NASA Pro Racing
Gateway International Speedway
Apr 26,27
Pre-race: During the off season I gutted doors and removed the side windows.
With the help of Metric Auto we yanked the ABS, re-plumbed the almost the
entire braking system and added a rear brake adjuster.
After much consternation I decided to leave the boost at 13 lbs for a
couple of reasons; the car was reliable last year at this power level and
I wanted to stay in PTC. If I gained a significant amount of horsepower
I would have to re-dyno the car and possibly move up a class or two.
Ever since I owned the car it had nice 3" exhaust off the turbo with
a glasspack and Flowmaster muffler. However, it is now a racecar so
any restriction at all has to go. I employed the services of local
exhaust shop which installed a 3" straight pipe from the turbo back
to the rear.
Added some true racing tow-hooks this year as I knew the annual inspection
would require it.
One of the Hoosiers I purchased at Road America last year has been
slowly leaking all year which I attributed to an aluminum valve stem.
After Chris at Metric looked at it, he found that the entire bead was
leaking, albeit slowly. I decided to bring this issue up with Phil from
Phil's Tire Service at the first race of the year.
Annual Tech: Tech was much more discerning this year. I got dinged for
loose roll cage bolts (which I'm glad they found), steering wheel lock not removed,
Killswitch not killing the car quickly enough and not wearing a balaclava
(I was still employing my open-faced rally helmet).
I asked for mercy and after a comment in the car's log book, they let me race.
Whew!
Sat Practice: Very slippery green track due to the overnight rains. I can't
seem to get the tires warmed up at all. Still getting used to Hoosier tire
pressures. A quick description of the track is small and fast with very
little runoff. Turns 1 and 5 are tricky where a couple cars have already
been into the tire wall. It is immediately apparent I have the new brake
adjuster too far forward. Between sessions I talk to Phil about the leaking
Hoosier...he is also stumped. He suggests I send it to Hoosier for credit.
I mount the tire on the weakest corner (LR at this track) and watch its
pressure all weekend long.
Sat Qualifying: The car is getting closer to what I want. Have to cut short to
poor engine note and fuel cut (ran the fuel too low). Once I get the car up in
the air I see that my down-pipe has come loose from the O2 housing. The gasket
is lost but I do find some replacement nuts and reattach the pipe to the turbo,
sans gasket. Apparently, my local exhaust mechanic doesn't understand torque
settings
Sat Race: I thoroughly go through the car and adjust tire pressures and tighten
down anything loose. I will Start 9th. I lose a couple positions at turn 1 (like
normal) but slowly carve my way through the field for 7 laps or so.
I am up to 5th before a Mustang blows his motor and lays down some oil in turn 1.
the Mustang behind him loses control it in the oil and crashes hard into the
tire wall. Full course caution and I am "lapped" by the leaders
as the pace car picked up the wrong cars. No problem as my position will still
be 4th though the timesheet will show I was lapped
Green flag flies and I race a Prelude hard until he makes a mistake in turn 5
and I take the 3rd spot. We battle hard...I am faster in the infield but he can
almost catch me on the main straight...but not quite. He finally catches me on
the last lap at the end of the straight but I block him (only once, per the rules)
going into turn 1 and keep him behind me until the checkered flag.
Sat Post Race: I finish 1st in class (only one in class) and 3rd overall.
This is my best overall finish in NASA so far. I received a few compliments
from some competitors after the race...they were impressed how well the
DSM negotiated the infield. I am one of the few cars that doesn't lift going
through 4,5 and 6. The car appears fine. One spectator remarks my car must
have ABS because he sees just a hint of tire smoke while braking in turn 1,
consistently lap after lap.
Sunday Qual: I skipped the warmup due to the colder temperatures. I ran
as low fuel as I dared to see what kind of lap I could squeeze out.
I am now in the 1:11's...best so far. I have been about a second faster each session.
Sunday race: I start 5th today. I get passed in turn 1 (again) by
a couple cars but I pass both of them back in 6 and never see them again.
A 911 ahead of me has a bearing problem and DNFs. The Prelude doesn't
feel comfortable with his right front and he DNF's. The 2 cars ahead of
me have at least 2-3 seconds a lap on me...the only way I can catch them
is if they make a mistake so I just cruise to the finish with a 1st in
class and 3rd overall again!
Post Race: Before the next event I will have to re-wire the kill switch
and remove the steering wheel lock. I also called Hoosier to see what
they would like to do about my strange bead leak. The DSM performed very
well but I believe it is time to do some chassis stiffening, especially
in the rear. The rear brake adjuster is set full rear and I'm still not
getting rotation I want. Getting a DSM to turn is a never-ending quest!
Also picked up my 2007 PTC Championship trophy from last year!
Next event will most likely be in Grattan in June.
