Buttonwillow in June is hot! Video
 

Sorry for the lengthy video. But my laptop died and I didn't have a way to edit it. The start is at the 5min mark.

This was after I hurt my motor the day before. After a big off, the dust plugged my air filter and then sucked it in till the filter collapsed. Pulling the dirt into the motor. I cleaned the carb and filter. But the damage was already done. I took 1st on Saturdays race. Not knowing it was hurt.
I had it on the dyno Sunday morning to find it was 30hp down and popping back through the intake. After a few tests and a boroscope probe. you could see the carbon seals were not sealing but I could still run it.

I tried short shifting as much as possible (the popping happened at peak power only). But my first mistake (who would think you could have cold tires in the heat of the day), followed by a few more. put me in 2nd. Pushing to hard in 105 deg. weather. 125 deg. in the car. Over heating the tires. Still it was more fun that anything.

I could catch the Blue Porsche (1st place). But every time I did. I would make a mistake.

whats the specs on the car?

Great catches on the first lap. The car looked extremely tailhappy. Must be tiring to drive for a long period of time. Just wondering, are the rear tires stones or is the rear suspension binding up some? You adapt your driving over time, but man that looks tiring....

Eric

I'm running in NASA PTE Class. So it's basically a pro 7 with better shocks, tires and 20 hp more.

Yes it can be a handful when it's not dialed in. The biggest problem is it's the stock rear suspension (rules) & the worn out steering box (I replaced the box after the race).
To tell the truth. There were a number of problems. Rear Axle seal on the right side was seeping before the race and both were leaking after (not sure it was getting on the tires though). And I only took 3 laps that morning to qualify, After the Endruo the night before. So wasn't sure about the track surface when the race started.
But mostly the play in the steering box makes for some busy time, sawing away.

For Saturday's race. The car was much more planted ( I'll post that race in the next few days, was trying to wait to get an editor program first). But yes, it is like driving Pro7 car. Constantly on the edge.

I look forward to seeing the next video. I would really not enjoy trying to race a car where I am always trying to catch snap oversteer. I wonder how much quicker you would be if you could consistently lean on the rear tires and not worry about the car trying to kill you?

Just so you know, I have been there and driven that type of car, so I have had the same experiences, lol. I really work hard on making the cars more benign now. It may loose you a tenth or so, but you have so much more confidence to really drive it hard down into the corners and in passing situations.

Eric

I have driven a 1st gen with a torque arm(3rd link) panard bar set up. It' so MUCH nicer to drive. But with the NASA points system, it just isn't worth giving anything else up to get the handling.SO we just deal with it.
We have tried a bunch of different designs, such as a lotus link. only to get shot down by Greg on how the points system works.

I've been busy with getting the car, and trailer ready for the West Coast Championships. But should be able to upload the video this week.

awesome save on the first lap! haha

Here is Saturday's race. Finally. Still uncut, So it starts at 5:20 and ends at 26:00.
First and last laps are the 2 drama laps,,, lol

That was certainly an "optimistic" move past the rx8...

Yeah, I paid for that one. Didn't think he was going to turn in like that. It's not needed. The outside line works and is just as fast. But I should have held up, and went around the out side. Hind sight.