Missed by 'this' much (no track day tomorrow)
 

I signed up for a track day that runs tomorrow at Streets of Willow. You all know that I had to rebuild my motor due to frying a piston. The forensics showed a combination of problems that were ironically all fuel related and starved the motor last summer on a 106* day at Big Willow.

So, I've been working 10-12 hrs a day to get ready for the new season. I took time off to have some surgery done early Jan. (hernia) and started back asssembling the motor as soon as I was feeling up to it. I had all the new pieces sourced and machining done in the fall. As I was able, I got to the car about a week ago, first installing the new motor.

Of course, I found a few things to improve while I was putting the thing together and here we are, the last minute. Racers. We're all the same. I fired the motor up about 90 minutes ago and tuned it. But, there are some small problems and I'm beat. I doubt if I would be safe out there tomorrow. I've not worked this hard in a long time. Everything hurts.

On top of all this work, I'd have to get up tomorrow at 3:30 AM; leave by 4:30 to make the gate at 7AM. One stop for a Carl's breakfast or something. I'd be home after a 3+ hour run in LA traffic, probably about 7PM.

So, I cancelled. But, you know, it all worked out. My car is back together, it runs and there will be a slug of track days this year. Having a goal and a deadline is the only way to get things finished. I'm disappointed in a good way.

OK......so you can keep an old dog down:(

But not for long.

Jeeez Milt you have lots of time.....A couple of years ago the shop got my engine fired up at 4:30 on Friday for a Sat/Sun HSR West event. Drove it and down the street to make sure it could shift, etc and we put the slicks on it and I got to Willows at midnight. Had a ball all weekend! But that was a couple of years ago when I was younger and wilder.....Maybe at CA Speedway next month???

Hey Milt I know how ya feel...I have been slammed with work lately and have not been on the track yet this year and have only driven the car 3 times. My project list is growing faster than shrinking, and the bank account is shrinking faster than growing :(

But congrats on getting it back together and running again! We'll get out there sometime soon -- hopefully while the weather is still cool!

Well, the charging system tood a crapper on me and I can't find the problem. The alt works if I jump the terminals as advised by DD and I can't believe the new reg is bad so soon. I don't know how to test the reg. I think there is a problem with the wiring though. Seems like there is a dependency on the blue wire and the red light for everything to work. If you know something about this, post it on the other thread, please.

As far as Fontana, I dont think my car has the legs for such a big track. I need to get some DE in somewhere where I know the track. Alfa Club has a DE 3/6-7 that might work for me. I'm signed up for OTR on 3/3, so I'll know if it will be reliable for the weekend event.

The pressure is off for a few days at least. The days of working half the night and then driving the next day are gone for me. It's not that important. That's what's nice about having a street car. I can go to the canyons any time. In a way, I'm sorry that I made this 914 unstreetable. The guys that can drive their car to the track, be fast and drive home are to be admired.

Ahh, Zeke. . .914s that drive to the track, are fast there, and drive home don't exist ( :) ), do they? Mine was butt slow when I could drive it to the track, and now, it's only marginally faster. . . But, now, I have an SUV and soon, a replacement trailer to haul all my pack-up kit. So, I guess I got that goin' for me. I'll probably be at Fontana for CFoS, and then make the transition to POC.

Chris Campbell regularly drives his on the street. He does have a SUV and a nice trailer for comfort. But he COULD drive it to the track and be fast. Well, the car is fast, I don't know about Chris.......oh boy, I'm gonna hear about that! :D:D I better go start looking for a six so he doesn't run over me!

Well...I dunno about "regularly" driving on the street...and the part about being "fast" on the track is highly debatable too ;)

About twice a month the car sees a canyon run. At least with the short gearbox installed, it is quite unpleasant for long highway cruises. Not to mention that it's a cop-magnet.

Nevertheless; I totally agree about the joys of keeping a car that is "barely streetable" versus a dedicated trailer only car. Even though "compromise" cars are almost never truly competitive, I don't think I would make this 914 unstreetable unless I had a street 911 or something similarly entertaining for fun-run duties.

Speaking of which, if business holds up, I am seriously thinking of swapping the S4 for something "modern" but 911-ish, later in the year. A 996 or 993 C4S would be great for my commute, I think. Better get back to work!