Loose roll bar

This is what a normal roll bar support mount in the rear of the car looks like.  The rod attaches the roll bar with the lower A-arm.  

This is what happens when the bolt (top arrow) falls out.  The rod drops and gets tangled with the drive shaft. 

The rubber doughnut on the drive shaft continued to pound the roll bar rod. I had just tighten that bolt the day before.  This happened during the last race on Sunday.

Aerial View - CTMP Canadian Historic Grand Prix 2014

Interesting idea, but should have been closer to the cars and followed them a little longer.

Here's a link to photos from our race group.
More photos from all race groups.
More photos.

Back in the U.S.A.

Got home last night.  Crossing the border back to the US was a breeze.  As soon as the border officer knew that a race car was in back of the truck, the conversion turn to that.  The truck ran fine for the 1000 miles we covered, and with the exception of my gearbox woes, it was a great trip.

Already have my first project.  Must have had a big storm during our absence.  Some large branches came down on the power line to my shop. 

Mosport Report-Sunday

The first race was in the morning.  My gearbox started to have problems on the pace lap.  I came in and parked the car.  Looks like I'm removing the gearbox again.  I replaced the dogs with a couple of not so bad dog rings.  Also re-adjusted the shift linkage again, I don't believe it was correctly done yesterday.

The afternoon race was later in the day which gave me the time to complete the job.

The second race would last 30 minutes, really not sure if the gearbox would make it.  

In the end ,the car completed the race just as it lost 3rd gear.
There's many more stories and photos about the weekend to follow in upcoming blogs. .  We head back to home later this morning.

Mosport Report-Saturday

Saturday morning started with removing the gear box and inspected 4th gear.   4th gear was damage and no longer usable.  Also the dog ring was damaged.  I had a replacement for both.  I was still concerned about the shift linkage.  Replaced both dogs and 4th gear, and then tried to shift the car into 4th.  Still the same result, won't shift.  So the gearbox still wasn't completely together and I started to look into the shift linkage as the start of the problem.  Sure enough the the shift rod linkage had moved out about a 1/2 inch.  So the gear wasn't making full contact and grinding.  Made an adjustment on that, and now it's 2 o'clock and need to get  ready for the race.  To make a long story short about a couple of laps from the end the shift linkage move again and I came in a couple of laps early.

This morning I'm re-readjusting it and drilling a hole and placing a rivet in it.  Today we have a race in the morning and a 30 minute this afternoon. 

Mosport Report-Friday

There was a 30% chance of rain, only got a sprinkle.  The weather will be nice for the rest of the weekend
I missed the morning practice session.  The car needed a few adjustments and a real good going over.  The afternoon qualifying went well, knocked off a few more seconds.  Our race group had only 5 cars, so there's not a lot of racing.  The afternoon race lasted just a couple of laps at first, one car hit the wall and did some damage.  Not to bad but I think there done the weekend.  3 of 4 laps under the yellow and I started to notice I was having trouble with 4th gear.  Once they cleared the wreck car, the raced continued.  That's when 4th gear was just about unusable.  Did finish the race.  Today it's gearbox day, might be a dog ring or a linkage adjustment. Still lots of racing left this weekend.

Mosport Report-Thursday

Thursday turned out to be a non-weather event.  It never rain the whole day, that was a relief.
The race track is challenging with it's blind corners and lots of elevation changes.  One thing for sure, this track was made for F5000 cars.  Ran 3 sessions yesterday.  Each session I learned a little more and went a little faster. All went smoothly with no problems.
Today it's practice in the morning and 2 qualifying session in the afternoon.  Added a few photos to the album, but really have been to busy to walk around.  Today should be a little less hectic.

Mosport Report-Wednesday

Arrived at the track around 6pm last night.  We setup the tent and a few other things.  Holding off taking the car out of the truck because of the rain.  Today the weather is looking not as rainy.
Today is practice and instruction from one of the Mosport staff.  We'll see what happens with the weather.

Made it to Canada!

More on the crossing later. Right now it's pouring rain and we are having lunch at a service center. 

Watertown, NY

We arrived in Watertown, NY last night around 10pm. If all goes smooth at the border we should be at our hotel this afternoon and then at the track at 5:00. 

Leaving later today

We moved our departure time to later in the day.  We'll overnight close to the border and cross tomorrow morning.  Weather wise it's not looking very promising.  The prediction for the past week has been rain on Wedsneday, Thursday and Friday.  Even if I did have a full set of rains tires, I would never go out on a track that's new to me. Now in a Formula Ford, that's no problem.

Just a little more time

Well, didn't get it loaded on the truck Saturday.  Just plum ran out of time.

Still sitting in the shop Sunday morning.

Sunday noon, I really need to get this loaded up today.  The weather forecast is rain for Monday.

Finally at 6pm.
 My time-management needs some tweaking. I really thought this would all be done Sunday morning.  Still more to load, but just about all the race car support is on the truck.  

Mosport - YouTube

Learning Mosport.  For me, it helps to associate similar corners with tracks I've race at.  The 2 tight corners and long straightaway at the bottom of the map is very much like Road Atlanta.

Packing the truck

First, the new dog rings arrived yesterday.  It's one of those things I don't think I'll need to replace during the weekend, but now I have spares just in case.
The goal today is have all spares and support equipment loaded in the truck along with the car.

Dog rings back ordered

The dog rings have been on back order but are now available.  They just shipped yesterday and I should have them Saturday or Monday by the latest.  That's cutting it close.  

Watkins Glen, NY

I was traveling up to Geneva last Friday and stopped in the research center in Watkins Glen.

Mike Knittel's 1970 Chinook Formula 5000 car on display in the International Motor Racing Research Center in Watkins Glen, NY   Looks great!

Race update:
Starting to pack up tools and parts and I have to make a list of all items for both borders.

Border update

We'll, I talked to the Canadian Border folks yesterday.  Their senior adviser told me it was a unusual request but should not prevent us from crossing into Canada.   She also said expect to be delayed and question, mainly because the inspecting border agent might not be familiar with this particular situation.
With that information in hand, I think we will give it a try.  The only change is leaving a day early.  We planned on leaving early Wednesday morning and getting to the track at 5 pm.  Registration is from 5-9 pm.  But, if we get held-up at the border and late to registration.  That would leave us arriving Thursday morning and setting up.  We would miss the the morning test session.

Links
Historic Canadian Grand Prix
Entry list
Facebook

Car's ready

The car is now 100% race ready.  Finished up the last details yesterday.