Dec 19th

Sometimes when you get ready to go to the race track, you just don't want to go. Usually this feeling happens after a few bad races. Now that feeling is gone.
Mother nature was very kind to us and let us race on the 19th. Scott had his best qualifying attempt. Everyone's time was off though, due to the cold weather. Its hard to gauge how fast the new rules made all the box stock racers. Ok and my qualifying attempt...yeah it was bad...So because we have one kart its been so much of a rush to prep tires, take weight off and then roll back down to the grid. I deiced to just try to bolt some other tires I had. Well someone forgot to set the air pressures to race pressures from storage pressures. Never less the kart pushed going in. So last place I went.

We had almost a mishap in the tech shed over the weight in heavy with Scott. Had it posted every place else that the weight was 370, thought it seems like they changed it to 375. Easy fix though.

I really can't wait to find a new chassis.
Most karts I find now are sold with engines and spares, resulting in a higher price. I really do not want to end up with a garage full of more crap that I can't sell. Not only will this cut our prep time in half at the track but also will help us fine tune the chassis to our self. IE seats, steering wheels, driver comfort. Driver comfort has always been critical in every other form of racing I have been involved in.



Two things that will make us faster: Another chassis and a tire roller (which is coming soon in March I'm hoping). Need to play around with the mychron also, alittle bit more. Still don't have a clue how to work it all the way. For the heck of it, I bought a book on karting. I think $35 for a book was a little over priced, but it gives me something to read that I enjoy researching about. I'm hoping it will make things a little bit more clearer and teach me a few things. Nerveless Scott can read it, I think it will help him understand something things that I my self cannot explain when working on a kart. If you ever want to test your relationship and really give you something to do with it, buy a kart and race with your boy friend. I think we have gained a few in the communication department. Defiantly have not gotten ill at one in another over something silly in awhile.

Start of winter...Seals, claims

Been a few changes going on all, finally I'm at a point where I can talk about after I took my last final of the semester...time for me to write a long blog of things going through my mind now that I have time. This is going to be a long one since I have not posted in a month or so...

It's that time of the year again. I really dislike the cold weather. Not only that but it seems that there is just nothing to do through these months. Football is almost over, (like I really want to watch the rest of the Falcon's right now, at least my yellow jackets did good) No more racing on TV...Deer rut is over...damn dude. Good thing that this is the first year that Dawgwood speedway is doing a winter series. Or I should say attempting with the freak weather we have been having in Georgia this year. Hence the first one was scheduled for the 5th but was rained out, just like many other summer races. Just my luck, as soon as I get back into racing the whole state of Georgia floods. I guess I should have bought a speed boat instead of a race kart.

Once again I'm pretty happy at the way track is managing things. There is a lot of bigger tracks that could learn a few things from this small little 1/8th mile. It is ran like a palace compared to some of the 3/8ths and 1/2th miles I've ran. It's showing too, hence they announced at the driver's meeting during the last race how they had record breaking car counts, which sounds weird in this economy hence all the short tracks that are failing across America (even that kart track that was about 45 minutes away from me compared to an 1:15 minutes that Dawgwood is) but the formula for their success is elementary.

First of all there are many racers such as my self who have raced bigger cars but just can't afford it anymore, whether it be a bad economy or a greedy organization, that are now racing box stock. The one thing that turned me off to karting to begin with was tires. It just looks plan scary not only prepping tires but having so many...Even if money was not an issue looks like so much could go wrong resulting in a major headache. The spec tire aka Maxxis ELs took that out of the game. One tire, designed for spec which also translates to only one size. These hard tires also don't respond to prep the same way a normal tire would. If you over prep, you loose bite. Still there is enough tire game out there to keep you amused in you free time. Learning these tires makes someone more comfortable about going to other classes if you wish. Coming from Legends spec tires were something I enjoyed. One tire, more things to focus on.
Back in 1/4 midgets when we got out I'm not kidding half of the shop was full of tires we just sold. I can say I concord that game back in 2001 though with an all time track record or two.

Speaking of that, you talk about someone who could learn from kart racing. I talked to someone on the phone the other day, seems like everyone has gone to vegas which for 1/4 midgets only last one race, therefore for a heat, and a race, you will need two sets of tires, pricey tires. I can't help to think that they might be helped with a box stock quarter midget class. Budget racers would embrace creating the same effect box stock had on karting. Bigger car counts, pricey racers would just run more classes.

