I was going to say everything is going smooth, but Tony pulled in for an off road excursion.
We did get away with a slap on the wrist so it went quick.
- Sparky
Location:Sears Point Rd,Napa,United States
ZLime Racing - Home of the Seize-Z-um, a 1992 300zx (more or less) and it's little sibling Ra-D-um the Wanna be D-type. Follow along as we attempt to keep both racing in the 24 Hours of Lemons.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
30 minutes to go
We have Claus on the track in D and Tony is in the Z.
I was going to say everything is going smooth, but Tony pulled in for an off road excursion.
We did get away with a slap on the wrist so it went quick.
- Sparky
I was going to say everything is going smooth, but Tony pulled in for an off road excursion.
We did get away with a slap on the wrist so it went quick.
- Sparky
Race day 2 update
No posts for a while. I got in the car this morning after Muddy and ran a long stint. I spun after an hour or so, and they sent me back in and said the were planning to change brakes when I was done and since we bribed the judges I got a stop and go. Another hour plus and I brought the car in and sent Claus out.
I don't know the driving order in the D but I believe we had Rod and Muddy out. Kirsten is out now.
The plan for the afternoon is to bring Kirsten in, and i'll hop onto the D. Then we'll bring Claus in and Tony will hop into the Z and then Claus and I will swap on the D. Sound confusing? We'll see how it works.
- Sparky
I don't know the driving order in the D but I believe we had Rod and Muddy out. Kirsten is out now.
The plan for the afternoon is to bring Kirsten in, and i'll hop onto the D. Then we'll bring Claus in and Tony will hop into the Z and then Claus and I will swap on the D. Sound confusing? We'll see how it works.
- Sparky
Black flag
Muddy had some clear track and flew down the back straight. It looked good until he got to the chicane at the end and he flew through that too.
Since we have been good boys this weekend, they gave us a drive through and Muddy went right back out on the track.
Once we got new brakes in the D, Rod took it out and we have both cars now running around
- Sparky
Since we have been good boys this weekend, they gave us a drive through and Muddy went right back out on the track.
Once we got new brakes in the D, Rod took it out and we have both cars now running around
- Sparky
Rough morning
After yesterday we finished up the car prep early and parked the cars thinking everything is good.
Come race time, the Z wouldn't start, even though we had started it earlier to warm it up. After a bit of triage, we worked it down to the battery. Guess that is a partial explanation for the alternator on Friday.
We 'stole' the one from Tony's truck and sent Muddy on his way.
Meanwhile the D got off to an easy start this morning and ran for an hour before Brendan spun with a brake issue... Three times in one lap. We are swapping out the rotors and pads and Kirsten will be out soon.
- Sparky
Come race time, the Z wouldn't start, even though we had started it earlier to warm it up. After a bit of triage, we worked it down to the battery. Guess that is a partial explanation for the alternator on Friday.
We 'stole' the one from Tony's truck and sent Muddy on his way.
Meanwhile the D got off to an easy start this morning and ran for an hour before Brendan spun with a brake issue... Three times in one lap. We are swapping out the rotors and pads and Kirsten will be out soon.
- Sparky
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Day 1 wrap-up
At the 6:00 checkered flag, both cars were running strong and on the track. Given the start of the day that was an awesome recovery and everyone is really happy.
The once-over on the cars is another set of rotors on the Z (we bought 4 this morning). We also have to patch the front fender where a Rx-7 tried to occupy the same space on the track that I was in.
The D needs no work. There is some concern about the transmission and the 3 to 4 shift, but other than checking the clutch fluid we are going to call it good.
While the car checkout is going on, Xo and Cindy have and cooked and awesome sausage-fest. Time for a beer and to kick up the feet.
Afternoon day 1 summary
After shaking out the early issues, we are now running pretty smooth. We had one pit stop to replace a fuel filter on the Z, but after that we ran all afternoon.
We had Muddy, Claus and then myself in the Z. We ran right up to the 6:00 checker flag and unusual for us acquired no black flags for the day. The D ran Kirsten, Brendan, Tony and Rod again without any black flags and no mechanical woes.
Both cars picked up a little paint but other than that are in pretty good shape.
The last photo is one of my favorites, the land-speeder. I have no idea what it started out life as, but it is a great theme.
Driver changes
Nice to be talking about things going smooth.
