Z Brotherhood

The Z is loved by many and should be a great base for making a competitive Lemons car.  In Lemons racing however, the Z cars have typically gotten a pretty bad rap (here is one example),  so it is time to give the Z cars from the last race some love.

First up, we had the first Z32 that we have seen at the track.  Since we have already stuffed a Z32 motor in ours, we feel that we are halfway there, but it was good to see one make it to the track.  I didn't get much time to talk to these guys, but it was race #1 for this car and it seemed to be going through the usual issues.

Next up was the Z31 in the pit next too us.  The Area 51 car was back in all its silver glory.  They had a great weekend and were running in 1st place for a while.  Too bad we couldn't have stopped the race at that point and had a Z take the most laps.  Eventually they finished in 9th.  Huge thanks for the front rotors too.

The newest of the Z31's was the 97 team.  I don't know anything about the team but it is always great to see a Z running strong all weekend.

A couple of pits down was another Z31.  We met these guys last time at Sear Point and they came back this race with a cool Dr Strangelove theme with of course the right number for the job (B)52.  They never got Slim Pickens on the roof, but the flight suites and cowboy hats were a nice touch.

The oldest Z of the group walked away with the people choice award!  A 240Z and a good deal of spray foam and time turned it into a faux 250 GTO.  They threw a rod saturday and did an engine swap to get back into the race.  Sunday was filled with even more mechanical problems, but they made it to the checker.

Hope to get the 102 Z back into action, and to see you all at the next race too.  Go Z's

The work begins for Reno

This Sunday, April 3, we are planning to evaluate the aftermath of the Pointless run and start the prep work for the Reno 24 hour race. At this stage Rod ideas sound like a good start:

• Compression test
• Change fluids
• Brake inspection
• Paint Job
• Wheel hub inspection

Then with a few beers we can start the logistic, theme, safety equipment, and repair process for the race.

Muddy

Brake issues

This was the shape of our rear brake when Claus came in on Saturday.  Changing the rear rotors is an easy job if we had spares, which we didn't.  So this launched the race to the cell phones to search and find a pair of 1986 rotors in stock somewhere within a reasonable drive from the track.  After a dozen or so calls, Oakland was seeming like a it wasn't too far and might be our best option.  The front rotor's also had issues, but the guys in car 20 (another Z parked next to us) has a spare set of fronts.

I'll attempt to get some more pictures from the weekend loaded as I get a chance to look at them.  So keep watching.  I'm sure Muddy will also start the work plan for Reno.

Race done

I have no idea what place we came in, but this was probably our best race on a number of fronts. We managed to be packed and ready to roll before sundown thursday. Ran all friday and saturday without an incident. We ended the weekend with 2 penalties, an all-time low for us. And now the site is packed up 15 minutes after the car came in.

We are off to the awards, we'll have dinner here and then head home.

Thanks to everyone across the board.

Counting down the laps

10 minutes to go and Claus is still running strong.

1 hour to go

Claus is running strong. Something happened to the radio so we cannot talk to Claus but he knows the plan is run to the checker so we are all here on the railing cheering him on.

Coffee time

Tony ran the chicane straight and we got blacked flagged. When we got to the penalty box they told us the control room enter coffee and we can go when they get coffee.

So... We ran the coffee pot, water, cups, sugar, cream and carrot cake from last night up to the control room and got Tony sprung from the box.

The control room was very happy and so a big thanks to Cindy and Michelle for the coffee and cakes.

Claus is in the car now and has an hour and 30 to the checker flag.

Tony's turn

I just got out of the car and had a nice stint. The crazies are starting to come out so things got exciting occasionally as we would go 3 abreast into some of the turns. Kind of like rush hour traffic with except no lanes and everyone going 60.

Tony is in the car now and so far been a pretty smooth day.

Time for lunch.

More crime and punishment

The KiaPet car was in the box and a few minutes later back again. Now the driver gets to rest on the roof while the patrol they pits explaining what bad drivers they are.

I hope I drive clean...  It is certainly a good deterrent.

Penalties

No more for us so far, but while the rain is away they have moved the penalties to pit row.

Lots an lots of crowd involvement as they think of ways to make the teams perform.

Criminal scum

Apparently we are criminal scum. We had a long yellow while they cleaned up a mess on the track and then shortly after green Kristen spun while too enthusiastic coming out of a chicane.

Our penalty was to parade her around the pits while dressed in pink criminal scum outfits.

