Y'all,
ELVF sure was a nice time... some problems yes, but overall a great weekend.
The good news about my engine rebuild was that it didn't leak a drop of
oil.... the bad news was that it popped two freeze plugs, one in the Sat Am
sessiom, one in the afternoon session. It happened on the 2nd lap each time,
and I spun in my own coolant as the water evacuated itself quickly. Of
course, all my Group 2 buddies were cursing my ass as it caused a yellow
flag until they dragged me from the friggin' pea gravel.
Some temporary expandable rubber plugs kept the coolant in for Sunday,
although I sweated losing the rear plug that's hidden under the bellhousing.
Not sure why the freeze plugs were a problem... they were the convex style,
sufficiently pounded in (I thought) and JB welded. Nevertheless, they
escaped. The Red Rat block had them staked into the block, and I suspect
I'll end up doing the same on this motor.
The reall bummer was I must have screwed up my cam timing... I had it
assembled, and didn't like the slack I was getting with the timing chain. I
took it apart, and reassembled with another new chain.. and must have
screwed it up. I had no beans at all over 3000 rpm. It was pitiful. I'll
attend to the cam timing when I pull the engine later this week to securely
fasten all freeze plugs. Also, thanks to Grenade's Homo Club Posse for
helping to diagnose my coil wire problem. Grenade has consitantly stepped up
with his efforts in all ways, and I hope you know I appreciate it.
John Sprinzel was an absolute delight... he was universally praised as one
of the best Special Guests the club has ever had. He had everyone's
attention at the banquet ($30 a plate for 3 ribs and a chicken drumstick
reminds me why we cook in Thicko Village... but the "ambience" of Siebkens
and John's tales made it worthwhile). He went out of his way to seek out
racers and introduce himself. He told tales of great interest to all. he
also managed to point out one particular Healey club asshole that rubbed him
the wrong way... and it was easy to guess who he was referring to.
Shirley Murray managed to have it all pulled together, and the event had a
"relaxed" atmosphere... really well run. I was very happy to see 56FAC... my
favorite of all time "works" Healeys at the track. This year's event,
besides having a great gathering of Healeys, had a real "national event"
feel to it. The upper paddock was full of mega-dollar transporters, and we
saw some great racecars. Road America almost has a "revered" quality it...
and I, for one, would rather see the VSCDA put on another weekend there
rather than two events at Gingerman over the course of a year.
It's been said that the purpose of vintage racing is to rid the world of
Porsches, and if that's true, the goal was being reached as two 356's were
written off in a big way (along with a TR3). Our crack Driver's Committee
was seen shuffling to and fro, with clipboards and concerned looks on their
faces. When I suggested that they talk to a nearby MGA driver who was in the
the thick of things as cars tumbeled end over end, I was "dismissed" with a
wave of the hand (our prez and Thicktone harp player John Golanty). It seems
that since Road America now has a state of the art video system in place,
and they's "seen it all" on tape. So, they just pulled back the front half
of the car cover as they inspected the car... finding a broken seat belt
mount, and evidence of fire. I suggested they take the rest of the cover off
to inspect the damage from the rollover. They vehemently claimed it had not
done so (they'd seen it on video, right???). I said it was quite interesting
that there was grass growing all over the roll bar and trunk then. Even then
for a few moments, they's denied the obvious, before relenting and
admitting that indeed it must have rolled, and the view of it must have
beeen obscured in the video. I realize its a very tough job... but it also
requires a very open mind, and in order to do the job well, speak to anyone
who was near the incident for their perspective (like the MGA driver I
suggested..). I was in the film & television industry for many years, and
not only can you not always trust what you see on video, but also have to
realize there's much that the camera can't see.
While I'm on my soapbox... why does the Driver's Committee (or anyone else
for that matter) always make an effort to cover up the wreckage with a tarp
or car cover, and do their best to shoo folks away? In my opinion, as long
as no one was seriously hurt or killed in the vehicle, it should be
available to see or inspect by anyone wishing to. Yes, there will be on
occasion a driver/owner that's upset my the loss of property... but if his
car is allowed to race with all of us, then looking at it after an incident
should also be an acceptable situation. The TR3's driver was very lucky to
be alive, as the his seat belts were attached to a plate welded to the
rollbar. The weld failed, (always wrap your seat belts around the roll bar
is possible) allowing the driver to move 6" to 8" forward upon impact. He
bent the shit out of his steering wheel, and had a swollen nose and the
beginning of a black eye, as his face must have been bouncing around inside
of his helmet. I am sure, from personal experience, that he was going to be
a very sore man for weeks after the accident, despite feeling surprisingly
well in the hours just after the accident.
It was nice to still have a car that could be driven on to the trailer under
it's own power (or lack thereof).
So, who's going to Iowa? I am.
WST
Flounder
Team Thicko
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