Progress Continues

A good friend of mine said that I did not do a good job of updating my blog. I was surprised to know that someone was reading my blog.

I am continuing to track ahead as mentioned below. The motor is out and in Greenville, SC. The dual brake master cylinders are in with the balance bar attached and the brake lines re-plumbed and the dropped swivel axle assemblies are installed.

Sam Neave at LNA Enterprises (http://home.earthlink.net/~samneavelna/) is going to augment my roll bar to SCCA National Specifications. The added door bars and front hoop will give me added confidence. For years people raced with either no bar, or only a main hoop like I had, but there were times when I hung it out there and thought, if I lose it, am I safe and secure in this car. This new bar will resolve those concerns.

Ron Davis is building my aluminum racing radiator as I type this, because my original radiator which I said was being re-cored was rotten throughout.

This Monday (December 31, 2007) the car heads to the painter for a fresh coat of black, before receiving its sponsor and number decals.

In another post, I will officially announce my sponsor for ‘08, but I will tease you a bit now by giving you their Web address – http://www.thirdwavedigital.com/.

Santa mom and dad gave me a new sebring front valence for the car and I finished its installation today. Here are some pics that show it off, as well as what my car looks like prior to the paint shop. Just a couple of months ago it was successfully navigating the race track – now it is just a rolling tub – what have I done? J

No rest for the weary.

It is funny. If you ask any racer they will never say, "my car is done." So for the longest time I have been saying that I am building a race car. Well actually, it has been built, it passed tech inspection and oh yeah, it also successfully completed a driver's school.

However, those of us who build and drive these cars also know that there is so much more that can be done.

So, in preparation for next March's driver school, I am fast at work on my 2008 MGB. Current projects include: Pulled motor for a complete rebuild by Hap Waldrop. This work will include all of the internal goodies that will make this car much faster and more competitive, as well as a completely rebuilt and modified set of HS6 carbs. I will also add an aluminum flywheel and backplate care of Dave Headley that won't give me more horsepower, but will give me that horsepower sooner.

In addition, MG Limited is setting up my braking system to include rear bias, so I can adjust the pressures on the track. Dave Headley is going to shorten my spindles so I can get another inch lower to the ground in the front (to match the rear). My radiator has been re-cored so that the engine will run cooler, an accusump is going in to protect the internal components of the new engine and I am considering adding to my existing roll bar to increase its safety.

No small task at hand. However, I am enjoying every bit of cleaning, dismantling and planning that is going into this build.

Stay tuned for more updates. March will be here before we know it.

Mission Accomplished

First of two SCCA competition driving schools successfully completed

It was a great weekend. Intense, but not truly appreciated until I saw the checkered at the end of my five lap race to conclude the school. At that point, the getting down to business attitude rested and I reveled in the accomplishment of a lifelong dream. It was a liberating and emotional moment that I will never forget.

As I had mentioned earlier, I chose the WDC region and Summit Point specifically, because it is my home track and region. Dad ran in a Sprite and we both were volunteers for many years. I love the course, know many of the workers and felt at home in a newly intense environment.

It was raining hard all throughout the Southeast and Summit Point was no exception last week. I remember waking up in the Camper at 4 a.m. Saturday morning to the sound of rain and thought oh man is this going to be miserable. But by 6 a.m. it was all clear and the sun was out for the rest of the weekend.

I was in Group 3 of 3 total classes - large bore closed wheels. Production, IT and GT cars. I had classed myself in GP because my car best suited that class, but did not really matter, because I am going vintage racing. There were 13 total cars and I was probably 11th fastest in front of a GTL Pinto and an EP '63 Morgan driven by a Michael Mulrooney. My car in more capable hands may have had something more to offer an MR2 and RX-7 who were about 5 seconds a lap faster.

Summit Point is a great track [http://www.summitpoint-raceway.com/]. A long straight, increasing radius turns and several turns that can test your willingness to go fast. It was repaved about four weeks ago, so when dry it has a lot of grip, but all of the reference points were paved over and a lot of dirt was used to fill in around the edges. Which when combined with torrential rains and students created a dirty track.

My first outing out tested my desire to continue. It was not fun. Very wet, I had tons of oversteer, understeer and a good spin in the Carousel left me questioning whether I really wanted to do this. However, as the day dried and my sessions increased (about 10 total over two days) I began to have a blast.

The car ran great considering the odds were against it. It was completely new. However, it all held together well.

The five lap race which ended the week had me grided on pole. The instructors stacked us slow to fast for their enjoyment. So I followed the Ferrari 360 Modena around for the green flag and lost three positions immediately after it dropped. The second start I lost two more and by the third start I quickly found my usual position. However, I was not too far from the pack when the checkered dropped.

Each session, my dad made sure I was gridded first which ensured that for the first couple of laps I had an opportunity to work with traffic, go door-to-door and experiment with different lines.

At the end of the week, I received high marks from the instructors, had only one involuntary off track (got pushed off the road at turn ten by an RX-7), experienced a number of pucker moments and left with the respect that all racers have of how hard it is to be consistent, aware, strategic and safe, but still wanting to win.

