Track Retested!

Originally from Wednesday, July 27, 2010

Less than 2 weeks before race day!

I was out last week, shooting video at the national hang glider competition in Idaho (fun, beautiful, very interesting), but Alan and the guys kept working on the car.

Zep and Alan took that car back to Thunderhill on the Friday I left. They confirmed the great handling (lots of modern rubber and the sway bars) and low power, and Zep tried and finally got the tires to squeal, and the car was in the balanced-to-slight understeer range. Not enough power to really work the tires, and not enough courage to enter turn 1 without lifting. We're still learning how to drive momentum cars.

But, the car did great and except for getting black flagged for smoke due to oil leaking from the valve cover onto the manifold, and a slipping clutch, and other minor stuff, it was a successful day. Alan and Zep even got to experience some side-by-side in the corners. Also, they passed another LeMons car that day, so it looks like we won't be the slowest car out there next week.

Back at home they fixed the valve cover leak, installed a slightly-used 8.5" clutch (Thanks again,  OGTS!), replaced all of the seals on the transmission to finally keep it from leaking oil, and while they had it out replaced the torque tube bushings. Also fixed the slop in the steering column and installed an electric fan. The only things left are mounting the tires on the new wheels and replacing a tie rod end that went bad during the track day. At that point it is ready to race, except for other driver necessities.

We'll install the camera system this week, plus a DIY cool-seat, a fire extinguisher, radio, and when the tie rod arrives it will go in. There is still a little bondo-ing to do, and I simply must have that front splitter. In black. Like the real ALMS car.

Damn! I think that is it. Are we really almost done?

Oh, painting will commence soon, and maybe next Wednesday we'll have a decal party to install the final theme essentials.