Monday, January 28, 2013

Hotel Reservation Information (Sears Pointless)

I have made team hotel reservation for Friday March 22, Saturday September 23, and Sunday March 24  at the Ramada Hotels (address below).  This track is a close, but I have not heard on the number of visitors.  We currently have 4 rooms, and that should cover drivers and know guest.  If you have any additional visitors that needs accommodations let me know in the comment section or email me, and I can add additional rooms.

1) Cindy and I
2) Zmom and ZDad
3) Thrown Rod, Queen Kirsten, Mach 5 Brendan
4) Not Smoke and Lugnut

RAMADA VALLEJO/NAPA VALLEY AREA

Ramada Vallejo/Napa Valley Area
1000 Admiral Callaghan Lane
I-80 and Highway 37
Vallejo, CA 94591 US
Phone: 1-707-643-2700
Fax: 1-707-642-1148
E-mail 

*Rate Information

Other charges may apply for local amenities like safe warranties and telephone access. Please check with the property for further details.
Local surcharges or services charges are not included in the total room rate. Local taxes may be additional. Please note that a change in the length or dates of your reservation may result in a rate change. Please check with the property for further details.

Traveling with Children or Several Guests

There may be limits on the number of guests who may occupy the room type you selected which could impact the number of rooms needed and/or room rates for a reservation even if you receive a confirmation number. Please check with the property or our central reservation number for further details.
Thank you. Your room reservation has been confirmed.
A confirmation has also been sent to Muddy. Your confirmation number is 68261429.
dougvanlare@yahoo.com

Confirmation Number: 68261429


Rewards Number: Not Applicable 
Used For This Transaction: Not Applicable 
Remaining Balance: Not Applicable
Reservation:2 Queen Beds Room No smoking;2 Queen Beds Non-Smoking Room with free continental breakfast, free Wi-Fi, refrigerator and microwave; Maximum occupancy: 4 people
Stay:4 Room(s), 3 Night(s)
Occupancy:2 Adult(s), 0 Children 13-17, 0 Children 0-12
Check in:Friday, 03/22/2013 After 3:00 PM
Check Out:Monday, 03/25/2013 Before 12:00 PM
Stay 3, Save 20 Percent -TaxTotal for Stay*
20% Off
82.50 USD66.00 USD
111.12 USD
903.12 USD
Cancellation Policy: If you need to cancel, you must do so by 04:00 PM 03/21/2013 or your credit card will be charged for one night's stay..
Payment Method: We require a valid credit card to confirm your reservation and guarantee your room. Any required deposit or pre-payment will be charged to this card immediately. Otherwise, your card will not be charged until you check out.
NEW PASSPORT RULES: Learn More

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

SEARS (EVEN MORE) POINTLESS

Alright this is new.  The genius at HQ want to extend the maddnes into a third Day.  So if we do all the racing it would be racing on (Saturday, Sunday, and Monday) of 8 hour of open track each day.  It technically would be a separate race and is called SEARS (EVEN MORE) POINTLESS.

Now, I am going on a limb here, and have not even consulted our very important support staff (aka ZChef) on this, but is there interest in the group for running the Monday?

LeMons: YOU'RE IN! Sears Pointless


It is official we are in for Sears.

Hi, Muddy:
Clunker Refuge Racing II (Type D) has been officially ACCEPTED for Sears Pointless at Sonoma Raceway, Sonoma CA on March 23 - March 24. To participate, please read this email completely!
SPECIAL NOTE: OPTIONAL MONDAY 8-HOUR. We got almost twice as many entries as available grid spots this time, so a lot teams weren't as lucky as you guys. To give those poor suckers a chance, Sonoma Raceway will let us add a standalone 8-hour / half-price / full points LeMons on Monday right after this race. This March 25th "Sears (Even More) Pointless" will be first-come/first-served, and everyone's welcome. To apply, CLICK HERE and file a new app just like any other race. If enough teams sign up, we're doing it; if nobody cares, we won't.

1) FINISH YOUR TEAM INFO: Your team's current status is Not Ready to Race. If you're not showing "ready to race," log on here and fix what's missing.
 
2) PRINT OUT THE LATEST SAFETY-INSPECTION CHECKLIST, then inspect each listed thing on your car. When everything's checked and correct, bring the signed, filled-out checklist to the track and present it at pre-race tech. (Remember, not every rule is reflected on the Checklist--you still need to study the full LeMons Rulebook.)
 
3) READ THE NOTICES BELOW:
EVENT SCHEDULE, CAMPING, DIRECTIONS, ETC: Look for these on this race's Event Page--when we learn something new, we'll update it there.

DRIVER-SAFETY GEAR: Event-sponsor Pyrotect offers all the required driver-safety gear in one box at a big LeMons-onlydiscount. These subsidized rates are only available at LeMons' online store.

RACE #s: If the number you want isn't available on your Team Home Page's pulldown menu, somebody else already has it. Pick another one.

