Unofficially we are in Arse Freeze Dec. 7-8.

I just check the web page for the Clunker Refuge Racing I saw the following in our event status:
      status: Accepted
This normally means in the next few days I will receive the formal acceptance announcement for the Sonoma Raceway event on December 7-8.  When I get the official notice they may get more information about the weekend schedule to pass long.

As it stands nowhere is the posted schedule:


SCHEDULE
Friday, 6 December 2013
No Access due to media event.

Saturday, 7 December 2013
6am: Gates open
6:30am-11am: Mandatory tech inspection.
11:30am: Mandatory drivers' meeting
12:30pm: Green Flag Race Session I
Dusk: Checkered Flag Race Session I

Sunday, 8 December 2013
8:15am: Green Flag Race Session II
Dusk: Checkered Flag
20 Minutes After Checkered Flag: Awards
7pm: Gates close

Arse Freeze Prep

Torch and I went through the cars last night. From our review, we can confirm that the Z appears to have survived Vodden the Hell race with the normal bumps and bruise. The D and Daws well not so much.

For the D, the engine is dead. To get the D up and running again we are looking at 7 to 8 weekends of work. To shorten that I am stating to look for a donor car. We will see what I can find. In the end, however, we do not have enough time to get the D, Z, and Daws done for the Arse Freeze race in December.  So, the D work will need to wait.

As for Daws the Tow vehicle we have some trouble there.  On the run back home after the race we lost the transmission.  We do not have any forward drive gears.  So, I am working on getting quotes for the transmission replacement, and we will see what those options become.

As for the Z, we are in a little better shape. The compression test went well. 1-170, 2-180, 3-180, 4-170, 5- 180, 6-180. There is a little bit of change in those number from previous test, but in the end all compression reading came right up, so that test tells us that the engine is still operative. This does not mean that we are out of the woods. Looking at the workload I estimate we have 5 weeks of work to do. Here is a sample of the items needing to get done:

• Rework the Muffler System
• Brakeline Replacement
• Replace Half shaft and Drive Line Bolt
• All Studs Review
• Water pump
• Oil Exchange and Gear oil Exchange
• Wheel bearing
• Safety Checks
• Tire Replacement

Finally, after a lot of talk about dealing with the oversized seats, we should also look to develop seat inserts for everyone but the 100%ers.  Pegasus Racing has a good reference on how to develop the inserts.  It looks like it will take several hours per seat.  Also, every driver who needs one will need to be present to get your personally formed seat developed.  So, with the time and number of seats needed this will be a whole day endeavor.  Looking at the calendar, let me know if November 2-3 will work.

Muddy.

Checker flag

We had a clean sweep with all drivers having clean runs. Tow ran to the checker. We ended up in 108th, not the hoped for 96th, but a clean day today after yesterday has everyone very happy. We have packed up and are heading off to the awards. 

Last driver change

Lugnut came in after a clean run so we are switching to Tow.  The car is jacked up so we can tighten the half shaft bolts again then we'll get him out on the track as our final driver of the day.

Back on the track

The D was cannibalized for spare brake parts to put the Z back on the track. Other than some new noises, the car ran fine. So in a way we have both cars running.

Sparky ran a clean session.  When we brought the car in, we checked the axel bolts again as they have been coming loose. A couple loose again so when we switch Tow for Lugnut on the last driver change we'll check them one more time. 

For now, everyone is happy the pits are empty and the car is running. 

Brake line

The problem is a cracked brake line coming off the caliper. We have 1 crew pulling parts from the D and another finding a flare tool so we can make a new one. 

Troubles

Muddy came in early with brake issues.

The drivers rear wheel was covered with oil, seems we lost a caliper or split a brake line in the rear. Finding a solution now to get the car out again. 

Once we get this repaired, I get to go out and test brakes again...

2 hours in

And all is still well. Torch had a good run and brought the car back in safe and sound. We have passed up the D so the Z is now our top car in the standings.

Muddy is going is after we check the half shaft bolts. They were loose yesterday so we had scheduled a mid-day check into the schedule. In a couple minutes we'll have Muddy out and I have the lunch stint. 

1 hour into green flag- all is well

The Z went out on track with Queen at the wheel and had a very clean session. The noise is MUCH lower, and we are all focused on a checker as the measure of success today. I think we are in something like 130th place at this point, but exceedingly happy to be racing today.

