Down time

With Sunday's Blackhawk race completed(more on that later) we have a month of down time until Road America. So with that time we are going to strip the Miata apart and get it painted the team colors. The scheme is still kind of up in the air. So it should be a surprise to everyone, me included, when it is done. Which is scary, since I am painting it! We are also going to install a new seat in the blue Civic of Andys.

Blackhawk this past weekend wasn't what we expected out of the team. Saturday we unloaded and set up but went home that night because we both had family obligations so it was a early Sunday ride down. This weekend we where joined again by Andy Schmiechen and also Dave Andersen who both brought their Honda Civics down to race. Everything went well threw practice and qualifying. By the time the qualifying sessions where posted we where happy to see the #32 had snagged the outside of the front row.

Then Mother nature and Mr. Murphy decided we where having to good of a day. Just after the lunch hour rain hit. We looked over the tires choices and decided since we had no rains, to leave the Hoosiers on. All we could do was hope for a break. Discussions went on and on. With Andy wondering about my weather predictions and if he should mount the Hoosier dirt stockers he had.

Right about the time grid was being called the rain started to let up. We thought we caught a break sitting on grid looking at all the cars with rains on and us with normals. As the cars went on the parade lap our luck ran out, the rain picked up again. Two attempts to take the green flag where needed and on the second when the flag waved Shawn took off and had the field by a good 10 cars going into turn one but the lead only lasted one lap and with the rain picking up Shawn worked the Honda as best he could to a 10th place finish. Even though it was a tough race overall Shawn still scored another win in the UNR group. So at the end of the day we where still happy. The car was in one piece, no off track excursions like some had, we learned a lot about the cars abilities in the rain, and what we truly need for rain tires.

Road America is coming up at the end of July and everyone is looking forward to bouncing back and having a good showing. Wish us luck

More Blackhawk Farms

This weekend we are back down to Blackhawk for a Sunday race. This time just the Honda for Redhead. We will also be joined by Andy and his Honda. The Miata has a sick transmission. 3rd/4th shift is not as smooth as it should so this past week we pulled the transmission. Since it will be down for a spell we are also getting it ready for new paint to match the Honda. The next few weeks before RA we will sand down the blue, spray some primer and then throw on the team colors of Gun Metal Grey and the Deep Orange. It won't be in the same scheme as the Honda, but it should be unique to all the other SM cars on the track.

More on our race weekend Monday.

Dog days are already here

I was smart enough to pick today, one of the hottest days we've had so far, to do some repair work on the Honda. Just some small things. A suspension bolt on the left front was stripped out. New bolt in and everything is great. Go over all the bolts on the car, check torque and wear for safety sake. Then get those dreaded hood pins tightened back down. Don't want a hood flying up now do we, that could ruin a guys day. Right?

After that, just go over the car, look for odds and ends that need to be done before our next race at Blackhawk Farms on June 25th.

Should be a great weekend, we did well last time and should expect similar results. Going to just run the Honda that weekend. Then it will be a month long of prep work for our favorite track. Road America, I can't wait.

See you at the track!

mylaps posted results

www.mylaps.com has the results for last weeks raced at Blackhawk Farms

Race One, Improved Touring , Honda Civic

Race Two, SM/Prod, Mazda Miata