2014 F5000 Association Race Schedule

Just received the schedule.  Only 3 events.  The first is Indy in June.  This event works in the same fashion as COTA, you need to be invited(hmm...others have heard, I've hadn't).  The second happens at Road America in July. The last is a west coast event in October.  Lacking in popularity in the survey was "The Mitty" in April and "COTA" in October.

What's up for next year.

Next year it's 1 or 2 events.  First is Indianapolis.  The SVRA group has this on the calender, its the weekend after the Indy 500.  Much more about driving on a famous race track than the actual race.  The F5000 Association has this on the maybe list.  I'm sure our race group will have much newer cars, like at COTA.  This acceptance of much newer cars(2006) in historic racing is not a good thing.  I certainly  will have a second thought about attending future events with late model cars.
With that said, the other event is Pocono.  Yes, the newer cars will most likely will be in attendance.  But this track is very close to home, no need for a hotel.  I raced FF and Supervee's at this track and it would be fun to go back.  Also the F5000 cars raced here in the 1970's.  This is not on the list for the F5000 group.
Anyway, still 6 months before Indy.  Sometime in January, I'll get back to the race car.

Trip photos

Texas trip 2013

These are mostly photos of Texas and Louisiana from our most recent COTA trip. Click on the photo to take you to the album.

In search of a wheel

Trying to replace the front bent wheel that was one of my rain tires.  Talked to Chuck Haines who I bought my car from.  Said he might have one.
Other than that, not much happening with the car.  Working on our next antique show and getting ready for the upcoming holidays.

New idea!

And I thought my car loading was involved.  Hmm...race car on Suburban?

Over the winter

No big projects for the car over the winter.  I will have to change the master on-off switch. This is the switch that's mounted on the roll bar.  At COTA when my car was in tech. It was pointed out that when the switch is placed in the off position, the engine doesn't  immediately stop. Using a magneto(makes it's own spark without a battery) instead of the standard ignition system, the switch only turns off the fuel pump.  So the engine runs out of gas, then stops.  The tech guy kinda shook his head.  Over the winter I'll install a switch that kills the magneto also.

Unloading the truck

Starting to unload the truck. The car's engine has no antifreeze and it was suppose to get into the low 20's over night.  The unloading is going to take a little more time than usual.  Everything must be put away for the winter and the truck needs to be converted back to the antique hauler. We have a show coming up in early December.

Race recap

COTA is an interesting track.  Not one you learn in a couple of laps.  I'm sure with a little more practice I could knock off another 5 or 8 seconds. The weather was perfect.  The only grip are the newer cars, up to 2006.
The past 3 events for me weren't good.  Nice to finish the year on a high.
It was a good decision to change the dog rings, the old ones would have never finished the race.

Our newest crew member, Mark Manroe.  Mark lives in Texas and was here Friday and Saturday.  His role was important.  On Thursday I could not start the car for the first practice session.  Needed a push start.  On Friday and Saturday, Mark carried the jumper battery.  Thanks again Mark.

Home

Home at last!  Arrived late last night.  I'll post a race report in a day or two.  Need to catch up right now

Bristol, VA

Passing through AL,GA,TN and now in Bristol, VA.  Our stop for the night. A little over 500 miles to home.  Looking for a very late Wednesday or very early Thursday arrival.

Livingston, AL

Our evening stop is Livingston, AL  The antique day was a bust.  Tomorrow is another day.  Photos later

Antiques today

Now we switch over to our antique buying schedule.  Get up a little later, drive later into the night.  Looks like we will overnight in Alabama.

Beaumont, TX

Overnight in Beaumont,TX.
This morning we took a trip into Austin for a little antique shopping.  Found a nice mall but needed the truck for some larger items.  That was still at the track. Still needed to return the car and golf cart.
Back to to the track to finish packing and take down the tent.  Then we could return the golf cart and then to the parking lot to get the car.  We had to park the car in the lot and catch the shuttle to get to the race car. Took the car back and then return to the antique store before it closed.  
Left Austin around 6pm and arrived at the hotel around 11pm.
Tomorrow we plan on doing more antique shopping and probably return to NJ Thursday.
Weather wise it is going to be in the 80's tomorrow.

Post race

In the morning I changed the dog rings and adjusted the clutch.  Started to put a few things away, getting ready for our return trip.  Before I knew it, time to get in the car.  We sat in the pre-false grid for 1/2 hour.  They needed to land a  helicopter in the main grid.  It was going to be a 30 minute race.  I had a good start and maintained a good pace throughout the race.  Finished 3rd in class.
This evening we enjoyed the COTA party and was entertain by "The Edger Winter Band".
Tomorrow we'll head back to the track and finish packing.

