And So It Begins....

Somehow, blogging took a backseat in this offseason. My bad.

Our trip out to Nationals was a bit more than eventful - I'd try to explain it, but you'd have to be squished into a baby seat, have fumes blowing in your face, and be stuck facing a giant white screen for 30+ hours. I can't figure out how the guys made it to Lincoln in under 24 hours last time. Once we got there it was ok, but I'm pretty sure we might not have made it if we didn't make a pit stop in Ohio for a load leveling hitch. Note to self - if you're following an enclosed trailer, make sure you have a walkie talkie so you can tell them they're about to flip over.

Upon getting to the site (and Wiley drove most of the way, so thanks Wiley!), we were about 60th in line at 3am...wtf? After some much needed shuteye, we got in and managed to save a bunch of (yet somehow not enough) paddock spots, and ended up across from my WDCR friend, is somehow unable to ride a bike.  As I was not participating in the Pro Finale, I took the opportunity to say hello to our friends from far away.

I can't comment much on the Pro Finale - I didn't participate and ended up kicking myself. I was a one-eventer, and one is the loneliest number, so I sat cheering on the rest of the team. G-Fab's own Atlantic States Champion didn't fare so well either, but he can tell you about that.

We took Monday off of car stuffs so we could go and get married - yes, we took the plunge, and no, nothing is different. Aside from the fact that my name was changed at registration on Tuesday and it was broadcast that all over the SCCA Ustream.

I'm now fully convinced that a) you need to be 300 lbs+ to drive CP, and b) CP stands for Casualties Probable. I never want to run with CP or CPL again. I could stand running 5th heat again, but running with them is like just ASKING for a delay, an oiled down course, whatever. There was a huge delay on Day 1 when a CP car grenaded itself, so we sat in the shade trying to survive the hours before we were able to run again. 5th place after Day 1 wasn't too great - At least I was ahead of two people, but let's face it. Being that far off the leaders is no fun.

Day 2 was just as poor, with the Baby problems starting during second heat. The new water pump, with roughly 2000 miles on it, proved faulty and we were forced to take several mechanicals. While the impressed audience gathered around us ("I can't believe you got all those parts out, fixed it, and put it back together in 20 minutes!"), G-Fab and its affiliates pulled the best teamwork since Dover and Panda's wire-harness-eating. Unfortunately, we couldn't run with the water pump seal being blown, so Wiley missed out on his last runs, and Todd jumped into a nearby Corolla for his third run.

I had to work during third heat, so Big Bear and Tim Kong went to the local auto parts store and got a new water pump. PJ worked like the sweatshop Filipino that he is, and the car was back together and in grid, waiting for me, by 5th heat. All I can say is that I was very impressed, and super lucky. Luck ends there though, because there was another CP casualty, and another delay. When you're hot, sweaty, and tired, you don't drive well. I am a prime example. The standings from Day 1 didn't change, so I have a standing 5th place record with Nationals.

Our return home brought the Annual Team Challenge. There was some sneaking around, but I ended up driving a Honda CR-Z on Direzzas in FSP - imagine my surprise when I actually won, by a few seconds! Of course, because PJ is also sneaky, our teams tied for points but his team was overall higher in PAX standings, so I was jipped out of my first place trophy :( It was a good end to a good season.

Photo courtesy of Ed Savage.

We took the off-season to do some things like installing new fun parts on Panda, play around with Baby, get the G35 ready for DS, and buy a house and stuff. Yep, we're homeowners. We've had several small get-togethers since we've moved in, and it seems to handle company well. Now we just have to figure out where the turbo goes.

With LOTS of help, we got the G-Fab tire mounter/balancer in the basement, and experimented with Panda's old shoes on the 18x8" stock-size wheels for the G35. The experiment went well, and 315's on all four corners is just how we roll.



We decided that Baby just might need some rest after such an intense season, and with the G35 being reclassed into DS, it makes sense to at least try it. I'm hoping we can figure out a way to get more legal front camber, but if not, it will still be a really fun car to drive. We're in the process of upgrading the brakes (yay Porterfield). My birthday was earlier this month, and I got something every girl dreams of: A front swaybar.

