ZLime: March 2019

Sunday, March 10, 2019

Finish

For the last two stint, conditions went from full dry to as wet as any time during the weekend, then back to a dryish track.

What does that mean? Tricky driving that we survived with both cars running and no black flag. (They were generous with the agricultural moments ie. Wheels off). It also, says more importantly, we got two more Checkers!!!!

Both cars made all stints planned and finished both days. Mission accomplished for the first time in several attempts. Nice Job team!

The Last Stints

After 13 hours of racings the cars are still running.

That is the good news. The bad, it just dumped rain everywhere. That last stints in the D and Z will be in really wet conditions.

Ticking them off

The first stints were tuff. Sporadic rain made for interest racing. We also saw an intermittent problem with the D. We have a spark plug wire that loosens occasionally. It might be time to fix the problem after the race.

For the Z we had a spin that stuck the car up in turn 3. The Wreckers were dispatched and had to be pulled out. Once out, was sent on its merry way.

We are now getting ready for our 6th driver change. 5 more to go. One black flag on the Z.

Here we go!!!

Race Starts

The rain has stop, for now. The cars have left for the track. Picasso starts us off in the D. Brexit in the Z. Now we await the start.

Green, Green, Green! Crakles over the radio. Then the engine dinn comes to life. Yup we are racing again.

Start of Race day 2

Good Morning Sonoma. Time change makes this an early call. It is race day so life is good.

We got to the track and it is wet. There is hope for clearing skies, but rain is coming. For now the cars are good and we are getting teady to send our first drivers out.

Saturday, March 9, 2019

Checkers Are Out

Checkers are flying.

That’s one

That’s two

After a rough weather day, both cars get to the checkers. Great job team!

Going through the cars they do not seem worse for wear.

Oil change
Brake check
Clutch fiuld
Some paint

And then we are ready for day 2.

Last two Stints

We just completed the last planned driver change. We have Stingray in the D and Queen in the Z. We just had a batch of rain causing mayham. Our team seemed to avoid the trouble, so now is the push to the finish.

Just keep running

We are just getting into a stride. We weathered the first two stints for each car which had rain the entire time. All told a black flag for a spin in the D and a black flag for a side swipe in the Z.

In the next two stints it looks like it is drying, so let the fun begin.

First Stop.

Well it is poring down rain to start. Out first unplanned stop was rain related. No, not a spin. Windshield wipe failure. A quick stop, repair, and we are back at it.

Start of Day 1

We got to track and had a lovely egg Croissant sandwich.

Then the rain started. That started and interesting conversation on about who starts. The result was Picasso starts in the D and Torch in the Z. Good luck fellows!

Friday, March 8, 2019

Practice

After some transportation issue getting to the track and getting through tech we finally got to drive the Z on the track. Then after some experments on the setup, we settled into a schedule. We were able to get through all five Z drivers with no major drama.

Post practice we went throught car and performed some normal maintenance. That work was quick done , and now are into dinner.

Tech and BS Inspection

We went through Tech no troubles.

BS, a quick oh it is you and through we went.

Launch to Sonoma

We have two new to Sonoma drivers with us this weekend. Both have been hanging around and supporting the team fron the begining. The frist Stingray, did some work on Rubby (are first Z). A blow torch to the spring got us in the dirt and also a lot of trouble.

The second friend, Birexit, raced at the first Reno race way back in 2009. He now live in Phily, so is special to be here.

So, Birexit and I tasked to get first to the track. We lunch well. Got into Vallejo and from the RV, I notice the Daws with a lot of chamber. We pulled over and need a little work. With some head scratching, rummaging for tools, and few wacks alignment done “good enough” to continue.

Landed at Sonoma

Birexit and I landed and quickly set up. We are near the Grandstands close to spots in the past.

Thursday, March 7, 2019

Driver Schedule for SearsPointless 2019

The RV, truck, and trailers are load ready to go to the track. My plan is to get there by 8:00 to find a spot and setup near the Grandstands. Here is the basic schedule for tomorrow:
8:00 am setup the pits
11:00 am tech and BS both cars
12:00 pm Start practice
4:00 pm practice finishes
5:15 pm Mandatory Rookie meeting for some drivers.
6:30 like dinner

For the drivers here is the proposed schedule:

Day 1 Practice

Z
Start	Finish	Pilot		Notes
12:00 PM	12:56 PM	Driver	1	Estimated 14 laps
1:11 PM	1:42 PM	Driver	2	Estimated 14 laps
1:57 PM	2:28 PM	Driver	3	Estimated 14 laps
2:43 PM	3:14 PM	Driver	4	Estimated 14 laps
3:29 PM	4:00 PM	Driver	5	Estimated 14 laps


Day 2	Race Session I
D					Z
Start	Finish	Pilot		Notes	Start	Finish	Pilot		Notes
9:30 AM	10:20 AM	Driver	1	Estimated 46 laps	9:30 AM	10:45 AM	Driver	1	Estimated 42 laps
10:32 AM	11:34 AM	Driver	2	Estimated 25 laps	10:56 AM	12:11 PM	Driver	2	Estimated 42 laps
11:46 AM	12:48 PM	Driver	3	Estimated 46 laps	12:22 PM	1:37 PM	Driver	3	Estimated 42 laps
1:00 PM	2:02 PM	Driver	4	Estimated 46 laps	1:48 PM	3:03 PM	Driver	4	Estimated 42 laps
2:14 PM	3:16 PM	Driver	5	Estimated 46 laps	3:14 PM	4:29 PM	Driver	5	Estimated 42 laps
3:28 PM	4:30 PM	Driver	6	Estimated 46 laps

Day 3 Race Session II
D					Z
Start	Finish	Pilot		Notes	Start	Finish	Pilot		Notes
9:00 AM	9:50 AM	Driver	1	Estimated 25 laps	9:00 AM	10:21 AM		1	Estimated 49 laps
10:02 AM	11:10 AM	Driver	2	Estimated 40 laps	10:32 AM	11:53 AM		2	Estimated 49 laps
11:22 AM	12:30 PM	Driver	3	Estimated 40 laps	12:04 PM	1:25 PM		3	Estimated 49 laps
12:42 PM	1:50 PM	Driver	4	Estimated 40 laps	1:36 PM	2:57 PM		4	Estimated 49 laps
2:02 PM	3:10 PM	Driver	5	Estimated 40 laps	3:08 PM	4:29 PM		5	Estimated 49 laps
3:22 PM	4:30 PM	Driver	6	Estimated 40 laps