Goodyear decals

Received the Goodyear decals today. Very close, just a tinny bit bigger, but I have to replace both of them so it makes no difference.


We have a antique show this weekend that has kept me busy. Still looking at beginning work on the car in January.

Nose decal replacment

A couple of the decals I have in stock. The "AUTOMOTIVE CHEMICALS" decals I have 9 or so. The big "Justice Bros." decals I have a 2 or 3. I just order the "GOODYEAR" decals on ebay. Out of the red, white and blue long decal. I'll order another 10 feet that next week.

Waiting...

Waiting for the F5000 2011 race schedule. Should be released any day. I was hoping to go back to the Mitty and also to have the Watkins Glen September race added. But from what I have heard from unnamed sources is neither of these events will be on the 2011 schedule. My 2 race schedule just might end up being Watkins Glen in September and a SVRA event in South Jersey. The South Jersey event is about 100 miles from the house, and in October. That's about 850 miles closer than Road America. We'll see.

Lola parts search over???

My Lola parts search just might be over.

Eric, in his travels this past week in search of parts for his Lola T190 has come across not only parts in needs for his car, but parts I need for my car. He found a much needed radiator for me and also a mold for making a new front nose for my Lola T192. Plus various suspension pieces that we both are in need of. So far being patient and waiting has payed off.

Still on schedule to commence work on the car in the beginning of the new year.

Just Business

About the only thing to report is I did receive the paint. Otherwise no work on the car.
We do have a antique show coming up soon and also have been consigning some of our merchandise at a local auction(a total of 3 auctions). This should keep us busy through December.


Did have a chance the other day for a flight. This is Trinca, a grass field airport that's not to far from Hackettstown. It's a short (1800ft) bumpy runway and great place to practice and hone your skills. Lot of fun doing grass landings.
The best way to keep the critters out of the plane is to fly it more often.

November Update

As promised a November update.

I think my big find was on ebay a couple of weeks ago. You know how I go on and on about not having enough gear sets, or just the wrong ones. We'll I purchased a gear set for a very reasonable price, and the best part is it's 2nd gear. This is the ratio I needed, the one that I have now is unusable at any track I go to. So instead of only being able to use 3rd, 4th, and 5th. I will now have 2nd. This will be a big help coming out of some of the slower corners.


As far as getting the radiator repaired, I've showed it to a couple of shops and have gotten the thumbs down. It would be far less expensive to have a new one made. So for now, I'll keep looking for a used one.

Should have the paint this week. The only thing is I have to do all my bodywork outside, no spray booth. So this repair and repaint won't happen until next spring when it's warm. But now I won't have to worry about getting the paint colors I need.

Race schedule.
Still no word on next years F5000 race events. Should hear this month.

I'll continue to search for parts and expecting to be back working on the car in January.

Radiator support

Went to pickup the radiator support from Chris today, finally. If looks like less work to make it fit than I originally thought. Plus it's in very good condition, much better than my old one.

This is a photo of the old one. I'm going to have to add those tabs on the top right to the newer one I just got, and a couple of other small modifications. But all in all, no big deal.

Paint ordered

Ordered a gallon of each color. I use two different yellows, one is for a 1974 GMC motor home and the other comes from a 2000 Ford. The Ford color is the base coat, an extra expense but produces the desired color. A gallon is more than I need, but always worried one day they will outlaw acrylic lacquer paint.

Goodyear tires

I've placed a order with Goodyear tires for 2 sets. This should put me on top of the list for next years tire supply. Not taking any chances. The set I have now should be ok for one more event.

Flying with a unwanted passenger?

Since the purchase of the race car 3 years ago, my flying has gone from 3 times a week to once a month. The biggest problem of using the plane only once a month are birds like to make nest in areas like the wings and tail. Mice are also looking for a place to make a nest for the winter. If you're flying all the time, this isn't a big problem. Less time invites more trouble.

The other day I planned a short trip and arrived at the airport expecting a uneventful day.
After starting the engine and beginning to taxi to the runway for a engine run up, I noticed a little less power than I'm use to. This small decrease in power continued during the engine run- up and mag check. Also was picking up a faint vibration. A passenger would not notice the problem, but having over 1000 hrs flight time in this plane, you just know something is not right.
So back it went to it's tie down spot, no flying today.

The next day I removed the cowling to look for the problem. The first place to look was the carburetor air box which is underneath the engine.


Ah ha!, a nest inside the carburetor air cleaner box.

The culprit is caught on camera. A non-paying passenger. This mouse was getting ready for winter. He had build a complete nest inside the air cleaner box.

This was the problem, blocking the carburetor and sucking in some nest material. Once this was all cleaned out the plane again purred like a kitten(which I could of used).

News Flash

Just received my copy of Road & Track magazine(Nov. issue) and found a very nice article written by Sam Posey on the recent Bobby Rahal event at Watkins Glen this past June. I also just received notice that the Watkins Glen event has been cancelled for next year. The old "I have good news and bad news".
.
Link to Road and Track article.

Next update November 1st

The car is going to take a back seat to other projects that have a higher priority. Next update will be November 1st.

A day at Hershey

Wow, what a nice day, not a cloud in the sky. When I first get there, I stop at 3 vendors who might have F5000 race programs and photos. My main race program guy was going out of business and this was going to be his last show. He had already disposed of 22,000 race programs to one person. His booth was basically empty. This is starting to be the same story over and over again. Most of the guys selling this stuff are 70+ years old. There's no one to pass the torch too, so they just end up quiting. The other 2 vendors had nothing. Spent the day, but went home empty.

One of those "what is it" cars.

Saw this guy while I was in the parking lot eating my lunch. I don't think he's looking for a starter motor for his "39" Plymouth.

Hershey next week

Back to the old car meet/flea market located in Hershey, PA next week. This is the big one, got to have a good pair of walking shoes to shop this one. The pickin's are very slim for race stuff, but I might just get lucky this year.

Need a headlight for your Model "T"? He's probably got it.

http://www.hersheyaaca.org/fallmeet.html