Doug ran a stint in the Z but came in with low power. We swapped out the fuel filter and Claus is now out turning quick laps.
Brendan has be merrily circling away. He just came in and we switched to tony in the driver seat. Report is the car is running great.
Once we fuel, tony is on his way.
Lot of driving today
We were not able to solve our brake problems last night. We had picked up some parts at 7:30 when the store opened and they didn't solve our problems either. So after some more diagnostics, we decided to try new calipers (or a rebuild kit) and found the parts we needed in the O'reily warehouse in Stockton.
So I drew the short straw and took off for the run out and back.
Meanwhile, Kirsten went out on the track and ran around and around in the D. We certainly had the crazies out this morning with several big accidents.
Kirsten stayed out of the mess mostly unharmed but we do have a few tire marks on the front fender. There was one team where the driver piled into the back of a stalled car with predictable results. This was right in front of Kirsten and thankfully she dodged the incident.
I got back from the store just before 1 and dropped off a pile of parts just as Kirsten came in for gas so it was a busy time.
The D needed gas and a fender punched out and Brendan then was able to hit the track.
Two calipers, new pads, fluid flush and an alternator (don't ask) later and there was a big cheer from the crew and Muddy took off to the track as well.
Everyone is ecstatic.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Still no brakes for the Z
Well, we have made the mad dash to the parts store. We tried three different master cylinders, we have bled the brakes several times. And yet the problems with a soft pedal continue. It has been a rough afternoon and evening scratching our collective heads and trying one thing after the other.
There were some high hopes when we found the rotted out vacuum line, but that didn't fix our woes either.
We have stopped for the night mainly because we are out of brake fluid and the parts store doesn't open till 7:00 am.
The D is ready to go and all of its problems are solved. We also got a higher roll bar mounted in the Z so that problem is solved too. We'll at least have 1 car on the track at the green flag and may send the Z out to turn slow laps while we try to find another brake booster or whatever part we decide to change next in the morning.
On a different note, dinner was some fabulous burgers and my current favorite beer. Lots of happiness there.
-Sparky
Inspection
The Z had some problems in inspection. They want us to either lower Muddy or raise the roll cage. We'll be doing to welding tonight.
The D faired better on tech, we have to tape the battery terminal.
BS inspection went the other way. The Lemons crew just laughed when they saw the Miata. It ended up in A class with 25 lap penalty. It was lowered to 20 when we finished with the bribes.
The Z got zero laps and landed in B class.
- Sparky
Master cylinder
The diagnosis is the master cylinder. We at now tearing into the hood.
- Sparky
- Sparky
Location:Sears Point Rd,Sonoma,United States
Brakes, brakes, brakes
The theme of the weekend is clearly starting out as brakes. Muddy had troubles and so we gave the car a once over before I went out.
The car was driving very well, except it doesn't like to stop. I gave a ton of extra room and still overshoots a corner or two once the speeds got up a bit.
Once in the pits, we had cracked front rotors so it was time to change them and bleed the lines. We put Tony in the car for the next session and the pedal is on the floor.
Time to bleed the brakes again.
The D is on the track, but very light in the back so all the drivers are complaining about rear stepping out while breaking.
- Sparky
The car was driving very well, except it doesn't like to stop. I gave a ton of extra room and still overshoots a corner or two once the speeds got up a bit.
Once in the pits, we had cracked front rotors so it was time to change them and bleed the lines. We put Tony in the car for the next session and the pedal is on the floor.
Time to bleed the brakes again.
The D is on the track, but very light in the back so all the drivers are complaining about rear stepping out while breaking.
- Sparky
Hitting the track
Both cars are prepped and we have dealt with the last minute issues (such as brakes) so well get out for practice laps.
Muddy and I will take out the Z for it's shakedown and Rod and Brendan will take out the D.
The Z has new tires and much wider than what we have run before. Of course like all optimistic racecar engineers we are hoping for huge gains. The reality will more modest but we'll know once muddy gets back and check the data.
Since this will be the first time the D has driven since w pulled it into the garage, the hope there is for nothing eventful.
- Sparky
Muddy and I will take out the Z for it's shakedown and Rod and Brendan will take out the D.
The Z has new tires and much wider than what we have run before. Of course like all optimistic racecar engineers we are hoping for huge gains. The reality will more modest but we'll know once muddy gets back and check the data.