The other thing that is good about the box stock is the engine. A typical flat head or animal engine needs to be rebuilt a few times a year, at a price...Oh and Legends...6k for a wet clutch yamaha xj 1200 (yeah what the hell is that , never racing an uncommon engine again due to the supply and demand rule). Theoretical speaking I could get a brand new engine ready to go for around 100-150...that dose not need to be rebuilt. I get a chuckle when people complain about buying another engine about how pricey its going to be if they get tared down in tech. I bragged to a few people telling me if I wanted to build a cheater box stock engine that it would cost around $500..."DAMN THAT'S CHEAP" (not saying it would cost that much)

Briggs and Stratton is coming out with a new sealed engine called the LO 206. I guess since a lot of former animal drivers are running to box stock for the affordability, they feel the need to make a box stock competitor. There is too much wrong with this engine. First of all its priced too high. Second of all..."seals". In my humble opinion all a seal is an excuse not to tech. There are racers out there who can pop off any seal and created a monster of an engine. Your going to have to tech an engine sealed or not, so whats the point of sealing them? If you don't, racers will cheat. Happened in Legends. Many people were taking off seals and turning a 1200cc engine to a 1300cc. It has also happen to an extent in the GM crate motors. Its not like you are saving money ether by going to this engine hence the price tag. Sure it might be built better less leaks but how many box stocks have I seen fail.

Do you really want to know where to go get a seal????? Ask your dentist...they have molds. Also try eBay. I've seen a few 600 racing seals on there. I'm done with seals hence why I posted that.



Track has now gone to AKRA rules. Pretty much now we get to run a new header and new intake. Sounds like a real race kart! Takes off better which will help the starts become less challenging. Scott and I rented the track, between the new rules and us playing with the tires, and lines we picked up 4 tenths of a second. I'm wondering how much the other racers will pick up with just the rule change alone. The only bad thing is that there is no box stock medium...no medium in any other classes (finish sooner?)

The change of the AKRA rules was a result of people trying to level the field of racers. There has been a few complaints from racers who are worried that there is cheating going on. Having a claim rule in theory should stop it. I wonder what is the percentage of engines claimed in karting... Back in the INEX rule book there was a claim rule that was laughable. In the rule book it was up to the tech inspector if you could buy the engine or not. Oh yeah if you were the "special" people of Legends cars you never got claimed. Plus did you really want to buy someones engine? Feels like you are stepping on some peoples toes. Only way your going to stop cheating is by tearing down engines, All thought many box stock racers feel like this will make it more costly to race, hence you having to go to your engine builder when ever this happens and buy a new motor or what not. I'm glad to say that from what I heard at the last race they did catch someone with shaved heads. Assures me that I do not have to spend the money to cheat in order to win. Assures me that my little engine I have now its the best.

I'm going to be buying another chassis for Scott in the spring before the season since the weight is so different now. Also its time also. He had a few wrecks in practice, I'm sick of racing a kart that's out of toe. Also its about time where our driving styles are differentiating enough where they need to be setup different. Now looking for another Falcon.


Now its off to winter racing...Pretty happy they are trying to do it this year...I say try due to the weather. This weather is killing me we are having this year. Last race we had it was so cold that the track iced pretty much. It has not been that cold here in awhile. We were to race on the 5th but it got rained out. I'm glad they canceled it the day before. 19th should be our next race if all goes well.

Holly crap I really should have posted two posts instead of one really long one...

Photos

See if this photo thing works...i've tired a few times and failed

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v708/dodgeviper22/SDC10521.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v708/dodgeviper22/SDC10522.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v708/dodgeviper22/SDC10523.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v708/dodgeviper22/SDC10529.jpg

