Friday practice

The morning practice session only lasted one lap.  Rick Parson, who drives the Redman car, broke an oil cooler and slowly spread 15 qts of oil around the complete track.  He had no idea it was leaking.  They stopped the session to clean up the oil.  After a short time passed, they canceled the session.
So I really learned nothing in the morning.
   The afternoon session went well.  The new lines for the oil catch can worked, no oil was transferred into the can. I'm glad that problem is resolved.  The wheel toe in settings also felt more stable at high speed.  I'm going to leave them there for now.  I checked all the new wheel bearings, everything looked good.
The radiator had no leaks, that's good.
  This morning is qualifying,  I'm going to take it easy, my last time in the car was almost a year ago.  No more front rows for me.

Thursday, Watkins Glen

Garages are full.  

 I did talk to Eric, he was still in Seattle.  The car needed a couple more weeks of work to be finished. 

I'm  ready to go.  Friday will be practice, one session he the morning and one in the afternoon.

Watkins Glen, NY

Arrived at the track last night.  Unloaded the car and went over to Seneca Lodge where we we'll be staying.  Today is test day, but I won't be taking part.  I haven't seen Eric yet, I presume he is on the way.

Ready for Watkins Glen

All loaded up,  a project that lasted all day Tuesday.  The first event is always the longest.  It's suppose to be very hot the next couple of days.  So I'm happy it's done.

Car's done.

 At last, finished today.  The last was the toe in, toe out.  Used my aliment gauge I purchased on ebay.  Worked just like a new one.  I did find out my toe in was 5-6 degrees in the front (should be less than 1 degree).  I had made an adjustment between Watkins Glen and Road America; used the old string and tube system.  Nice to have the right tools now. 

My new cover, had the car measured at Road Atlanta last year.  Fits nice.

On schedule

Scheduled to leave Wednesday for Watkins Glen.  So far everything is looking good.  Should have the car off the stands by the end of the day.  Lots of little things to do, but the major work is completed.

Watkins Glen F5000 entry list

Jim Kelleher is tentative.

Re plumbing

Moving the oil breather lines.  Last year my catch can would load up with oil from the oil tank.  I'm trying moving the valve cover breather lines straight to the the catch can and bypassing the oil tank.  This way I can eliminate one line off the oil tank.

I think this was the problem line, I can now eliminate it and close it off.

Back to the radiator

After moving the connector on the radiator, guess what, it's still in the way.  Had to make up a smaller line to clear the nose.  Now it fits.

That little 90 degree elbow was hitting the nose.

By using a steel line, I could bent the angle I needed, thus clearing the nose.

Truck

Spent the day cleaning the shop and converting the truck from an antique hauler to a race car hauler.

Good as new

At last, the nose is now completed.  It came out OK.  When the other nose is made, this one will become my spare, that I hope I won't need again. 

Making progress

Another nice day and made some headway.  Applying the decals is going a lot faster than the first time.  It helps to have many photos of the past work.  This will be completed tomorrow.

 

We got tires!

Just received 2 sets of Goodyears.  One set for this season and I'll be saving the other set for next year.   I'll use last year's tires for Watkins Glen and then mount the new set for my next event.

One busy day

Not only have both shades of yellow been applied, but I had just enough time to apply the lacquer clear coat.  It was a perfect day for painting.  Tomorrow, I will lightly sand and polish.  Sure glad this part is done.

What! no rain

Yesterday made progress on the nose; was able to prime and sand.  And today with the sunshine, should get both shades of yellow applied.