 

The season has already started (where did the time go?!) with the first non-points event at Fairfield County Sports Car Club in Stratford, CT. Four spins, corded tires, and a new appreciation for warm weather later, I'm feeling more confident about driving a car with 120 more HP, two more cylinders, and about a square foot of more (and stickier) tire. I'm praying to the weather gods that April 7 will give me more of a feel of Hoosiers that actually stick - it's been years and it's not quite like riding a bike. After that is the DC Pro, where I'm going to embarrass myself again, but still have a great time. I'm actually super excited about the season, so I hope I don't suck. More to come....

The Monster Mile

Dover is over, but the lessons learned are sticking with us.

• Don't mix Korean BBQ, sushi, beer, and racers. You get challenges like our last one. 
• Nine cones in one run, while a lot, is not a record.
• If you even mention something close to the word "illegal" be prepared to deal with the consequences.
• Talking to myself actually helps, and it also makes for funny in-car video for later.
  
  Most importantly, however....
  
• CHECK THE TORQUE ON YOUR WHEELS!
• HAVE A SPARE TIRE!

We started the weekend off with a bang or two. After bleeding the brakes on Baby Panda, the wheels were not torqued down. While driving home from the garage on Thursday (and almost reaching the highway), I heard a severe rubbing noise, and before I knew it, the left rear tire was rolling ahead in front of me. The damage to the car was not terrible. I'm just lucky I have such a stiff setup, and the car was low. I called PJ, he came with the truck, and we swapped on a shaved tire. We searched for about 90 minutes and couldn't find the wheel...Black wheel + black tire + 930pm = no dice.

The next morning, Dave, Todd, Roger, Bryan Mancuso, PJ, and I set off for Dover, at the ripe time of 5:00am. By Exit 27 on 95 (20 exits and it's now 5:30, mind you), we had another issue: The trailer tire had blown out. We sat in the area between the on-ramp and the highway for hours.

At some point, Dave and Roger ventured off into the lovely towns of Bridgeport, Stratford, and Fairfield to find a place--any place--that might be open and selling trailer tires. Of course...no where was open at 6:00 am. Bryan, PJ, and I hung around, playing poker in the truck and betting theoretical tires while traffic was picking up. Yay rush hour! A phone call and an hour later, the Davises showed up with their spare trailer tire, which (of course) didn't fit. So much for "standard" size trailer wheels!

A CT State Good Samaritan and two exits later, we were sitting in a strip mall parking lot. It was 8:00, and PJ and Bryan went to meet Dave and Roger at DeSantie Tire Co in Fairfield; the only place that would have a tire. I sat by myself, and 30 minutes later, we had a new tire, as well as a spare. We were back on the road around 9:00...20 exits in four hours...with no traffic...WINNING!

We arrived in Dover around 3, when practice runs were ending. Ah, well. It was obvious one half of the course would be grippy and awesome, and the second would be far less so. We went to a Mexican place for dinner, Nate drank a margarita, and we called it a night.

Day 1 saw NER with a strong showing of firsts, seconds, and thirds. The course was super fast, and with a bit of better suspension adjustment and braking, I'm pretty sure that Baby Panda would have done a little better. Not to mention less crap on the low grip side of the course. Marbles galore. A slight tire dip into the marbles, and you were f'ed for the run.

Photo by Perry Aidelbaum

I ended up in the marbles on last run...hitting a cone at the very beginning of the course. So I did what any other racer would do. BALLS TO THE WALL! I believe the grand total was 9 cones, though results only show 7 since two of my cones were put on Joe Austin, and then never put back on me (sorry Joe!). I hit a cone so hard, it wedged itself behind the tire, around the shock, and into the springs. A jack, a Roger Whipple, and some elbow grease and it came out, though I nearly needed a 10 minute mechanical.

Day 2 was....less good for Baby Panda. Cones galore, less focus, and a hero run by the competition. We can leave it at that. Todd and I finished 7th and 11th, respectively. Hey, at least we would have won at craps! (Though...I guess in a way, we did, because we drove like crap?)

