Race report E production SCCA, New Hampshire regional race report Options

[Thorshammer]

First let me say that without the support of my wife and the understanding that I am a total nutjob, none of this would have happened. With credit card in hand I set out for the track on Saturday to get my logbook and annual tech on the new car. This weekend was a drivers school on saturday and a one day regional on Sunday. After a couple small jobs, catch cans and the like I got in line for 3 hours. Once it was my turn it was pretty smooth sailing. And the car was booked and annualed.

Since I installed the tubular front a-arms I have never squared the car or aligned it. So me and my strings went to work. The most daunting part was being right next to the new driver awards dinner in the garage next to me, so I had about 40 questions, and many people looking over my shoulder, but after a little clearancing on the rear trailing arm mount, it was square and the toe, camber was set, the caster I used an unspecified unscientific method which I won't describe for fear of looking like a jackass.

Sunday, My Crew showed up. My friend Dmitry, he is a tremendous mechanic and someone that can get the job done, but also knows what to look for while working on the car.

We got the pressures set and the tire warmers on, and were ready to go. So I was'nt in anyones way, it was decided to go out after the grid had left, well it did'nt matter, I only had 2-3 gear in the Hewland trans. The shift rod adjuster was not tight. Back in, fix the problem, check the car over again.

Qualifying: 3 laps over sound, no time, but the car did work well, went good, braked okay, but the top gear was too short, I needed a taller top gear, Okay, wheres that gear selection box, oh yeah left that at home. Dumbass. No, Double Dumbass. Did not make any difference, times would not be allowed due to sound.

Found some exhaust turn downs at Pep Boys and installed them, which brought the DB level down to 98 during the race. We also found some small oil leaks that were resealed ( valve covers).

Race: I have never been so far back in the pack, but in the race group, we had SPU, SRF, GP, EP, FP and GTL. so it was 27 cars. and I was 24th on the grid. Got a good start and passed two into turn three, started to figure the car out about lap 4 and got into a groove, then the full course yellow, two SRF cars getting together. After that the restart was real good one for me passing many cars into turn 3, after a couple laps I chased the 2nd place 240 Z down and we exchanged the position several times, I was against the rev limiter down the front straight (artificially set for the new engine at 7500 rpm). But, once past him I put my head down and got a 15 car length lead, then it happened out of turn 4 I had been getting a slight power-on slide, which was totally controllable, but this time it slide, I corrected, then it just stopped driving forward, I thought I had lost the clutch, it is a new set up (5.5 Tilton) and it was yet to be tested. But later, after watching the final 2 laps go by, and getting a flat tow back to the garages, it was found I had a broken cv joint. Now before someone says man you got alot of motor, maybe, but it was a type 1 vw cv joint that fits the Hewland, not a 914 Cv joint, they are on the outers and have no problem with them.

Heres what I learned, Even if you have a nut and bolt check procedure and list, it is not complete

Even though we did not finish, we learned alot about the car and what will be needed for the national there in to weeks. Once I swap out the 2 year old rubber, it should go pretty good.

Always have someone available that knows something about cars with an internet connection, Mine was Chris Foley, and he was able to get me some specs on the VDO tach that I had,cause I could not get it to work. Thanks Chris!

No matter what you calculate, the only way to really know is to race the car. I was successful (somewhat) due to proper thought before I got there. but it wasn't enough, I needed a test day, and all of the issues I had would have been found, and provided and better result, but it was a blast.

When you rent a garage, you get the two parking spots in front of the garage, if you are parking in front of someone elses garage, and you are asked to move, do so, and shut up cause you don't belong there.

Lastly, Someone on your crew needs to be the DNA or Designated Necessary Asshole. This is a guy that is really always right, and says exactly what he means, without any political correctness. Sometimes his edgy language can offend some people, but you know, some people just can't take a hint. BTW this last two paragraphs are all about this guy who parked ALL of his cars in front of my garage, so I had to park two garages away, ever try to run for a tool or gas or a spare part when the trailer is 50 more feet away. This will not happen again to me.


Erik Madsen 914-6 EP SCCA New England Region