Lime Rock race group 4?

Every couple of days I check the Lime Rock site for a car entry list.  This morning I noticed a change in the event schedule.  Group 4 it looks like only F1 cars now and I would be then in group 2.  The mix of cars in group 2 would be very similar to the Pittsburgh event.  Won't know for sure until I get a competitors list of what cars go into what groups. 
http://www.limerock.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=356&Itemid=98

2nd poster wall

The 2nd poster wall is done.

Something new for Lime Rock

Working on bringing our John Deere Gator(similar to a 2 seat golf cart) to Lime Rock.  I have a 15' trailer that I haven't used since 1995.  Just replaced all the lights and wiring, repacked the wheel bearings and ordered a couple of new tires.  We can pull this behind the Suburban and this will give us a pit vehicle at Lime Rock.  When your just there for a couple of days all the walking isn't to bad.  But after 5 days it does get tiresome.  Plus when you have a race car that gets 4mpg, that's a lot of trips to the gas pump. 

Lime Rock in 3 weeks

Not much to do on the car.  What is really left is just routine maintenance.  Have some work on the truck, maybe a day or two on that.  All in all, looking good.

Set of rains

At last, my rain tires are completed.  It wasn't terribly difficult, just time consuming.  My never use them, but now at least I have the option.

3 down 1 left

Finished one of the rear tires.  The other rear should been done by this Monday.

Takes about 3 hours to turn a slick into a rain. 

Oops...ran out of rubber

Started to work on the rear tire.  After mounting it, laying out the pattern, I discovered that the tire surface did not contain enough rubber to groove.  I realized I had cut into the cords of the tire.  Oh well, couple of hours down the drain.  Lucky I have 2 other rear tires that look better. 

Started out well, even the rear tire fits on the front. 
 Much easier when the tire can rotate, turn left, and then right.

As I worked toward the left grooving, that's when I started to hit the cord.  Did determine why this happened.  This tire was my emergency replacement from 2010.  Road Atlanta to be exacted.  The tire came from a fellow competitor who just purchased a new set.  I remember him telling me it was 2-3 years old and well used.

Lime Rock poster wall

At the Lime Rock event I plan on bringing the poster walls.  Have one pretty much done.  This wall staying with the Lime Rock theme.

Tire number 2 done.  Next are the rear tires.

1 completed rain tire

Considering it's my first time, I think the tire is usable.  At this point I'll work on the other 3 and have a set of rain tires just in case.

Looks like a rain tire.

 Started on the second one, now that I have a system it will go faster and look better.

It takes over 400 individual cuts on one front tire.

The smell of burning rubber

Started on my first soon to be rain tire.  There is an art to this, just takes a little practice.  I have a pattern that I made so all I have to do is measure and scribe with a yellow marker.   The tire grooving iron heats the rubber as you carve out the groove.  It does stink.  

Much easier to work with the tire mount on the car.

So far not to bad.

The most difficult part is to cut the correct line, not all get cut.

Should finish this one today.

Slave clutch cylinder

Replaced with a new clutch cylinder, not sure if the old cylinder was damage when the bolt fell out.  Not taken any chances, and this will give me a spare.  Hard to see but the 2 bolts retaining the cylinder are safety wired and loctite was applied.

Paint

Just finished painting the 4 spare rims.  I'll  hold off polishing them, in a week they would be tarnished. 

The art of tire grooving

Started to practice tire grooving.  Not sure how useful the grooving will be, can't go to deep or I hit the cord.  At best, it will produce a intermediate rain tire.  I'll try one tire, then see if it's worth the trouble to make three more.

Lime Rock event schedule

Lime Rock event schedule, our race group is 4.
Historic Festival 30 & Sunday in the Park Concours (click here).

Rim prep

Glass beading and getting ready to paint and polish the spare tire rims I got from Eric.  Oh, speaking of Eric, he did make it to Road America but continued to have engine problems.