Oh my...I won...I actually won in ITB...and I won twice. I am still in a little shock really.
The first race was described below. Leaders spun, I got pass, Marsh wrecked and I outran Kimi. Crazy. Oh and the video did not work, I got two minutes of sitting on grid. Note to self buy new batteries for video camera.
The second race was more interesting and I have the video to prove it. I decided just before the green flew that I should be in third....oops. Wrong move. The leaders started very slow this weekend. Kimi got by quickly. So I followed her...tried to get around her a few times. Drove in the dirt, drove over some curbs. Nearly spun coming onto the front stretch once. Scared #15 Jim in the Rabbit behind us. Bumped her once down the straight away. She even pointed me by once but I had half the car in the grass out of turn five at that point. I watched her remove her sunglasses. Then....(angels singing)...it began to rain. With two to go we crossed the start/finish line. Going into turn three Kimi almost lost it. I went high, thinking she had it save and just clipped her (see pictures below). That was enough to get by. Going into eight on the same lap, I decided to make it interesting and drove in the grass. Kimi got right next to me again. Little did I know (and she isn't going to be happy I am mentioning this) but Kimi did not have the wiper blades on her car. So she couldn't see very well. I passed her back. One to go and it is now full bore raining. I opened up some space on her and I am glad I did. Going into turn seven, where the track goes from asphalt to concrete (imagine snow to slightly melting ice with enough water on top....well you get the picture) and off I go. I FLOORED it and hopped back on the track. I won the race. It was ugly but it was a win. Crazy.
That was the last race of the day due to the weather, even though we didn't get much bad weather after the rain stopped but it was the right call by the officials. Better safe then sorry.
Haven't been in the garage since putting Old Glory in there after the weekend but I think minus a little paint (Kimi you can come pick it up anytime) and missing a side marker, everything held together. I will probably perform a oil change and a fuel filter change between now and the next race weekend (really 3 weeks I have to wait).
I may pull out the Rusty the derby car and go race the weekend after 4th of July. I am also figuring out the budget to see if Mid-Ohio and the I.T. Fest is in there. I think it just might. I have to get the old trust tow vehicle to make it down there (271,000 miles in all).
It has been an absolutely awesome 7 days. CHWC and racing at Waterford, it has been a blessing!
Be safe, Drive safe and God bless
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Absolutely Amazing
I won...twice. Crazy stuff happened.
4 hours of sleep, got me a 5th overall starting spot and did it pay off. Going down the back stretch and into on the first lap, Randy Shaw spun going for the lead, I followed Christian Cook through the mess and was 2nd overall and first in class. Unfortunately Chris Marsh in his Porsche spun out avoiding the spinning cars and hit Steve Steeb and got hit by Bob Haggerman. I lead Kimi in the longest race ever for the win! I got the Waterford Hills wet down and my seat was still wet on Sunday morning.
More to come... The second win and trash talking on Facebook 101.
God Bless!
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4 hours of sleep, got me a 5th overall starting spot and did it pay off. Going down the back stretch and into on the first lap, Randy Shaw spun going for the lead, I followed Christian Cook through the mess and was 2nd overall and first in class. Unfortunately Chris Marsh in his Porsche spun out avoiding the spinning cars and hit Steve Steeb and got hit by Bob Haggerman. I lead Kimi in the longest race ever for the win! I got the Waterford Hills wet down and my seat was still wet on Sunday morning.
More to come... The second win and trash talking on Facebook 101.
God Bless!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Race #3 Qualifying
1:22.271
Starting 4th overall, 2nd in class. The ITB field has 10 cars today.
Starting 4th overall, 2nd in class. The ITB field has 10 cars today.
VERY HAPPY. Car still needs a little more work too!
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Sunday, June 20, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
In the Garage Update
A quick update and picture before I head off to the Tigers game tonight with my Mom, step-dad and uncle.
I got the bearings and the brakes done. I put in old brake pads because I will not have time to heat cycle the new brakes pads in for the next weekend.
The starter is in, and oh my does that make a difference.
Now I just need to put the rear bushings in and fix the fan (would have last night but bought too short of bolts).
That is all.
I love this picture. Bubba took it during the first race weekend. Look at all those cars behind me!
