Some good advise before you start your spring cruises, races, etc.

[Clois Harlan]

A good friend and long time Run n Gun participant Bill Frimpter sent me this email and rather than trying to re-word it I thought I would share it with everyone reading this forum. Take some time and let's be safe again this year:

Clois;
Have noticed that you have currently been more active on CC web. Read your comment a few weeks ago about new R&G rules and stuff for 09.
I have taken my engine out to do some work, upgrade a few things - removing 2x4 in favor of a 1x4 carb among many things.

From engine pulleys to rear pinion flange I have found 13 bolts that did not need to be "broken" with wrench to remove, which means that they were already loose....loose enough to easily tell with a wrench. (That's probably why I don't use an air tool for part removal).

Bottom line.... the Safety factor of carefully checking your vehicle over carefully before and during the events cannot be emphasized enough for the majority of the R&G participants.

Although there are some outstanding drivers and some outstanding mechanics, the majority do not crawl under their vehicle on a regular basis (I watch)....Please emphasize this with your changes... Thanks.

Other than that......


Been working hard, trying to do too much, having fun... weather getting warmer, Kathy doing well, Daughter having twins in South Texas at end of May. learning more than I ever thought I would about cars... maybe too much... If I could sell mine for what it's worth today, I'd build a Daytona coupe. Technology and availability of parts has changed a bunch since 1991.


Cheers to you and Sharon,
Bill.


Bill makes some very good points and just like the commercial says "we are the warrenty" so it would make sense to do at least an annual nut and bolt check and mark the ones you have checked with a colored marking pen. Some of us like to go pretty fast and that is the worst time for surprises.

Clois

[GreenSnakeDoc]

Good advice for all. The above is a requirement for track days at Carolina Motorsports Park, and I take it seriously. You have to print out a form that lists almost everything on a car that needs bolts checked. At the bottom is a space for either a mechanic or the owner to sign verifying the checks. I've always noticed after one track day and a month or so of normal driving, at least one important bolt or nut was loose. One time I found a very loose sheet metal screw used by the factory to hold on the front valance or air dam. It was half way from coming out. With a sharp point, it would very likely puncture a tire if it fell out on the track. This could be a major tragedy for some unlikely driver. With my Cobra, I religiously avoid holding metal panels and other parts with S.M. Screws and use aluminum pop rivets.