Wheel bearings and race plans

Received about half the wheel bearings I'll need for the overhaul. Should get a few more next week.
With next years first event not happening until June, this buys me some extra time. I have given some thought to what races I would like to attend. Obviously Watkins Glen, would have preferred it had been the September race, but this is OK. I'm not going to Road America in July and have opted to fly to Oshkosh for Air Adventure instead. The year after will be Road America. As of now, not planning on the Bobby Rahal event in Canada and the 2 events in California are expensive and time consuming. So the other event I'll race at will be in NJ at the end of September. Keeping it at 2 events for next year.
Still many small details that need to be corrected and I plan to keep this car for a very long time. So I can now take my time, and do it right.

F5000 Race Schedule for 2011

• June 9-12: Watkins Glen - SVRA

• July 7-10: Circuit Mt. Tremblant, Canada – HMP Bobby Rahal Legends of
Motorsports

• July 14-17: Road America – Kohler International Challenge with
Brian Redman WI.

• September 23-25: Coronado Island Speed Festival– HMSA Calif.

• September 30 - October 2: Infineon Raceway – CSRG Charity Challenge Calif.

Yellow?

I just picked up the decal strips for the nose and should have taken a closer look. The yellow is no where near the sample I left off. Looks like it's back to the maker tomorrow.


The top is the original yellow I needed, and the bottom is new. Looks orange to me. These decals cost $14. per foot. Expensive mistake.

Time to Hunker Down

The snow is here, and it's time to hunker down. The earlier predictions set levels at 8-12 inch's, but now there down to 2-4 inch's. But still wind gust up to 35 mph.
On another note, I've ordered wheel bearings that are NOS(new old stock). I needed to order from 5 vendors, no single Co. had all the different sizes I needed.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

A Christmas card from the Formula 5000 Drivers Association.

Patch's

Acquired a couple of vintage sponsor patch's. I'll add them to my drivers uniform.
L&M was the F5000 series sponsor for a number of years.


I also have these as decals on the side of the Lola now.

Avon vs Goodyear

There's been some new talk about tires. The last conversation was Avon tires only for F5000 race series in 2011. It appears that Goodyear might be the front runner now. Goodyear has promised more tires for 2011. Obviously I like this news, I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Race Dates?

Still no news on next years race dates. It's always nice to get the travel arrangements out of the way. Guess I'll have to wait a little longer.

Working on picking up the nose mold in early January. It's just outside of Detroit, Michigan. Also plan on doing some antiquing in Toledo, OH. Maybe some other destinations too.

Goodyear decals

Received the Goodyear decals today. Very close, just a tinny bit bigger, but I have to replace both of them so it makes no difference.


We have a antique show this weekend that has kept me busy. Still looking at beginning work on the car in January.

Nose decal replacment

A couple of the decals I have in stock. The "AUTOMOTIVE CHEMICALS" decals I have 9 or so. The big "Justice Bros." decals I have a 2 or 3. I just order the "GOODYEAR" decals on ebay. Out of the red, white and blue long decal. I'll order another 10 feet that next week.

Waiting...

Waiting for the F5000 2011 race schedule. Should be released any day. I was hoping to go back to the Mitty and also to have the Watkins Glen September race added. But from what I have heard from unnamed sources is neither of these events will be on the 2011 schedule. My 2 race schedule just might end up being Watkins Glen in September and a SVRA event in South Jersey. The South Jersey event is about 100 miles from the house, and in October. That's about 850 miles closer than Road America. We'll see.

Lola parts search over???

My Lola parts search just might be over.

Eric, in his travels this past week in search of parts for his Lola T190 has come across not only parts in needs for his car, but parts I need for my car. He found a much needed radiator for me and also a mold for making a new front nose for my Lola T192. Plus various suspension pieces that we both are in need of. So far being patient and waiting has payed off.

Still on schedule to commence work on the car in the beginning of the new year.

Just Business

About the only thing to report is I did receive the paint. Otherwise no work on the car.
We do have a antique show coming up soon and also have been consigning some of our merchandise at a local auction(a total of 3 auctions). This should keep us busy through December.


Did have a chance the other day for a flight. This is Trinca, a grass field airport that's not to far from Hackettstown. It's a short (1800ft) bumpy runway and great place to practice and hone your skills. Lot of fun doing grass landings.
The best way to keep the critters out of the plane is to fly it more often.

November Update

As promised a November update.

I think my big find was on ebay a couple of weeks ago. You know how I go on and on about not having enough gear sets, or just the wrong ones. We'll I purchased a gear set for a very reasonable price, and the best part is it's 2nd gear. This is the ratio I needed, the one that I have now is unusable at any track I go to. So instead of only being able to use 3rd, 4th, and 5th. I will now have 2nd. This will be a big help coming out of some of the slower corners.


As far as getting the radiator repaired, I've showed it to a couple of shops and have gotten the thumbs down. It would be far less expensive to have a new one made. So for now, I'll keep looking for a used one.

Should have the paint this week. The only thing is I have to do all my bodywork outside, no spray booth. So this repair and repaint won't happen until next spring when it's warm. But now I won't have to worry about getting the paint colors I need.

Race schedule.
Still no word on next years F5000 race events. Should hear this month.

I'll continue to search for parts and expecting to be back working on the car in January.