Greg Weld's 65 Mustang fastback track car

[GregWeld]

So.... the motor broke again at Sonoma. It was also having a fuel pressure regulator issue. Ron Sutton worked some magic and got it so I could continue to run even with the electric pump making 14 PSI... and a carb that wants to see 6 !!!


But she got hurt... and we (Ron Sutton Race Technologies) had already planned to do a suspension do over at BMR Race Shop in Roseville -- so they'll get in to the motor and we'll plan a course of action.











Since the little Lotus and her 1.8 Liter Toyota motor run like a Japanese watch (couldn't use SWISS HERE!) maybe I should stick a Toyota truck motor in it?? Should we have a vote???













Dropped the poor Mustang off at the shop.... and I have to tell ya -- it looked quite inadequate and she was having motor and tranny and suspension envy... sitting amongst all this hardware! OH YEAH!!



























And I've had to give SIEG the boot from the Lotus.... so he'll be running this bad boy next event.... if he can find a sponsor.

[Musclerodz]

For all the hell you have had with that motor, I suggest an LS swap....

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by Musclerodz

For all the hell you have had with that motor, I suggest an LS swap....

That is a definite option at this point Mike. This motor didn't like Charley and it certainly doesn't like me. But I also have no idea what is wrong this time.. so will wait to pull the plug.

[Sieg]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

And I've had to give SIEG the boot from the Lotus.... so he'll be running this bad boy next event.... if he can find a sponsor.

If you guys knew what it took to get into that damn thing you'd really appreciate that crappy iPhone pic. I'm sure the top lifted up but I'll be damned if I could figure out how!

[Vegas69]

Good to hear the car was having problems. For a moment there, I was going to recommend taking up golf. You know, with Gae running a faster time.

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by Vegas69

Good to hear the car was having problems. For a moment there, I was going to recommend taking up golf. You know, with Gae running a faster time.

Times are irrelevant in track days... mostly because no two cars are anywhere near "equal". Different motors - different size tires - different compound tires... That's just jerking off talk. The Lotus with it's 1.8 liter motor was faster... and the Mustang with it's skinny tires was slower... only at the point of when Ron choose to time the laps. When Gae was trying to chase me the Mustang pulled on him like he was dragging an anchor. Doesn't matter.... it's all just so much BS. There's dozens of cars and drivers out there that are FAR faster and there's an equal amount that are easily passed... I only pass people if they're slower than I am - but it's not the way I keep track of my "progress" as a driver or how well the car is working (or not). If people keep track of that kind of stuff - then they're not having much fun just enjoying the "event" and the people and their own car. There's no "Wally" at the end of the day... just a barbecue and a beer. When I pass someone -- I give them a friendly wave thanking them for letting me by.... and if I'm lucky enough to be able to be somewhat matched with someone - I'll go to their pit and thank them for letting me run with them. There's a guy with a 4 cylinder Turbo Thunderbird that runs regularly with us. He used to blow by me like I was in the wrong group... this time at Sonoma we ran several laps together - he pointed me by and I declined even though I was faster - I'd rather run and have fun with him - we each enjoyed the give and take - catching up or pulling away depending on which corner we were in. I then went to his trailer to thank him... he's a young guy and drives a great line... at Thunderhill this October - I promised him a session in the Lotus as he has admired it (even though we were running T-bird against Mustang). Given what he's driving - and his ability - he'd just rip the Lotus and I'd love to give him the chance. That's what makes this all fun. I don't really give a sh!t about lap times. On Saturday they were fast - on Sunday - for whatever reason - everyone was off by 2 to 4 seconds. Didn't feel like it - but that's what the watch said. Same people - same cars - different day. Weird.

[Vegas69]

It's fun either way, just more fun when you outrun Gae.

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by Vegas69

It's fun either way, just more fun when you outrun Gae.

That was the easy part. Since he couldn't catch or pass me - he'll rely on the one lap time that was faster than mine. The proof however - was the old fart pulling away from the orange crate.