I look forward to next year and a faster car. For this same description and more pictures you can see them at:

http://www.mgexperience.net/phorum/read.php?41,663623

REGISTERED!!

Well approximately one year and four months later (since this endeavor began), I am officially registered for my first SCCA driver’s school.

Think Racing is heading to the home track of Summit Point Raceway (http://www.summitpoint-raceway.com/) for the Washington DC Region’s annual driver’s school.

Registration has been confirmed, car is teched, the packing list is complete.

Now, all I need to do is install my recently rebuilt head and carburetors from Acme Speedshop, tune and load up.

It should be a good time for all of us.

Passed Tech!

I took the car up to Northern Virginia two weeks ago for its first tech inspection. This can be a nervous time, because the car is a brand new race car and though you read the rules there is always a chance that you missed something or misunderstood what was said.

Now I have done a lot of reading, studying, research trips, ask the expert etc. so I felt confident, but it is different once the official is actually poking around the car, pulling on things, pushing on other things and then referencing the rule book.

Especially since this inspector was SCCA licensed. SCCA has strict rules and has to because it has an agressive and highly competitive club racing program. But its rule book is not the vintage rule book. I am attending in October a SCCA school and they allow Vintage racers, but only because technically it is not "racing," but a school. Therefore the safety requirements are lifted enough to allow my car to participate.

So the car passed tech inspection. What does that mean. For me and the car, it means that it has been issued a log book and has been registered with the DC Region (my old "home" region). It also means that I can arrive and drive at the driver's school without the added worry and hassle of completing tech at the track outside of having my helmet inspected. It also means that my car has received an annual inspection meaning that it will not need to be looked at again until August of 2008. So, I can attend the March school too with the same benefits as the October.

Needless to say it was a successful trip. The first race car I ever built passed tech and is an official race car.

The Biscuit just got a new tow partner. This past weekend, my family and I drove up to pick up the latest edition to the Think Racing family - "The Cramper."

What exactly is "The Cramper." Named by my four-year old daughter, The Cramper, is a 1986 Winnebago Minnie Winnie. Don't be fooled by its faded exterior. This baby only has 56,000 miles and is pristine on the inside. Sleeps 4 comfortably, has a four burner stove, microwave, fridge, full bath and a bunch of storage just to name a few, this camper is the perfect match for our getaways to the race track and beyond.

Hopefully during the next week, I will get a chance to fire all of the appliances up as we begin to clean her up and make her ours.

Bye Bye Pricilla

I wanted to memorialize my '71 GT that I took today to the scrap yard. I am feeling a bit sentimental about it, despite the fact that she was beyond restoration and I feel that I made the right decision. What better place to honor her than among friends.

She was my first MG and I drove her everyday for more than eight years. It was the summer of '92 and I had just graduated high school and I purchased her from a couple who never drove her. My best friend pointed the car out for sale. I had to sell my perfectly reliable and sporty Mazda 323 SE so that I could buy this car and did so without a second thought.

I was working part-time that summer at a small consulting agency (my dad got me the job and worked there too). Dad has a '71 GT too and we would parade to work and back together. Some days I would go my own way through the curvy roads that still existed at the time and you could not wipe the grin off of my face. It was mischievious looking.

During my college years, she did countless 1,500+ mile trips to Auburn, AL and back (my parents living in Northern Virginia) and never left me stranded. We slept many nights together at the rest stops among the rows of semi trucks. Through the years, there were many upgrades and modifications all to enhance her performance. I autocrossed her, swooned women with her, made all kinds of sketchy adventures in her, reported to my first real job in her and even courted my wife - she like the outside air and gas mixed cologne smell that I carried with me.

In about 2000, Dad was undergoing a restoration of his GT and I had recently purchased a new car and could not afford to insure two cars. So I gave the GT to him to drive while his was in the garage getting its extreme makeover. Unfortuantely it was winter when my parents picked her up and the drive back was 500 miles filled with salt and snow slowly churning. That was the beginning of the end.

For the last year it has sat in my garage slowly being stripped of its useful parts and otherwise just taking up space. During that year, I have also been building my '67 B race car which is fulfilling a life long dream. Something had to go. The car was taking up too much space, beyond restoration and even if I wanted to try, it would not happen anytime soon. I can only focus on one thing at a time. Besides I could buy a great GT for half the price that would go into restoring the car.

So I loaded her up on the trailer and took her to the scrap yard. So, here is her tribute. Pricilla, you were a great car. A prized possession. You always deserved every second look that I gave you, every compliment you ever received. You never failed me, you were always there for me and I enjoyed every moment we spent on the road. I don't regret a single knuckle busted, shirt ruined because of grease, or the upsets girlfriends who complained about how hot it was. I enjoyed every race we camped at, every turn we hugged and pylon we ran over We experienced true freedom together and many care-free days. During our hey day, life was less complicated. I will always remember the thousands of miles spent up and down the highway, windows down, exhaust note blaring. Every time I think of you, I will bear the mischievious grin that you introduced me to those many years ago. You were a good car and much more. You helped define me. Rest in peace.

Now, everyone, a toast. "To Pricilla and the other fallen Bs just like her."