A break from racing to type about something else

Nothing like coming home seeing fire fighters leaving your drive way, axing down your door...even though it was a freak un-lucky event I consider my self lucky; it could have been much worse. I'm sure everyone has heard about the storms coming thorough Georgia, mass epic flooding. Though the house had no flood damage. In a freak accident, lighting touched the ground, went through the neighbors telephone line, through our gutter, and blew out every single socket in the living room...and I mean blew up, like a bomb. I always thought lighting struck the highest point IE tree or roof...
Set fire to much of the living room. I'm just looking at the bright side, I hated the decor of the living room. What an inexpensive way to decorate with my own taste! Most important thing is that the Kart is fine....and uh...deer heads...and of course Rusty the cat. I feel lucky though, look at many people who lived close to rivers. With out flood insurance, with out federal aid. I'll be re listing some things on eBay with proceeds going to help an organization to help flood victims, even though I'm technically a victim of the same storm. Paint Party, coming soon! BYOB!
State Farm insurance is just being ridiculous...Yes I understand there is a lot of of claims as right now, but wow the insurance adjuster who finally decided to call is really taking her sweet time contacting, never less coming over here. I just want to get the burnt smell out of the house right now. Also the holes in the wall is letting the bugs in. I mean did you know that Dawson County Georgia and has little scorpions? And they love the bed...
I'm hoping to be racing next week. New engine will be pushed back till I can figure out how to pay for the deductible. Rain as been pushing racing back for post people. I don't see how they are going to race today...or even if they do today. Rain out last week. 3 more weeks till Gun season.
Man computer is damaged, I'm on an older trashed up computer that is very temperamental but I need something for work.
Going to see if I can up load some photos over here...

Selling a bunch of items

Check out my new ebay store:
http://stores.shop.ebay.com/SandMRacingParts

Have way too many parts laying around. I'm starting off with the smaller things just to get my feedback up.

Things I have laying around to get rid off that will be listed: Gears, Chains, med seat, Yellow Box Stock Motor, Briggs Motor, Flat head block and a few tachs.

I'm hoping to have all of those items listed next week.

After those are gone hopefully next year I'll start selling the left over road racing parts and Legends Parts I have laying around.

Another boring rainy Saturday. Getting sick of getting rained out. Sometimes I wonder what people do who live in areas where it rains more than here.

Just fell flat

New racing parts always makes me happy. Had an oil leak coming out the engine on the valve cover. I just got it back from a engine builder too, had to repair a part that Scott..er...we broke in the garage adjusting the valves. Seems to be pretty common issue with these motors. I guess the gasket finally failed. Thought this was the worst of the issues during the night.
The motor is just plan flat. It sounds flat compared to everyone else on the track.
The first few laps of the race we run good, then we just die. Running the same line, kart feels fine. Scott has improved on his starts drastically. Started out last and got up to 3rd with in a lap. Unfortunately with in 2 laps, ends up last again.
I hate it when Scott races first then I go out after. The thought all ways crosses my mind: don't wreck my car before I get to race it. Good things these little boogers are durable. Had a slight wreck with someone damaged the LR tire thought I don't think its dead. Got hit on the straight away, other car came up and went on the air.
I had a very good qualifying run, which is very rare in my whole racing career, thought at lap 10 half the field ended up passing me on the straight away.
Its weird to think that a motor this simple, this spec would make such an issue. The motor we have is an older type of motor, some of the first box stocks made, could be the first to be worn out. Good news is that I have access and time to get a better motor. I knew we were going to need an updated motor but I just did not know it would be this soon or this drastic.
Time like I'm not racing for another 3 weeks or so. Damn hunting season. Also Scott deiced to have dental surgery on the 25th. If it was me and I had sick days like him I would have it done on a Monday, then Friday would just be a play day/sick day. I guess his work ethic is why he has a better job then most though...
Some great news is that the track will have a winter series this year. I'm hoping we will have all the bugs worked out and will be able to make a good run at the points for the winter series. Gives me something to look forward to doing during the winter months.
Going to be a long 3 weeks...

Counterfeit Post Anchor

http://hansdevice.com/Anchor-Replacement/Press-Releases

HANS Performance Products has found counterfeit Post Anchor parts on a helmet purchased from Impact Racing Products. Preliminary investigations suggest that counterfeit parts may have been supplied with other helmets provided by Impact. You gotta wonder why Impact would do this. Guess they thought the HANS company was charging too much for them? I've always liked Bell products, thought the helmet I currently have is a Impact. Good thing My helmet checked out OK per the HANS web page.

