I've been racing the Wagon for one year now, and as I'm starting to get my lap times down, I'm dealing with a bit of front end push. The standard solution is to either soften up the front or stiffen up the rear. I went full soft on my front swaybar, and that helped a little. The limited slip diff helped some too. The next step I've taken is dropping the front coilover spring … [Read more...] about LOOKIN’ FOR BITE
HSR-WEST FALL FORMULA FESTIVAL 2011
This weekend I joined HSR-West at Willow Springs Int'l Raceway for their Fall event. Ed Swart always puts on a nice weekend, and this was no exception. Unfortuantley the tough economy is taking its toll, and participation was smaller than usual. When I started racing cars ten years ago, I used to hope for a small grid like this so I could just learn the line and stay out of … [Read more...] about HSR-WEST FALL FORMULA FESTIVAL 2011
OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW
My 40 year old radiator has earned it's retirement, but I'll keep it as part of my 'race spares' package. It has been replaced with a small, universal aluminum AFCO unit from Summit Racing for about $250. To use it I needed to set up a different mounting system, and change the angles of the inlet/outlet tubes. The Grainger catalog came in handy for the mounting system, and … [Read more...] about OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW
DIFF SWAP
Today I put the 4.38 R180 diff back in after converting it to a Limited Slip. I used a Nissan Motorsports 115mm 4 pinion clutch type LSD from Nissan Parts Warehouse. I had John at S.F. Differential shim it up for me to get the correct gear contact pattern. I removed my spare unit which is a welded 4.11 R160. The picture below shows the difference between the two. The R180 on … [Read more...] about DIFF SWAP
VARA OCTOBERFEST 2011
This weekend I made the trip down to Buttonwillow Raceway to compete in VARA's annual Octoberfest event (Septemberfest?). The turnout was quite healthy with over 140 competitors, and the wknd featured two special races: the All German Car race and the Formula Vee Challenge. VARA rekindled the Saturday night potluck dinner and it was a smashing success. While the weather was … [Read more...] about VARA OCTOBERFEST 2011
DOGS LOVE TRUCKS
Gracie's new ride... … [Read more...] about DOGS LOVE TRUCKS