Be safe and God Bless
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Monday, June 14, 2010
In the Garage Update & CHWC
How come every time I go into the garage after a race weekend I find more stuff broken?
On Sunday night, I was going to simply change the starter. Easy task right? I wanted to take off the right front wheel to get better access to it. Well here is the list of items I found.
Right front tire – flat spotted
Brakes – almost wore down to the rotor….both sides
Front bearings – needs grease replaced…both sides (Ok I admit that Chris told me I needed to do this anyway)
Radiator fan – missing fasteners, made a slight impression into the radiator
So needless to say the brake pads are on order, I have the grease and I will be making a trip to the hardware store. Also I must go to the tire shop to get some tires mounted. Yikes!
I only have this week to get everything done, because I am going on vacation….well I view it as a vacation, many probably don’t view it as a vacation.
Here is the deal - I am leaving at 5am on Sunday morning June 20th to go to Milwaukee WI. I am one of 12 chaperones taking 60, yes sixty (They out number us 5 to 1 for you math majors), high schoolers on a mission trip. This is my fifth trip with the St. Anne’s & St. Daniel’s youth groups. The Catholic Heart Work Camp (CHWC) is the organization that runs this event. They are in four different cities each week, every week for about 12 weeks for the summer, mostly east of the Rockies. There will be almost 400 people in camp in Milwaukee. They are based in Orlando, FL. We will travel on Sunday. One tour bus, one smaller bus, and one van with trailer (That I will be driving). Monday through Thursday the schedule goes something like this. Wake up, breakfast, pack lunches, get tools, gather up and go into the local community for service projects, from helping elderly clean up their yards, to minor home renovation, to church projects. Return to base camp, eat dinner and then various program activities for the night. I always seem to get volunteered for the adult skit one night. Then on Friday it is “Fun Day” and we will be going to Six Flags near Chicago. Then head back home, arriving sometime Friday night or Saturday morning. Then I go to the race track. Yep, I have done that schedule the same way the last three years. Crazy…maybe...fun…you bet.
I enjoy this time with the youth. It also is a great time for me to focus on my many blessings and the many gifts He has given me. Every time I take this trip I hope I teach something to someone, but I learn a lot from the youth too. It is a joy to work with these great kids and know that the future is in their hands, and they will do a great job with it.
Anyway…wow I got a little sided tracked…Let’s hope the schedule will work out and I can get everything done before going to Wisconsin.
Be safe and God Bless!
On Sunday night, I was going to simply change the starter. Easy task right? I wanted to take off the right front wheel to get better access to it. Well here is the list of items I found.
Right front tire – flat spotted
Brakes – almost wore down to the rotor….both sides
Front bearings – needs grease replaced…both sides (Ok I admit that Chris told me I needed to do this anyway)
Radiator fan – missing fasteners, made a slight impression into the radiator
So needless to say the brake pads are on order, I have the grease and I will be making a trip to the hardware store. Also I must go to the tire shop to get some tires mounted. Yikes!
I only have this week to get everything done, because I am going on vacation….well I view it as a vacation, many probably don’t view it as a vacation.
Here is the deal - I am leaving at 5am on Sunday morning June 20th to go to Milwaukee WI. I am one of 12 chaperones taking 60, yes sixty (They out number us 5 to 1 for you math majors), high schoolers on a mission trip. This is my fifth trip with the St. Anne’s & St. Daniel’s youth groups. The Catholic Heart Work Camp (CHWC) is the organization that runs this event. They are in four different cities each week, every week for about 12 weeks for the summer, mostly east of the Rockies. There will be almost 400 people in camp in Milwaukee. They are based in Orlando, FL. We will travel on Sunday. One tour bus, one smaller bus, and one van with trailer (That I will be driving). Monday through Thursday the schedule goes something like this. Wake up, breakfast, pack lunches, get tools, gather up and go into the local community for service projects, from helping elderly clean up their yards, to minor home renovation, to church projects. Return to base camp, eat dinner and then various program activities for the night. I always seem to get volunteered for the adult skit one night. Then on Friday it is “Fun Day” and we will be going to Six Flags near Chicago. Then head back home, arriving sometime Friday night or Saturday morning. Then I go to the race track. Yep, I have done that schedule the same way the last three years. Crazy…maybe...fun…you bet.
