Refining my game

I have been doing more welding. This time, I needed a stand to hold an engine for transporting. Whether it is my current race motor, or the spare. I have needed something to hold and stabilize the motor so it would not bounce around or tip over while in transport. This one does the job ok and I will clean it up and paint it shortly.

In addition, I created a bracket to hold my remote oil filter housing. Though it does not make the car any faster, it is a nice touch of professionalism that improves my presentation.

My License Arrived

Well it took 2 1/2 years to earn, but my competition license arrived at my house yesterday. I was excited to finally receive it and as dad says, "take care of it, it was expensive."

A Riddle

What do Summit Point Motorsports Park, Pocono, Watkins Glen, Beaver Run, Lime Rock, N.J. Motorsports Park, Nelson Ledges and Mid-Ohio among others all have in common?

They could be within driving distance if we make the move ...

Just one of the many priorities one must consider in life.

Building a Tire Rack for the trailer

I have always wanted a tire rack for my humble little home made trailer. Hauling around spare wheels - a luxury - is a hassle when you have to put them in the motorhome or Explorer. They take up so much space.

So, with my new found welding skills, welder and design inspiration from my last race weekend, I went to work.

I bought all of the metal, made the cuts and constructed the uprights. I then welded them onto the trailer and connected the cross rails. Then the gussets.

The rack looks great and will hold two additional sets of wheels - practice dry tires and rain tires.

After we got it together, my wife helped me paint it and voila. I am proud. My $300 trailer is maturing nicely. Pictures with tires is unpainted. Have also since trimmed the pole.

Culprit unveiled

As you know, a few weekends ago, I was qualifying at Summit Point Motorsports Park for a SCCA regional race in FP.

Summit Point has a nice fast turn 10 and a long front straight with a tight turn one. You have the foot the floor for a long time before you hit the brakes hard. In this particular session, I came down the straight and when I hit the brakes and shoved the clutch in, the accelerator cable stuck and pegged the motor at 8,000+ rpm. I say + because my tach only goes to 8,000 and I am not sure where the motor went.

Anyhow in that sequence of events and my attempts to recover while not hitting anyone or going off track, I managed to explode the clutch.

So, if you ever wondered what happens when you dump a clutch at 8,000+ rpm in a B, this is your answer. I had the heavy duty clutch and pressure plate.