Goodyear tires

If I'm going to use Goodyear tires next year, I better start thinking about stocking up on them. Only two other F5000 cars are using Goodyear's, Eric in his 1969 Lola T190 and Steve in his 1969 Eagle. I talked to Eric after Road America and he said in had a slow leak in one of his tires and found that Goodyear had no tires for his car and he switch to Avon tires. Looks like Goodyear lost another customer.
The F5000 cars are racing in Portland in September. See if I can get some feedback from Eric on the Avon tires after the event.

Lola back in the shop

Got around to unloading the truck yesterday. Car's back in the shop, and the truck is being converted back to a full time antique hauler.

The truck worked well as a race car transporter. The only problem arises at the track. The truck is our transportation to the hotel in the evening. So when you come back in the morning, someone steals your parking spot.

Road America review

While my time at RA was limited to a day, I did enjoy driving the track. Definitely a horsepower track with those 3 long straightaways. This is the first track that the gears ratios seemed right and the problem with 3rd gear seemed to be fixed. I should be able to use these ratios at Watkins Glen next year.

AirVenture Oshkosh, WI

Next Monday starts AirVenture, the gathering 10,000 airplanes and hundreds of thousands of aviation lovers. I had to pick between Road America or Oshkosh this year. I can't attended both events because of time constraints. I guess if I had a crystal ball, I would be packing the plane getting ready to go. Anyway, I think I will alternating events, next year it's Oshkosh.

More Winter time work.

It's ugly, but repairable.

A jigsaw puzzle for later. I think you start with the corners and work your way inward.

Radiator.....Ouch!

The radiator has a little damage that I hope is repairable. Eric told me at the track that he might have the radiator support, his car came with some T192 parts. If not, I have all winter to straighten it out. I figure 10 months before my next event. Still haven't taken the car out of the truck yet. Trying to catch up on a lost weekend.

Back home again

Loaded up the truck Thursday evening, came back to the track Friday Morning for a few more photos. Then said our goodbyes and headed East to NJ. I've had these rides before with a broken race car in tow, lots to think about on the way home.

Going through Chicago wasn't as bad as when we came up Wednesday. A long but uneventful trip. Got home early Saturday morning.

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Not too many photos this time. But I do have a couple more to add this week.

A Short race weekend

Unfortunately my race event ended yesterday. I was in the afternoon test session, spun and damage the radiator. The radiator was not repairable and I don't have a spare. Also when I had the car jacked up I noticed the front right wheel bearing was very loose. This is another item I don't have.
So, I guess I had 3 great race weekends and one very disappointing one. I really wasn't planning on going home today.
This winter I have a very long list of work and spare parts to search for.

Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore

Arrived at Road America around 3pm, unloaded the car and setup what we could. Weather forecasts had nasty storms heading our way. By evening they had arrived along with a tornado watch. Won't know the condition of the race track until we get there today.

Fremont, Indiana

Arrived in Fremont, Indiana yesterday evening. A uneventful trip, that's good. Still have another 300 miles to Road America, planning to arrive late afternoon. Eric called yesterday, he left Seattle Monday afternoon and was in Montana when he called. He plans to arrive this evening. He's a driving machine.

Been following the weather forecast, mostly mid 80's for race weekend.

Ready for Road America

The car is all packed along with tools and supplies. The truck has worked well carrying the car. The only negative is I don't have room for my lower tool box. Eric, who has the Lola T190, has a very large trailer and lots of tools. If needed, I can borrow from him. Leaving tomorrow and will overnight in Indiana. I'm limited to how many hours I can drive a day by the USDOT. Because the truck is registered commercial, I come under the same requirements as an 18 wheeler. It's a real pain in the neck, driving log books etc.

Planning to arrive at Road America Wednesday afternoon.

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It should work, if I hear a loud crash, I'll know what it is.

No Ron Dykes

Unfortunately I won't be able to reunite Ron with his old Lola T192 at Road America this year. His travel plans won't be bringing him close to Elkhart Lake next weekend. Thought it would be great to have him drive the car at the Concours d’Elegance on Friday. Maybe next year?

Packing

Starting to pack the truck, used it the other week to transport antiques (it's primary job) and had to unload all the racing gear. Should have it all loaded by day's end.

Car's back together, just need to check suspension settings and then it can be loaded in the truck.

Hot! Hot! Hot!

It's been a scorcher these past couple of days. I'm lucky that most of the work left to do on the car can be completed in the shop, with the A/C on high.

103 in the shade.

However, the wheels had to be polished outside; the material I use has strong fumes.

Road & Track Concours d’Elegance for Race Cars

During the Road America event you can join the "Road & Track Concours d’Elegance for Race Cars" that happens Friday evening. It's a parade of race cars that leave the track and continue on the streets to Elkhart Lake, escorted by the police. Once up there, the cars are judged, you hangout for awhile, then drive back. Sounds like fun, I've signed up already.

Last year's event.

Making room

Not having a trailer for the car does require using the space you have, to the fullest. Up to now I've placed the nose of the car on the top shelf of the truck. It really took up a lot of space.

So made up a couple of brackets and rope, and now will place the nose under the shelf, hanging over the car.

That will free up a bunch of room.

18 F5000 cars at RA

18 F5000 cars are on the entry list for Road America. That 's a good turnout, and the years will span from 1969 to 1976. In fact, 6 cars are from 1969.
As for what's left to do on my car: change the oil and filter, add gear oil, make sure all the nuts and bolts are tight and bleed the brakes. At Watkins Glen, I found that I was pumping on the brakes a couple of times to get a firm pedal. I'm using the old DS-11 brake pads that came with the car and they take a lot of pressure to work well. See if I can get a firmer pedal at Road America.