2013

Header exhaust repair

I've had a exhaust leak on the right side of the engine from day one.  No matter how tight I make it, it just continues to leak.  Time for Brian at Vintage Racing Services to weld a small bead on the header flange.

You can see the darkening on the cylinder head from the exhaust gases around the second opening to the left.

Engine removed

No big surprises.  Now to get the engine ready for the trip to Connecticut in the next week or so.  I do have to gather up a few items for Brian to work on also. 

Engine removal con't

Been working on removing the engine, should have it out by the weekend.

Engine removal

I was going to do this later in January.  Thought I would get a head start and try to get the engine to Jim a little sooner. 

A start

Had a couple of spare hours today and used it on the race car.  Raised it off the ground onto the stands and removed the rear wing and tires.   Removed the battery and brought it inside the house.  It's a start.

December Update

Still no word on the F5000 schedule for next year.  I'm sure one race will be at Road America, the other that has been mentioned is "The Mitty" at Road Atlanta.  I thought this was a great event in 2010. Unfortunately it falls on the same weekend as one of our antique shows.  Can't miss the show, the contract has been signed and the money paid.

Talked to Jim Coleman(engine builder), said it's about time for a engine overhaul. I can just just drop it off, no appointment needed. Think I'll take care of that in January.

I was on the phone with Goodyear, no more tires for me.  Goodyear stopped producing that size tire.  I'm OK for next year, but after that I guess it's into the Avons. 

The Justice Bros. have a new web site.  I came across their history page and saw a familiar photo.
Justice Bros.(click here)

Winter prep

Time to prepare the race car for winter.  The big thing is to replace the water in the engine with antifreeze.  Can't use antifreeze on the race track.  Also need to get the car up on stands.  With the holidays and one more antique show this year, really no time to work on the car.  Back to car prep in January. 
Heard from Eric, he's on his way to Australia for a race.  He shipped out his car last month.

Getting back to normal

Our neighbors down the road are now back on the power grid.  For us it's getting back to normal.   But for a lot of people who live along the shore, it's going be a long road.

These guys are about ready to move onto the next town.

A common site throughout NJ.  You can see why it took 1000's
of crews to to get the power restored.

Add caption

More storm photos

Typical scene

Storm photos

A few photos from the storm.  I'll add a few more tomorrow.

This is just down the road from us.  In fact our property is to the left.  Yes, that is our tree in the road.

This one just nipped the front porch. This photo is about a mile from our house.

These are the trees that severed our power.

Following morning after the storm, about 25 utility trucks coming down the road.  I think from Ohio.

All those generators need fuel.

Half a mile line for gas.

Lucky

I think we were very lucky to have our power restored yesterday. Just 2 blocks over, it's still dark. When I get my Internet service back, I'll post photos.

Wednesday Day 9...3:38 AM

The power was restored for us at 3:38AM. I know this because I was outside adding gas to the generator and came into the kitchen to see how cold it was. Then I heard a buzz and it was the fridge and then the heat came on. But no time to relax, another storm is on the way with snow and high winds.

Tuesday Day 8

Still no power. I do see some progress in the area. The tree laying on the power line down the road from us has been removed.  Phone service stayed on the whole night, that's a first.
See what today brings.

Monday Day 7

Not much different from day 6. I do see more lights, and the top of the mountain where we live is starting to see electric. But down the road from us is a large tree that lies across the electric lines. Until that tree is removed,  we won't have power. Weather reports are indicating another storm will be here by Thursday.

Sunday Day 6

It's starting to become a routine. Get gas for the generator, wood for the fire and water.  Interesting, the home phone only works during the day from 9-5, then out of service.
No idea when the power will return. But on a good note, it's daylight savings time. We get an extra hour of nothingness.

Saturday day 5

It's Saturday, still no power. But down in the valley are lights, the power is getting closer. The big thing now is gas. The few stations that have it are dealing with long lines, some 1/2 mile long or longer.  Glad I have gas.
Hoping for power by Monday.

