Latest Updates – Team Lazy Racing

Yes, this was an unusual Tuesday race as ChampCar rescheduled the original September race weekend to April to get this race completed before the sale and closure of the facility. It was scheduled for 8-hours. Not the longest race we’ve entered but certainly an endurance endeavor.

We approached this race primarily as a test for our car and a [new] driver in preparation of the Watkins Glen race at the end of May. Tuesday’s random start had us near the back of the field at the drop of the green flag. Our little engine puts us in the same class as the Miatas, in which there were many turning fast laps. Out of the 47-teams entered, there were certainly more Miatas than any other car competing. Throughout the day, we slowly and methodically etched upward in position, eventually making our way into FIFTH overall and THIRD in class (Class A includes all those machines with an engine displacement of 1.9 liters and below.)! However, about fifteen-twenty minutes before the checked flag, our driver radioed-in that the electronics in the car were starting to act up. Then, at exactly 12 minutes before the checkered flag, [nearly] all the electronics in the car shut off right in front of the pits approaching turn One and the car coasted into a disappointing stop a couple turns later but still in view. He safely pulled off into the grass and communication eventually halted as there was no more power to run the comm system. Due to the proximity to the end of the long race, race control elected to leave our disabled race car out there so they could end under green flag conditions. Right at the very end, we lost lap after lap as the leaders powered their way to the finish in those last few minutes.

Our little car was fast and was very competitive, but never finished the race. Eventually Dave was flat-towed off the track after all the other competitors passed by the checkered flag. We still consider this race to be successful despite the disappointing finish, or lack thereof… We had no mechanical failures and had smooth pit stops all day long. We didn’t even break any axles, which tended to plague our last car with this same exact drivetrain. Our drivers were consistent, got many quality laps, and really enjoyed themselves. We know the car is fast and fun to drive! We met some other great racers/peeps to boot!

We left the track as quickly as we could and arrived back home late last night. Our current theory is that the alternator failed, which should be fairly easy to remedy in the coming weeks. Thanks to the team for their hard work, intelligent heads-up driving, and attentive pit stops! We don’t always epitomize our team name…

-Team Lazy

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!