While probably one of the most unorthodox methods of strategic partnerships to come to fruition, this one non-chalantly began with an exchange of keys -- ARKYM AeroRace ONE's pair...
Introducing BBi Autosport - quite possibly Orange County's best kept secret and trusted authority on all things Porsche Motorsport related. Regarded by select clientele as being the number one source of Porsche service and aftermarket support, BBi and its expert staff also support many local track and rally events with instruction (OC RaceCraft, for instance) to provide direct working knowledge of one's car to its customer
Motorsport] pride and glory runs through these veins...", says founder Betim Berisha, as he motions to his crew. "We've got a track day this weekend, lets see what [this] thing can do." And the deal was sealed having granted Berisha free will to 'test' as he pleases at Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch 11/20-11/21 in Pahrump, Nevada
Enter Spring Mountain weekend. After a quick turn in to Interstate 127 from traffic-ridden 15N, a brisk and adventurous triple-digit canyon run "back road" comes to an end, but not without a warm and gracious welcome from our good friends at DCMotors, Doug and Nicole, who had prepared a small enthusiast track-gathering between BBi Autosport, its customers, a few P-car aficionados from Exotics Boutique, and Radical-only drivers (see below)
After an LA-to-NV warm-up lap, ARKYM's AeroRace ONE was now ready and willing to experience the physical definition of "aerodynamic theory" on a fast and equally furious track configuration. One could definitely sense a tense and energetic excitement among the group from the varied first-timer to seasoned track rat. Berisha's unspoken-of reputation humbles many of them as his presence automatically positions him far to the right edge of this spectrum
They've opened up all the fast parts of the track tomorrow, rain or shine, three long straights, a few turns and 'ego check' (turn 4R) is basically what it comes down to", says DCMotors' Nicole, who's been given the "Lady Stig" moniker with her GT-R.
"Goodnight boys".
After a surprisingly Radical-Driver dominated comprehensive driver's meeting at 7:30AM, Arkym ONE (the only ///M and BMW in this weekend's appearance) went through basic system's checks, received an absolutely confident "all clear" from Roman/ESS Tuning, outfitted with GoPro media equipment, and was ready to hit Pahrump's fastest asphalt with Berisha as it's eager pilot along with the following vehicles (which had presumably entered the same lapping session):
- Ferrari F430 CS
- Lotus Exige
- BBi Performance Built Porsche 997 TT
- Porsche 997 GT3RS
- Porsche 997 GT2
and the Nissan GT-R departing first of the pack.
AeroRace ONE was left last entered into the session against the pack
It was almost like hiring the highest paid A.I. driver available for Drivatar use in XBOX's Forza Motorsport 3, but with live, critical and albeit useful in-car commentary... "Go Baby, Go!" as the Lotus urged the point-by to Berisha. Exhilarating are the dangerously-close, yet consistently smooth and repeatable segments of track edge flying by. The man's got a grin on his face as he comments on the ONE's weight and comparatively lightweight suspension setup amongst the runners. "We've got some work to do on the rear, but I'll hustle her around the track" as Berisha feels out the OEM sway bars. Quickly sneaking upon the CS, he wonders if something was wrong with it, rather than believing it to be piloted by a novice.
During the brief (and more talkative) straightaway sections, Berisha would comment on the sturdy, planted feel of the additional Arkym carbon aero. "We're using all of it to our advantage, believe me", as he glances over the dash to observe all four stable corners of the double-sided race hood, "those vents are doing work, can they be opened up a bit more?" Of course
In another lap and a half we came upon the long-lost pack of P-Cars and GT-R. GT2 and 997T seem to have been locked within their own battle by avoiding passes or pointby's with each other, leaving not much track width for an easy squeeze. Luckily, as the GT2 had let off in a non-acute turn, we were able to sneak by and go for the big, stubborn fish that was the 997 Turbo (high horsepower modified). "That thing gets out of the hole quick, doesn't it?!" He would know, though since he had built every aspect of its track performance except for its Cargraphic headers. Pressure, persistence and quick instincts to a turning point place the ONE in between this monster 997T and GT3RS track traffic in what can simply be described as a diving BBK late brake move after a fast straightaway. Surprised, we were certain to be paying for it when tending to the bright orange GT3RS and distant GT-R...
A few time saving maneuvers later, we were upon the GT3RS which had obliged a friendly right point-by. And we can only assume that the GT-R had equally followed suit with its driver observing the rearview climb of the ONE to its wanted prime position. With no time wasted, Berisha was now "free to play".
"That's all she wrote for the brakes!"*
AeroRace one is equipped with 380mm Brembo GTs on all 4 corners… yet during these driving conditions and a sedan tipping the scales, they were noticeably in need of further cooling a project discussed earlier during our meet and greet week with BBi. Approaching 'Ego Check', Berisha exclaims, "I'm kicking firewall here and nothing, see that? Easy does it…" While checking corner entry speeds carefully, we consider a possible motorsport-only upgrade from Arkym in the near future.*
As the checkered flag approaches and the high-speed laps come to an end, a quiet, confident moment solidifies a working relationship between a performance partner and a carbon manufacturer. "I think we've got lots to do here. And this [taxi]…" as he taps the steering wheel, "is a great start
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