I enjoy this time with the youth. It also is a great time for me to focus on my many blessings and the many gifts He has given me. Every time I take this trip I hope I teach something to someone, but I learn a lot from the youth too. It is a joy to work with these great kids and know that the future is in their hands, and they will do a great job with it.
Anyway…wow I got a little sided tracked…Let’s hope the schedule will work out and I can get everything done before going to Wisconsin.
Be safe and God Bless!
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Four Spinning Cars
Even though I am tried, wore out, muddy, sore and not-ready for the work week, can I ask this question? -> When can I start racing again? Having the time of my life.
God is so good.
On Saturday it was great to have Chris Childs helping out. The car was fast even on old tires for STU qualifying. I changed the tires for ITB qualifying and promptly forgot to torque down the left rear. The race was fast on the track but loose. I stopped between turn 4 & 5 after qualifying to discover the issue. I tore up the wheel pretty bad, is it is now junk. Luck would have it the wheel studs held up well being steel and the aluminum wheel…not so much. We also found out the suspension bar in back was loose as well. And some bushings need to be replaced in the rear suspension.
For race the STU race, it was a fun challenge racing the #18 SN leader David Houser. I got passed him on the last lap in turn six, but still finished 3rd in class (out of three) and 12th overall.
The ITB race was an absolute blast. I start 9th, which I have never started that close to the front before. That is where I finished. I followed very closely to the ITC cars of Steve Steeb and Kris Smith. I finished 3rd in class. I beat Kimi (sorry) and I beat Bob in the #88 for the first time ever. The adjustments Chris made were exactly what the driver needed. I record my fastest lap ever 1:22.159
On Sunday, things got a lot more interesting.
First the STU class race was run in the rain and the rain tires did not help a whole lot. I finished way down in the order and seemed to get passed by everyone.
In the ITB class race the track was drying up. I started fifth, because all the ITS drivers decided to start in the back. (I think they all went crazy). I got an ok start and was side-by-side with #90 Steve going into turn 5 where he just plain smoked me going into the corner, I think he forgot to brake. Really, you should watch the video….
Quick side note, I have video, but no idea how to edit it. I have to figure it out because see it is so cool. I guess I could try to upload the 40 plus minute video, but I like the blog.
Now going into turn eight on the first lap Steve made a move inside #39 Kris (both ITC cars by the way) and passed him, I followed into turn one. Then Steve spun out in turn three, just brushing Dave. Then I started over driving the car seeing Dave. Two wheels off out of five, hit the curb in six and then put the car off the track in turn eight. Kris and #73 Kimi got by. Kimi getting by only lasted two and a half laps where she spun (scarying the heck out of me…so much I almost blew the next corner) coming onto the back stretch and spinning to the inside.
I only lost two positions the rest of the race to two ITS cars. 3rd in ITB, fifth overall…I have never finished in the Top 5 before.
The STU race was uneventful. I finished only 2 seconds behind the STU leader, I had a tough start, but had a great consistent race.
The ITB feature race was again eventful. First the rains came (As seen in the picture below) and I chose to stay on slicks hoping the rain would stop and it did for about 5 laps. First I spun the tires at the start and a few cars got by. Kimi spun going into turn eight in front of me. Later in the race, after #24 Mr. Mudd in the Fiero following Liz in the #2 ITS Miata by me down the back stretch, he spun out coming out of turn two. I finished first….on slick tires…in class (4th) and 8th overall.
God is so good.
On Saturday it was great to have Chris Childs helping out. The car was fast even on old tires for STU qualifying. I changed the tires for ITB qualifying and promptly forgot to torque down the left rear. The race was fast on the track but loose. I stopped between turn 4 & 5 after qualifying to discover the issue. I tore up the wheel pretty bad, is it is now junk. Luck would have it the wheel studs held up well being steel and the aluminum wheel…not so much. We also found out the suspension bar in back was loose as well. And some bushings need to be replaced in the rear suspension.
For race the STU race, it was a fun challenge racing the #18 SN leader David Houser. I got passed him on the last lap in turn six, but still finished 3rd in class (out of three) and 12th overall.
The ITB race was an absolute blast. I start 9th, which I have never started that close to the front before. That is where I finished. I followed very closely to the ITC cars of Steve Steeb and Kris Smith. I finished 3rd in class. I beat Kimi (sorry) and I beat Bob in the #88 for the first time ever. The adjustments Chris made were exactly what the driver needed. I record my fastest lap ever 1:22.159
On Sunday, things got a lot more interesting.
