The track,
oil that is!
Event: Kirkham Track Day June 19, 2008
Miller MotorSports Park
West half the track
Thank you Thomas Kirkham and Joe Weight!!
Well, it finally happened!
Old 3850 is a real winner: survived
Here's what happened:
1. The car performed perfectly. Bars just right, tires incredible.
2. Let the pro driver take it for a spin; car is set up right. He could not do the "heel-n-toe" thing to downshift the corners the way he likes. He said the tires overcame that. Need to Seat bolt down better, steering wheel vs brake pedal modify...other projects in the future.
3. So anyway, we use the car until after lunch I was coming down the front straight and in turn 1 all of a sudden smoke pours out the frover's side front tire area. I am thinking: "maybe tires hitting body". Slow down, less smoke. At next flag station they signal the car off the track. Look at gauges and shut down engine; zero
oil pressure. Ouch!!
4. "Cobra Blood", as Greg Scott calls it, all through turn 1 and on to where the car stops, about a quarter mile. Open hood: remote
oil tube came unclamped! Simple fix. Was there engine damage? The flag guys point out that oil was still coming out...a good sign as that means oil still in engine.
5. So the flatbed gets Old 3850 loaded (slick rig) and we head the pits. Scrounge up 4 quarts of Valvoline Racing Oil from the Miller guys making race "spec" cars out of Mustangs. Tighten oil line; install oil. Fire it up...sounds great.
6. Meanwhile the track is shut down and clean up crews get rid of the oil.
7. Head back on the track: get a
from the flag guys! Car works perfectly again!! So, no harm, no foul.
All bare alum (and beautiful) Kirkhams plus my lone painted humble FFR. So it's all good.
See more people next time...
Thanks again Kirkhams...I'll check the old race car closer next time. No more blood letting...