Post Race Review and Prep for Next Race

Lugnut, Torch, and I did a post race review of the D today. It appears that we got out of Sears Pointless with little issues except for the few dented fenders, wires dangling, and the overheating problem that should be investigated.

To start the work today, we did the normal compression test to evaluate the condition of the engine. Even after our substantial motor cooking, the compression reading hasn't changed that much.
1 -185
2 -185
3 -185
4 -180

We also pondered the high temperature we saw on the Miata. Was it a sensor that was not calibrated correctly or was it that we true were running hot. To address that we started the work to flush the radiator and cooling lines. We also thought it might be that we had a vacuum leak that resulting in use running a little lean. We did place a vacuum tester on the car and noticed it a little low. With some experiment, we think we found a small vacuum leak from the charcoal filter. So, with a little by passing, we think we fixed that.

We also examined the fenders. Dents where clear on both front sides. So, with a little hammering, crow barring, and creative jacking, we were able to get the fender pop back out. Then with a little patch we should be good to go.

As for some of the future work, here is a list of items that we should look at next time:

• Fender Repair
• Theme Modification
• Oil Cooler
• Muffler
• Flush Radiator
• Spray Foam in Rails
• Fire Suppression System
• Motor Oil Exchanged
• Differential Oil Exchange
• Transmission Oil Exchange
• Fan Switch
• Recalibrate sensor

Checker flag

Race is over and we came in 41st with 303 laps. There is a fender issue we'll have to ask lugnut about so Xo is eating his cookie.  Great race and everyone is very happy.

30 min to go

We are 30 min from the end of the race. Lugnut is doing great.

We have also been talking about themes for whitey. This is the best we have so far.  Although turning whitey into a fluffy clonus and calling the team racing in the cloud is gaining popularity. 

2 Drivers to go

After the water issues, the car has been running fine.  Sparky ran a clean hour of racing and now Muddy has taken over and is turning laps and Lugnut is pacing waiting for his turn to take us to a day 2 checker.

Shots from around the track

Just some shots from around the track.

Black Flag Time

Queen was running up the hill into turn one and then spun.  She managed not to hit or be hit by anyone and kept the car on the track.  As She started back around, the "moron light" came on for high temp and she came into the penalty box.

The Judges gave her a drive through, but since the temp gauge was pegged on hot, we sent her to the pits.

It didn't take long to figure out that the problem.  We fixed the radiator not holding pressure, and the radiator hose popped off and we lost all of our water.

Fortunately is didn't take long to figure out the issue, put things back together and get Queen out on the track.

Pit stop

Blueberry came in and we swapped to Queen. He climbed from 51st to 43rd place and after the pit we are back in 51st. So were holding steady with the same pack of cars. 

Last night we worked the radiator cap and overflow to see if we can have the cooling better in line and that seems to have solved that problem.  

So the track has stayed green and the good weekend continues. 

Day 2 and the track is green

The track is green and I'm sure Blueberry is very happy that instead of constant yellows he is getting plenty of green flag time. We are running to 4:30 today with the same driver order as yesterday. 

Checker - Day 1

10 minutes to the end, Lugnut came into the penalty box. The other driver came in as well and claimed full responsibility and they sent Claus out on his way.  With that we were able to get 150+ laps in on the day and took a very well earned checker flag.

Last change

They are trying a new self-reporting of black flags which has made the penalty both amusing and happily we have stayed away.  1 more driver to make a clean sweep of the day. 

We have run right to the schedule Muddy planned and we have had no issues all day. Lugnut is now in the car.  At the moment we are in 56th out 171 cars.  

As for issues, we have two to check out tonight. The oil catch tank was full and the high temp light.  More on that when the car is in the pits. 

Second driver change

Lots of yellow flags, but Queen avoided all the trouble and had a very clean run. She came in and we tanked up and sent Torch on his way. 

Meanwhile the rest of us are eating killer wraps for lunch while folks in the pits next to us are having a second round of pop-tarts. 

First driver change

Blueberry braved the early chaos and brought the car back without incident.  We did a quick driver's change to Queen and the car is back on track. 

Green flag

Track is green and we were only a couple of cars back. Very nice start for te weekend. 

Zoom-zoom

New racers

We have a lot of new teams at the race today. Just watched a driver get a black flag and stop at the start/finish line on the track. Should be a good start today when the green flag goes in a couple minutes.

First day of racing

Blueberry is first up this morning.  There wasn't much to do to get ready other than warming it up.

We got blueberry in the car and on the track. Cars are now circling waiting for the green flag. 

Tire testing

Given how the day is going, we're running two different sets of tires back to back to see what difference there is. Muddy is the test pilot and as he brings it into the pits the crew is doing a quick change (for us) and see which get him around the track quicker. Then we know which to buy next time.

Practice going smooth

We have given every driver a chance to run the track today and it is all going smooth. The only problem we are thinking about dealing with tonight is the car is VERY loud. It has a large, new muffler compared to the last race but we are definitely louder. We may have to pull off the diffuser and add another muffler so we have found one and are ready to watch torch weld. 