After that we switched drivers to Doug and it is zoom-zoom time.

Day 2 starting

We finished the brakes last night after a run to oakland to get new rotors. Then we packed it up for the night. This morning involved a big breakfast and the warming up the car.

Kirsten is in the car and we are ready to start day 2.

Day 1 completed

Claus just took the day 1 checker and everyone ran clean. Checking over the car now seeing what we'll do tonight to get ready for tomorrow.

Oil level has been fine all day so that fear seems to be over.

Break check turned up a cracked rear rotor so look like the biggest job for tonight will be finding a new set.

Claus's turn

We have Claus in the car now and still running clean. The track is mostly dry now and Tony did an awesome job picking up places. We think they will stop around 6:00 tonight so we have about an hour to go.

In the pits, the crew has really grown, we now have a very large contingent here supporting the venture.

Thanks all.

Next driver

I finished my stint in the rain. It was absolute chaos when the rain first started, there were cars going off in every corner. Once cars figured out they should slow down it got better.

Tony went in next and has been driving under green for most of the last hour while we moved up the standings.

We are set back a bit losing 13 laps without a transponder but happy how the day has been non-the-less.

One more driver change to Claus, and we'll have him run out day.

Doug going zoom-zoom

Doug has been out in a long full course yellow. Now back to green. Overcast sky's but drying track.

Driver change

Kristen had an awesome drive. She got pulled in because the transponder wasn't working but other than that was out there in the heavy rain and put in lap after lap while many teams struggled to keep the car on the track.

Doug is going in next and it looks like the sun may come out here for a bit. Hopefully we'll stay clean and get a bunch more time in.

We aren't burning too much oil so it does look like we were overly worried there yesterday.

Lunch is pulled pork, eating well this weekend!

That is a lot of cars

They are on the grid 4 wide. They will start rolling in a minute and once they are sure all the transponders work it will be green flag racing.

Race day

Welcome to race day. Forecast is non-stop rain till noon, so the key is just staying on track today. Kirsten is going to start the driving order today. We are planning 30 minutes then bringing her in and checking the car. Then depending on how things are going, we'll probably do 1 hour driver stints after that.

Race on.

End of the day wrap up

Wrap up on the practice day.

The car ran well, but we consumed 2 quarts of oil. We are picking up a case of 20-50 Dino oil vs the synthetic we have in there now. We will hope for the best there tomorrow and then Sunday do whatever we need to get through the day.

We have new brakes on the car and it is bundled up for the night. Seems strange not to be madly fixing things at this point.

Now it is time for dinner (thank you Cindy).  We are having sausage-fest, to the grill is covered in brats and veggies, yum.

Cheers from the crew.

Another practice done

Nice day!  We got a lot of laps so far and everything has been running smooth today (knock on wood). The last job is putting in the transponder in and then car is all set for the race. Claus will head out on the track next and Hopefully we'll be between showers for the session.

Tech report

Tech went smooth today. We only have 2 items to clean up, move the fire extinguisher and fix the holes in the floor.

BS inspection went even quicker, the judges said hi to eve, quickly assessed us as not having a chance and sent us on our way with 0 penalty laps.

Tony had a nice practice run next and now we are cleaning up tech issues.

First laps done - Lunch break

Doug and Claus got a chance to run some laps. Track was wet but nothing falling at the time. Both had an Opps in turn 7 but generally happy with how things are running. Meanwhile Ralph and I ran to town to get a tire fixed. Rain is coming down hard now but the crew is happy.

Setting up

Everything is wet, but the sun is out as we set up the angry elf pits

Prep Race

Well, RV and Truck are all packed waiting for the launch tomorrow. I will wrap up the binder here in a few minutes then, I can put my feet up and watch some junior race league (F1) practice. I hear that Weber was quickest in first Practice.

Here is the proof that we complete it all before Sunset.

Thanks Claus, Xo, and Cindy for making this happen.

Hope to see you on the Track

Muddy

Rain, rain and then some more rain

It is Thursday before the race which means the forecast won't change much (so hope for Sunday). At this point the storms of the past week are predicted to continue for a couple more days and start clearing on Monday (too late for us). The south bay is predicted to be dry Sunday so there is a little hope for some sun this weekend. At Least we tested the wipers in the last race.

Pack your rain gear and looking forward to seeing everyone this weekend.  I'll post updates all weekend.

