To cold in the shop

It's been just to cold to work on the race car.  The shop is only heated with a space heater and the florescent lights.  In the mornings it's been below zero and yesterday we got another 6 inches of snow.  Maybe February will be a little warmer.

Old springs

I replaced the springs this year but really found no advantage.  In fact, I found the car with more over-steer. So it's back to my old yellow springs.  

Back in the shop

The car was more or less pushed into shop after Austin and that was it.

Now it's time to get it up on the stands and take a look. 

2014 cold and snowy

Well, it looks like the winter of 2014  going  to be a cold and snowy.  This is all ready the second snow over 6 inches.

Other than the snow, there's nothing new to report.  Haven't heard from Indy yet and still need to cleanup the shop before I can get back to the race car.

2014 F5000 Association Race Schedule

Just received the schedule.  Only 3 events.  The first is Indy in June.  This event works in the same fashion as COTA, you need to be invited(hmm...others have heard, I've hadn't).  The second happens at Road America in July. The last is a west coast event in October.  Lacking in popularity in the survey was "The Mitty" in April and "COTA" in October.

What's up for next year.

Next year it's 1 or 2 events.  First is Indianapolis.  The SVRA group has this on the calender, its the weekend after the Indy 500.  Much more about driving on a famous race track than the actual race.  The F5000 Association has this on the maybe list.  I'm sure our race group will have much newer cars, like at COTA.  This acceptance of much newer cars(2006) in historic racing is not a good thing.  I certainly  will have a second thought about attending future events with late model cars.
With that said, the other event is Pocono.  Yes, the newer cars will most likely will be in attendance.  But this track is very close to home, no need for a hotel.  I raced FF and Supervee's at this track and it would be fun to go back.  Also the F5000 cars raced here in the 1970's.  This is not on the list for the F5000 group.
Anyway, still 6 months before Indy.  Sometime in January, I'll get back to the race car.

Trip photos

Texas trip 2013

These are mostly photos of Texas and Louisiana from our most recent COTA trip. Click on the photo to take you to the album.

In search of a wheel

Trying to replace the front bent wheel that was one of my rain tires.  Talked to Chuck Haines who I bought my car from.  Said he might have one.
Other than that, not much happening with the car.  Working on our next antique show and getting ready for the upcoming holidays.

New idea!

And I thought my car loading was involved.  Hmm...race car on Suburban?

Over the winter

No big projects for the car over the winter.  I will have to change the master on-off switch. This is the switch that's mounted on the roll bar.  At COTA when my car was in tech. It was pointed out that when the switch is placed in the off position, the engine doesn't  immediately stop. Using a magneto(makes it's own spark without a battery) instead of the standard ignition system, the switch only turns off the fuel pump.  So the engine runs out of gas, then stops.  The tech guy kinda shook his head.  Over the winter I'll install a switch that kills the magneto also.

Unloading the truck

Starting to unload the truck. The car's engine has no antifreeze and it was suppose to get into the low 20's over night.  The unloading is going to take a little more time than usual.  Everything must be put away for the winter and the truck needs to be converted back to the antique hauler. We have a show coming up in early December.

Race recap

COTA is an interesting track.  Not one you learn in a couple of laps.  I'm sure with a little more practice I could knock off another 5 or 8 seconds. The weather was perfect.  The only grip are the newer cars, up to 2006.
The past 3 events for me weren't good.  Nice to finish the year on a high.
It was a good decision to change the dog rings, the old ones would have never finished the race.

Our newest crew member, Mark Manroe.  Mark lives in Texas and was here Friday and Saturday.  His role was important.  On Thursday I could not start the car for the first practice session.  Needed a push start.  On Friday and Saturday, Mark carried the jumper battery.  Thanks again Mark.