For the TL/DR folks, sometimes racing looks like this:
It’s unfortunate, but it happens. Mark 1 Sprites were delivered with an optimistic factory rating of 43HP. We’re running them at 130+. The…frustrating (tempering my language) part of this one is that it was easily avoidable and shouldn’t have happened at all. Alas.
Here’s the video from that session. When I looked at the telemetry last night I was heartened to see that my last two laps were my two best ever at Pacific Raceways, by nearly two seconds, and I was taking it easy through 5-6 working on the line. The car was right at 12.3 AFR and the Quaife LSD made the turns SMOOTH and predictable; I was comfortably sliding it through 2, 3b, and 8 on the Hoosier bias-ply tires. Hopefully this bodes well for later in the year.
For those who are curious, the #2 piston fractured at the wrist pin. Amid the debris, the rod broke above the crank, and the rod, wrist pin, bits of the piston, and most of the oil were ejected out a hole they made in the right front area of the oil pan. It looks like the block, crank, pan, cam, and head are toast; it was a catastrophic failure that happened instantly- there was no oil pressure drop beforehand.
That’s the bummer, expensive part of the weekend. But it was still a fun weekend at the track. I left the car out for spectators to see and sit in, handed out cards, talked to people about racing, and let curious wrenchers see the carnage. But the best part of the weekend was pitching in helping other drivers, especially our newest Spridget racer, Evan.
There’s no complicated description necessary: Evan excelled on his first weekend.
He showed up at the track Thursday evening with the engine out of the car, a borrowed head in his truck, and a non-functioning transmission. Thursday night we put my spare transmission on the engine, put the engine in the car, and put the head on with initial torque. Then we went back to my place and slept. Friday morning we went back to the track early, Evan attended the Novice Orientation while I helped button things up, then he heat-soaked the engine and re-torqued the head while I went out for the first Test and Tune session (forgot to turn the camera on).
By the time I got back in, his car was ready to go. He missed just one Novice session, but demonstrated skill, patience, awareness, and true vintage racing spirit in the others and the Novice Director approved him to race Saturday and Sunday.
That director, however, may have wished he made a different decision, as Evan spent most of the weekend glued to the back of his car. I’m kidding…we were all thrilled to see Evan drive well: Safely, within himself and the car, and fast.
Saturday evening we had a semi-impromptu paddock barbecue, with belated birthday cake for key member of my crew, Sam.
Sunday featured a lunchtime birthday celebration for one-year-old RJ Newby, and some great racing in our run group: At the front, mid-pack, and at the back. Everyone seemed to find their groove and some great lap times were recorded amid back-and-forth racing. Best of all, there were no contact incidents in our group over the weekend. Race safe, have fun. Going fast comes after those things.
Lastly, I want to express what a thrill it was to be in the paddock with THREE drivers 20 and under. Yes: At age 20, Evan was only the third youngest racer this weekend. He was joined in our run group by 19 year old Jack in a dark blue Marcos GT, and 18 year old Fiona, in a silver Spec Miata. All three showed maturity beyond their years, improving their skills amid clean, competitive racing. All three are benefiting from SOVREN’s new Youthful Driver Program. My only regret is that I wasn’t out there with them.
Now on to figuring out how and where to get an engine for Spokane, June 6-8. Look for more updates soon!