Merry Christmas

Happy Thanksgiving

2017 F5000 Drivers Association race schedule

• June 8-11:  Open Wheel World Challenge at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with SVRA
• July 20-23:  Road America – The WeatherTech International Challenge with Brian Redman presented by Hawk
• September 29 - October 1:  Charity Challenge at Sonoma Raceway with CSRG
• November 1-5:  U.S. Vintage National Championship with SVR

The Open wheel challenge in Indy is a new event being run by the SVRA.  As it says in the title, "open wheel only".  The one thing to notice in the title, no mention of vintage or historic cars.  This event is open to any open wheel car, new or old.  

This is probably a good idea that the SVRA has.  There are always a lot more closed wheel cars at the historic events.  Early open wheel cars have very limited seat sizing.  By opening it to new cars, the entry list will be big. 

Oh, did I mention snow?

Yesterday I was raking leaves in a t-shirt.  Today we had almost 4" of snow.

Race car update

It's going to be a short update.  Other than getting the parts for the repair to the axle, I haven't had time to work on the car.  With the holidays fast approaching, don't see anything happening in the near future.
The new plan is to have the car ready for 2018.  That gives me all next year to make the car 100% race ready.  The past couple of years the car has been at 80%.  Time to get it back.

New axle parts

Who would think you could still get new parts for a car that was made in 1971.  The 1972 Lola T-300 change axle design, so these parts weren't used.

Output flange and more

Jeff had a few more parts that I could use.  Another flange that also had bent.  3 more bolts, the threads had been damage at the ends.   Parts should be here today.

Hard to see, but the top flange is bent.  You can see some of the Nickle plating has peeled off. A good indication there is a problem. 

2016 Wheeling Vintage race boat Regatta photos

Throughout the day a good crowd was on hand.

Really nice boat, but only did a couple of laps.
Had engine problems.

The fastest boats ran on alcohol and had superchargers.

Talked to this boat owner/driver.  He's had this boat for 10 years.  The trailer holds 40 gals of water and 50 gals of fuels plus many spares.  The boat weights 1500 lbs and the trailer is 6000 lbs.

2016 Wheeling Vintage race boat Regatta.

Excellent day for this event.

2016 Wheeling Vintage Raceboat Regatta

Visiting the Wheeling Vintage Race Boat Regatta in West Virgina. Friday is loading in and Saturday and Sunday are the time trials.  Today you get to walk around the hot pits.  Saturday and Sunday it's limited to just lunch time.  The boat trailers are very innovated.  No enclosed trailers here.  They have to be creative in making storage.

Output flange

Jeff from Cam-Am Cars sent a photo of the output flange they have.  It's definitely the one I need.  The best part, it's brand new.

Axle flange

Jeff at Can-Am cars contacted me today saying they have a flange.  The guys are in CA for the Monterey Historics.  When they get back  he'll measure it and send me a photo just to be sure.  If it indeed is the right one, that will save some money and get the car back closer to race condition.

Rear axle

With the car on stands it makes working on it easier.   Dissembled the axle to see what needed to be replaced.  The one piece that showed real damage was the 3 ear yoke.  I'm going to call Chuck Haines at Cam-Am cars to see if he has one.  Still thinking about a upgrade axle shaft also.

You can see this is really bent.  Option is to heat and bend back in place?

This was hitting the rear suspension lower A-arm.

Mid-summer report

Yesterday being 95 degrees I decided it would a good day to work in the shop(ac).  Spent most of the afternoon cleaning and placing the car on stands.  Not a big start, but a start.  Now I can cleanup the oil under the car.

Back from Oshkosh

What a great event.  For sure, the most people and planes I have ever seen.  Even the camping area for the folks who drive in were turning people away.  That's the first time.

Saturday Con't

Yesterday was really a nice day, perfect weather.  Today should be the same.

One of the many camping sites.

Tonight the airshow

 I've got my seat.  

Boeing 747 cargo from China. Not part of the night show:)

Saturday Oshkosh

Early morning ballon launch.  In my past visits it's been to windy for this.  However this was the perfect morning.

Friday Oshkosh

Friday's weather was not the best until late afternoon.  I did a few more seminars and a little shopping.
I'll add photos a little later.  I forget the card adapter for the photos.  Where I camp there is no Wi-Fi and it's about a mile away.
Today it's going to be beautiful weather, all day.  This will also be the busy day and the night airshow will happen later.

Canadian Snow Birds

Water Tanker for firefighting.