Thursday PM

Things are about the same in town, still no power. But the town next to us is being restored.  So maybe in the next couple of days we'll be back online. Still have to drive to find a strong signal for the cell phone.

Wednesday AM

Got a chance to drive around town yesterday. Wow, a lot of trees down and electric poles broken. I think it's going to be a few more days before power returns.  Luck was on our side, just a couple of trees down and one our sheds collapsed.

Storm report Tuesday AM

The wind was howling last night. Our Internet and phone lines are out of service, just the cell phone works now, occasionally. Still dark outside, no idea how thinks look. Raining now and some wind. Give you a update later.

Storm update Monday PM

It's here! 
Most of the day was wind and light rain.  Now it's blowing hard, but still light rain.  Lost power about an hour ago.  No big surprise, but the phone & Internet still works and that's a positive. We'll see what tomorrow brings.

Storm update Monday AM

Yep, still heading this way.  Hasn't started to rain yet, but it's getting windy.  The electic co. has stated to get ready for a 7-10 day outage.  Guess I won't be going trick-or-treating this year.  We're about as ready as we can be.  Went through this power outage twice last year.  Starting to get accustom to these disruptions.



Crews installing sandbags at the Morristown, NJ substation.  Having a couple of days advance notice has bought us some time.
https://www.facebook.com/JCPandL

Hunker Down

It's hunker down time.  The storm approaching looks to be a big one. The race car should be ok, the plane is tied down with a couple of extra ropes and the vehicles are moved away from any possible trees falling on them.   Now we wait.

Lime Rock Park Historic YouTube 2012

        The uphill at Lime Rock, looks as much fun as it is.

Jury Duty

We'll, a whole day of waiting.  A good time to catch up on the blog.
I heard from Eric the other day.  He's planning on going to NZ a little earlier this year.  He also bought a midget racer,  1940's era.  He does plan on racing it. Sounds like fun.
Haven't heard from the F5000 association about next years schedule.  It is still a little early. Some of the race tracks have published there 2013 schedule included Lime Rock.  The Historic festival will be on Labor Day weekend again. 
As far as the race car, haven't done a thing to it.  But I am thinking about it.  First on the list is to talk to the engine builder,  maybe today would be a good day to do that.

Auto swap meet at Hershey, PA

Traveled out to Hershey the other day on my annual trip in search of racing memorabilia. When it comes to old car stuff this is the biggest.  1000 of dealers, but none had what I was looking for.  Still a lot of fun and it's good to see the car hobby doing so well.

Foggy and rainy, not what the weather folks predicted.

Surprised to see the JB logo on this golf cart.

Don't know what made me think that this would make a real fine Lola race call hauler?  (sorry, not for sale)

More Photos

A few more Lime Rock photos from Motorsport.com (also from WG and Road Atlanta)
Click here

Pilot Tricks

Being a pilot, I thought this was a clever idea.

Back in February, Pilot Ryan Thompson decided to propose to his girlfriend in the air, while flying a Diamond DA40 (or similar) near Chicago, but the proposal wasn't the only drama Thompson had planned and all of it was caught on video. While the actual flight took place months ago, the edited video only appeared on the Internet this month and it is making headlines, including Good Morning America. Thompson's preflight planning for the flight included mounting a GoPro camera to the glareshield and printing a special checklist. Once airborne with then-girlfriend Carlie, the two enjoyed some sightseeing before Thompson unleashed his plan.

Lime Rock Park Historic Festival 30 Video

These guys doing the filming are starting a new production company. 

 I think there off to a good start.  

Victory Lane race report, Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh race report in "Victory Lane Magazine", September's 2012 issue. Story by Floyd Ash.

I'd say that pretty much sums it up.

Watkins Glen Photos

Photos taken by Steve and Mitch Bedford. Enjoy!
2012 Watkins Glen F5000 photos. Click here.
2012 Watkins Glen photos. Click here.

