I'll Be Slow, I'll Be Slow, I'll Be Slow

Oh the weather outside is delightful, 

but what we found was so frightful, 

and since both cars can't go, 

I'll be slow, I'll be slow, I'll be slow. 

The repairs don't show signs of stopping

and I've brought some part for swapping,

but since the shop lights are low

I'll be slow, I'll be slow, I'll be slow.  

If we kiss the car goodnight

How I'll hate going out in a race

But if wrenching can go all night 

All will be good in the morn

The cars always show signs of dying

and, my dear, we're so denying 

but as long as I love driving so

I'll be slow, I'll be slow, I'll be slow.

D's Damage Review and Work Ahead

As for the D's troubles, the biggest issue was known going into the day, a terminal engine issue that prevented the car from getting into Arse-Freeze. After doing as much as we could with the Z for now, all three of us, (Blueberry, Torch, and I) focused on the D. Like everything else with the MiaDa the systems are far less complicated then the Z. In fact, the work went so fast, we were able to disconnect all the systems and pull the engine in about two hours. (Note for future work:  It might be easier to pull the motor, then fight with hard to get to places.)

So, now we just need the replacement parts for both cars and time to address these issues.

In the meantime, I wish everyone a Merry Christmas, and we will see you in the Shop in the New Year.

Z's Damage Review and Work Ahead

This weekend, Blueberry, Torch, and I looked at the carnage that the last two races reaped on the equipment.  We first reviewed the Z and first performed are standard engine look over and compression test.  The result of the test indicated no change in reading from last test.

1-170, 2-180, 3-180, 4-170, 5- 180, 6-180.

Unfortunately, that is the last of the good news.

As we looked over the car, every corner, from front to rear and from side to side something detrimental has happened.  Looking at these problems, individually they do not seem terminal.  However, the list is extensive and is likely the direct result of three known collision that occurred in the Arse-freeze race.  

Here is the list of Z items found from the Arse-Freeze (demolition debris) that today have found:

Area of the Car	Damage Observed	Notes:
Front Bumper	Bent	Several dings on both the right and left side of the front bumper found. The metal portion was bent, but with a little finessing and paint, we should be good.
Radiator	Hole	We were able to pull the radiator and look closely at it and confirm our thought when on the track. A hole in one of the vain lines was found. Being the radiator is aluminum repair will take time, but do able.
Front Frame	Separated	Since we pulled the radiator out we were able to examine the front frame. On both sides of the front frame, the metal plates have separated from the rail. To fix these problems, we will need to bend and then need to weld the seams back together.
Right Front Fender	Dented	Contact appears to have pushed the lower part of the fender in. Some pushing out and realigning of the outer and inner fender is needed.
Right Front wheel suspension	Bent	This one is troublesome. It is quite clear that something is bent in this mess and has two results.  First, the caster is off, and we have visible amount of negative caster. Also, the rim to chassis off-set has changed to the point that we no longer any off-set. This all means we need to measure the alignment, then pull everything apart to find the culprit.  Leading guess is the car’s strut structure is bent, but it could also be the strut tube, the lower control arm or all of the above.
Right Front Wheel Bearing	Loose	Reviewing the front hub there appears to be some new play in the wheel bearing.  It will need to be pull with the bearings, hub and spindle checked.
Right Front Wheel Rim	Cracked	As a result of the contact, the outside of the rim has some new marks and scraps. However, when we look on the inside the damage is much more troubling. It appears there is a crack in the rim. Also, this damage seems to be the result of the rim off-set that no longer exists and there is rubbing on the strut tube.
Left Front Fender	Dented with Penetration	The Alfa Damage is clear here.  The dark blue paint is a good indication of the perpetrator.  To repair this damage the sheet metal guy needs some time.
Diver's Door	Dented	Here we have more Alfa contact damage and more sheet metal guy time. On the good side, the door latches again.
Rear cross member	Bent and sheared off	This was the first obvious damage, and we work on track.  The positive caster on this wheel means we have some work to do here.  The thought was to measure the alignment and see if anything else is bent.
Left Rear Lower suspension arm	Bent	In the Alfa hit the lower arm was bent. On the track, we patched it, but we need to measure it to see how far off we are. Then we should take it down and perform a deeper inspection.
Left Rear Shock	Blown	When the car was jacked up, an interesting gargling occurred. With all the other fluid dripping out of the car this was normal sound for the day. However, the location was weird until we saw the oil leak. The rear shock is blown.
Left and Right Rear Quarter Panel	Dented and penetrated	There are a few dents on the left side that should quickly be handled. The right side is a little different. The dent is so large and deep it has breached the seam, and a creative repair is needed.
Diffuser	Ripped	This took a few hits and needs to be brought down and several patches done.
Rear Bumper	Dangling	On the right side, the bumper cover has split and ripped open. Some creative work needs here too.

And just for fun here is some pictures.

Many fun work days ahead.

Race done for us, no checker

Tow was out running and tangled with a couple of cars. While queen took out the driver side, this took out the passenger side of the car.

The fender damage looks easy enough to deal with, but the radiator leak is a problem that is terminal for us. We have a spare radiator but it is at least 2 hours to get the front off the car and swap it out and we have just over an hour of race to go. 

With much sadness, we are packing up and putting the car on the trailer. 

Driver change

Muddy came in after setting fast lap on the weekend. Says the car is 'darty' and we are showing a bit of wear on the tires.  

Switched from Muddy to Tow and and we are still running. We are hoping for a checker at this point so focused primarily on turning clean laps. 

Running again

After we cleared safety tech, we did one more alignment on the front end and sent Muddy out for a shakedown lap.

After a quick pitstop to debrief, everything seems to be working. The car has some new noises, but ran. Sending Muddy out for real and hoping for the best.  Happy to be on the track again!  

Alignment issues

All 4 wheels are back on the car and Muddy has taken it around the paddock to see how we did. The rear is still pointed in the wrong direction, so we have it back on the stands to give it another attempt at straightening.

We have a multitude of minor issues from the crash that we are just going to ignore. 

Once it drives straight, we have to head back to the penalty box to clear safety again, then we will try a lap on the track. 

Getting closer