Since this will be the first time the D has driven since w pulled it into the garage, the hope there is for nothing eventful.
- Sparky
Heading to the track
6:00 am and the transportation crew is here at Muddy's house loading up two cars, tires and the RV. It is too dark for the phones's camera to work so just text for now.
The bulk of the loading finished yesterday so there isn't much more than tires and 1 trailer to do this morning.
We had a little excitement when we put the D on the trailer and everything took off down the hill and the rear brakes which were hanging off the trailer weren't enough to stop things. While it was only 20 feet or so that was a long ride and we'll have to double check the brakes obviously before we run. That's the problem with "finishing" the car with seconds to spare.
In any case, this morning thankfully has been quiet and we'll b on the road soon.
- Sparky
The bulk of the loading finished yesterday so there isn't much more than tires and 1 trailer to do this morning.
We had a little excitement when we put the D on the trailer and everything took off down the hill and the rear brakes which were hanging off the trailer weren't enough to stop things. While it was only 20 feet or so that was a long ride and we'll have to double check the brakes obviously before we run. That's the problem with "finishing" the car with seconds to spare.
In any case, this morning thankfully has been quiet and we'll b on the road soon.
- Sparky
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Race Weekend Schedule
Like all weekends our schedule is at the whim of the 24-Hour Schedule. Here is a quick outline for everyone.
| Friday, 21 October | ||
| 6:00am | Finish loading the caravan to run to Sears Point | |
| 6:30am | Leave for Track | |
| 8:00amish | Plan to arrive on track. I would like to aim to land in the similar area as last time Just west of the grandstands | |
| 9:05am | First Practice (Shot to get both car on track and run like race pits.) | |
| 10:00am | Shoot to get both cars through tech and BS inspections | |
| 11:00am | 2nd Practice | |
| 12:00am | Lunch | |
| 1:00pm | 3rd Practice | |
| 3:00pm | 4th Practice | |
| 5:00pm | 5th Practice | |
| 6:00 PM | Dinner | |
| Saturday, 22 October 2011 | ||
| 7:30am | Gates open | |
| 8:00am | Breakfast | |
| 9:30am | Mandatory drivers' meeting | |
| 10:30am | Race session I Starts | |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch | |
| 6:00 PM | Race session I ends | |
| Sunday, 23 October 2011 | ||
| 7:30am | Gates open | |
| 8:00am | Breakfast | |
| 8:15am | Mandatory drivers' meeting | |
| 9:00am | Race session II Starts | |
| 12:00 PM | People's Curse | |
| 1:00 PM | Lunch | |
| 5:00 PM | Checker Flag | |
| 5:30 PM | Awards | |
| 8:30 PM | Gate Closes | |
Octoberfest Feast
This being our first Race in October we thought we could follow the lead of Prince Lugwig and his bride Therese to an Octoberfest celebrate at the Infineonwiese. To give you a preview of the upcoming feast or simple let you know what you will be missing here is the Menu from ZChef.
Friday
On the Road Breakfast
Banana bread
Panini Lunch
Assorted deli meats and cheeses
Assorted breads
Chips
Veggies sticks
Fruit
Homemade cookies
Dinner
Beef Burgers
Onion relish
Wedge salads with blue cheese dressing
BBQ beans
Grilled veggies
Brownies
Saturday
Race Day Breakfast (Whatever you can eat while wrenching):
Mini Fritta's
Apple Muffins
Fruit
Hot coffee
Orange juice
Pulled Pork Sanwich Lunch:
Pulled pork
BBQ sauce
Coleslaw
Various Rolls
Various Chips
Veggies sticks
Fruit
Cookies
October Fest Dinner:
Sauerbraten
Brats cooked with Beer and onions
German potato salad
Caraway saurkraut
Green Beans
Green salad
Apple strudel
Sunday
Race Day Breakfast:
Pumpkin pancakes
Fruit
Maple Syrup
Sausage
Orange juice
Homestretch Lunch:
Texas red chili
Sandwiches
Corn bread muffins
Salad
Cookies
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Status Before Skankaway
This last weekend was a very busy work weekend. We had everyone on deck except one to get the two cars ready for the thrashing that is coming this weekend at Sears Point. Here are some pictures of the working crew. |
There where 5 under the car before I could get a camera
The list of action items has been dwindle, but there are some nagging problems left.
Z issues:
Items for the D
|
Friday, October 14, 2011
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