Torch is in the car as driver 2.

The other debate on the board is what to do with D. The safe choice is a 1.6l motor exactly like the one that will be coming out of the car. The more crazy choice is to put the later 1.8l engine in and figure out how to make it fit. There is also a contingent that thinks an RX-7 rotary would be exciting.  Now there is a lot of debate about what type of exciting that would be...

Start of day 2

We are officially down to 1 car.

After putting a new belt on the D we fired it up to see what the damage was. Blow head gasket, the oil went somewhere and bad noises. It saddened us, but the D is on the trailer and will need some serious work soon. 

The Z is back together and sounds quiet. We'll head out this morning and see how we sound at the sound station. 

Das (the truck) is getting its morning transmission fluid infusion and we are off to the track. 

No checkers today

Tony just came in with a car with no power and smoke coming from the engine. He made it to pit lane, but we had to push him in the rest of the way.

The accessory belt snapped, meaning the water pump wasn't running. So we may have cooked the motor. 

We are letting it cool off and then we'll replace the belt and see if it is terminal or not. 

Meanwhile we just tried the Z and it is much quieter. A little more work and we'll be able to head to tech to try it out. 

Two cars down and the checker is 5 minutes away. Hoping to get running again for tomorrow. 

Tony in the D

Tony took over for Lugnut in the D. That should run out the day.

The new exhaust is getting close to finished in the Z. We are hoping to run a lap and check it out today if possible. 

Bad news

We the black flag on Tony turned out he was tapped from behind in turn 1 and had a big 'agricultural' event.  He managed to keep the car straight and didn't do too much damage nor pick up too many weeds.

Unfortunately when he came in, they told him that the 'off' was the least of his problems. The car was making 104db of noise past the noise station and we need to figure out how to cut that down. 

While several teams got pulled off the track at the same time, so we weren't alone, this did cause us to run to Willows to buy a cheap muffler and all the 90 and 45 pipes we could find. Rod is now welding away as the rest of us watch. 

More on the D in a minute. Claus got a long penalty in there somewhere, but we are still running around. He is coming in so we can swap to Tony to finish the day. 

Mid day update

YWe are on our 3rd driver in the Z and 4th in the D. The Z has been running clean all day and was as high as 11th place at one point. Tow is in now and we are climbing back through the places.

Queen picked up a second black flag on the D, but Rod had a clean run so we hope to have broken the chain of drivers and black flags.  We just got Muddy in place driving the D.

Weather is less hot today much to everyone's relief, but unfortunately hot is still the word that best describes the temp. 

Tony just called in after being hit. We'll see what is up...

Coming up on the first drivers changes

First we will swap out the Queen for Blueberry, then when the D is back on the track Sparky steps in for muddy.

I shouldn't have typed this as the call just came in for black flag #1 on the D.  Ran Into the back of another car. 'Not my fault, I had nowhere to go'. We'll have to judge that one tonight :-)

We sent him back on the track and we'll do the driver swaps on schedule. 

30 minutes in

Things got off to a very clean start much to everyone's happiness.

Both cars are cleanly moving though traffic and staying out of trouble. 

Race day

Sorry for the post order, apparently my posts weren't going anywhere so I'll be more mindful today.

We had a very short drivers meeting this morning as I think they have a lot of transponder logistics getting a Guinness record setting 192 cars onto the track. 

Both cars started right up and we have Muddy in the Z and Blueberry kicking off the day in the D. Another 20 minutes of getting everyone on the track and we should get the green flag at 10:00. 

At the track

Most of the team is here and we had an uneventful drive. Setting up, doing some final checks then we'll roll into practice day. 

Practice day

Good thing it was practice day. Before noon, both cars were in and out of the pits as we sorted out a series of issues. 

On the Z we had pulled apart the suspension, but didn't get all of the bolts tight.  'There is a thunk' reports from the drivers each resulted in righting things. Once all that was sorted the brakes were working too well. They wouldn't disengage after we stepped on them. Much better than the opposite problem but good to get sorted. 

The D came in as well. First trip out and Claus came back in complaining if a high speed shimmy. Turns out the last drive in the last race flatspotted the tire in a big way and that was the first fix. Next trip was to adjust sway bars. At least everything was tight. 