What's next?

This year's racing started on a high note and ended flat.  We did enjoy the Pittsburgh event,  really nice people at a low key event.  For the first race of the year, it was fine.  Not sure if I would go back, the track is a little tight and no real competition.  But did get a lot of track time.
Lime Rock, what can I say.  I now consider it the best event we have attended since returning to racing.  Well run, great cars and lots of people.  I sure would like to go back, and plan too. 
Watkins Glen, don't have to dive to deep.  Pretty much expressed my opinion and lack of enthusiasm on this event in a previous post.
Looking at next year, I have decided the engine will need overhauling.  Had put faith in getting another year on the engine, but it's time.  Lots of little things also need attention.

For now I'll just continue to work on the car and see where it lands me in 2013.

Caught this at a truck stop coming back from Geneva last night.
  "Mixed Emotions" A super unlimited 46' long Catamaran with twin 1200hp engines.

Engine

Yesterday started to unload the truck and store the support equipment away for the winter.  I did preform a compression test on the engine.  Cylinder pressure range from 150-110psi, down from last year.  Close examination of the spark plugs reveled all were fouled.  Many laps under the yellow can be the cause, but this has been seen in past events. This winter I'll remove the engine and have Jim(engine builder)place it on the dyno and see what horse power it's making and go from there. 

Our Watkins Glen F5000 support crew and photographers(L-R) Chip, Mitch(Steve's son), Steve and Ken.  Always ready to help in anyway. This event would not be the same without these folks. Thanks guys.

Under the F5000 tent, a good thing to have this year.

Sunday Watkins Glen

I can tell you right now, the weekend did not improve for me.  We did dodge the rain for the race, but not the yellow flags.  For the race I started 5th out of 7 cars.  This was a split start, the other group consisted of Indy cars and Indy lights.  I still don't understand what a 2002 indy car is doing in Historic Racing.  So at the start I expected to drop back, but instead I made up a position.  We didn't have more than 2 race laps completed before the yellow flags came out.   A Indy lights car made heavy contract with the wall.  It must have taken 3 or 4 laps to clean up the mess.  When the green flag came out, I started to loose positions.  It was like I was standing still, the engine didn't seem to have the power to keep up.  Within a lap and a half I was dead last and that's where I finishd.  The expected end to a not so good weekend. 
More stories and photos to follow.

With only 3 cars in your class, dead last does get you a third place finish.




Saturday Watkins Glen

A wash  out.  It started raining around 10:30 and didn''t stop until 3pm.  The F5000 group was to be out at 1pm. With my rain tires installed I was ready.   Just before 1:00 it really started to rain heavy, all on track activity stopped.  The track was officially closed.  I waited for the next hour but it wasn't going to happen.  We covered the car and back to the hotel we went.
Sunday has 30% chance of rain.

Everyone else took the option not to go out in the rain and placed their cars in the trailers before the storm hit.  I chose to ride it out.   I guess it's the LBI(Long Beach Island) in me.



Friday Watkins Glen

Friday had qualifying in the morning and a qualify race in the afternoon.  My driving in the morning session was ragged.  I just could not concentrate on driving.  Did around 6 or 7 laps but still slower than last year.  The afternoon session went full course yellow after only 2 laps.  Rick spun and stalled in the middle of a turn.  After a couple of laps they stopped the race and that was Friday.   Today we are predicted to have bad weather.  So far this looks to be a lost weekend.  I think in hindsight, Lime Rock should have been my last event.

Eight cars showed up, only seven running now,  not a very good turnout.

If I can't go fast, at least I can look good.  Crew Chief working hard.

Thursday Watkins Glen

Made it to Watkins Glen before 5pm.   Unloaded the car  and now just waiting for tomorrow.  Looks like it's going to be a nice day.

