Update

The shop has been transformed into repairing and painting the walls we use at antiques shows.  This is the only warm area in the barn and our next show is in February.
On the racing side, not much is new.  Did ship the exhaust system to Jim, but that's about it.  Looked at the racing results from NZ.  Eric finished all the events this past weekend.  It would appear the engine gremlins have left.  I think he has another event this weekend.  A whole lot of racing compressed into a short period of time.

Eric update

Sure sounds like Eric is having a better weekend than the last one.

Report by: Ross MacKay/Fast Company

Finally, enjoying a better run this weekend was American veteran Eric Haga. Last weekend the 72-year-old F5000 series original struggled with fuel and handling issues and didn't finish a race. This weekend he qualified in 25rd place and ran a strong race to finish 23th.

"It was a clogged pressure relief valve in fuel injection system," explained Haga. "But everything is fine now."

Lime Rock

My entry his been sent and accommodations made.  Looking forward to returning to Lime Rock Labor Day weekend.

Formula 5000 Drivers Association schedule for 2013

• April 25-28: The Mitty at Road Atlanta with HSR
• July 18-21: Road America – The Hawk with Brian Redman
• October 4-6: Charity Challenge at Sears Point with CSRG
• Maybe Austin, TX in October w/SVRA
  
  

Eric update in New Zealand

A photo that needs no caption. 
I haven't heard from Eric but did see the results of the 2 Friday practice sessions.  The first was only 3 laps and the second was just one lap.  I assume Eric is still having engine problems. 

Updates

Eric is on his way to New Zealand, his first race is next weekend.  He needed to get there a little early to take care of a few engine problems.  I'll keep you informed on his progress. 
When I dropped off the engine, Jim asked if I could send the remainder of the exhaust system.  He gets better data if the exhaust system is the same you use for racing.  Take care of that next week.
It's been a busy week, already put a 1000 miles on the truck and another 600 to add by Monday night.  Sure glad I got the engine delivery out of the way.  For once I'm little ahead of schedule.
Heard a little through the grapevine about the F5000 race dates.  As it stands, Road America would be the only one I would attend, and that's only if I skip Pittsburgh and or Oshkosh.  Still early for final decisions.

That's done

The engine was safely delivered to Jim yesterday.   Asked both Jim and Brian about the clutch plate cracking, they have never seen that problem before.  So the flywheel will be examined and we'll go from there.

Connecticut Tuesday

Off to Connecticut Tuesday morning with the engine.  Talked to Jim last week and said he would be ready for us.  Just have to tie it down and bring a box of misc. parts. 

Clutch disc cracked...again

Certainly one of the areas I wanted to inspect was the clutch discs.  In 2011 at Watkins Glen I had one of the disc shatter.  Unfortunately during inspection I found stress cracks in one of the discs.  The same location, that being the one that contacts the flywheel.  I think it's time to have the flywheel looked at by Jim, something is not right. 

If you look close you can see the crack coming from the circle. 

This is the one from Watkins Glen in 2011.  If you don't catch it in time, this is what happens.