That took us to lunch. 

The afternoon ran very smooth, except we forgot the seat pillows some of the drivers need (we aren't all the same size as Muddy). As parts runs go, pillows at Walmart was a new one. 

After a nice set of afternoon runs, we are changing oil and cooking dinner and trying cool off.  

Ready to roll

The crew got everything packed early last night. This morning at 5:00 we are waiting for one more tow and then we are off to the races. 

Request for Residual Value (Vodden the Hell)

Judge Phil,

Our Team last raced at the Sears Pointless and the Even More Pointless events in March.

 

As you could see below we got bumped around a little and sustained some light body damage.  (I think egos could have been bumped more than the cars.)

But, nothing a little tape, a bar, and paint can't take care off.

In the end, we got both cars through the race and achieved our in creditably high goal of seeing checked flags and having fun.  Then to our surprise one of our cars (I think the 300zx) pulled a 10th place finish, wow that was a fun celebration.  

When we got the cars back home, we looked them over.  Our sheet metal guy was not pleased but in the following weeks and with a few beers, hammer and tape both of our cars are "ready" for the run in Thunderhill.

Now on to the grizzly business of reside value.  The repairs required for both Jalopies were cosmetic.  Many of the true repairs that were needed are thankfully, (or unthankfully) on the safety list, Ball joints, rotors, wheel bearings, and the like.  As for the Residual amount for these thing, may I dare ask you for lenience and give us a fair Residual value for both of our cars?

Muddy     

On 9/11/2013 3:17 AM, Muddy wrote:

Judge Phil,  We are looking to run our 300ZR and MiaDa at the Vodden The Hell are we Doing? this weekend. Bellow is a link to our blog site that has the formal request and pictures of our cars. Could you review are case (or lost cause) and assess a residual value to our Jalopies? Thank you Muddy Blog: ZLime  Post: Request for Residual Value (Vodden) Link:  http://zlime-racing.blogspot.com/2011/11/request-for-residual-value-arse-freeze.html

From: Judge Phil <judgephil@24hoursoflemons.com>

To: Muddy
Sent: Wednesday, September 11, 2013 6:57 AM
Subject: Re: Request for Residual Value (Vodden the Hell Are We Doing?)

Fine, $350 for the Z, $475 for the Miata.

-Phil

Five Days to the Race at Thunderhill

Tow and I worked hard today and got the work list down to what is below.  The next work day will be Thursday to get ready for the race.  

2013 Thunderhill Vodden the Hell
Electrical Systems			Status
		Items	300z		Type D	Comments
	7	Install Traqmate/Wifi Lapper				D- Samsung power D- Jackspolt Setup
	11	Off Switch for the cooling seat	Done
Suspension and Brakes
		Items	300z		Type D	Comments
	8	Bleed brake lines			Done
	9	Check bias			Done
	10	Alignment			Done
	11	Tires and Rims			Done	Need to get the fine Z rim
	12	Check Tire Pressures
Safety Systems
		Items				Comments
	15	Front Bumper/Fender repair	Done			Fix D bumper
Décor
		Items				Comments
	1	Car Number				Have 11x17 label
	2	Team Logo				Review
	3	VLE Logo				Have 11x17 label
	4	Paint

Z Menu is Up

Z Chef has forwarded me her thoughts on the various delicacies we will enjoy next weekend.  Here is the mouth watering schedule:

  

	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Breakfast	Banana Bread (on the road)	Egg, ham and cheese croissant sandwiches Fruit	Egg and sausage sandwiches on english muffins Fruit
Lunch	Deli Sandwiches Veggies sticks	Pulled pork sandwiches Coleslaw	Meatball sandwiches Green salad
Appetizer	Spinach Artichoke dip Veggie sticks	Cheese Crackers
Dinner	Grilled sausages Grilled zucchini and peppers German Potato Salad Green salad	Grilled lamb chops Couscous salad Grilled asparagus
Dessert	Apple crisp vanilla ice cream	Pumpkin Cheesecake
Beverages	Beer Gatorade Water Margaritas Coffee
Snack	Chocolate chip cookies Peanut butter cookies (Note: Driver cookies are only for non black flag runs!)