Lakeville,
MN - Mike Garvey and the LaFavre Racing Teams give a lot of the credit for the big win
at the Miller Lite 300 to a very small Parker valve.
The Miller Lite 300 is one on the most prestigious events on the American Speed Association (ASA) schedule. The event was televised nationally by TNN on Labor Day. Garvey was able to take over the lead with only seven laps remaining in the 300-lap event. This was the first time he led the race all afternoon. "This is a dream come true for this whole organization," said Scott LaFavre. "To win it in our own backyard. . . this is as good as it gets."
The LaFavre Racing Teams use a 2-way valve (2FB2LJ2-BP) manufactured by the Instrumentation Valve Division in Jacksonville, AL to control the brake fluid to the right rear wheel. By opening or closing this valve, it allows the driver to control the braking, which in turn changes how the car handles and steers.
"On the opening pace laps, the right rear caliper was really hanging up and I could feel that there was going to be some huge problems," stated driver Mike Garvey. "Team owner Scott LaFavre had radioed to the team that the right rear caliper had actually caught on fire. Luckily, we had the valve in the line and we were able to shut if off."
"If we would have had to come in and repair or rebuild the caliper, we would have lost at least 10-25 laps," added crew chief Bond Suss. "We would have totally been out of the race."
"Everyone at IVD is very pleased to be a part of the LaFavre Racing Team win," said Business Unit Manager, Craig Beckwith. "Our B-Series Ball Valve design coupled with our dedication to quality is paramount to the success of our customers... its especially exciting when the customer happens to be the driver of a race car at over one hundred miles per hour. Congratulations to the LaFavre team."
"That little Parker valve really saved the day, said Garvey. Thank you Parker!"
(John Strand-September 10, 1999)
(Photo by John Bessinger)
