Monday morning...Good bye HoJo

Our stay at the Howard Johnsons in Marina, CA has come to a end.  This was the ideal home base for the last 11 days.  Sarah the manager/owner has been the prefect host.  We also found a short cut to the race track, from 15 miles to 9 miles and no traffic.

Sunday...Race day

Yes, for most it was race day.  My day ended half-way through the morning race.  The half shaft bolts failed and bent the drive line.  If this had happened Friday, I might have had a chance for repair and a few next day shipments by Fed-X.
But overall we had a great time and I'm sure glad we made the trip.  Now onto the Grand Canyon.

Deb took these photos at the cork screw.

The arrows point to where the bolts should be.  The big problem was on the piece that is circled.  The tree ears are bent.  This piece might be had to locate.

Sunday morning-update

Today we have 2 races.  One in the morning and the other at 4pm.  The race track won't allow anyone to load up the race cars(550 vehicles) until after the last race.  So I have an idea that we will be in for a long night. Decided to keep our hotel room for another night.
The temperature on the average is around 70 during the day.  Yesterday we hit a record 90, that broke the old record of 85 set back in the 1950's.  Another hot one is forecast for today.

Saturday...Day of rest?

Saturday was an option.  No work, then sight seeing.  Work, no sight seeing.  As Deb says, we're here to race.  So most of the day was spent working on the car.  Saturday is the busiest day here, so to be around to answer questions is not a bad thing.  All work is done on the car and ready for Sunday.

Just happy to have it back.

Competitor parking, that's a very steep hill.

Even people in the grandstands.

This is the row where most of the F5000 cars are parked.

Wing found

Found the wing in back of a truck and now repaired.

Friday Flying wing

After being here for a week, the routine is starting to set in.  We both know what is needed without talking to one another.  Today we just had the one qualifying session.  On the 4th lap my left front wing separated.  The cause most likely was age and driving over the rumble strips.  I saw it go flying into the air. At the time, I thought it was the whole wing.  Once back at the garage it become more evident that only the top was gone.  I went back to the area it happened in, it was not to be found.  After a few inquiries, I was told it was on the rescue truck.  From the truck it should be returned to impound.  It never showed up.  So tomorrow the search continues.
I didn't add any race photos, each day looks the same, like the weather.

The wing is in two pieces like a clam shell.  It really is a easy fix, if I can just fined it.
If not, I will have to improvise.

Thursday...Back to the track

I'll start with this afternoons qualifying session.  The car felt a lot better today. I went faster and I had more confidence in the car.  I'm still way done on the list, but considering the tires are 4 years old, I think that's OK.

Not going out until 4:30 leaves the day pretty much free.   Walked around and saw some amazing race cars.  Tomorrow same schedule.  Leaves the day free again.

Brought a couple of posters for the back wall of the tent.

Ed Justice Jr. stopped by the track today.

Told me a few stories about the car,

These big factory displays remained me of Oshkosh.

Part of the race package.  For driver and one crew member.

We sat up there last week.  Great view of the track.

Thursday night was the welcome party.  The theme was 1960's. I had been gathering clothing for the past couple of month.

Wednesday...Laundry, beach and a party

I went over to the track this morning to add someone to my pit crew list and did a little work on the car. Then Deb and I headed off to the laundry mat and then to the beach.

One of the F5000 drivers and his wife who live locally invited the whole group to their house for a get together this evening.  It was a very nice gathering.
Thursday it's back to the track and racing.

People don't hangout on the beach here.

Arrow is pointing to a seal.

Tuesday...Monterey Bay Aquarium

Yesterday also visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium.  Very impressive.
 A little more site seeing today, plus a visit to the track and do a little work on the car.

Tuesday...Concours on the Avenue

"Carmel-By-The-Sea" "Concours on the Avenue" is one show you don't want to miss. Every type of car you can think of is there.  I took many more photos I'll publish when we get home.

Hey, look who I ran into at the car show, Ed Justice Jr.