Magneto kill switch mounted

This didn't take long.  I was able to mount the magneto kill switch on the back of the fuel pump.  I bench tested first, it functions just as advertised. This week I'll wire it up. The only other item completed was the oil and filter change.

Cleaning and degreasing

Once we go back from Austin last year I just rolled the car into the shop and never cleaned it.  So time to get out the rags and clean it up.  One thing I noticed is a lot of sand suspended in the oil and grease that coats the car.  Not unusual for new tracks, specially in the Texas environment.

Front springs replaced

Removed the new springs and placed the old ones back.

Out with the new...

In with the old.

Magneto kill switch

One thing on the to do list is updating my master switch.  At the COTA tech last year it was pointed out to me that the master switch only turns off the electric not the magneto.  So as it happens, the engine doesn't stop running until the carbs run out of fuel.  That takes about a minute.  So I have two options, first is to replace the master switch(original to car).  The second is to add a solenoid.  I'm going to try the solenoid approach first.  The idea with solenoid is when 12v power is added the contacts stay open.  When the 12v is switched off the contacts close and ground out the magneto.
The problem with a new switch is I'm not sure if I have the room for it. The replacement looks a lot bigger than the original.

This master switch is original to the car.  

A complete new master switch.

Just a solenoid. 

Watkins Glen Research Center

Coming May 10 Sam Posey will the be the honored guest speaker to talk about F5000 in the day.  Also in attendance will be featured speakers: Bob Mayer, Jacques Dresang and Jim Stengel.  I was up at the center a couple of days ago and was told that Jim is writing a book about F5000.  There has been talk over the past couple of years that we need a book focused on the F5000 racing in the states.  I'll find out more May 10.

The International Motor Racing Research Center at Watkins Glen
610 S. Decatur Street
Watkins Glen, NY 14891-1613

Old springs

Placing the old springs back on the shocks.  Using the old settings from 2010.  The car felt better back then, see that happens.

Beaver County Visitors Guide 2014

I was thrilled to be included in the 2013 guide.  But wasn't expecting to find myself on the front cover of the 2014 one.  For sure, someone at Beaver County likes race cars.

Spring cleaning

The shop falls into disarray during the winter.  All the none race projects end up there.  Took a afternoon of cleaning to resemble a race shop again.

Mid-March report

It's been quite.  The weather is starting to turn a little warmer and I should get back on the race car by the start of April.  I think the only item needed for this season is a battery.  The tires and the clutch plates should be good for another race.  I have spare dog rings, but don't think I'll need to change the ones in the car for the next event.  They only have one race on them.
So for right now, still considering the event at Mosport in June.  That's the only one on the list for this year.

Magazine ad for the F5000 race series.

Steve Bedford did another great job on the ad for the F5000 group.

Found front tire rim

Chuck Haines called the other day to let me know he found a front tire rim.  This is a replacement for the bent rain tire rim I discovered at Road America last year. Going to take a close look at the other 3 rims before ordering it, really want to make sure the other 3 are good.  

Did someone say more snow?

Maybe another 6" inches today.  With the antique show coming up next week, I have to keep all the areas open to load the truck.  Very glad I purchased a snow-blower many years ago.  Folks who have their driveway plowed are being buried in snow banks.
As far as Mosport goes this year, the last hurtle is to re-register the truck non-commercial. That's the only practical way to cross the border into Canada.

If you don't have to deal with it, it's quite pretty.

More snow

It's hard to think about racing when the forecast is for 12-16 inches of snow.
On a more interesting note.  Tony Adamowicz has been chosen to be the Grand Marshall for the Desert Classic Concours "Sunday February 23, 2014.  

Ed Justice Jr. on the left and Tony Adamowicz on the Right.  Ed is the MC there.

Race schedule update

The one other event I was considering was Pocono.  The Pocono schedule shows them using a different road course than I drove back in the day, which eliminates the first oval turn on the banking.  I  don't find the new road course very challenging in a F5000 car. So Pocono is off the list.
Other than that, no news to report.  Just dealing with the weather like everyone else.

Another snowy day

 The snow blower is getting a good workout this winter with another 4-8 inches of snow happening today.
We have a antique show coming up in a couple of weeks, so I think race car time will come in March.   Here's a link to the event up in Canada that we're thinking about attending.
Click here Canadian History Grand Prix

Also 2 weeks later at the same track is a new event.  Don't know much about, Eric had sent me the info on it.  We'll keep a eye on it's progress.
Click here Glory Days Celebration of Speed