RULESThe LeMons Rulebook has been updated! Read the complete Rulebook(http://www.24hoursoflemons.com/pricesandrules.aspx/) now and re-check it often, refreshing your browser each time. Remember, it's your job to know this stuff!
RACING SCHOOL: Are you a rookie? A veteran? Michael Schumacher suckered onto a Superbeetle team? At most races, we offer a Friday chalk-talk class called Racing 101, conducted by a national racing school. Totally voluntary, but it sure helps: To sign up in advance, start here: [race_school_url].
DROPOUTSWhen you enter a race, you're buying the right to compete--not a guarantee from us that you'll get your own act together. If you drop out, can't finish your car, blow up, go broke, catch swine flu, step on your own wiener, or otherwise fail to avail yourself of your grid spot, you forfeit your entry fees. That's why they're called "entry" fees, not "I got to drive the whole race" fees.

4) COUGH UP YOUR ENTRY FEE: Your entry fees are due now--all fees must be paid in full by 01/26/2013. Miss that deadline, and your spot may be given to a team on the waitlist. (Need to beg an extension? Please drop us an email before the due date.) To check your current balance or make an online payment, see your Team Home Page athttps://registration.24hoursoflemons.com/members/races/registration/signup_id/6011.
TO PAY BY CREDIT CARD, just use the "Pay Now" button on your Team Home Page, athttps://registration.24hoursoflemons.com/members/races/registration/signup_id/6011.
TO PAY BY CHECK OR MONEY ORDER, make payable to "24 Hours of LeMons" and mail to LeMons Dept. of Up-Coughing, 5675-C Horton St, Emeryville CA 94608.



Got questions? Hit www.24HoursofLeMons.com or:
Nick Pon, Associate Perpetrator
5675-C Horton Street, Emeryville CA 94608
510.655.5980 x22 (Nick direct)
nick@24HoursofLeMons.com


 
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Monday, January 14, 2013

Unofficial Word on Racing at Sears Pointless

From our early warring system that scans the communication links, it appears that for the 14 time the powers to be at Lemons HQ has accepted our team in another 24 hour of Lemons Race. This run will be at the Somona Raceway, on March 23, through 24. For all you true die hard race fans, there will also be a practice track day that Friday. The day is an open track day, so there will be several sessions throughout.  There will be about six session open for the AMC, Citroens, American Austin, MG, and other cap cars that make up our Lemons group. Then there will be six session that has some 458, GT3, Ford GT, Mercedes and an assortment of other open wheel cars.

So, you have been warned early.  I should get the official word in a day or two.

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Starting the Pointless Work

Two weeks ago, the process to get us into the next Sears Pointless race (March 23-24) began. The applications were put in, so we are now pending status and will send the note when we hear.( Note: It takes the Lemon's staff two or three days to sober up, so we will most likely hear then.)


Today, Torch and I started actual work to get ready for Sears Pointless. Lugnut, called in sick, so I hope he feels well soon.  As for the work we performed the normal various tests and some check to see where various components status. With reports of noises from the rear of the Z the differential was a clear target. Also, the transmission of the Z with the 4th gear grinding also needs to be looked at. Finally, the normal engine compression test was performed on both cars. After the work today we found more than Lugnut is sick.

For the steady eddie D the compression test was ok, and here are the numbers:


July , 2012 Compression Test
January, 2013 Compression Test
1
180
180
2
180
180
3
180
180
4
190
170


The compression on the #4 cylinder is a marginally low, but could be within the margin of error.  With this and other sizes of heat stress, I think effort to exchange the transmission and differential might be prudent.  After that the normal other check of about a days work and the D should be ready for Pointless.

As for the Z, well where should I begin?


Starting
The Z is running really rich. Starting has become a problem were the only time we could get it to turn over was when we did the fuel pump offline trick. Also, keeping the Z running was a challenge. After several thoughts and test we found that causing a vacuum leak leaned the mixture out just enough to keep the motor running. However, this only allowed us to run and did not aid in startup. So, for startup, we think we need Sparky's help to either look at the ECU or add a fuel pump cutout switch. Well, that was our thought before the next tests.


Engine Compression Test
We perform the standard compression test. Here are the numbers:


July , 2012 Compression Test
January, 2013 Compression Test
1
180
150
2
180
160
3
180
140
4
180
160
5
180
135
6
180
150


Ouch. The clause for the Z's starting and running issue is now clear. We defiantly wounded the motor in Vodden the Hell. It is not fatal, yet? To investigate how bad it is we also dropped the oil to see if we have other problems. The oil was darker than normal. It also was thinner, making it clear why the dip stick test unreliable. The oil also had hints of gas in it, so we (or Torch really) is thinking more ring, cylinder wall, or both issues as a result of overheating.  So, we (or more me) need to think about what we need to do on this.  Let me know if you have thoughts.

Transmission
We dropped the oil out of the transmission. It also showed signs of overheating. There were a few fines on the magnetic plug, but no more then I would expect for the amount of abuse it sees.

Differential
First, we performed a function test on the differential, by jacking up the car, running the car in 4th gear at 3,000 rpm, and then added drag by progressively increasing brake pressure. Throughout this test, no access noise from the differential occurs. The second test will be to drop the oil to look for parts. We ran out of time, so this will need to be done later.

From these initial tests, it is clear that we have some work to do on the Z. So, for all you wrenchers we most likely have work to do. It does appear that all areas we looked at suffered from high-heat stress. This is another reason why I think we should be caution about the D and do the additional test. For now, I am still pondering the best course for our poor Z, so let me know if you have some thoughts.

Muddy