Panda was leading in SM after Day 1, by over 2 seconds, and finished with over a full second lead over second place. I think it was PJ's Post-Day-1 massage that really helped him to relax and focus on Day 2:

After reviewing video and data, I realized I wasn't trying to go faster for some reason. I don't know what's up with that. Maybe I should change my goal from "not-DFL" to "mid-pack or higher" because I think the "not-DFL" mentality is no good for competitive edge.

Interestingly enough, I didn't do much better at the Devens event on the 12th, but I blame that on the rain. And the additional pressure of the GFab Street Competition. And the fact that we changed things on the car so I had to adapt. And the fact that the event was trying a bunch of new things like number of heats and new people in work assignments. And the fact that I didn't get a break. And I think I'm out of excuses.

Ah well. At least I got my Nationals "Tour requirement" out of the way. Perhaps I should use the time between now and then to learn how to drive properly.

There's No Crying In Racing: 2011 NJ Pro Solo

I used to go to big national events and just watch. I also used to cry when I didn't do well. Yes, I know. Both kind of stupid.

That being said, from watching and not driving, I got really familiar with the pro solo format. So when it came to the Dirty Jerz, I figured it was about time I stop spectating and start driving. I finally have my own car, so if I don't drive it, what the F was the point of a small diamond ring?

Given that the car has made it through exactly ONE event without some sort of issue, I was a bit concerned. Or maybe that's an understatement. I was terrified. Baby Panda has never seen national competition, so I was worried she'd get scared and decide to crap out. On top of that, the 48+ launches it was going to endure had me worried about the clutch as well. On top of that....I suck at launching on command, I don't do well without getting out and taking a break, and I haven't gotten the shakes yet. But....screw it. I'm going to drive!

When we got to the site, as if all the car/driver worries weren't enough, somehow the Nationals Staff had somehow overlooked my three emails about having two drivers in both ST and STX, so we were all in the same heat, and in the same group. FML. It probably contributed to the amount of stress we were all under when the event began, but by the end of first runs, it wasn't terrible, aside from the grid guy who couldn't seem to get it through his head.

Despite my nerves almost getting the better of me (I almost threw up before I ran, and almost cried for the first time), after my first launch, I was hooked.  What a great adrenaline rush. I've never gotten the shakes while driving before. And my worries about launching were unfounded. I did that better at launching than the actual driving part. Go fig.

By the time the AM heat was over (with only one RL, due to staging WAY too deep), I was beating Wiley (by only a little)....which never happens....and was also in far better spirits. 

Of course, my spirits would sink, as the sky got pretty dark and it started sprinkling right before my afternoon runs. I had to turn the wipers on, and was on the left to start, which had been my weak side anyway. Of course. The ground was wet, I hate you rain. Somehow, I still managed to hang on to 4th place out of 6. We went to dinner, reviewed some data, drank some beer. Or a lot of it.  

Going into Sunday's runs, I knew I needed a better left side time. I got to start on the right, which for me, was a lot more comforting. My right side was ok--I ended up picking up a second on the right on my first run, but I pushed far too hard on the left. Both times. Sigh. Not the best finish at my first national outing of the season. I did learn a lot, though. In no particular order:

• "Mommy needs a new pair of shoes" doesn't coerce your car to turn in. It's probably better that I don't have video yet. There will be much profanity when it's finally posted. 
• Eric Chiang's Relaxation Techniques should be taught to all noobs at every race. They really work.
• Well-made, suede steering wheels are totally worth it. I hit the steering wheel several times after my bad runs, and it didn't bend or break.
• Thanks Peej, for buying the MaxQ. It really, really, really helps.

I almost cried again, because I didn't improve as much as I needed to move up in the standings. But--THERE IS NO CRYING IN RACING. A few minutes later, I was smiling again, because I'm very lucky. I have good support networks and I have good friends. And thank God there was some estrogen at this race. It's nice to have your girls around when you need them.

Photo courtesy of Wiley Cox

 All in all, I'm pretty please with how Baby Panda did. She didn't get scared, lasted the whole race, finally got comfortable with her new shoes (shaved RS3's, and I am never having TireRack shave again as they did a terrible job), and finally decided to come out and play for real. By the end of the event, I was exhausted, but ready for Oscoda. 

