FUeL's first track day.

[monza]

I guess I'll get the bad news done first. Unknown engine issue at this time.
Have yet to get into it. Suspect some thing broken in the top end. Heard nothing in the way of breakage, pulled out of a corner hard on the gas and noticed a different sound, the exhaust had a deeper tone. Did a cool down lap pulled into the pit and stopped. At idling speed a random 'bad noise' was heard. A single random slap/crack and turned the car off. Did complete cool down then a start up. Idled for a couple minutes sounded totally normal then slap/crack. Turned it off called for a trailer. Had it hauled to my mechanic as opposed to home, wish I did not do that now as he was leaving for the weekend, and I didn't have access to it to get into it. auuugh

So that was the bad, hoping for the best and I don't have to get deep into the motor!!!

The good, a two mile road course that was super fun and FueL drove hard. Once I started to learn the line (first time at this track) I really started flying, it is a beast! Fast and hard into, through and out of corners, WOT on the straights was !!!
The brakes, damn impressive, worked them hard and zero brake fade.
My first WOT in the fasted part of the track followed by very hard braking into a corner the instructor (passenger seat) just said, 'wow I had no idea.'
He is used to Euro cars and Vettes, it was his first PT ride.
I few laps later I was unfortunately done. Hitched a ride with a really experienced driver with thousands of laps at this track in a Porsche GT3, that was impressive I learned a lot.

So I'll keep you posted. I'm really trying not to get to depressed about it or feel guilty about driving hard. I've broken a lot of toys over the years... just not my favorite one!

[camcojb]

well, congrats, and I'm sorry.......... Sounds like it was fun for a while, and hopefully it's something simple and inexpensive.

Jody

[BLACKJACK]

THAT SUCK'S....HOPE ITS SOMETHING SMALL...GOOD LUCK

[V8TV]

Although it does suck, sometimes you have to push 'em to find out what they're made of. Anything can be fixed, we just hope it's not a lot of time and cash! Glad you got it out on the track and had some fun! Good luck and keep us posted!

[wiedemab]

Sorry to hear about the issues, but I'm glad to see you're putting the car to good use!

[Vegas69]

Sorry to hear it man....I hope it's as simple a lifter or valve spring. Must of been nice to open her up on the track though! I can't wait to do it with mine.

[Mikael A]

sorry about your engine trouble monza
Have a question for you,How different did the Porsche feel from Feul...my set up is the same (DSE) I know its not the same as driving but any insight is
appreciated

mike a

[monza]

Originally Posted by Mikael B Alfredsson

sorry about your engine trouble monza
Have a question for you,How different did the Porsche feel from Feul...my set up is the same (DSE) I know its not the same as driving but any insight is
appreciated

mike a

Real different, very different just going from driving to passenger as well.
Fuel felt bigger solid lots of torque, the GT3 was more rally like... intense nimble and tossing though corners. Realize my first time on that track, the GT3 was set up for track and had a driver with 4000+ laps on that track. After the first lap in the GT3 my smile was so large I had issues talking. In Fuel I was learning the line trying for smoothness.

[Redlight81]

the torqu-ie feel of fuel is what I am looking forward to feeling on the track. with my little miata (though supercharged), it is still very much about carrying speed through the corners. I must say, I am excited to get my R888's on next week. Dave, will you be getting the R888's?

Re: new track....John Herbst of the SABMW club claims that it will most likely be a "country club" type of place with membership fees, storage for cars and garages for pit crews. However, he says it will be located somewhere east of Carstairs, something like 1 hr from Calgary. I think most enthusiasts will now have to get now trailers rather than driving thier rides 15 minutes to the track (like now), or for sure get AMA memberships for the tows.

Keep us posted on fuel... Damn, this track stuff is expensive...

[monza]

We have it figured out and I guess I got off easy, a damn nut broke to be specific:

Part number 4654-16 Comp cams Some would call the poly locks-rocker Arm adjusting nuts.

One nut on the drivers side, which is so weird because I would have bet money of the left side. I was never one to believe the electrical arc, but I do have to admit it was really odd reverberating sound.

So replaced all the nuts just to be on the safe side. So now the bet is... do I hammer on it again next track date or thank my lucky stars and take it a little easier???