Request for Residual Value (Sears Pointless)

Jay,

We ran at Arse Freeze well (at least to our standards) and the car seemed to survive.

Our biggest car problem (we have lots of driver problems but they have proven harder to fix) was by the end of the run, the sycos going into 4th gear were shot. Great care was needed to minimize grinding of the gears (like not using 4th) and we managed to avoid a catastrophic failure and finished the race.

We since have fixed the gear (we hope) and the transmission is back together, we'll see if it can survive another Pointless run. The cost of the repair is:

• $60.35 Synchro Assemble
• $ 9.42 Oil Seal
• $29.53 Gear Oil

We would also like to address some braking issues. We think a proportioning valve will address the problem rather than aggravate it more.  While we like the judges, we would like to watch the unique penalties rather than participate in them.

Here are the cost:

• $39.95 Proportioning Valve
• $13.38 Compression fitting
• $12.76 Piping

So in total we are looking to get a residual value of $334.61 so that we can spend the $165.39 makes the changes to the car.

Thank you

Muddy

10 days to go.

This weekend will be a big work weekend. I plan on going at it for both days, so if anyone is around this weekend come on by. Also, for you drivers the seat will be moving down. To compensate we are looking to place wedges under the seat to bring you up some.

As for work, here is the punch list:

2011 Sears Pointless
Electrical Systems
		Items	Status	Comments
	1	ECU replacement	Done
	2	Reinstall Tack	Done
	3	Reinstall Traqmate	Done
	4	Fix the Nissan Consult so we can plug in a laptop		Possible rewire
	5	Look for error messages
	6	ECU Tune
	7	Run car with computer connected to consult monitoring systems
	8	Camera Height Review	Done
	9	Test Oxygen Sensor
	10	New Start Switch	Done
Engine and Driver Train
		Items	Status	Comments
	1	Engine compress test	Done	1- 190, 2 -180, 3- 190, 4-175, 5-200, 6-180
	2	Vacuum test	Done	900 rpm 51 inHg
	3	Test water temperature sensor	Done
	4	Test fuel level sensor	Done
		Replace Transmission	Done
	5	Install exhaust system	Done
	6	Change motor oil	Done
	7	Install Rear Differential	Done
	8	Change Extension Oil Seal	Done
	9	Replace drive line	Done
	10	Reattach Half Shafts	Done
	11	Add Gear oil to Transmission	Done	Have Oil
	12	Added Gear oil to Differential	Done	Have Oil
	13	Check water level	Done
	14	Check water pump	Done
	15	Test clutch	Done
	16	Pull Goldies Rear Differential	Done
Suspension
		Items	Status	Comments
	1	Added adjustable camber to rear wheels	Done
	2	Install front strut tower support	Done	Have parts
	3	Check strut and tighten
	4	Check Wheel bearings	Done
	5	Replace swaybar bushing	Done
	6	Front alignment	Done
	7	Steering Wheel Quick Release
Brakes System
		Items	Status	Comments
	1	Inspect brakes	Done
	2	Brake Bias options/balance	Done
	3	Removal Rear brake Covers	Done
	4	Bleed Brakes	Done
	5	Replace Brake Pads		Have Hawk 9012 and will replace after First day run
Pit and Logistics Systems
		Items	Status	Comments
	1	Hotel room confirmation and number of rooms confirmed	Done	6 Room at Travelodge (two rooms taken)
	2	Reserve tow truck	Done	Daws
	3	Reserve trailer	Done	US Rental flat bed
	4	RV rental	Done	RV pending rental
	5	T-shirt printing	Done
	6	Team Hat	Done
	7	Menu
	8	Residual value memo to Jay		Sent to him
	9	Radio Head Set	Done
	10	Ear Buds for radio	Done	5 ordered
	11	5x5-gallon carboy	Done
	12	Pack for the track
	13	Replace team logo on Hood	Done
	14	Refresh paint	Done
	15	Patch flat tire	Done
	16	Test drive	Done
	17	Binder
Safety
		Items	Status	Comments
	1	Install Doors	Done
	2	Roll Bar reinforcement	Done
	3	Box Driver side Support	Done
	4	Add new Knee Bar	Done
	5	Paint Welds	Done
	6	Roll Bar Padding	Done
	7	Driver Seat	Done
	8	Driver Harness	Done
	9	Reinstall Driver Seat Back Brace	Done
	10	Driver Fit Test	Done
	11	Rules Review	Done

Muddy