I woke up at 5 AM today and loaded half the garage up in Kelli's truck. We headed for Spring Mountain at about 6:15 AM. It was a really gorgeous morning and the sunrise was almost mars like in my rear view mirror. Just a really great 75 mile ride. I didn't have much to do but torque the wheels and adjust the rear shocks before the race. The first time out I was sandwiched inbetween a boat load of cars and really had no where to go. It was so slow that my lap times were a full minute faster in the second heat. The second run I decided to wait until it had started to go out and give myself some room. The race was black flagged right when I got in my car! Luckily I ended up with some space to RACE!
Let's start with the good first.
The car really really surprised me.
It really stuck to the track well and the handling was fantastic. The brakes I conintually whine about were actually really good on the track. Once they get a little heat in them they work great. I still liked a quick pump before the corners but it wasn't really needed. The motor ran really strong and I never saw the oil pressure drop below 25psi in the corners. I'd say the accumlator is working well. It was around 90 degrees in the first run and almost 100 in the second.
Water temps hit 210 and stayed there. I really don't know how hot the oil got. I shot the oil filter and it was 200 and the oil pan was bewteen 210-250. Hot enough I would say.
The bad: I lost almost all my power steering about 3 laps into my first run and it came back a little and was notchy as hell. The second heat I was running way faster and pushing the car. It once again lost most of the power steering and at the end of the heat the front seal on the pump puked some fluid. The pump is junk. It was ok on the way home but still a little notchy here and there. I work out alot and trying to steer 275mm R888's around a road course is like arm wresting super man.
All and all a great day that was cut a little short. I just need to buy a better power steering pump from turn one. I ended up running the 4th quickest lap of the novice group. I suppose 15-20 of the 30-40 cars has transponders.
Here are some photos and video Kelli took for me.
Two cars ahead of me went off the track and I'm telling you it was like being in the closet with the lights out. It was like days of thunder man. I slowed way the hell down and putted through the cloud of dust. Check it out!
Brian Hobaugh SCCA National Tour June 2014
First Hemi 'Cuda Convertible Ever Built
Short clips: Goodguys Pleasanton autocross and pit videos
Looks like a great day despite the little steering pump issue.
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