Ok, just a little bit of work.

Needed a break from the prep for the antique show. Did a little more rivet removal on the nose. Last week I was talking to my airplane mechanic, John. He said he would help me re-rivet the aluminium structure once I got it all straightened out. He's semi- retired and goes to Florida for the winter, so this I can't put off.

The more I remove the worst it gets.

Right side


Left side.

U.S. Vintage Grand Prix September 9-12

I've attended as a spectator the last 3 years. Great event and probably the largest historic gathering on the East coast. I had hoped the F5000 series would return to this event this year. But that was not to be. I might consider participating in this race next year, even if the F5000 cars don't come, it's a great track and it's close.

We have a antique show over labor day weekend, a week off, then another show the following weekend. If I get the time, sure would like to go up to Watkins Glen for this event. I belong to the club that organizes it, so my ticket is free. We'll see what happens.

The race car, still under the cover. I did work a little on the aluminum shroud that holds the nose and radiator. Starting to drill out the many rivets that it's assembled with. Still hoping the one from Eric is a good match, but I know it's not a perfect match.

Update

I did contact the race shop to see about a radiator and nose. He said he might have the radiator and a mold for the nose. It's large warehouse and might be a week or two before in can take a look. These guys are still busy, it's just the middle of the race season for them.
The next couple of months will be focused on business and home. I think the car will turn into a winter project.

Radiator

Certainly at top of the parts list is the radiator. The choices are, replace with a used one, replace with a new one or repair what I have. The easiest would replace with a used one. I called a race shop that carries a few Lola T192 parts in Michigan. Should hear from them Monday, but I think they sold their last one last year. Option 2, have one custom made. Haven't explored this idea yet, but keeping it in mind. Last would be repair it. Think I will give Brian a call next week to see what he thinks.

Having time on my side, leaves a lot of options. I'll move slowly on this one.

Starting the list

Still a couple of months away before I start any work on the car. So now I'm starting to make a list. Beside the obvious repairs, I do want to replace all the wheel bearings. Right now I'm using the ones that came with the car. I think I will feel better with new bearings. Also want to look into new brake pads, same story, using the ones that came with the car. That's just the start.

Goodyear tires

If I'm going to use Goodyear tires next year, I better start thinking about stocking up on them. Only two other F5000 cars are using Goodyear's, Eric in his 1969 Lola T190 and Steve in his 1969 Eagle. I talked to Eric after Road America and he said in had a slow leak in one of his tires and found that Goodyear had no tires for his car and he switch to Avon tires. Looks like Goodyear lost another customer.
The F5000 cars are racing in Portland in September. See if I can get some feedback from Eric on the Avon tires after the event.

Lola back in the shop

Got around to unloading the truck yesterday. Car's back in the shop, and the truck is being converted back to a full time antique hauler.

The truck worked well as a race car transporter. The only problem arises at the track. The truck is our transportation to the hotel in the evening. So when you come back in the morning, someone steals your parking spot.

Road America review

While my time at RA was limited to a day, I did enjoy driving the track. Definitely a horsepower track with those 3 long straightaways. This is the first track that the gears ratios seemed right and the problem with 3rd gear seemed to be fixed. I should be able to use these ratios at Watkins Glen next year.

AirVenture Oshkosh, WI

Next Monday starts AirVenture, the gathering 10,000 airplanes and hundreds of thousands of aviation lovers. I had to pick between Road America or Oshkosh this year. I can't attended both events because of time constraints. I guess if I had a crystal ball, I would be packing the plane getting ready to go. Anyway, I think I will alternating events, next year it's Oshkosh.

More Winter time work.

It's ugly, but repairable.

A jigsaw puzzle for later. I think you start with the corners and work your way inward.

Radiator.....Ouch!

The radiator has a little damage that I hope is repairable. Eric told me at the track that he might have the radiator support, his car came with some T192 parts. If not, I have all winter to straighten it out. I figure 10 months before my next event. Still haven't taken the car out of the truck yet. Trying to catch up on a lost weekend.

Back home again

Loaded up the truck Thursday evening, came back to the track Friday Morning for a few more photos. Then said our goodbyes and headed East to NJ. I've had these rides before with a broken race car in tow, lots to think about on the way home.

Going through Chicago wasn't as bad as when we came up Wednesday. A long but uneventful trip. Got home early Saturday morning.

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Not too many photos this time. But I do have a couple more to add this week.

A Short race weekend

Unfortunately my race event ended yesterday. I was in the afternoon test session, spun and damage the radiator. The radiator was not repairable and I don't have a spare. Also when I had the car jacked up I noticed the front right wheel bearing was very loose. This is another item I don't have.
So, I guess I had 3 great race weekends and one very disappointing one. I really wasn't planning on going home today.
This winter I have a very long list of work and spare parts to search for.

Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore

Arrived at Road America around 3pm, unloaded the car and setup what we could. Weather forecasts had nasty storms heading our way. By evening they had arrived along with a tornado watch. Won't know the condition of the race track until we get there today.

Fremont, Indiana

Arrived in Fremont, Indiana yesterday evening. A uneventful trip, that's good. Still have another 300 miles to Road America, planning to arrive late afternoon. Eric called yesterday, he left Seattle Monday afternoon and was in Montana when he called. He plans to arrive this evening. He's a driving machine.

Been following the weather forecast, mostly mid 80's for race weekend.