RA Recap

#21

any reports on how the R888’s are in the rain?

#22

MikeD wrote:

I had them on the Spy car and they seemed to do pretty well in the rain and the dry B)

#23

Photos have been add to the gallery…
http://spece30.com/component/option,com_zoom/Itemid,48/catid,49/

#24

Here’s my clip of the start of the race. Apparently I thought Damion was going to end up somewhere other than the middle. Guessed wrong and almost center-punched his car.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2853690185709859217&hl=en

#25

Nice job of avoiding that one Chuck.

#26

Here is my video of Sunday. The sound cuts out for a bit. Edited for the highlights.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7085587812715357137

#27

6th Place Motorsports Wins Bigtime $25

3/16/08
Braselton GA

Team pilot, owner, crew chief, staff, marketing manager and p.r. rep Craig Geiger scores a 5th place victory during Sunday’s sprint race after qualifying an unheard of 4th place spot landing him on the second row for the standing start.

Saturday’s race almost didn’t happen. After hearing weather reports of twin tornado’s wiping out downtown Atlanta less than a 1/4 of a mile from his homes, rain and hail soaked Road Atlanta’s track surface. Geiger was on the fence about racing in the rain due to only having bald RA1’s, but was convinced by BTR and MLTR team drivers to go out and drive after a quick trip to the women’s restroom to confirm manhood. “I don’t know dude,” said Geiger of the conditions, “Whatever. I guess it’s a race car and I’m a race car driver?” This ended up a smart decision as the last few laps yielded exciting racing with Scott McMennamy of Beertech who also sacked up and joined Geiger for a back of the pack dual.

Sunday’s 4th place qualifying position was more of a miracle than his houses being still in tact. Geiger owes a healthy portion to Robert Patton’s fuel issues. “I’ll take it! I didn’t need that pressure anyway” said Geiger of his good fortunes over the taxi driver. The standing start seemed much simpler from the front of the pack, a view never before seen by Geiger. Sadly, T-Bone Moses almost lived up to his now cliche nickname as he spun in T5 on the first lap, causing Geiger shriveled raisin sydrome in an ‘almost collision’ situation. Both MLTR drivers took full advantage of the situation. “Al ‘No Friends on Powder Days’ Taylor sailed by me without having to even lift like a chump!” said Geiger of the pass. Shortly thereafter, Travis Wilson was in the rear view as well, after missing qualifying due to severe hangover. Geiger was able to pass Taylor through superior car setup (horsepower) and racing prowess (horsepower) but Wilson gapped Geiger due to Geiger’s horrible negotiation of traffic, ending with a 5th place victory. “I beat Robinson again and earned 25 Toyo bucks,” said Geiger of Sunday’s race. Video proof to follow shortly.

6th place Motorsports would lke to thank Jim Pantas and NASA SE for their dedication despite the many obstacles on Saturday, BTR for a kick a$$ lunch in the sun, and Robert Patton for getting me into this mess in the first place.

#28

IndyJim wrote:

[quote]Here is my video of Sunday. The sound cuts out for a bit. Edited for the highlights.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7085587812715357137[/quote]

Very entertaining. Thanks.

Moses came back from that spin to still finish third. Dang, that must have been an inspiring drive through the field.

Don

#29

ctbimmer wrote:

[quote]Here’s my clip of the start of the race. Apparently I thought Damion was going to end up somewhere other than the middle. Guessed wrong and almost center-punched his car.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2853690185709859217&hl=en[/quote]

Great driving Chuck!! That was a close call!

#30

donstevens wrote:
[quote

Moses came back from that spin to still finish third. Dang, that must have been an inspiring drive through the field.

Don[/quote]

Well thank you Don it was, but the spin was pretty embarassing and I just appreciate the skill and awarness of the Southeast Spec e30 racers in avoiding me. I’d like to think I did my part as well by getting the car stopped as soon as possible.

#31

IndyJim wrote:

[quote]Here is my video of Sunday. The sound cuts out for a bit. Edited for the highlights.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7085587812715357137[/quote]

If anyone is interested, I do have a transcript of the video where Jim heartwarming-ly expresses his feelings. :slight_smile:

#32

csrow wrote:

I expressed my feelings? I’d like to see that! :silly:

#33

DMoses wrote:
[/quote]

Well thank you Don it was, but the spin was pretty embarassing and I just appreciate the skill and awarness of the Southeast Spec e30 racers in avoiding me. I’d like to think I did my part as well by getting the car stopped as soon as possible.[/quote]

I was hoping to watch you and Skeen go at it again, Watching the race you seem to have the speed to give him a run.

Watching all the videos, I really need some more seat time, You can all pedal the hell out of these cars. The sunday race was really fun to watch. See everyone at RRR.

#34

I went home early (Friday night) with brake problems and a mysterious ticking sound.

I pulled off of the track 2 laps into my first session because my brakes were shuddering badly. I pulled the front wheels off and found a cracked rotor. It’s one of those things us newbies have to see before we believe. I put on my spare rotor and went out for my second session.

And the brakes were every bit as bad so after 2 laps I came in again. Once in the paddock I put Chuck in my car to feel the brakes, but when he came back all he wanted to talk about was the engine’s ticking noise.

Ok, the engine ticked and it’d got worse over the last couple events. But I figured that I’d adjust the valve lash when I got around to it.