Things are cranking along. Though the updates continue to be slow, progress continues to move forward.

The transmission is in. It was quite the weekend sometime back in June (I think). My wife traveled to see family in New Mexico and my folks came down to help me with the kids. Actually what that means is that mom took care of the kids and dad and I played in the garage.

Let’s start first with this year’s Gold Cup at VIR. Dad and I met up there for research. There were about 18 racing MGBs which meant plenty of research fodder. I took some 200 photos – most of them were things like tow hooks, exhaust pipes, roll bars etc – not many of them glamour shots. I had a number of questions that I needed to answer and this was my one trip to get as many answered as possible. Plus I met a number of these drivers and made several contacts.

The following weekend, we put the gearbox in the car. This was a great exercise and learning opportunity. Not only did we pull things out, clean and paint them, as well as refresh bushings and gaskets, etc., I learned a ton. It was a great experience.

My first driver’s school is this October. The list of things needed to be done in preparation for that school and tech is quickly dwindling. Custom made tow hook – check, firewall plates – check, catch tanks, check …

I scheduled two important trips leading up to this event. One occurred this past weekend at ACME Speedshop. I took the car to Greenville for Hap Waldrop to go over it and tune it. In addition he had his local car club show up and we turned it into a tech and tune session. In addition to pulling my carbs apart, setting the timing and installing my new distributor and electronic ignition, he helped me – through a leak test - determine an issue I was having with my motor. Turns out I am losing a lot of horsepower through my valves – time for a valve job. That entire day was priceless, in that I could ask countless questions, as well as just hang out with the guys and talk about racing. It was a good time. I can’t tell you enough what a good guy Hap is and the work he does is top notch. His Web site is http://www.acmespeedshop.com/.

The other trip is at the end of August where I will take the car and have it teched by a DC region scrutineer. This trip will be important because I will have the car looked over well in advance of the driver’s school, as well as have the car issued a log book and the rollbar stamped.

In other progress, my medical exam is complete and my novice permit is being processed.

All in all, good progress is being made. More to come soon.

Let’s see this vision become a reality

It has been quite frustrating at times as I have tried to plot a reasonable course to accomplish my overall vision of becoming a vintage MGB race car driver.

Originally, I was going to build a car and then I found a car that was closer than a ground up build. Then I figured I would enjoy the car utilizing PDX and time trials as a means to get on track experience all the while continuing to build the car up to spec for SVRA/HSR style vintage competition.

So over the winter I put a tremendous amount of time and energy in building the car to meet SCCA’s Vintage time trial rules. This included buying all of the necessary safety gear that I would have to don for both TT and on track wheel-to-wheel racing.

So, I got it done, registered for my first event – the Rush to the Rock Time Trial – at Rockingham Speedway and prayed for good weather. Well it did not rain, but the event was cancelled because of a lack of interest.

Here is where I came across an important crossroads. I was talking with my dad and it became apparent to me when he asked me what my long-term goal was that I should quit fooling around and just focus on the big prize.

So I took my remaining money and dumped it into purchasing a fuel cell, as well as the necessary plumbing. In addition I have sought out several SCCA driver’s school and have been given permission to drive my Vintage spec car in their schools providing it meets the minimum standard provided in the both the 1972 SCCA GCR and the SVRA rule book.

In addition, dad helped me with the purchase of a straight cut, close ratio gearbox sourced by Hap Waldrop at Acme Speedshop (www.acmespeedshop.com). While at the PDX at CMP last year, my current stock transmission kept popping out of gear at high revs. I had planned to just rebuild one of my several spares, but dad came to my rescue and helped me get the real deal. It contains a new Jack Knight set and will go in the car soon.

In addition, dad and I have a research trip planned for this June. We are going to the Gold Cup again at VIR to research the racing MGB’s on hand. I need to look at and take pictures of several design, safety and performance components of these cars for use in my own build. Besides this being the second year in a row that we have gone to this event, it will also represent the one year anniversary since I made the commitment to go racing.

I think I have made good progress considering everything else going on in my life.

So in addition to the new fuel cell and gearbox, I have also installed a fire suppression system, quick disconnect steering wheel, aluminum racing seat, rebuilt the entire rear suspension including the install of a Fabtek rear adjustable sway bar (www.fast-mg.com) and a hybrid rear end built by Hap Waldrop and featured on the MG experience forum (http://www.mgexperience.net/phorum/read.php?41,507209). I have also included a number of nice features such as new raydot rearview mirrors, a center mount sportscar mirror, racing windscreen, master cut off switch, push button start, 7/8” front sway bar with solid mounts and a number of other items.

As of today, I will keep working hard to finish the car, find someone to tech it and then register for the DC Region’s driver’s school at Summit Point Raceway in October.

I wrote several updates to this blog and then my laptop died and I had no access to capture them for posting. As a result, my blog is severely outdated.

I have worked the entire winter prepping the car for this year’s time trial season, including applying for my time trials novice permit.

My first PDX/Time Trial event of the year is the North Carolina’s Rush to the Rock at Rockingham Speedway April 21 – 22.

I will follow up with all of the modifications that I made this winter with some detail shortly. In the meantime, here is one of my log book photos.