Thursday Lime Rock

Made it.  The trip took about 3 hours and no traffic problems.  It this event everyone has there own assigned spot.  I think we have a good one, close to the false grid.  Looking forward to tomorrow.

I like this one.



Our home away from home.  This is part of a bigger Inn.  Very nice.



Lime Rock or Bust

I thought this would get easier with time.  Having the extra vehicle and trailer has added to the work load not to mention the poster stuff.  Anyway, it's all packed and blastoff should be around 9:30 this morning, should arriving at the track around 1:00pm.  Not sure how the Internet is up there, but will try to post photos is possible.

Car in the hauler

Once the car is loaded, I know we're getting close.  For the most part, all the race stuff is ready.  Still have to pack the Suburban and load the Gator on the trailer.  On schedule to leave Thursday morning.  Around a 3 hour trip to Lime Rock. 

Watkins Glen F5000

Just received a update from the F5000 association, at least 12 cars and maybe 14.   The race start will be split between the F5000 cars and the other group nine, basically 2 pace cars.There also trying to move up the race time on Sunday.  I would like to see us with the F1 race group using the split start.  It work well last year at Road America.  At least I thought so.
As for Lime Rock, the truck is mostly packed minus the car.  That will go in Wednesday.

Lime Rock/Watkins Glen updates

For updates, click on links below.
Lime Rock event schedule
Lime Rock entry list (final)
Lime Rock final instructions
Watkins Glen entry list(8/24/12)

That's it for the car, it's ready.  After a quick trip to Geneva(NY), I'll start to pack when I get back.

Lime Rock in a week

7 days and counting.  Polished up the tire rims yesterday.  Not sure if I'm going to do the rims that the rain tires are mounted on.  By day's end the race car should be 100% ready.  The truck repair is done.  Get the truck home and start packing that too. 

Valve adjustment

Of those small items one was the valve adjustment.  Only one valve really needed adjustment, and a lot of adjustment at that.  I'll keep a eye on it.  Installed new spark plugs.  The engine runs rich and after a couple of races the plugs start to foul.  Ran the engine and tested the clutch pedal, all is good.  Not much left now.

Lime Rock...getting closer

The car is just about ready.  A few small things left and then just clean and polish. 
Sent the truck out for it's brake repair.  The job did require some specialized tools so I decided to leave it to the professionals. 

Trailer

Trailer completed.  Placed the Gator on the back and pulled it with the Suburban for a test ride.  Tows well and now I have a working trailer again for other purposes.

Lime Rock entry list

Just published, Lime Rock's entry list.  Staying in group 4, that's good.
Lime Rock list...click here

Watkins Glen entry list

Just started to publish the entry list for September's Watkins Glen event.  There are a few F5000 cars listed, be it's still early.  I'm not anticipating a large turnout, maybe 12 or so. 
Watkins Glen entry list...click here

Lime Rock race group 4?

Every couple of days I check the Lime Rock site for a car entry list.  This morning I noticed a change in the event schedule.  Group 4 it looks like only F1 cars now and I would be then in group 2.  The mix of cars in group 2 would be very similar to the Pittsburgh event.  Won't know for sure until I get a competitors list of what cars go into what groups. 
http://www.limerock.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=356&Itemid=98

2nd poster wall

The 2nd poster wall is done.

Something new for Lime Rock

Working on bringing our John Deere Gator(similar to a 2 seat golf cart) to Lime Rock.  I have a 15' trailer that I haven't used since 1995.  Just replaced all the lights and wiring, repacked the wheel bearings and ordered a couple of new tires.  We can pull this behind the Suburban and this will give us a pit vehicle at Lime Rock.  When your just there for a couple of days all the walking isn't to bad.  But after 5 days it does get tiresome.  Plus when you have a race car that gets 4mpg, that's a lot of trips to the gas pump. 

Lime Rock in 3 weeks

Not much to do on the car.  What is really left is just routine maintenance.  Have some work on the truck, maybe a day or two on that.  All in all, looking good.

Set of rains

At last, my rain tires are completed.  It wasn't terribly difficult, just time consuming.  My never use them, but now at least I have the option.

3 down 1 left

Finished one of the rear tires.  The other rear should been done by this Monday.

Takes about 3 hours to turn a slick into a rain. 

Oops...ran out of rubber

Started to work on the rear tire.  After mounting it, laying out the pattern, I discovered that the tire surface did not contain enough rubber to groove.  I realized I had cut into the cords of the tire.  Oh well, couple of hours down the drain.  Lucky I have 2 other rear tires that look better. 

Started out well, even the rear tire fits on the front. 
 Much easier when the tire can rotate, turn left, and then right.

As I worked toward the left grooving, that's when I started to hit the cord.  Did determine why this happened.  This tire was my emergency replacement from 2010.  Road Atlanta to be exacted.  The tire came from a fellow competitor who just purchased a new set.  I remember him telling me it was 2-3 years old and well used.

Lime Rock poster wall

At the Lime Rock event I plan on bringing the poster walls.  Have one pretty much done.  This wall staying with the Lime Rock theme.

Tire number 2 done.  Next are the rear tires.

1 completed rain tire

Considering it's my first time, I think the tire is usable.  At this point I'll work on the other 3 and have a set of rain tires just in case.

Looks like a rain tire.

 Started on the second one, now that I have a system it will go faster and look better.

It takes over 400 individual cuts on one front tire.