1st weekend over!

[max attack]

That has to be the coldest weekend I've spent in Minden!,and I didn't even drive on saturday(car issues+too cold to bother)
Sunday was fun,19th to 4th in the 1st race and 4th to 1st by turn 1 and led the first 6 or so laps untill I spun the car against the bank-still considering a complete 360 4th place finish was ok.
Not too bad for car thats only been raced a couple of weekends last year,the only time I have behind the wheel is putting it on the trailer.Lisa did great as well,14th to 6th(Nick majors tagged and spun her,had to repass 5 cars AND Nick for that 6th!)second race went well with a 4th and close racing with class veterans.
Any others wanna share their first weekend battles?,

We'll be away for a couple of weeks but weather permitting will be back for some fun-I think I'll run class 2 and try and keep Carol from getting another jacket!!:D

[Gary]

'twas fun indeed. Learned a few things.

Came up Friday night to unload the car. Minus 30 or so. Ramps on the trailer are frozen solid in their trays under the trailer. Much prying, hammering etc. gets them free. Only takes half an hour. Battery in car is completely dead. It was fully charged when the car went on the trailer. Why's it dead? Don't know. Push car off trailer, and stow trailer in infield. Arrive at motel, bring battery into the room, and commence charging. In the morning, read instructions on charger which warn of possible explosion when attempting to charge frozen battery....Hmmm. Don't think I'll do that again:eek: Just think..... Sleeping soundly...booom! Battery acid and plastic fragments all over the room. Good grief. Just like a horror movie.....Luckily it didn't happen.

Saturday AM. Attempt to change tires. Jack doesn't work because it's too cold. 20 minutes in the truck under full blast heat finally produces a smidgen of lift. (Are all Costco jacks like this?) Registration. Register principal driver in second driver class, second driver in principal driver class. Notice it's wrong too late. Miss first race because we can't read the race schedule properly. So far, we're doing great! At least the car starts, but there is a loud banging noise under the car in practice when downshifting. Gets worse in first race with second driver in principal driver class. What the? Jack the car up. Oh, sh**!

Rule one: Rust never sleeps.

Rule two: See rule one.

Rear diff is flopping about because one of the support brackets is completely broken off. Guess that's the reason for the banging. (Memo to self: dry land drag race launches while testing an ice race car are a risky business. Exhibit 1 for the prosecution rests on the jack.....) (It was fun though...even though we stupidly thought it was the sway bar that was banging....)

Retrive trailer, load car, proceed directly to Rusty's garage, Minden. Rusty is a jovial guy who has a shop jammed with everything. Presumably because he fixes everything. Looks at it, grimaces, says: "leave it with me for a couple of hours." As I leave, I suggest that the welding doesn't need to look pretty....

Return to shop after leisurely lunch. Rusty the genius can apparently weld rust! Must be special welding wire...... Welding looks prettier than I'd ever expected. Load car, return to track. Compete in the final race. No banging. Rear diff must be staying in one place. Now we get to learn to drive the car.....and also discover that the glove box light and rear hatch ajar lights seem to work all the time, even with the ignition off.......A bit of disconnecting deals with that, but now we think we know why the battery was dead....

Today was great. Second driver in principal driver class starts at the back both races, avoids running into anyone, passes some cars, learns how the car handles, and has fun. Principal driver in second driver class starts first race at the back, passes lots of cars on the start, swaps paint, starts pushing hard, goes fast, red mist rising.........and stuffs it into a snow bank on lap two.

There's more to this here ice racing than meets the eye........Last race for principal driver in scond driver class was much better, the car is wicked fast on the straight, and not bad in the corners. Suspension changes seem to work OK. All that's needed is practice.

My turn to drive next week. Principal driver will get registered in the right class. I will get registered in the second driver class. We will read the race schedule properly, and show up on the grid at the right time. With luck, the car will work like it should, without a trip to Rusty the welding genius. Principal driver will learn to finish races, and second driver will attempt to learn how to drive......

Oh, this is fun!:D :D

[RedRabbit Racer]

It was a great day for motor car ice racing. It was colder one event last season, about -31 as I recall and the track was in great shape.


The red rabbit racing stud car, after running nicely last Saturday, refused to run under all circumstances. boo hoo! back in the cube van. A few other rabbits seemed to pretty finicky and ran badly as well so I had company.

After lunch, gave up on the bunny and looked to borrow a car as second driver. changed the entry in registration as my new class took to the grid! got to the false grid after the race started but was let on to the track after the field finished the first lap. missing a lap really hurts the results.

the audi 4000 was hooking up nicely and I felt the rhythm coming back after 2 laps. This car worked well for its first outing with minimal preparation. unfortunately a misfire developed and there was no pull on the straight. finally made it up to 4th in class 14 in the last race.

