Well, Charley and I had a good weekend at the track.
We went to Gingerman to "test" with the Viper Open Track Event Friday. We started in the rain for my first session then it dried a little and Charley could go out in the next run group to learn the track and get comfortable in the car. I had one more session on a 80% dry track but it was good enough to shake the car down. I was able to sort out the brake balance and determine the car had a mid-speed push. We only had the morning at the track but it was great to get some time on the car. We left the track at 1:00 in a rain storm to go to Lane to register for the event and cruise.
The cruise was very nice the rain stopped and we had a nice picnic on the bank of Lake MI with all the guys doing the event.
We went back to the hotel so Charley and I could swap could rear springs in the parking lot. We also fixed the sway bar bushings that had walked out. Just wrapped up the swap when the rain started to really come down. My girl friend Laura showed up right before we finished and helped put things away before the storm. I was very glad we had borrowed an enclosed trailer to use for the weekend.
The next morning we qualified. Due to the rules of no passing except on the front straight I did not qualify well 3rd overall, Charley did good qualify 9th over all. So, we both made the Top 15 Shootout set up for after lunch. During the lunch break we fixed an engine oil sensor leak and a burned rear diff vent line. The car was filling with smoke due to the diff fluid getting on the exhaust. We also reinstalled the sway bar bushing again. With 3 minute to spare we drop it off the jack stands and bolted Charley in the car. He ran great, with the exception of the 4 off in turn 4 on his out lap. (I guess it is pay back for me pitching his Mustang and AMG off track). Undeterred he re-entered the track and kept going. We had about 15 minutes to look over the car then I went out. The car ran great no issue and it was much easier to drive without the smoke worring me.
With a clean track, the top three cars were:
1:34.58 Mark Stielow with Jackass
1:35.13 Ryan from Detroit Speed (DSE)
1:36.78 Jake with Jake Rod Shop
Charley ran in the 1:40s - good enough to be the third overall in the non manufacturer class.
After we ran our laps we had a photo shoot with Camaro Performers magazine. Laura ran to town and got some beer and Charley ordered a pizza. We were able to hang out with some of the other competitors. It was a great day and a beautiful evening to just hang out.
The next day we went to the AutoX. After trying to find a way to drive the car I was able to get a time of 31.7 seconds. JA is not a good AutoX car due to the lack of roll stiffness. Kyle and Ryan from DSE ran a 30 something and Bad Penny with Pozzi driving got down in the 29s winning the AutoX. (I had a chance to drive Bad Penny and it is a great car to drive and looks awesome)
The final event was scored by adding your best road course time to your AutoX time.
Overall, I am very happy with the weekend. We took a green car to the track and beat the crap out of it.
The engine worked great with no issues. It kept cool and made great power. We ran 2 drives in the car with no cooling issues.
The brakes were crazy good. The issues are brake knock back and higher output when hot. You have to change your brake pedal force when they get hot. They have reverse brake fade. We have to get SKF Corvette ZR-1 bearings to help the brake knock back.
The chassis needs bigger sway bars, a new t-bar in the rack and re-valved front shocks.
Charley and I forgot to put fuel in the car before the AutoX. So we ran many course runs with the fuel tank reading E. So all my fuel tank modifications for low fuel handling worked. We used the GMX-322 V bucket and pickup to keep the pickup covered. Luckily, Laura was there again to bail Charley and I out and ran to town and get 5 gallons of gas.
The results were
1st Overall
Fastest time at Gingerman
Peoples Choice Car
3rd fastest during the shoot out at Gingerman for Charley
I could not of got the car to the track with out the help of my friends.
I would like to thank:
Laura Howlett for not killing me
Ryan Kulenbeck for all the wiring and trouble shooting
Dave Mikels for getting the engine debugged
The Guys at Reiter that assembeled and painted the car
Joe Borschke at Stenod Performance for helping sort out the car
Kyle and Stacy Tucker for help at the track
Gordon Rojewski for the photos
And Charley Lillard for being a JA
Brian Hobaugh SCCA National Tour June 2014
First Hemi 'Cuda Convertible Ever Built
Short clips: Goodguys Pleasanton autocross and pit videos
JA at Motor State Challenge
This is sure to be the first of many more good times to come. 
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