Lime Rock youtube

Larry is in the blue car.  He's part of Vintage Racing Services, Larry  at one time race F5000 cars.  Looks like Brian has some work ahead of him.

Larry's ok

Watkins Glen today

Could use another day, but that's not going to happen.  New tires mounted, gearbox ready.  Did more cleaning.  The wheels really need polishing, maybe Saturday. 

Registration closes at 5pm today. If we don't make it before 5, we can't enter the track.  I think we'll make it. 

Almost ready

Watkins Glen update

Schedule updated 8/30/12

Entry list updated 8/30/12

Talked to Eric, he's not going to make it to the glen.  Gearbox problem's.

What was I thinking?

Can't believe I'll be back in the car in 2 days.   This idea sure looked good on paper.  After getting the car out of the truck I found a few small problems.  Noticed a water puddle on the floor of the truck.  Actually had 2 water leaks, the tighten of a couple of hose clamps stopped that.  The bottom of the exhaust on the left side was hitting the track.  Much worse than Watkins Glen.  This will need repair in the winter overhaul.  So far two tires are mounted, oil changed and a little cleanup.  Planning on leaving tomorrow afternoon.  I will miss the practice session on Thursday, but under the circumstances not much I can do. 
Photos from Lime Rock.  Click here.

I know this must have been hitting the exhaust at the uphill right hander at LRP

Monday Lime Rock

Monday schedule was a warm up session in the morning and the race in the afternoon.  The one thing that I came away from the warm up session is, the tires we're going to be no help.   I think if I had brought my new tires with me, I would have had them mounted.  Anyway I was grided 8th.  At the start of the race I again lost one position, the same guy who by the way raced F5000 in the day.  Held my position for the remainder of the race. 
The car ran well and no problems with the gear box.  Good to be home and now it's onto Watkins Glen.  I'll added photos later.

Sunday Lime Rock

Sunday in the park.  For once we can have the time to walk around and see the sites.   A whole lot of great cars here.   They parked them all a long the track, and again another nice day.
By 2 o'clock it was time to get back to work.  The car still needed another 4 hours of work to get it ready for Monday. 
We really needed this time off,  I think I have more energy this morning(Monday)than I have had all weekend.
Monday will included a race in the morning and one in the afternoon.

Saturday Lime Rock

Weather wise, it's been warm but dry.  The morning qualifying session went smoothly.  I didn't improve on my lap time.  I really don't expect to at this point.  The tires are over a year old with almost 3 events on them.  Really needed to save the new ones for the glen next week.
I qualified 8th for the afternoon race.  At the start I lost a position but settled into a rhythm.  On the last lap I was giving a little room for a F1 car to pass and ended up off course.  By the time I got back on the track I had  lost one or two positions.  
Sunday is a day of rest.  No racing at Lime Rock today. But they will have close to a 1000 cars displayed on the track. 

The place was packed, traffic jams getting into the race track.  You would think there was a Indy car race going on here.
Lime Rock's Facebook Page click here

Friday Lime Rock

20 years have past since my last race at Lime Rock, the track has not change at all.   Friday would include 2 sessions.  My first session was left with a little concern.  I had a gear oil leak.  I noticed a little bit under the car when I removed it from the truck Thursday.  The other issue was a little more concerning.  I was smelling fuel once I got onto the track.  I was hoping just one of the fuel caps was not tight.  After about 10 laps the smell went away.  My fastest lap was a 56,  OK for the first session.   Back at our spot I discovered the fuel cap was not tight and side plate on the gearbox had a couple of loose nuts(beside the one behind the wheel).
The afternoon session went well,  I did get my lap time down into the 53's.  No gear oil leaks and no fuel smells.
Friday night included dinner for the drivers and crews.  Very nice, and after dinner Sir Stirling Moss told stories and answered questions.

Jim's F5000 car, here not to race but for Sunday's Concours.  He is racing his
Can-Am car

Now onto Saturday.