With a couple of exceptions, most people out there seemed well behaved for the first event of the season and the car survived with barely a scratch, unlike the demolition derby of last year. I noticed the Celica above was doing a whole lot better at the end of the day on Saturday based on the spin up the straight! That welding made a visible difference!

Lots of fun. didn't even notice I was frozen. have to get working on plan B. Can't wait to get back out there!:D

[silverwolfracin]

I spent 6 hours Saturday and 4 hours Sunday working on Lynn's *&%#! car. Exhaust and transmission install. Two frozen jacks and the gear oil wouldn't flow into the transmission.
A quick test drive down Scotts Line West told me that the locked diff will shoot you violently whichever way the steering wheel leans during deceleration.
WARNING to class 13 drivers, I think it might take her a while to get used to it.
Woke up at 6 Monday, took an Advil and got into bed for another hour. Excrutiating pain from that bunched up muscle on the back of your neck that we all call "icerace neck"
The work on my car will be completed indoors.....

[Crusher45]

Seeing everyone else is posting the trials and tribulations of the first weekend, I will add my 5 cents worth.

Saturday morning as you all know was cold. The digital read -34c until 2pm when it went up to -21c then the wind picked up. (Truck digital does not read wind) Cars don't start. Boost blue one but no luck. Boost red one, it works but won't idle. Fix idle but throw the alternator belt. Run to Highland new belt ($20). Pull start blue car. It goes. Rookie takes it out at lunch for school and wheels fall off. Note to self, always check lugnuts beach morning.

Get red car going but now blue car over heating. Found belt off power steering and water pump. Red car also missing this belt as was broken trying to put it back on. Blue car ran Sunday, red car sat.

Lesson learned. Don't buy German or at least carry extra belts.

[jodz]

Yep, Saturday was cold, but Red Rabbit is right, there was one event that was colder last year.

Since we're all sharing our misfortunes here, I'm not sure that I should be making a post here. I actually had a very lucky/succesful day. Started out the morning on Saturday unloading the car from the trailer and accidentally ripping 1/4 of the front bumper off. Luckily I ripped so much off that there was nothing there that would hook on other cars so tech was no problem.

Turned the car over a few times and it wouldn't fire even with Quickstart, so I decided to pull the car to save the battery. Only had to pull it about 100 yards and it fired.

Drew good starting positions for both classes (2 and 12). Had some excellent battles in both classes for usually 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 5th spots. Ended up finishing 2nd in class 2 and 2nd in class 12 I think (I finished 3rd on the track but there was a class 13 car ahead of me--I think that makes me 2nd?)

All the drivers were fairly tame and in control for the first weekend except some goon in class 12 that took exception to people lapping him and decided to take out his frustrations by trying to take people out. He ended up taking himself and the 4th place car out in the finals. And his passenger felt obligated to give some people the finger after initiating contact. About 5 of us reported this to the officials so he will be under close scrutiny next weekend.

I also want to make a comment, but I don't want it to sound like whining. I think some of the backmarkers have to learn to recognize who the leaders are, and not to attempt to "race" with them when they're being lapped. I have no problem with a backmarker making me work to get around them by holding their line, but BLATANT blocking (ie-moving over on the straight to stay in front) is not proper race etiquette. Like I said, I'm not whining and I'm not saying "I'm faster so you should let me by", I'm just saying, if I'm fighting for 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place, the last thing I want is to be blatantly blocked by someone I'm lapping.

How did Sunday go? I only raced on the Saturday.

Can't wait til next weekend.

Jody Trudeau
#21
86 Honda Civic

[Bubblecar]

Congratulations Jody - you looked really great out there on Saturday.

As for the car's bumper - you did that unloading from trailer ??? Wow.

My weekend went from bad to worse - 3 DNS's in six races. Twice the car failed on the pre-grid and one race I missed while dealing with my non-starting tow-vehicle stuck at the motel. So I spent most of my time starting every race from back of pack and moving up to 9th, eight or sixth.

So I figure my bad luck for the season is all used up - look out world.

[Crusher45]

Hey Nick,

Don't forget about your friends!!! We pushed ya once!.
I din't know your car was a push start not a pull start.
Made in Brampton was it?

[Bubblecar]

Of course - many thanks to the Crusher for actually pushing me through the pre-grid area while we were going onto the track.

Second time the car died in the line-up!

Perry gave me a push the first time it happened. And finally before the last class 2 race - my car dumped the whole radful of antifreeze onto the ground.

Nick

[haniforama]

This "ice racing" sounds like a hoot.

I really MUST try it one of these days...

Hanif

[Logan]

Sometimes it sounds more like a "my car is crappier than your car" contest.

[max attack]

Oh yeah I forgot that they are breaking up the scoring for second driver fwd,looks like I finished 4th on track but 1st or 2nd in class-not too shappy for an old dodge colt.