Edger Winter Band

Saturday...Race day

Good news, the chance of rain has been lowered to 20%.  Our race isn't until 3pm, lots of time to take care of those items on the check list.
It's a beautiful track, great facility and has been perfect weather.  The only negative is so many newer cars in our group.  I just don't understand what is so historic about a group of 1999 Indy light cars.

Afternoon Race

The afternoon race didn't start until 6pm.  The car ran well, did drop lap times a little more.  Tomorrow I need to adjust the clutch and change to new dog rings.  The weather will be in question, 40% chance of rain.

Morning Qualifying

Morning session went well. Lap times are improving. Another session late today. 

Afternoon session

Afternoon session went better.  Learning more of the track and getting more comfortable.  See what tomorrow brings.

First session this morning

This is going to be a long learning curve. Many of the turns are blind and no good reference points. The session was blacked flagged twice, only got three laps in. See what happens this  afternoon. 

Ready for tomorrow

That's it, time to call it a day.

The COTA tower.  We went to the top today

Mid day

Perfect weather today. Starting to learn the lay of the land. This evening is a drivers meeting.

Wednesday, day off

Today is test day for some others but we skipped it.  The cost was almost as expensive as the race.  I'll get the setup done this morning and tour the paddock in the afternoon.

On an other note, it looks like I might be able to upload photos.

Setting up

We got moving around 2:30.  Almost done on the setup, we'll finish tomorrow.  The car has been through inspection and it's ready for Thursday.

Guess what...still waiting

We along with most everyone else is still waiting. I'm glad I'm not running tomorrow. 

It's a long line.

Still waiting

Still waiting to get inside to setup, might be awhile. 

Here at last!

Day 4 Bastrop, TX

This town is our base camp.  COTA is about 20 mins from here.  Yesterday turned into a very long day.  Starting with a power steering leak on the truck.  Was only a couple of miles from a Ford dealer.  Spent 5 hours in there waiting room, but the problem was fixed. Their was a positive twist, an antique shop we wanted to visit wasn't going to open until 12pm.  We had planned on leaving the hotel at 9am.  Due to the delay we got there at 3pm.  Great shop and bought some really cool items. Arrived in Bastrop around 11:30 last night.  Today is setup day at the track.

Day 3 Mount Pleasant, TX

Last night our stop was in Mount Pleasant, TX  We didn't find any antique store worth stopping in during the day.  So today we have another 350 miles to Austin.

Day 2 Jackson, TN

Yesterday was a much better travel day. Stopped at few antique stores along the way. Found a few things, nothing great. We're just a little past halfway to Austin. Jackson, TN is past Nashville, which was a goal.

Jackson, TN

Day 1 Roanoke, VA

Made it to Roanoke, VA. last night. A little later than he hoped. Had to sit in a 2 hour traffic jam. Today we go another 400-500 miles.

Leaving later today

Leaving NJ this afternoon and overnight somewhere in VA.  Working on getting to Austin Monday evening.

Getting closer

Car, spares and tools are loaded. Spent a little time on trying to conserve space. Having this trip being part business. We need to keep space open for antiques. Today we'll pack everything else and maybe leave tomorrow afternoon.

Another try on photos

The past couple of races I've tried to upload photos on my Picasa site during the event.  We'll, I'm giving it another go.  Click on the Circuit of the Americas image to the right.
The hotel WiFi needs to have a strong signal.  It works at home, so I know the method is correct.

Keeping busy

For the most part, the car is ready.  Now working on packing the truck and loading in the car.  All that should be done today or early tomorrow.  Still looking at leaving Saturday.  Seb wants us to be at COTA on Tuesday between 10:00 and 11:00 am.  If we go in together, there's a better chance of us being in one area.  We'll see.

A little more decal work

The nose decal gets a bit of wear.  Had more of these in stock.

Less than 2 weeks before COTA

Just doing the normal things that need attention before a event.

Polishing the rims.

Instead of Goodyear under the rear wing,
 I placed the Justice Bros. decal.

Just mainly cleaning and a once over check.

COTA 2013 entry list

Click here for the 2013 COTA entry list. 

COTA Race schedule 10/10/13

Justice Bros. decal

Applied the new JB decal, looks good.  No other ground breaking news to report.  This week I'll spend a day on truck maintenance.  As for COTA, thinking about leaving Saturday the 19th.  Like to do some antique buying along the way.  We do have another show coming in early December.  Hope to arrive Tuesday night in Austin.

