I thought I would post my thoughts about RTTC 3 from a newbies view and also my mistakes that other new guy's can learn from. This was only the second time I had the car at an event. First one was just a an auto cross. I only made for Friday's event but what a great event. I know it has been said over and over but Bill, Finch and Yancy among many others put on a great event
. I elected to drive my car early Friday morning in place of taking it on a trailer. It is only 60 miles or so one way. My first mission was to get there,having never driving the car that far. Car ran great getting there even after sitting in snarled 91 FWY traffic. I packed a bunch of stuff like floor jack, tools, air tank etc and did not have a chance to use it. In fact I never adjusted/checked the tire pressures all day. The first event in my group was the auto cross. I was told later by one of the cone chaser that I was the first to spin out that day but I did not touch a cone. I should also admit this was on a semi faster final parade lap
More on why I spun out so easy in a minute. The car seemed wicked hard to handle with the rear end just snapping around at a blink of an eye. I never had time to put the rear sway bar on it so I just assumed that was it. I just tried to hang on my best and moved on to the other events. The drag/stop whatever was a blast. I had to race Dale's Sunbeam tiger (~2500lb car) but we were close both times likely because he could not get any traction. His car was the one picked for OUSCI spirit award and it is beautiful car
I then moved onto the Road course with my very erratic handling car. I spun out a bunch and in fact I lost track of how many times. A few times I got a little lost with the small cones. I am not sure if I got one clean lap but I had a blast. I had two 3/4 lap sessions and while waiting in line for the last session it occurred to me that I had opened the brake prop. valve all the way open in full pressure to the rear. This was the week prior and I forgot about it. I asked a couple guy's in line with me and they suggested two full turns. It seemed better but likely needs more. I had a another problem on this last session that took my attention away. The car started popping coming off the long sweeping turn by the start. As I came of the turn in second gear I would mash the pedal and nothing but popping until I got going straight. I also had the same problems in other turns also. At the time I was perplexed and parked the car. I noticed Mike Norris working on a car with his laptop. He was nice enough to take a peak. Thanks Mike
He found nothing but when I told him when and what it was doing he asked how much fuel do you have. I had a 1/4 tank so he concluded that during the turn the car would lean out due to lack of fuel. I was too tired to leave and go get more fuel but I am convinced that was my problem. Looks like my Rick's tank may need a Vaporworx retrofit. After that I packed it up and sat through Friday night traffic. I lost all my worries about getting home since I drove it so rough all day and it had not broke yet. My hat is off to you guy's that competed both days as they were driven hard. Coming up later this month is the Socal Challenge at AMP so I need to be sure and have plenty of fuel. I also hope to get a better alignment and install rear sway bar. One regret was that fact that I could not be there both days. Others were I did not get to watch other members nor talk with them like I wanted to. I really wanted to see a few cars up close like Gandalfs 69 but failed to do so. In addition to those mentioned I would like to thank all the volunteer's. They worked hard from tech to the events. I saw the famous Greg Weld doing both tech and running the auto cross. Thanks, and sorry I did not get a chance to introduce myself formerly.
I had a video camera and planned to use but again I think the jitters made me loose focus. I will get it next time
Here is the only picture of my car I took.
Brian Hobaugh SCCA National Tour June 2014
First Hemi 'Cuda Convertible Ever Built
Short clips: Goodguys Pleasanton autocross and pit videos
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