We are in for Sears Pointless March 21-22!!!!

Alright (I think), we have both cars the upcoming Sears Pointless Race.  Here is the note from Nick:

Hi, Muddy: 

Half-Life Racing (Ra-D-um) has been officially ACCEPTED for Sears Pointless at Sonoma Raceway, Sonoma CA on March 21 - March 22. (Multiple entries? Log in to see what made it and what didn't.)

To participate, please read this email completely!

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-only discount. 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.

RULES: The LeMons Rulebook has been updated! Read the complete Rulebook (http://www.24hoursoflemons.com/prices-rules) now and re-check it often, refreshing your browser each time. Remember, it's your job to know this stuff!

DROPOUTS: When 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 02/07/2015. 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 at https://registration.24hoursoflemons.com/members/races/registration/signup_id/12416.

TO PAY BY CREDIT CARD, just use the "Pay Now" button on your Team Home Page, at https://registration.24hoursoflemons.com/members/races/registration/signup_id/12416.

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.

5) ALL SET? CLICK BELOW TO CONFIRM YOUR ACCEPTANCE NOW!
https://registration.24hoursoflemons.com/login/acknowledge/sid/12416/hash/7f2952178bf03409ec7a0bd5c42afdea

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

 

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Z Performance

Both D and Z were reviewed and inspection after Arse Freeze race about a month ago. The consensus is that they survived as well as could be expected. We performed our standard engine test is a cylinder compression test. For the D little change from the previous test appears to have happened. (Cylinder#1 180, Cylinder#2 180, Cylinder#3 180, Cylinder#4 180)

As for the z we might have an engine health issue. When you look at the compression numbers, it doesn't look bad (Cylinder#1 170, Cylinder#2 170, Cylinder#3 170, Cylinder#4 170, Cylinder#5 170, Cylinder#6 170). However, when you compare the compression to the values before the race, it is clear that cylinder#1 is down 20 psi, cylinder#4, 5, and 6 are down 10 psi.  I think our overheating trouble on the first day did the damage. It appears to be slight, so let's run it again. So, except for the little trouble with the Z's motor, we look good.

That means the work that is required for the Pointless Race is general maintain, paint and lipstick will take about a day for each car, and we then should be ready for the net adventure. With that said we can switch our efforts into some nice to have.

One item I would like to look into more is the performance of the Z. With the Traqmate we are able to compare the performances of Rubby and Whitey. I have gone through the Traqmate comparing car performance from several races. From that I have found, Rubby's performance still looks to be a little better.  Below is set of graphs comparing performances.

 This has Rubby (Red, 2012) versus Whitey (Blue, 2014) at Sonoma Arse-Feeze event.

The comparison is complicated as a result of a different turn 11 track layout, so a shift in distance occurs. However, on first review of the graphs at the various high G events, Rubby constantly achieves a higher G load than Whitey is showing. Elevated G load in itself does not mean quicker times, but I think in two spots in this graph, we can see possible correlation with higher speeds.

The first point to look at is at the 2,000 foot distance. This represents turn 3 a left then right up hill complex. Rubby constantly has 0.15 more G loads at apex of the two corners, and it shows up in 10 mph increase speed throughout the complex. Since the following straight is so short the added speed only shows up briefly.

The other spot and more importantly is at the 10,000 foot mark. This point represents the turn nine, right left chicane at the end of the fastest part of the track, followed by an average length straight. The 0.15 more G's carried by Rubby shows up again. In this corner the better cornering resulting in about a 5 mph exit speed out of turn 9. This exit speed is then carried down the rest of the straight and is likely worth about 0.75sec reduction in lab time.

So, now the big question is "how do we get Whitey to increase it's cornering?"

I think the easiest place to find this is in the sway bars. We are currently running stock NA sway bar with front being 26.5mm and rear at 16mm. Seeing if we can find a TT sway bar we would get an increase in the rear to 26mm (the fronts are the same at 26.5mm). Without spring changes, this would have us go in the wrong direction and increase oversteer. The other place to look is the 350zx and 370zx. Both run a 36mm front and 23.25mm rear, but heavy modification is needed to make this work. There is an after market adjustable sway bar that is 28mm front and 21mm rears. New is not Lemons budget friendly, so I'll search E-bay and Craigslist, but have little real hope of finding it at Lemon friend prices. Finally, we could look to manufacture the sway bars which is a lot of work.

We have a month to figure this out to let the fun begin.