But Chuck was pretty focused on this ticking noise. Apparently he had the same symptom a while back and had to replace his rod bearings. Some friendly guy named Robert supported Chuck in this. I didn’t really know who Robert was, but he’d seemed like a nice guy at the last couple of events.

I decided that it’d be diplomatic to humor them so I let them bully me into removing the rocker arm cover so we could confirm valve lash as the cause of the ticking noise. Then we could move on to the real issue. My damn brakes.

I’m still not used to the idea of maintenance in the paddock. Ever helpful as hell, one of the guys came up with a feeler gauge. And to my surprise I was actually removing parts of my engine. Far away from home. In a parking lot.

My engine bay and I were positively surrounded by smart guys trying to help. Was a fine day to be an American.

As I neared the end of the feeler gauge effort I reminded myself that finding no problem would be bad. Because that would mean that I might need new rod bearings.

We found no problem. So it was bad. And shit, we still hadn’t figured out my diabolical brakes.

So after brilliantly executing the role of #1 ace fireman for the enduro, a challenging part where one does nothing but stand there, I headed home.

The next morning I would spend huddled in a dark hallway with one wife, 3 children and one mother-in-law, while the air raid sirens screamed all over town. The power had gone out hours before, putting 5 counties and 200k Savannah St. Patrick’s day revelers into the darkness.

I’d a rather a just stayed in the rack. Big county, little tornado. I mean heck, a tornado has a casualty producing radius of what?..a hundred meters? But with the kids and the (nervous) mother-in-law, staying in the rack would have forever doomed me with the in-laws.

And today I saw daylight thru a rod bearing. There was so much wear that light was visible between the bearing surfaces. Once again I’m grateful to Chuck’s expertise and general willingess to mentor a newby. And Jim Pantas was cool enough to send me the only crank scraper that seems to be in stock anywhere. That Robert guy turned out to be Robert Patton. Fortunately I found out his real identity before I started drawing upon my wealth of experience to tell the friendly stranger how everything ought to be done.

Although it’s tempting to have the shop put in a junkyard motor instead, I wouldn’t know what I was getting. And I’m not sure that the ultimate cost would be less. At $100/hr it adds up quick. And I’d have to go find a motor. I’m kinda out here on my own in Savannah, as far as NASA goes. If there was a network of local guys and someone with a lift, I might be more motivated to attempt to do it myself.

And that is my report. Thanks again to everyone that helped. Sorry I forgot who it was that loaned the feeler gauge.

#35

So, no race weekend is complete without the G and G reports…Geiger and Gress, you guys kind of covered it all. Geiger’s twisted humor and Gress’ adventure stories.

Scott, bring it to Atlanta and we can fix it for you while you learn and then pass it on to the next racer.

Pantas has the market covered on ambassadorship in Charlotte. JP was the dude with the feeler gauge.

Regards, Robert Patton

#36

Patton wrote:

[quote]So, no race weekend is complete without the G and G reports…Geiger and Gress, you guys kind of covered it all. Geiger’s twisted humor and Gress’ adventure stories.

Scott, bring it to Atlanta and we can fix it for you while you learn and then pass it on to the next racer.

Pantas has the market covered on ambassadorship in Charlotte. JP was the dude with the feeler gauge.

Regards, Robert Patton[/quote]

Patton,

How did you hear about JP feeling up dudes?

#37

Patton wrote:

[quote]

Scott, bring it to Atlanta and we can fix it for you while you learn and then pass it on to the next racer.

Regards, Robert Patton[/quote]

Robert, that’s very gracious of you, but I’m already committed to the local shop. If I’d a been more clever I’d a asked you about that possibility in advance. I salute you for how generous you are with your time.

#38

Ranger wrote:

[quote]Patton wrote:

[quote]

Scott, bring it to Atlanta and we can fix it for you while you learn and then pass it on to the next racer.

Regards, Robert Patton[/quote]
ut
Robert, that’s very gracious of you, but I’m already committed to the local shop. If I’d a been more clever I’d a asked you about that possibility in advance. I salute you for how generous you are with your time.[/quote]

Get your valves adjusted, and let that be the end of it. I tried to do my first valve adjustment, and I ended up with a cylinder head that sounded like someone took off the cover and threw in a bunch of wood screws. Every M20 makes noise. Mine sounds like a screaming child, but runs like a champ!!!

Hoping to beat all the newbies when I get there!!

Greg

#39

Its not the valves, its the main bearings that took a crap.

My weekend was fairly boring; aside from the tornado’s, hail, MLT/BTR shenanigans, armless racing, golf cart wheely-ing, beer swilling, and lies it was just another great weekend between friends.

I had some great finishing positions due to some lucky qualifying laps. I’m sweating bullets about thinking about everyone’s possible times at CMP again in April…

#40

Scott, you do have a way with a yarn, no doubt.

It sounds like you and the shop have it disassembled, but the big question is, was the crank damaged? If not, slap in some new bearings and go racing. Think about tossing in an oil pump too while you have it apart.

Also, which cylinder was it that went south? I believe #6 is the most frequent victim, because it’s farthest from the oil supply. That was the case with my motor. The other 5 were in excellent condition and #6 was toast.

I will email you the crankscraper installation notes today. When you put it back together, run it a quart overfull (general good advice for anybody with an M20, crankscraper or not)

Good luck, and hope we see you at CMP.