We did not make the journey to the race track this weekend. There was a slight chance of rain. I did not see the point of going up there to get rained out on when you are not running for points. Next race is in a two weeks. Big break.

Photos link

Here is a link with some photos from our first race. Kart looks awesome, since it was all tape. We have graphics on the kart now, photos to come soon.

Also if anyone has the need to for a web page please let me know

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2011686&id=75600977&l=69b09512c4

Next race for us will be on the 29th. Im hoping to get a timing system in the kart by then.

Sub par

One of those races where nothing spectacular happen, but nothing spectacular bad happen. Just sorta sub par.
For the 3rd race in the row I did get warned via black flag for ruff driving...weird, I must be badass. Sorry someone hits me, I'm going to shove a little back. Did notice that the nose of the kart is looking a little ruff. Thank god for camo duct tape. Started using different preps for qualifying. Seemed to help me. I had my best qualifying run, though compared to the rest the field, sucks. I never was good at qualifying. Going to have to change that. I had a good run for part of the race till other cars started making contact with me. Car started to push going into 3. Scott spun out 2 times during the race. If he ran his line he would have had a top5 no issues. He thinks there is some magic bullet that will put the kart into top 3, when really the only magic thing is for him to run the right line.
I'm trying new things with the tires for next week. Also I really need to figure out how to check the toe, in a economical way. I'd love it if I could find my hot lap timers. I think that would help the best. All thought the ones I have are pretty old school they should do there job. I'm taking off this week. Was a big non points race, good time to get ready for deer season.

I Just want to go fast

First time ever in my life that i've been racing with out my Dad. Yay for growing up and a bad econ...
Last week stunk. You know one of those days where everything goes wrong? Yep. Race got rained out. I was a little irated how the track was ran. I felt like the track should have started earlyer, and pratices should have been skiped, though the track manager did ask everyone to vote on it. No fault to track management in retrospec. Only got qualfying in. Waste of money since one of the classes we raced in was a money race. Waste of time. Though no fault, just one of those days. There is also a new rule: No passangers while im towing! I can't stand back seat drivers, neverless when I'm towing!
"Do I turn here, can you look at the map?" "Take 52!" "Oh look this is so seinc going up this moutain! What is that smell?"
"What is left of my brakes"
"I Have to pee" "I'm hungry" "I don't want to eat here! Oh yeah you can get your truck and trailer in here!"
Nerveless I was stressed before I got the track.. Some people just don't understand racing. They think that you get to the track to relax like fishing, hunting or a weekend at the lake. They just don't under stand racers.

Next race was so much better I'm happy to say.
I had a bitter taste in my mouth from everything that went on. Glad that I went to the track. Learned a lot. Did a lot better. Even with a new clutch these karts are very hard to get going on the starts, with the lack of HP and a clutch. I've always been slick on the starts. Using HP, gears, I always had some sort of edge on the starts, sometimes almost dirty. Though like everyone has told me, you have to throw everything out that you learned in big cars when you go to these karts. Easier said than done. I'm still lacking on the starts but I'm much better, and I'm getting better.
Speaking of dirty starts, I raced in the powder puff race...Name something dirty on the starts and it happen. It was fun nerveless. Got 3rd which was good. Tires went away at the end. Still waiting on the results for box stock lite and medium.
Went ahead and let Scott race medium since it was closer to my weight. I really need to look into some air craft bolts making the weight easy to take in and out. Also need new toe plates for karts.
Kart felt slick during qualifying, did tighten up for the feature.

Can't wait for next week, can't wait to get faster. Here I am on the internet, trying to find something to make me a wee bit faster...blogging...I just want to go fast.

Only way to do that now is seat time, I got the chassis, Can't play with tires, Can't play with engine...Just have to wait now

First Race

I am so glad to finally get on the track. I'm also glad for the most part that it went as well as any first day with a new race team could have gone. Even though there is a steep learning curve ahead, overall it is in our grasp. The biggest issue we had this weekend, besides two rookie drivers, was the tires not being broken in all the way. Hard enough just hoping into any car that you have never been in, nerveless without any traction. Tires are griping better hoping they will be in all the way during our next race.
Clutch was also a major issue. It took me prob a lap to get going. Everyone I passed during the race passed me on the starts. I put in the other engine I had laying around.
Scott's class only had 4 drivers entered in it. After we scale the kart Friday night he will add weight to make heavy, with much more drivers.
Overall I was pleased not only how smooth everything was, but that the kart came back in one piece. The falcon chassis we have is one heck of a chassis. I'm happy I bought it with the support I have received so far. This is the first time I have ever met a factory that was willing to help someone so much, never less local.