Team shirts

I had added "Racing Team" to the JB jackets way back when.  But is seems that when we race, it's to warm for jackets. So, I've been collecting JB patch's on ebay when available.  I had just enough to do three shirts this year.  Then decided to add "Racing Team" just like the jackets.

Decals and stuff

Just finishing up storing away the antiques we had at our show this past weekend.  Won't need them again until December.
I picked up the new decals, as always very nice.  I brought down a piece of the old wing as a copy of what I needed.  Had the Goodyear decal made since it was there.  I'm going to place that one under the rear wing.

Lime Rock 2012

I just recently received this photo from a fellow racer.  This was taken last year at Lime Rock(2012)of his grandson admiring my car.  He told me the photo is hanging up in his office.  I like it too.

I did put together a F5000 entry list for COTA.  Click here

New decals

Having a couple of decals made to replace this water decal. When applied I should have used clear coat to protect it. Got some engine degresser on it last year.

Other than that, getting ready for a antique show next week. Then back to the car.

Goodyear repaint

Needed to repaint the rear tire. I lowered the letter on the tire ½”. It sits on sidewall a little better. Getting a lot faster it this. I intended to use the real Goodyears at COTA(Austin). But realized if I had to replace a tire, all that would be available would be Avons. Really don’t have the space in the truck to bring old spare Goodyear tires with us.

Steering rack finished

Made the adjustment to the rod ends on the steering rack. This stopped the small amount of play on the left side. Everything looks tight now. Next on the list is gear ratios. From what I’ve heard, Watkins Glen ratios are a good starting point.

Steering rack

The steering rack has adjustable joints at either end. The left one has a little play. I’ll pull it apart just to make sure nothing is broken. As I remember, this one was adjusted in 2010 during the Watkins Glen event. I’m sure it just needs a little turn of a wrench.

Lime Rock photos

Photos from Lime Rock Park 2013. Thank you to Jim Knerr for great photos of #13. If it wasn't for Jim, I would have none.

Lime Rock 2013

Lime Rock Recap

Not the outcome I was hoping for. But I did test a few repairs and noted a problem with the steering rack. The steering rack issue is more of a adjustment than a repair. But this should help in keeping the car straight during heavy breaking. The car is now in the shop, the truck is unpacked and already working on the to-do list for Austin. 47 days to go.

Lime Rock, Saturday AM

Yesterday went well. The first session was more of a shakedown making sure the steering and braking was proper. The second session was more fun. Starting to drive the course and remembering turning and braking points. The engine feels like it's producing more power than last year. Today, 2 more sessions. By the way, the paint is still on the Goodyear tires.

Lime Rock Friday AM

Today it's a driver meeting at 9:00 then our first session around 12:00. The weather is looking good for today, but goes down hill for the rest of the weekend. May main concern is the problems that I had at Road America has been repaired.

A long day

Finally have everything setup and

made it to the lodge will be staying at for the duration of the event. It reminds me of Seneca lodge in Watkins Glen.  



Restaurant in front of our lodge



Almost ready for Lime Rock

This morning right after loading the car in back of the truck we got hit with a thunderstorm. It’s been raining since then. Lucky for me, most of the truck was already loaded. Thursday weather looks better. Leaving around 9am tomorrow.

Turning Avons into Goodyears, con't

I cover the tire with newspaper and spray paint the letters.

Hand paint the areas that need filling.

And now before your very eyes, Goodyears appear.




The top tire is from the 1970's.  The winged foot(Mercury)is position close to the 'D'.  On the new tire, bottom left, the 'D' is centered.   It looks like a mistake on the painted Avon, but that's the way it should be. 

 

Turning Avons into Goodyears

I've been working on this off and on. I have a old set of Goodyear tires that came with the car. I'm working on lettering the Avons using the old style Goodyear.



The tires have raised lettering and I coat them with paint.

Next I place clear tape over the letters and press down.

Now I place the tape on thin cardboard.

With a knife I cut out each letter.

Now I tape down the cardboard and ready the tire for paint. More tomorrow.

Lime Rock Park

Everything is on schedule for Lime Rock. The to do list is done for the car and most of the support equipment and parts are still on the truck.

Geneva trip

Took advantage of this great weather to get some work done in Geneva.  Staying overnight at the Sampson State Park. This was a Navy base in WWII. Did training at Seneca Lake.