On track - practice time is on

1:00 and the track is hot.  Muddy is up first to give the car a shake down. 

Done with Tech

We were in Tech right when they opened, and things went very quick.  We were done with gear and car tech and back in the pits within 15 minutes.  We are classed in A (all miata's get A) and 0 penalty laps.

Jay gave the car a quick once over and suggested since we were still here the car must be safe-enough.

Then back in the pits waiting for the rest of the crew.

This is the car in the paddock next to us.  We are hoping to see a Rambler do well.

Time for an Audi moment

When Audi was in their prime at LeMans it was amazing to watch as everyone was scrambling to keep cars running the Audi pits were always calm and the mechanics were down to waxing the cars.

Tech isn't open yet, the pits are as chaotic as ever and we are sitting in chairs watching Lugnut clean the car.  I'm sure chaos will hit, but feels nice at the start. 

At the track

The team is starting to assemble at sears point.  We are in our usual spot right by the grandstands.

There was no line at the gate this morning and no mad scramble in the rain for paddock spots either. 

Weather looks great and looking forward to a nice weekend. 

Staging for Sears Pointless

6:00 pm all is well in Dublin. The gear is packed, the food is on board, and the car is loaded.  In 12 hours we will lunch to the track.

So, time to sit back and enjoy the beer.

All except on little thing.... No idiot light. 

Where is Sparky?????

Sears Pointless Race Schedule

I put together a schedule for the weekend.  If all goes here is the plan.

Friday, 20 March 2014

    6:00 am: Leave Dublin to get to track 

    7:00 am: Sonoma Raceway gates open

    8:00 am: Setup and get car ready for Tech Inspection

  10:00 am: Targeted Tech and BS Inspections for the D and Z

  11:30 am: Lunch

    1:00 pm - 4:30 pm: Testing Session

Day 1  Practice
D						Z
Start	Finish	Pilot		Notes		Start	Finish	Pilot		Notes
1:00 PM	1:24 PM	Driver	1	Estimated       9 laps		1:00 PM	1:22 PM	Driver	1	Estimated    10 laps
1:38 PM	2:02 PM	Driver	2	Estimated       9 laps		1:37 PM	1:59 PM	Driver	2	Estimated    10 laps
2:16 PM	2:40 PM	Driver	3	Estimated       9 laps		2:14 PM	2:36 PM	Driver	3	Estimated    10 laps
2:54 PM	3:18 PM	Driver	4	Estimated       9 laps		2:51 PM	3:13 PM	Driver	4	Estimated    10 laps
3:32 PM	3:56 PM	Driver	5	Estimated       9 laps		3:28 PM	3:50 PM	Driver	5	Estimated    10 laps
4:10 PM	4:34 PM	Driver	6	Estimated       9 laps		4:05 PM	4:27 PM	Driver	6	Estimated    10 laps

    6:30 pm: Dinner 


Saturday, 21 March 2014
     7:00 am: Gates open
     8:00 am: Breakfast
     9:30 am: Mandatory drivers' meeting
   10:00 am - 5:30 pm: Race Session I

Day 2  Race Session I
D						Z
Start	Finish	Pilot		Notes		Start	Finish	Pilot		Notes
10:00 AM	11:10 AM	Driver	1	Estimated   23 laps		10:00 AM	11:25 AM	Driver	1	Estimated   34 laps
11:22 AM	12:45 PM	Driver	2	Estimated  30 laps		11:37 AM	1:02 PM	Driver	2	Estimated   34 laps
12:57 PM	2:20 PM	Driver	3	Estimated   30 laps		1:14 PM	2:14 PM	Driver	3	Estimated   24 laps
2:32 PM	3:55 PM	Driver	4	Estimated   30 laps		2:26 PM	3:51 PM	Driver	4	Estimated   34 laps
4:07 PM	5:30 PM	Driver	5	Estimated   30 laps		4:03 PM	5:28 PM	Driver	5	Estimated   34 laps

   12:00 pm: Lunch
     6:30 pm: Dinner


            Sunday, 22 March 2014

   7:00 am: Gates open

   8:00 am: Breakfast
   8:45 am: Mandatory drivers' meeting
   9:30 am - 4:30 pm: Race Session II

Day 3 Race Session II
D						Z
Start	Finish	Pilot		Notes		Start	Finish	Pilot		Notes
9:30 AM	10:39 AM	Driver	1	Estimated   25 laps		9:30 AM	11:06 AM	Driver	1	Estimated   38 laps
10:51 AM	12:36 PM	Driver	2	Estimated   38 laps		11:18 AM	12:54 PM	Driver	2	Estimated   38 laps
12:48 PM	2:33 PM	Driver	3	Estimated   38 laps		1:06 PM	2:42 PM	Driver	3	Estimated   38 laps
2:45 PM	4:30 PM	Driver	4	Estimated   38 laps		2:54 PM	4:30 PM	Driver	4	Estimated   38 laps

   12:00 pm: Lunch  5:00 pm: Awards