ZLime

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Prep for Arse Freeze 2019

The crew got some work in this last weekend. The last race (way back in March) was kind to us, so there was no obvious difficult with the cars. So, we got to work straight on the punch list.

From this list we did find a few items that parts were needed. For the D it appears we have run our course with the radiator hoses. The upper hose is a little brittle. All three main hose will be exchanged int eh coming days.

For the Z we earlier found a rod end in the rear traction bar. That was replaced then the rest of the suspension was looked out. While looking, we did find some difficult in the front left. When we first looked at suspension, the wiggle was demeaned to be "with tolerance". However, this weekend when looked at the wiggle closer, the trouble was with one of our old nemesis, the King ping (40022) and its bearing.

In the first few races the upper bearing (40030N) would last a race. We finally fixed that by getting higher the spec bearings and wallah, we have not had this problem since. Well this one turned out to be the lower bearing (40030NA) is failing. So, that bearing has been ordered and we will replace it.

Work will continue this weekend to complete the punch list:

Saturday, November 2, 2019

Half Life Race 2020 Schedule Review

We have now heard from both 24 Hours Lemons and Lucky Dog Racing on the 2020 racing schedule. Looking at all the dates here is the list:

Lucky Dog Racing League – 2020 Schedule

24 Hours of Lemons - 2020 Schedule

· WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Monterey CA: January 4-5

· Buttonwillow Raceway, Buttonwillow CA: February 1-2, 2020

· Portland International Raceway, Portland OR: April 4

· Ridge Motorsports Park, Shelton WA: April 25-26

· Willow Springs Int’l Raceway, Rosamond CA: May 2-3

· Pacific Raceways, Kent WA: May 30-31

· Portland Int’l Raceway, Portland OR: June 27-28

· Oregon Raceway Park, Grass Valley OR: July 25-26

· WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey CA: August TBD

· Ridge Motorsports Park, Shelton WA: September 12-13

· Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA: September 19-20

· Streets of Ensenada, Baja Mexico: September, TBD

· Portland Int’l Raceway, Portland OR: October 24-25

· Thunderhill Raceway Park, Willows CA: November 21-22

· Barber Motorsports Park, Leeds AL: February 1-2

· Inde Motorsports Ranch, Wilcox AZ: Feb 29-March 1

· Willow Springs, Rosamond CA: March 7-8

· NOLA Motorsports Park, Avondale LA: March 28-29

· Autobahn Country Club, Joliet IL: April 4-5

· PittRace, Wampum PA, April 18-19

· Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw SC: April 25-26

· Thunderhill Raceway, Willows CA: May 30-31

· High Plains Raceway, Deer Trail CO: June 6-7

· New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville NJ: June 13-14

· GingerMan Raceway, South Haven MI: June 27-28

· The Ridge Motorsports Park, Shelton WA: July 25-26

· Thompson Speedway, Thompson CT: Aug 8-9

· Heartland Motorsports Park, Topeka KS: Aug 22-23

· Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw SC: Sept 12-13

· High Plains Raceway, Deer Trail CO: Sept 12-13

· Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd MN: Sept 26-27

· Buttonwillow Raceway, Buttonwillow CA: Sept 26-27

· The Ridge Motorsports Park, Shelton WA: Oct 3-4

· GingerMan Raceway, South Haven MI: Oct 10-11

· New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Loudon NH: Oct 17-18

· MSR Houston, Angleton TX: Nov 14-15

· Sonoma Raceway, Sonoma CA: Dec 5-6

· Road Atlanta, Braselton GA: Dec 12-14

In the table the Green highlighted races are the ones I think the team should try for. The Yellow races could be of interest. The red texted races are ones I can not make this year.

The options I have though the most about is the Lucky Dog versus Lemons options at Willow Springs. Listening to Torch's comments, the choice of Lucky Dog is more of preservation of the equipment over group. My thoughts are to run Lucky Dog this year, and monitor how the Lemons handle it. The big assumption is that we get into Laguna Sec Race. If we don't then back to back Willow springs might be the option.

The other thought was November at Thunderhill and December races at Sonoma. Going before the Thanksgiving holiday has some perks. I also do like Thunderhill. However, the alternative is Sonoma. If a race is at Sonoma, it is really hard to say no.

Anyway any thoughts?

Muddy

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.