[APKhaos]

I've been thinking about a solution to provide better instrumentation and get my data logger into a permanent install [rather than strappped down with velcro ]. The race at CMP was fast approaching, so what better time to get this done? Can you say 'last minute overload?'

I finally got around to experimenting with various layouts, made up some patterns from cardboard and ligh gauge aluminum sheet, and headed over to Kurt's shop the Saturday before the race.

This is the space that was about to be repurposed:



Kurt had some great sheet plastic stock that was perfect for the application. I fabbed the side panels, and carefully laid out the face sheet ready to be bent to match the side panels. It takes heat to bend this stuff. My first piece was an abject failure. Too little heat, and too slow to get it bent. Kurt took over the bending. Anyone who has seen any of the amazing stuff that Kurt has made from lexan and polycarbonate will understand that he is a master at this stuff!

The finished panel was in the car a day later, and worked perfectly at the race this past weekend. It really made a difference!

[cmartin]

Looks good!

But, where do you keep change for the toll road now?

[}{arlequin]

sweet cockpit... makes my quest for dual cht's look pathetic...

[Vicegrip]

I dig the little tiny red steering wheel! Great for "cruzin" the block

Outstanding fit up, looks good.

Enough about the car how was the race?

[APKhaos]

Originally Posted by Kurt Mickelwait

I dig the little tiny red steering wheel! Great for "cruzin" the block

Outstanding fit up, looks good.

Enough about the car how was the race?

Saturday was a trial. The practise session was the first time I had driven the track. I consistently misjudged the long double apex right hander T4[?] and the tight 2nd gear turn onto the start/finish straight. Went over the gators and off track around 8 times. The outfield was smooth and dry, so no trouble getting gathered up and back on track.

After practise, I left the car up on jackstands while I ran a short errand into Camden, around 15 miles away. Get what I needed, walked out of the store, rear tire on the truck completely flat. Guess where my jack was?? After struggling to get the tire changed without a jack, I'm back on the road too late to make it back for qualifying PLUS a torrential downpour has started and it looks black in the direction of the track.

Arrive at the track in time to see two things:
- My race group is just getting ready to start the qualifying session [delayed by the recent monsoon]
- My car is sitting flat on the ground. The paddock at CMP is sandy. The gully washer had run right through my paddock spot, the jack stands had collapsed into the now soft sand.

So, no qualifying for me. Got the car back on its feet just as the session ended.

Come race time, it started raining fairly steadily. This was going to be my first race in the rain, starting from the back of the pack. I'd already decided to stay on rain tires, but lots of guys were changing from drys to wets, and some were staying on dry tires.
The start was downright freaky. In the first turn of the parade lap, one of the front runners lost a rear wheel - rapid wheel changes should include checking that the lugnuts were actually tightened! The actual start was mayhem. Cars spinning at almost every turn. I had no wipers, so visibility was an issue. I started working my way through the back markers, and scaring myself witless several times a lap. Thought about taking the pit entrance almost every time around! Still very marginal conditions, and plenty of scope for punting or being punted. The field was thinning as the race progressed, so I kept hanging in there and sliding around lap after lap. Spent a LOT of time looking out the driver's window
Discovered after the race that I'd won the class.

Sunday was a complete opposite. Clear blue skies and dry track. Ran Hoosiers for the first time, and set a decent qualifying time. Started high on the grid, with two guys ahead of me and one very competitive guy gridded outside. The start was red hot. The four of us got through T1 without contact, but by T3 the pole sitter had pushed the #2 guy off onto the grass [did not see him]. #2 kept on the gas, and kept 2nd place. It was a very quick race pace, with the front four of us dicing all the way. I managed to get a good launch off a couple of critical corners and snuck into the lead, although the pressure was on with the guys behind puching me every inch of the way. Held on for the checker.

So, two races, two wins. Hoosiers are like crack - there's no going back.
The car ran faultlessly. Temps and pressures in the green, and no leaks anywhere. The rebuilt engine is very strong. I manged to pull guys who would always pull me last season. I even started to enjoy the track.

[BillJ]

Originally Posted by APKhaos

It was a very quick race pace, with the front four of us dicing all the way. I managed to get a good launch off a couple of critical corners and snuck into the lead, although the pressure was on with the guys behind pushing me every inch of the way. Held on for the checker.

Class all the way

Great start to the season Tony!!!!!

[Eli]

Nice work Tony! Congrats!

[Trak Ratt]

Might have a wiper setup for you if you want it. Could probably make it one side only and removable? How about the big back window one set to sweep the whole front window?

Oh yea, great job! Makes me proud to be an American liking German cars rooting for an Aussie running in the rain at a redneck track

[APKhaos]

Dave,
I've got wipers - the pair of them are hanging up in the garage. Dont usually fit 'em, but caryy at least one in case it rains. I was kinda wiped when I packed for the track and left 'em behind. Doh!

Nobody dumped on me yet for being a total idiot and leaving the car on jackstands on sandy ground. Whew!

[Trak Ratt]

Originally Posted by APKhaos

[Nobody dumped on me yet for being a total idiot and leaving the car on jackstands on sandy ground. Whew

[/size]
OK consider yourself “dumped on”, does that make you feel better Maybe next time you’ll check the hundred year flood maps before picking out your spot