First the STU class race was run in the rain and the rain tires did not help a whole lot. I finished way down in the order and seemed to get passed by everyone.
In the ITB class race the track was drying up. I started fifth, because all the ITS drivers decided to start in the back. (I think they all went crazy). I got an ok start and was side-by-side with #90 Steve going into turn 5 where he just plain smoked me going into the corner, I think he forgot to brake. Really, you should watch the video….
Quick side note, I have video, but no idea how to edit it. I have to figure it out because see it is so cool. I guess I could try to upload the 40 plus minute video, but I like the blog.
Now going into turn eight on the first lap Steve made a move inside #39 Kris (both ITC cars by the way) and passed him, I followed into turn one. Then Steve spun out in turn three, just brushing Dave. Then I started over driving the car seeing Dave. Two wheels off out of five, hit the curb in six and then put the car off the track in turn eight. Kris and #73 Kimi got by. Kimi getting by only lasted two and a half laps where she spun (scarying the heck out of me…so much I almost blew the next corner) coming onto the back stretch and spinning to the inside.
I only lost two positions the rest of the race to two ITS cars. 3rd in ITB, fifth overall…I have never finished in the Top 5 before.
The STU race was uneventful. I finished only 2 seconds behind the STU leader, I had a tough start, but had a great consistent race.
The ITB feature race was again eventful. First the rains came (As seen in the picture below) and I chose to stay on slicks hoping the rain would stop and it did for about 5 laps. First I spun the tires at the start and a few cars got by. Kimi spun going into turn eight in front of me. Later in the race, after #24 Mr. Mudd in the Fiero following Liz in the #2 ITS Miata by me down the back stretch, he spun out coming out of turn two. I finished first….on slick tires…in class (4th) and 8th overall.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Work is busy
I will have an update on the rest of the weekend soon. Work is super busy this week. I did not wreck anything, even with the rain and I finished very well I Sunday. More pictures to come too.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Podium!
Chris Childs ran the co-driver race and finished second. He ran .3 seconds fastest then I did. Excited for tomorrow, maybe even a little more speed.
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Afternoon Update
Qualifying for STU went well. I ran a 1:23.8 to qualify 3 of 3 and 13th overall.
Qualifying for ITB I ran a 1:23.06 but almost lost a wheel. I forgot to tighten the rear left wheel. I stop in turn five after the checkered flag.
For the STU race I followed the #18 Spec Neon leader for most of the race until the caution came out. The #1 spec miata Joe got by me before the caution #2 Liz put it in the sand trap at the end of the back straight. On the restart I had the #75 Neon make slight contact as we raced on the restart. Joe got by #18 on the restart as well. But with two to go I passed the #75 and quickly closed in on the #18.
On the last lap of the race I tucked inside the #18 on the back stretch and passed him before the esses.
I finished still 3rd in STU but 13th overall.
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Thursday, June 3, 2010
A quick preview
So the driver of the TF American Racing thought it would be a great idea to run two classes this weekend. ITB - like every weekend & STU, where his butt is kicked but does have a win in the group. And have a co-driver to help get the car setup right. Old Glory is going to be working pretty hard this weekend.
The car is ready and the driver is excited. As seen below my Dad came over and finished the decals on the car. I think Old Glory is going to run faster now.
Tomorrow I have some tools to load in the van and I need to repair the ramps on the trailer before loading the car. Then off to the track for setup and registration.
The plan this weekend is to go faster and beat Kimi. :-) Oh and bring it home in one piece. I hope to see you at the track!
Oh and I almost forgot...I get to be the MC for the trophy awards on Sunday in place of Billy Bob. This should be fun.
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Introducing Old Glory
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Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Somebody is watching over me
I know it may sound silly but frankly that is how I felt lately.
I am very blessed and my continued prayers must be getting answered.
When I pulled the car off the trailer last Wednesday there was fluid on the trailer. Saturday morning I decide (well I finally had some time) to look over the radiator. You could see there was a little bit of dampness next at the top of the fan and the driver side of the radiator….so I took a little test drive (waking neighbors not included). Pulling back into the driveway the racecar was steaming like a kettle.