Back to NASCAR grass roots

So when the police went to a shop building behind a go-kart track near North Wilkesboro Speedway the other day, they ran up on a 300-gallon still, 1,150 gallons of corn mash, 200 gallons of corn liquor and 3,000 pounds of sugar.

Dean Combs, a 57-year-old former NASCAR driver and crew chief, owned the property and was charged with making non-tax paid liquor and possessing ingredients and equipment to manufacture non-tax paid liquor. The still was so large that instead of removing it from the site, Division of Alcohol Law Enforcement agents called in the bomb squad to destroy it.

True traditions never die.

So NASCAR is in town

Atlanta Motor Speedway has been a big part of my life being a racer living in North Georgia. I felt it was it a privilege growing up with a track only an hour or so away (depends on dreadful Atlanta traffic...but that's another blog)

I can remember when it was Atlanta International Raceway going to the track with my Uncle Ron racing, and my dad crewing. He must have hated that track. A few incidents that came to my mind:
His hood came flying off the car, I mean flying. The thing drifted up the air for about 10 long seconds, my dad was crewing. Almost hit a few crew members of other cars. Finally it landed and my dad got the embarrassing duty of retrieving it.
Uncle took the hood, hammered it out, put a belt on. Ran the feature race just to flip in his favorite corner...turn 7 (this was the 2nd time he has flipped there) I'm glad they took away that turn when they changed it to Atlanta Motor Speedway. I've raced on the current road course and its no were as near as dangerous as the old track (since when is racing dangerous now a days anyway)

I remember when I was in High School, when ever NASCAR was at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Due to the number of fans the race was blacked out. That stunk. I don't think any race has been blacked out. Even some that should! Too much money is in NASCAR now for that. Do they even black out football games anymore?

I've been to a few races as a spectator at Atlanta Motor Speedway but not that many. I could label excuses such as traffic and money but most of the time I am racing my self when it is going on. That is what it came down to this year. I was supposed to be practicing Saturday but my equipment is out of whack (another blog on people ripping you off on kart chassis 101 ugh). I'm just not a good spectator when it comes to racing. I am a racer, a doer a go getter, not someone who will just sit around. I would like to go some day and camp out in the infield though.

My favorite memory's would have to be when I started racing Legends Cars during Thursday thunder. I had the shit scared of me, and I scared the shit out of more. That track is one pain in the ass, its more like racing on a parking lot, but because its Atlanta Motor Speedway with fancy garages, PR, I mean where else in the short track world can you take a shit in the same bathroom Dale Earnhardt did before you and him raced?

I learned a lot in the few years I did race there and made a lot of Friends and a few enemies. Winning the championship in 2005 was one of my highlights of my life. I can't wait to win another one in some form. I came into that championship race tied for 1st place with a guy coming all the way from England to race. The press was all over it. We both wrecked in that race. I drove the crap of that wrecked up car, fender rubbing, smoke every were. It was awesome.

Racing Legends in general esphsly at Atlanta Motor Speedway gave me my first taste of NASCAR 101. The ins and outs. Watching young drivers go from Bandoleros, to Legends, to Late Models to now NASCAR. Watching money issues separate the ones who "made it" and even more talented drivers still stuck on the short tracks.

Parts of me wants to go down to AMS this weekend but honestly, even with cheap tickets its a traffic issue....and an issue of I rather fish and DVR the race.

Why do I watch NASCAR

I grew up every Sunday right after church there was one thing on tv. My two favorite cars were the black 31 and 3 car because they look a like. My grandpa, uncle and dad, all racers, were huddled around our tv. My how this sport has changed. I don't think for the better ether.
500 laps is way too long. Neverless in a car that is so easy to drive. With the new starting timesI normaly have to DVR the race. I get bored easly so I tend to fast forwd till someone is passing someone.
Wow
Short track racing is where it is at.
I have no idea why I still watch NASCAR, or why anyone now a days.