Laughlin: Armin Schwarz event report

Laughlin Desert Challenge: Rocky start into the season

Dear Friends, Partners and Sponsors,

Welcome to my first newsletter of 2010! I wish you all a healthy, happy and prosperous year!

The winter was short and hectic, and last weekend the new SCORE season took off with the 16th SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge in southern Nevada. A unique event with a sprint race on Saturday and Sunday each on a 6.25 mile track.

We came well prepared. Our AGM team had thoroughlyrebuilt the Buggy at the team base in Ensenada. We had modified the aerodynamics, and in testing we found that the new configuration is a full success: We get the hot air away from the radiators much more efficiently than before. And as a very welcome side effect we are able to display our sponsors' stickers much better than before.

Just to be on the safe side we brought a very conservative car to the start. Everything looked good. And then our gearbox packed up after two miles into the first race.

To give you an idea of how tough the track was: out of 22 starters in our class, a mere seven made it to the finish and classification after two days. But ok, that's racing. For us this zero result means that we have to attack and go for top points in the coming four rounds of this year. And I must admit: I like the thought. Because after all a race driver wants to win, not just finish.

Our next chance to go for gold comes at the SCORE San Felipe 250 on the Baja California (12 to 14 March). Armin Kremer and Andy Aigner will join us for a full two car campaign of AGM. I can't wait to get back into the cockpit and race -- this time with a brand new gearbox.

I'll be back here in four weeks.

Until then, best wishes,
    Armin

-source: armin-schwarz.com