The 24 Hours of Lemons Forums → Our Crappy Race → Yee-Haw It's Damned Hot Houston in September: Who's In?
I'll be there as 'the tech guy' please read the rules and read also the common tech failures in the tech forums... Lets get through tech with a minimum of headaches, please.
I'll be there as 'the tech guy' please read the rules and read also the common tech failures in the tech forums... Lets get through tech with a minimum of headaches, please.
We're looking for an original Corvair steering wheel for added safety
I'll be there as 'the tech guy' please read the rules and read also the common tech failures in the tech forums... Lets get through tech with a minimum of headaches, please.
It is nice to have some kind of tech at the races that is the same. It seems inevitable that each track seems to want something different than the others.
How much of the safety tech is Lemons and how much is the track? I assume that Lemons rules are a guide, since the track makes the final call?
Evil Genius wrote:I'll be there as 'the tech guy' please read the rules and read also the common tech failures in the tech forums... Lets get through tech with a minimum of headaches, please.
It is nice to have some kind of tech at the races that is the same. It seems inevitable that each track seems to want something different than the others.
How much of the safety tech is Lemons and how much is the track? I assume that Lemons rules are a guide, since the track makes the final call?
It looks like Lemons is making an effort to have more consistency in Tech. I understand the frustrations of the subjectivity.
I have asked/suggested a Pre-Tech opportunity in the past which is starting to happen. It is Un-Official but Dave in Houston is offering a Pre-Tech check for the upcoming MSR race. You'll still have to pass tech at the race but he'll give you pointers.
In the past and probably currently, Lemons has used track staff/officials to help with Tech. For the most part, I believe tech is a Lemons thing. I am sure if there is an obvious oversight which the track catches, they have a say. In the end no matter who runs tech, it probably boils down to insurance requirements.
Insurance is kinda funny though. Notice how Lemons is one of the few sanctioning bodies which does not require window nets. We race on many of the same tracks the SCCA and NASA do but without required window nets. Jay has said they help in a roll over but get in the way in a fire. We've had rollovers and no lost arms.
ERW versus DOM tubing is another example.
I am glad they are working to have more consistency with Tech.
It looks like Lemons is making an effort to have more consistency in Tech. I understand the frustrations of the subjectivity.
Not only are they addressing that concern, but they're doing a good job at it. It's going more quickly and it's tons more consistent (and hopefully resulting in safer cars). Last year, tech at Nelson Ledges was a far cry different (and way, way slower) than it was at Houston. The tech guy working our car at NL kept telling us things that we could do better -- not failures, just stuff to do better in the future like double-hanging the muffler in case one of the mounts broke off. We got through the first time with zero fails but it was monumentally frustrating.
This year, tech has been nothing like that. It's been great all around.
Troy wrote:It looks like Lemons is making an effort to have more consistency in Tech. I understand the frustrations of the subjectivity.
Not only are they addressing that concern, but they're doing a good job at it. It's going more quickly and it's tons more consistent (and hopefully resulting in safer cars). Last year, tech at Nelson Ledges was a far cry different (and way, way slower) than it was at Houston. The tech guy working our car at NL kept telling us things that we could do better -- not failures, just stuff to do better in the future like double-hanging the muffler in case one of the mounts broke off. We got through the first time with zero fails but it was monumentally frustrating.
This year, tech has been nothing like that. It's been great all around.
I agree with that.
We had an issue with the Miatastang that was frustrating: the seat had holes for the harness to go through that were situated lower than the tech guy wanted them to be, so the belts would come in and have to go up slightly with a taller driver. It is something that we didnt look at and notice, but could be an issue in a roll. We moved the the sholder belts over the top part of the seat, and then strapped them around a differnt spreader that we have, making the distance between the harness bar and the back of the seat farther, reducing the angle to level. The original setup has been run 3 times at MSR, and once at NPR, without issue, and with the fix, we should be 100% safe and within the rulebook. We were told that even after the fix, if they (track officials) saw a tall(er) driver in the car, we would have to immediately take BOTH cars off the track and send us home for the weekend.
I didnt totally understand, but we had our smaller drivers in that car anyway, so it wasnt a big deal. Still frustrating.
First timer here, what time should I show up if I want a good spot?
Thursday.
First timer here, what time should I show up if I want a good spot?
Agreed for thursday. Both races there we were relegated to the back of the very cramped paddock even though we got there 4 hours earlier the second time.
Thursday.
Slightly disagree. We got there early on Friday morning (after the gates opened but before test/tune, probably around 7:30ish) both races last year and we got a fine spot. If you can't get there on Thursday, it's not the end of the world.
Wednesday!
We are in! Looking forward to going back to a handling track instead of 'hp rules' ECR.
Looking forward to going back to a handling track instead of 'hp rules' ECR.
Or, for you guys, one with an easier to distinguish "pit in" and "pit out."
robertm wrote:Looking forward to going back to a handling track instead of 'hp rules' ECR.
Or, for you guys, one with an easier to distinguish "pit in" and "pit out."
Whatever dude. That's only funny because its true!!
Team Unintended Acceleration will be back with our Audi 90 (you know, the one facing backwards). :-)
We also heard Johnny and Phil loud and clear when they "suggested" we bring another Audi as a second team car. So this race we've entered our second team as Unintended Conflagration...in another Audi 90 that was burned in a fire. Let's hope we can get it running and safe again.
Looking forward to seeing you all again after missing the Spring Houston race.
-Ryan
Just paid up on the entry fees, so I guess it is the point of no return for us.
Just paid up on the entry fees, so I guess it is the point of no return for us.
Bring me some MONEYZ!
We're paid up too. Hotel room booked. Car is mostly ready.
Got three 12-packs of bribe beer and a team t-shirt, to try to minimize the penalty laps we are gonna get from the Hooptie win.
We'll be there. Paid up. Spent today looking over the car (hadn't been touched since unloaded off the trailer from Hooptie). We're set to have all 5 forward gears and even Reverse this time around.....
We're paid up too. Hotel room booked. Car is mostly ready.
Got three 12-packs of bribe beer and a team t-shirt, to try to minimize the penalty laps we are gonna get from the Hooptie win.
Have you considered a good theme?
Hey guys, no one has responded to a pre tech for the Houston Race. Would like to know by July 31 if anyone is interested.
Thanks
David
Union Jack is in we are bringing the MGB. We have a "new" engine for it a 3.4 V6 Chevy. As usual we have left it to the last minute to get it installed. We test fitted it though and got the gear stick to come out the right hole so I am optimistic.
" See y'all there"
cheers
Paul
In. Now I just need to figure out who's driving. Have a pool of like 7 guys and they're all wanting in on the one after this event now...ugh.
In. Now I just need to figure out who's driving. Have a pool of like 7 guys and they're all wanting in on the one after this event now...ugh.
I got a crap load of "Oh I can't drive in this race, but I'll come support the team! Next race I'm totally in!"
mikespeed95 wrote:In. Now I just need to figure out who's driving. Have a pool of like 7 guys and they're all wanting in on the one after this event now...ugh.
I got a crap load of "Oh I can't drive in this race, but I'll come support the team! Next race I'm totally in!"
Tell them, save the drama for your mama! When it's time to put up or shut up, there's all kinds of excuses, but they are always going to race in "the next one." Sure........and the Easter Bunny will be there too.
It's hard to find people that are serious about racing.
The 24 Hours of Lemons Forums → Our Crappy Race → Yee-Haw It's Damned Hot Houston in September: Who's In?