5/11/10

Well, another Birkinstock is in the books. All in all it was a good event. I headed to the Motorsport Ranch at about 0745 h Friday morning and arrived while the guys were in their driver’s meeting. I cruised by Ray Mut’s place to see if he was home but didn't get out of the car. I figured he’d find us eventually. Back at our paddock, I pulled up next to Tony Calvert’s car and was about to get out when he walked up. “Hey!” he said to me, “Drive me over to the Subway so I can put in the lunch order.” I said I could do that and had him move my stuff out of the passenger seat. He folded himself into the car, the Birkini top was on by the way, and we headed out. The car gave one slight hiccup as we rolled up onto 377. It acted like a rev limiter and I saw a cloud of standoff vapor at the mouth of the intake trumpets. Once I up shifted though, it ran fine again. I filed it away in the back of my mind. We ordered food and I took the Birkini off so Tony could get back in again. I was going to say he pissed and moaned and that was why I removed it, but I busted his balls enough over the course of the weekend. Back at the Ranch I watched as they ran their sessions. I don't know if it could be called “coaching” but I “helped” Tony with observations and stuff all day. At one point, as he was getting ready for a session, he hit the starter and it just went “CLUNK.” It didn't do nothin’ after that. We began to trace the problem. His battery was fine, 12.8 volts. His fuses were fine. His... well, whatever else we checked, were fine. “Looks like a bad starter dude,” I said. Then I decided to reach down and see if I could feel his starter wires. The big assed cable was fine but the one from the ignition switch was hanging loose. I pulled it up and said, “Well, there’s your problem.” we checked voltage and sure enough, it was cold until he hit the starter switch. We began the search for a ring terminal. Once we had that in hand, he crimped it on and installed it on the starter. “WhirrVrooom!” it started right up. Huzzah! Of course he missed the session. The rest of Friday was pretty uneventful. Well, except for Tony breaking a lug stud swapping tires from side to side at the end of the day. When everyone retired to their hotel rooms, I went home. John and I texted about the morning and it was decided that he’d meet me at my house and drive Fifi to the event. He was the official photographer for the event and I thought he might want to get a bit if altitude for the group photo. He pulled up to my house as I was getting ready and I got him on his way. I still had a few things to do so I hung back a bit. Once I had the car packed, I headed out. I decided to take a bit of a detour. I went out I-20 to... um, that road I take to get over to Aledo/Iona which isn't 2871 Gun Club Road. From there I went to 1187 in Aledo and thence to 377 in Whiskey Flats. I arrived as they were getting out of their driver’s meeting and headed to the track for the first session. Tony was lamenting that he told the “HNIC” that he’d broken that stud. We all knew the car was over built and that it wouldn't be a problem, but also knew they wouldn't let him on the track until he fixed it, especially since he opened his mouth. I drove him to NAPA across the street where he bought five studs and three lug nuts. Oh yeah, he also bought Mjollnir, Thor’s Hammer. We know it must be the original Mjollnir because why else would a four-pound mini sledge cost $37.50? He bitched about that the rest of the weekend. Back at the Ranch, he and John swapped a few studs and he put the car back together. Of course, he missed the session. He was ready for the next session and ran well. Over the course of the day I clocked him several times in the 1:33 range. Of course John Meyer in the V8 Stalker and Pete Challinor in a really hot Caterham clocked in the 1:22 range. They were nose to tail around the course for a full twenty minute session. It was awesome. Pat showed up and worked on his pickup while we did our thing. At lunchtime, Pat, John, and I went to Golden Chick for strips. Mmm, tasty. Tony was pissed when we got back since we didn't take him with us. I halfheartedly said we looked for him, but we really didn't. Oops. Eventually Tony’s wife Dawn showed up and hung out with us. John took the group photo and got permission to go out on the track to take action shots. I didn't see him for several hours in the afternoon. Once the track sessions wound down, we headed to Granbury for dinner at the Spring Creek Barbecue. We had our “banquet ceremonies” and then parted ways. I went to my sister’s house and crashed out. Oh, I guess I ought to mention the sunburn. My legs and arms are so friggin’ red, you wouldn't believe it. I was in quite a bit of discomfort going to bed that night. Getting up was worse. Fortunately, once I got the skin of my calves stretched out, I was fine to walk around. The heat in the foot well of the car was not the most pleasant thing you might imagine, but it was bearable. Well, I'm going to save Sunday’s tale for tomorrow. Have a day.