If that had happened two laps into qualifying I could have had a blown motor or had fluid spraying onto the slick tires or worst. Somebody is looking after me.
One radiator replacement coming right up, turns out the backup was leaking too. Call three auto parts stores (which will remain nameless…unless they want to sponsor me!!!). Prices for replacement radiators $234, $139, $91…guess which one I bought. It pays to shop around.
Saturday night I hung out at Kelly & Jason's, Sunday I watched the Indy 500 and then went fishing with my Uncle Bob in Algonac.
On Monday morning I pushed the car out of the garage because I was going to give it a small bath because my Dad was coming over to finishing applying the decals. Also wanted to make sure there were no leaks after the radiator replacement and adding the new oil pressure gauge. The car would not turn over and the volt gauge was reading around nine volts. I did not leave the kill switch on. I charged the battery and jump started the car. Again quietly not waking my neighbors I did my little test drive, with my neighbor Tim (finally someone in the neighborhood with more cars in the backyard then me) noticing I was leaking oil. I guess I should tighten the oil pressure line a little better.
After a quick suggestion from neighbor Tim I went to the parts store to check the voltage regulator to determine why the battery was low….all on the up and up. So off came the alternator….almost in pieces. Seems one of the casting bolts broke, along with a bunch of parts in the inside making the alternator sound like the marbles rolling around in the empty skull of a redneck (I am one). I guess I was getting all the muscle out of the racecar last weekend.
If the alternator during the first laps of qualifying broke the pulley, or threw a belt, who knows what would have happened. Didn’t buy a new alternator, my neighbor and I did some redneck alternator testing and found two of the six I had were still good (and I actually found another two after we were done testing as I was cleaning up the mess I created finding spare parts). Anyone know what alternators are going for at the scrap yard right now?
Again the good Lord is looking after me.
Only 3 more days until the racecar is back on the track. I CAN NOT WAIT!
Pictures of the racecar with full decals coming soon.
I am very blessed and my continued prayers must be getting answered.
When I pulled the car off the trailer last Wednesday there was fluid on the trailer. Saturday morning I decide (well I finally had some time) to look over the radiator. You could see there was a little bit of dampness next at the top of the fan and the driver side of the radiator….so I took a little test drive (waking neighbors not included). Pulling back into the driveway the racecar was steaming like a kettle.
If that had happened two laps into qualifying I could have had a blown motor or had fluid spraying onto the slick tires or worst. Somebody is looking after me.
One radiator replacement coming right up, turns out the backup was leaking too. Call three auto parts stores (which will remain nameless…unless they want to sponsor me!!!). Prices for replacement radiators $234, $139, $91…guess which one I bought. It pays to shop around.
Saturday night I hung out at Kelly & Jason's, Sunday I watched the Indy 500 and then went fishing with my Uncle Bob in Algonac.
On Monday morning I pushed the car out of the garage because I was going to give it a small bath because my Dad was coming over to finishing applying the decals. Also wanted to make sure there were no leaks after the radiator replacement and adding the new oil pressure gauge. The car would not turn over and the volt gauge was reading around nine volts. I did not leave the kill switch on. I charged the battery and jump started the car. Again quietly not waking my neighbors I did my little test drive, with my neighbor Tim (finally someone in the neighborhood with more cars in the backyard then me) noticing I was leaking oil. I guess I should tighten the oil pressure line a little better.
After a quick suggestion from neighbor Tim I went to the parts store to check the voltage regulator to determine why the battery was low….all on the up and up. So off came the alternator….almost in pieces. Seems one of the casting bolts broke, along with a bunch of parts in the inside making the alternator sound like the marbles rolling around in the empty skull of a redneck (I am one). I guess I was getting all the muscle out of the racecar last weekend.
If the alternator during the first laps of qualifying broke the pulley, or threw a belt, who knows what would have happened. Didn’t buy a new alternator, my neighbor and I did some redneck alternator testing and found two of the six I had were still good (and I actually found another two after we were done testing as I was cleaning up the mess I created finding spare parts). Anyone know what alternators are going for at the scrap yard right now?
Again the good Lord is looking after me.
Only 3 more days until the racecar is back on the track. I CAN NOT WAIT!
Pictures of the racecar with full decals coming soon.
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