Photo courtesy of Wiley Cox

Dover up next, then Oscoda! I probably won't cry there.

Presents for G-Fab!

For those of you that didn't know, I have decided to invest in a present for G-Fab!

I wanted to buy us a new Keurig machine.

Here it is!

See how well it works?

Fingertight =/= Fun

The debut of my ST car was fun. Until it wasn't. It lasted about 7 runs, and then we had fuel issues again, which meant cleaning out the sock and installing a new fuel filter. That helped a bit, until there were BAD NOISES coming from somewhere around the engine and tranny. We figured it was knock, then gears, then who the butt knew?

Dropped the tranny and as it turns out, the flywheel bolts were only finger-tight, and did not have any Loctite on them. Note to self: Check previous owner's handiwork. At least it wasn't an expensive fix....or so we thought.

As it turns out, all the debris that lodged itself between the flywheel and crank fused itself to the crank and ripped the piss out of the flywheel. Not knowing what would happen, PJ installed a spare flywheel and took to fixing the crank. An angle grinder, metal file, dental pick, and indicator later, the car is within spec and running again.

All this (plus Panda) has made me realize the fragility of the KA. So we picked up a built motor, in pieces, from a ONE member. It's a 0.020" overbore stock rebuild, with brand new OEM or OEM equivalent replacements. It will be my first engine assembly...I've only taken them apart...and those had blown up blocks.

The goal is to have it assembled and installed before the Jersey Pro. T-minus 7 weeks. Panda needs a new butt as well, and a new transmission, so we'll see which car takes precedence.

After the nightmare that was ordering wheels and tires, the new wheels and tires came in. Drag DR-42's in a +42mm offset. Not ideal, but we were desperate, and EVERY set of wheels we wanted/liked were backordered, sold our, discontinued, or abducted by aliens. These are actually far less ugly than the eBay picture, so I'm happy with that. We'll be running the Hankook RS-3's, in the hopes that the heavy car will perform better on them over Toyos, and that they'll be able to handle the heat of 3+ drivers per event.

The challenge now is to get the wheels (1 hour from us) and the tires (1 hour from there) to CT Tire (one hour from there) and have them mounted, and then installed on the car (35 minutes from there), before Saturday.

In other news: Bad gas is bad.

We cleaned out as much as we could last night with a sponge, a siphon, and Shop Towels. Tonight (assuming it doesn't downpour), we will be taking a ScotchBrite pad and Shop Vac to the tank, since it's been drying out since yesterday. Though not totally spotless, it should be ok for the weekend. I'll probably have to source out another tank, since this one is fairly shot and the baffle has rusted off.

And a final thought to end this entry: gasoline will MELT your plastic gloves to your hand. Do not recommend.

Passing Gas

Took the car out a few more times and it seems the hesitation/ misfiring has gotten worse. After some trouble shooting, PJ figured out that it wasn't getting enough fuel. Opened a can of worms in the fuel tank.

First thing to stand out was the decayed fuel line:
Followed by a fine example of varnished fuel:

And the realization that the only reason it still ran was because it's a Walboro pump:
Cleaned it out the pump and sock as much as we could with carb cleaner, reinstalled it with a new fuel line, and fired it up. Night and day difference! A quick spin around the block yielded zero hesitation, and a decent amount of pull. We will pull everything back out and pump the gas out to get a better look in the tank itself. I will probably clean what I can with a scrubby and some rubber gloves before dumping some fuel cleaner in there. Definitely open to suggestions on this one, though.

Also, new pump, sock, and o-ring are on the way. The Walboro would be nice (and now that it's clean it's so very loud, just like the one on the S14) but I don't think it's legal for ST, so it is being "downgraded" to OEM. If anyone needs a cheap (but apparently working!) high capacity pump, let me know :P

As of today, the new blower motor (the old one was filled with dead spiders...ew) and windshield wiper motors have been ordered. The battery, radio harness (yay!) and suspension bits came in yesterday, and the Bride Zieg III seats are on the truck for delivery today! We shall see how I fit in them...