backstraight, Million was unable to defend his lack of power, and would loose a position or two every lap into T10, only then to be stuck behind slower competitors through the tighter parts of the circuit. Thankfully for Million, the race only lasted 3 laps before another class of vehicle caused a full course yellow, and effectively ended the race. Million fell back to 6th, however was 2nd in the Central series.
SUNDAY: With no qualifying session on Sunday, the grid was set using the previous days' qualifying, meaning Million would have to do his best to defend from 4th yet again. Unfortunately, little change was in the cards. The race was underway and Million slotted to 4th before loosing two positions on the backstraight the first and second laps, and two more there before the race ended. Million had to claw back a 5 car length deficit each lap from T1 to T7 and was able to, but did not have the torque or speed to make any long lasting passes stick. Million finished 8th, confident of his own speed but had become a product of the situation.
The next Spec MX-5 Challenge Series event for Million is at NOLA Motorsports Park in New Orleans, Louisiana on September 7-9.
Driving the Elan-Mazda NP01 - An Entirely Different Racing Car
Last weekend, I was given a fortunate opportunity to drive a Mazda-powered Elan NP01 NASA Prototype for the first time at a 3-hour enduro at Buttonwillow Raceway Park. More to come...
Promising Prospects Turned Slippery Setback for Million at COTA
AUSTIN, TX - Fresh off a successful winning weekend at NCM Motorsports Park in March, Matt Million was ready to roll the momentum into the Lone Star state for the next round of Spec MX-5 Challenge Series Central at Circuit of the America's in Austin, however similar fortune was not to occur. Rain had been in the forecast for the early part of the weekend and became a reality as the dark, dense rain clouds covered the circuit early Friday morning before practice day.
Like at NCM, the rain came and down it poured. However, this rain came with heavy thunderstorms and lightning striking nearby, canceling on-track activity for the morning. Waiting out the lightning, the Spec MX-5 drivers finally got track time in the late afternoon still with light rain showers. Million would finish the rainy test day within the top 2 fastest cars, giving a nice confidence boost entering the race on Saturday.
The rain clouds lifted and made way for the sun Saturday morning, giving drivers their first chance in dry conditions. Million went on to set the fastest time in morning warm-up. Qualifying saw the tides turn from previous sessions, with Million qualifying 4th within the 6 car pack of series drivers. As the race got underway, Million got caught up in battles with those around him as the leaders got out ahead, and he would finish where he started in 4th.
Sunday started off looking like a better day for Million, focusing forward and putting in a qualifying effort of 3rd, within a tenth or two from the front row. The race also started in a much better way, as Million was able to keep on the heels of the leaders for the first half of the race before making a move and slotting into 2nd for the final half. Shortly after, Million began suffering from a left-rear hub failure, causing his Yokohama tire to shred down to the cords and loose massive amounts of grip. He would fall back to 4th and luckily still finish, as a similar failure took another 2 competitors out of the race.
The next round of Spec MX-5 Challenge Series Central will take place from June 8-10 at Hallett Motor Racing Circuit in Jennings, Oklahoma. Million will enter the weekend 2nd in points and looking for a change in fortune.
Million Victorious in the Rain in Inaugural Spec MX-5 Central Weekend
BOWLING GREEN, KY - Matt Million takes home the first win of the new Spec MX-5 Challenge Series Central at NCM Motorsports Park on Saturday, along with a second place finish on Sunday.
"It's been a great start to the weekend" said Million during dry Friday testing, "This circuit is easily the most flowing and technical I've ever driven, it's so rewarding when you can nail a section right. These MX-5 Cup cars are awesome, the amount of speed you can carry into corner (compared to a Spec Miata) is outstanding! These Yokohama's have endless grip and bring out the best in the car!"
Race day on Saturday saw the skies darken with rain, and it would continue that way without stop. Million qualified second in the session as it drizzled with rain. "It wasn't an ideal qualifying, I would have benefited from another lap with less traffic, but it means I'll work on getting a fast lap in earlier next time!" The race saw the drizzle turn into a small storm, and Million ran clean and smooth in second place before the wet surface caused the leader to make a mistake ahead, allowing Million to capitalize and take the lead. "As soon as I got ahead, I focused on being collected and smart. Running at the limit in the rain is daunting especially having never done it before, and now I find myself leading!" Million went on to win unopposed, "It's a truly great feeling, experiencing all your work and preparations get rewarded so early, and especially to do it in the rain was awesome. I can't get myself too caught up in this moment though, I have to race hard tomorrow and continue a championship caliber performance!"
Sunday brought with it new challenges, with the biggest being the weather; dry! Million qualified second and finished second, but not without a race-long three way battle for the lead with all three competitors leading at some point. Million took an early lead after a clean pass into T1, and held it before a close battle saw a mistake between the two leaders put third place into the lead late on. Battling continued until the checkered fell, and Million was second. "It was such a close and frantic race, very different from Spec Miata racing. Intense and fast paced in small packs, you really can't make any mistakes if you want to win!"
"Overall, the first weekend turned out extremely positive and it was a great experience, the Spec MX-5 / Winding Road Racing team is exceptionally professional and I look forward to strengthening our relationship into the next round in Austin and throughout the season!"
As said in The Art of Racing in the Rain, "That in which you manifest is before you"
Matt Million Announces 2018 Spec MX-5 Challenge Series Central Region Entry
SAN MARCOS, CA - Matt Million is pleased to officially announce his full season 2018 program as a participant in the inaugural Spec MX-5 Challenge Series, Central Region. The series was founded and will be run through two teams, Atlanta Speedwerks for the east region and Winding Road Racing for the central region (where Matt will compete). Both regions will race 10 times on 5 different weekends before a combined series finale at Road Atlanta, where the cumulative points winner will take home a $100,000 scholarship and another fortunate driver will receive an invite to the 2018 Mazda Road to 24 Shootout. The cars are the former NC Mazda MX-5 Cup cars, and will run with Yokohama Tires and PAGID Brakes, both are official series partners. The first central region race kicks off March 23-25 at NCM Motorsports Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky.