Thoughts on this weekends race.
Back in 2018 we retired our previous chassis from ChampCar due to multiple years of use, several crashes and getting less and less competitive. We planned to build the new car and have it done in 6-8 months by transplanting our proven powertrain in a lighter shell.For excuses too long to discuss here, the car took much longer than expected to “complete”. Earlier this year we set a plan to get it to the Sebring 7’s races, as the date kept getting closer, we kept getting further and further behind. After a last 2 week hail mary, we actually had a car “ready” to attend. Problem was, there was no time to “test” the car prior to the event…a risk we were willing to take.
That eventually ended both days on track earlier than we wanted, but that’s racing. We are all excited by the test race. The car is fast and capable of running at the front of the pack, easily. We also uncovered some weaknesses in the car, our strategy, and our team that we will work to address. Full disclosure of our issues that pulled us off track each day.
Issue #1 (Sat): Car losing power mid race. This happened a few times on Saturday, we knew it was electrical or tune related. What we found and believe to be the cause was one of 2 things; A) The O2 Sensor that came disconnected during the race, or B) Vehicle Speed Sensor wiring issues. Both of these were corrected at the same time we corrected Issue #2 and didn’t occur on Sunday.
Issue #2 (Sat):Midway through the 3 stint we noticed fluid on the ground after a pit stop. Pulled car behind the wall and found a very constant leakage from the transmission. We decided not to grenade the transmission, let the car cool down and figure out the source of the leak. After we did that it was clear that it was leaking from where the case halves go together. We had rebuilt the transmission ourselves during the new car transplant/build so our fault. We decided to pull the transmission, split the case and reseal it and reinstall it Sat afternoon/evening to be able to start Sunday’s race.
Issue #3 (Sun):Drivers front left wheel fell off during second stint at T16 on the 3rd or 4th lap. Several things here, we had that wheel off during the trans repair, it was reinstalled and torqued properly. We normally check the torque at each pit stop but our driver change/pit stop was a cluster fk for several other reasons and we missed rechecking it. And lastly, after inspection of the failed components, we were using OEM style lug nuts on aftermarket wheels that clearly require and acorn style lug nut. Things missed when we upgraded to the aftermarket wheels from OEM. This put us out of the race due to fatigued lug studs that were damaged from the wheel issue and no spare knuckle/hub assembly on hand.
We are working now on correcting the issues we uncovered with the car, our pit process and strategy, spares and more. After reviewing the race coverage and stats there is a lot to be happy about. Saturday, started 80th overall of 83 cars. In 17 laps gained 67 spots for 13th place overall (11th in race standings because EC cars aren’t counted). By lap 22 had taken the class lead before the car shut off on Lap 23 and put us 28 laps down while we were trying to figure it out. Also, had the 12th fastest lap of the day with a 2:37.466. Sunday, started 3rd overall of 81 cars. Was 2nd overall after the first lap, then remained in the Top 10 overall (3rd place in standings because EC cars aren’t counted) and held the lead in our class until the first driver change/pit stop.
We’ll be back!
