For the record, this is not the proper line to take going down the roller coaster. This ended as best it could, did spin out, but stayed mostly on track and didn't get hit by the three cars I had just passed. Kudos to those guys for being alert and avoiding me.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...psatgr2iyk.jpg

Improved Racing just sent me some Easter goodies! I told them I had Ugly nuts and this is what they came up with!

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...psj9ts193n.jpg

Since I had them off the car today, I weighed them for comparison. I was off by a little with 5 = 1 but it's not that far off. Here are the scale readings (in Ounces for us old school guys)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...psiuee8ah1.jpg

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...ps4vi5tic2.jpg

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...pszyuawrae.jpg

You keep saying that the guys with aero will have a distinct advantage over you, so...

Why don't you invest in some real aero? A new chin splitter, full belly pan, rear lower diffuser, rear window vortex generators, better spoiler or a wing...

You were saying you will probably have to add weight, anyways. Just a thought.

Amazing work, by the way. I love the garage built nature of this car. You have done very well taking this build to a new level with the ingenuity and track results all the way to sponsorship baller status... you get beer for showing up, that's pretty awesome. Anyways, great job, keep it up.

Sweet!
 

Have you taken it back to see if it will pass tech with the aluminum lugs? I failed tech at an autocross for having them..luckily i had some cheap oem steelies to use

I'm working on some more aero stuff now, I already have the rear diffuser mocked up in cardboard, all I have to do is make it, which may happen next weekend. I need to reset both my front and rear windshields up higher so they sit flush with the body, I'm also working on closing off the front grill area more. I'm also going to add more rear spoiler area similar to what Mark Stielow did on his last car, only in clear lexan and make it adjustable. All those things are secondary to keeping the car running! ie, they are on the nice to do list, not the must do list.

I'll ask at tech next time about the lugs, I've seen lots of other cars running them, I've never seen anything in the rules saying no. I also have NASA annual tech which is good for the year, but I'll run it by them to be sure. I also learned a long time ago to take a ziplock bag full of extra nuts and studs in my tool box.

My concern over using aluminum lug nuts was having full thread engagement. If you're not using studs long enough for all the threads of the lug nut, you are not getting the full binding strength designed by having the extra threads. The length of the aluminum lug nut is not just to look cool or add extra strength but a requirement to have the same strength of a shorter steel nut.... Just my thoughts. Did the lugs come with a minimum thread engagement note?

From their website:

Features and Benefits

Lightweight at just 0.88 oz (25 grams)
M12 x 1.50 threads
19mm hex wrench flats
50mm (1.97") overall length
Machined from 7075-T6 billet aluminum
True Type III hard anodized in gunmetal gray for excellent scratch resistance
Open end design accommodates extended wheel studs and permits stud engagement inspection
Sold in sets of 20
Lifetime warranty

I wonder what minimum stud engagement is.

On a side note. These are really nice. Unfortunately they do not come in 1/2x20.

I'm all good in the nut department, I'm using ARP extended length wheel studs, the stud is actually threaded past the threads on the nut so it's 100% engaged.
Just got some pics back from VIR from two weeks ago. Headed back to VIR May 1-2 for Hyperfest!

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...psvu37z4cp.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...psusbrtery.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...pseoplhnr0.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...pslkvatv5l.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...ps1bpox6m5.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...psavhqpy9n.jpg

Just a bad ass car and build and story. Thanks for keeping us all up to date on everything.

Thinking of you Mills at Holden Beach last week!

http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/...pszpt41ywg.jpg

Way to represent Payton! Bring that to VIR for Hyperfest and I'll give you a red solo cup and free beer from Back Bay Brewing to fill it up with! Your boys would enjoy Hyperfest, there is so much going on to keep them busy!