For the first time I can remember it wasn't just the VW's being dragged around to try and get running!:o

[max attack]

Hey Hanif,you can ride with me in the mighty colt some weekend if you want.Should get off the line decent with the 2 of us for ballast!
There's usually a couple of guys that will rent you a car for the day/weekend-not sure of the cost but its not that much.

[Do It Sidewayz]

wasn't too bad of a weekend....i guess.


We ended up blowing up my rubber car in it's 1st points race, and ended up towing it back to Georgetown on saturday night, and brought up the Red XT Stud Car, which ain't a good rubber car unless there is grip. With a locked rear diff, and a locked center diff it ain't exactly the best on the slippy stuff...especially with old tires.

My Uncle blew up his new stud car (323 GTX) in the last race on Sunday.

So now we got 2 cars to replace engines in, and about 8 tires to tractionize and such.

PLUS....i gotta get my justy ready for the "triple". As i'm running Snowy Safari on saturday night/sunday morn

[haniforama]

Originally posted by max attack
Hey Hanif,you can ride with me in the mighty colt some weekend if you want.Should get off the line decent with the 2 of us for ballast!
There's usually a couple of guys that will rent you a car for the day/weekend-not sure of the cost but its not that much.

Tom,

If i ever get my lazy-butt up to Minden, i'll definitely take you up on that!

Are you allowed M-rated helmets or do you need SA?

Hanif

[Crusher45]

M & SA are approved, 95 or better.
You can also ride with one of us as only 50% of our cars rolled last season so you have a 50/50 chance.

:D

[Do It Sidewayz]

actually....you are still good with an M90 or SA90. Although only for like a year

[haniforama]

Awesome - Thanks.

Hanif

[silverwolfracin]

M90 ans SA90 are good until the end of 2005 season. Which means either our heads aren't worth much, or its not all that dangerous:D
Bring a neck brace though....
Feel better Hanif?
You can grab a ride in my Mustang or Lynns Summit if you like, # 36 and 49.

[haniforama]

Much :D

I'll remember to bring along the karting neck brace (if i ever come along that it)...

[Crusher45]

A Hans device might be better if you go with Chris.

It was good to see Lisa out there. Her Father is braver than me.

[Do It Sidewayz]

HAHA!!! very true...Left Foot Braking is a little harsh on the neck!

and Lisa did really well...now if she just applys a liberal amount of the skinny little pedal, she'll do even better! :D

[max attack]

Sounds good hanif,looks like you got the scoop on helmets and i have a couple of extra's anyways.
You shouldn't have any problems riding with me as its been years since I flipped(it was my stud car-and it was a big one!,crx went completely under me before I came back down on the roof!:o ).
So Chris when are you gonna give up on old subes?-must be running out of spare engines by now aren't you?.:D

[Do It Sidewayz]

we ain't givin up. we got plenty of motors!

[max attack]

Good thing Chris-your gonna need 'em at this rate:o

[Oddball]

I blew the alternator in my Storm (i was looking for the jam, it was that toast). Had some fun trying to take it out from the bottom end of the motor on sunday morning *shakes fist at Isuzu engineers*. new one, with rebate from handing in old one was $218. rebuilding of old one was $155. one from a wrecker was $70. now not that I'm cheap or anything, but i'm cheap :D. I should be up and stormin along for next weekend. Ohhh, and if Scott is on here somewhere or anyone that will do tractionizing, I need mine done .

[Do It Sidewayz]

problem is we keep taking motor from running cars thinking that they are ok.

The one we just put in (finished it tonight) is one of the old ones we blew the head gasket in. We just rebuilt the thing.

Hopefully it will hold up for a while.

[silverwolfracin]

Got the mustang home last night, kinda felt like this:D

[max attack]

Too funny,won't feel like that on the ice however!

[Crusher45]

Oh no???
You have never driven with Muffin.
My pants did not stay dry as we were hurtled off the wall of death.

[Track Mom]

Awe Crusher: I was only trying to see how tough you were. I would have had a soft landing.....LOL

[RSR Racing]

Hey!!!! i guess my dad does have to be brave to go in the car.. lol but i made it through my races with no spinning and not stuffing it in the bank!! i can't wait till this weekend!! my dad won't be there so i'll have a new coach lol see you guys there!!!

[Crusher45]

Well Lisa now that you beat your brother how does it feel????

[RSR Racing]

the best part of the whole weekend was beating my brother!!!! i couldn't believe when i looked in my mirror as i crossed the finish line that my brother was behind me!!! :D :D

[CCCargirl]

You think you were cold that first weekend? Quit your whingeing. Try standing on a mound of snow all day. Or the starter's stand. I had two different layers of snowsuits on and still was cold by 3pm. After the races it was a mad dash to town to try and find something (ANYTHING) warm to somehow get through Sunday. At the end of the day, I had hoped to prep my car for the following weekend. Not a chance. I couldn't get home fast enough!

Nonetheless, it was wonderful to see so many cars out there, even in the bitter cold. Great racing!