[Track Junky]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

That was the easy part. Since he couldn't catch or pass me - he'll rely on the one lap time that was faster than mine. The proof however - was the old fart pulling away from the orange crate.

Wow!! OK, lets bring on the drama. I'm sure you've noticed I never brought up the lap time. I never rely on anyone with a stop watch or I-phone to time my laps. Not accurate enough for me. I have an AMB transponder on my car and its been on there since I started Time Trials 9 years ago. I normally run NASA or NCRC events. All I do is register my transponder when I sign up for the event and presto.....mine and everybody elses lap times are taped up somewhere downstairs beneath the timing tower after the session.
All I remember is catching up to Greg coming out of the carousel, he pulled me heading to turn 7, we ran down the esses and then he pulled off because of a fuel pressure issue.
It was a great day and my car was handling flawlessly. I was passing every single car in front of me........almost like I was running in a NASA HPDE 3 group. Lets be honest.....that is fun as hell!!
Either way....don't care. I love breaking Greg's balls and I had a great time at the track.
I'm always up for a challenge so if Greg really wants to give me a run for my money he'll grow a pair, get a transponder, and run with an ameature club with a bit more experience.

[Ron Sutton]

Hey Guys ! I'll throw in a few tech comments ... just so we can say we're talking about cars & not having a BS Session.

Originally Posted by GregWeld

Times are irrelevant in track days... mostly because no two cars are anywhere near "equal". Different motors - different size tires - different compound tires... That's just jerking off talk. The Lotus with it's 1.8 liter motor was faster... and the Mustang with it's skinny tires was slower... only at the point of when Ron choose to time the laps.
There were very few clean laps where drivers could lay down a "best time" in the green group. I think Gae & Greg would have both posted faster lap times with fewer rolling chicanes on the track. But hey ... it was just a fun "club track day" ... and those slower cars have just as much right to be out there having a blast too.

When Gae was trying to chase me the Mustang pulled on him like he was dragging an anchor. Doesn't matter.... it's all just so much BS. There's dozens of cars and drivers out there that are FAR faster and there's an equal amount that are easily passed... I only pass people if they're slower than I am - but it's not the way I keep track of my "progress" as a driver or how well the car is working (or not). If people keep track of that kind of stuff - then they're not having much fun just enjoying the "event" and the people and their own car. There's no "Wally" at the end of the day... just a barbecue and a beer.
Several beers.

When I pass someone -- I give them a friendly wave thanking them for letting me by.... and if I'm lucky enough to be able to be somewhat matched with someone - I'll go to their pit and thank them for letting me run with them. There's a guy with a 4 cylinder Turbo Thunderbird that runs regularly with us. He used to blow by me like I was in the wrong group... this time at Sonoma we ran several laps together - he pointed me by and I declined even though I was faster - I'd rather run and have fun with him - we each enjoyed the give and take - catching up or pulling away depending on which corner we were in. I then went to his trailer to thank him... he's a young guy and drives a great line... at Thunderhill this October - I promised him a session in the Lotus as he has admired it (even though we were running T-bird against Mustang). Given what he's driving - and his ability - he'd just rip the Lotus and I'd love to give him the chance. That's what makes this all fun.
That was a great session with you & the T-bird running together.

I don't really give a sh!t about lap times. On Saturday they were fast - on Sunday - for whatever reason - everyone was off by 2 to 4 seconds. Didn't feel like it - but that's what the watch said. Same people - same cars - different day. Weird.

I was watching the weather with an app on my phone. There was massive humidity in the air (79%). Around lunch the temperature was only 6° from dew point. Most guys know at dew point ... actual dew drops form on the ground (or track surface in our case). But not everyone knows anytime the moisture content in the air is high (humidity) and the temperature is cool ... there is moisture constantly being applied to the track surface by the air. I watch how far the temperature is from dew point. Anytime it is within 10° ... it will significantly affect both track grip & engine power output.

So it took away grip from the track & affected all the cars power outputs. Most fell off 3-4 seconds. Some more.