Watkins Glen Track Day
 

Did a track day at Watkins Glen yesterday with Trackmasters. It was supposed to be a full weekend, but didn't make it. More on that latter. Since I had been away from the track for so long, I decided to go for an event with instructors, to get my groove back. Trackmasters is a very good organization with very good, very experienced instructors. Great way to get back in the saddle.

Good news. Good news. Good news. Bad News

Good news 1: I experienced no overheating whatsoever. My third session, I drove as hard as I have ever driven at Watkins Glen. The temp needle didn't budge above "a smidgeon less than horizontal." My new high temp warning light installed by Tom didn't blink. I think my days of vomiting coolant all over my engine are over. Knock on wood.

Good news 2: All those mods that Tom put in make the car a delight to drive. Great torque, great handling, potential for much greater pace. I did not experience additional, uncontrolled understeer because of Nevin's rear sway bar. The car was stable and handled the right-left-right chicane at the end of the back straight with aplomb. I was being caught up, slowly, by a Lotus Exige, but on a some corners, I was able to pick up a couple of car lengths. He eventually passed me, but, we had fun in the process

Good news 3: Personally, the skills really started to come back. I was a little worried before going on the track, since I hadn't been on for more than a year, but you don't forget. Watching endless hot laps from the driver's viewpoint on the video "Secrets of Driving the Glen." really helped. Visually recreating the experience of driving the track brings back the body memory. Great fun.

Bad news 1: Near the end of the 3rd session yesterday, as I was passing someone on the back straight, and approaching the braking point for the chicane, the engine cut out big-time. I got a little bamboozled because on top of finishing the pass,, braking, anticipating turn-in, downshifting, now I was also dealing with a significant engine problem. I missedthe shift, slowed too much. A buddy was following in a Porshe Turbo, he also got bamboozled by my sudden loss of pace. But, no paint was exchanged. Fortunately, it was the last lap of the session.

The engine now had a significant very loud tapping, over and above the normal clatter of the solid lifters. Opinions differed over whether it was a top-end of a bottom end problem. I had it trailered 250 miles back to Tom's garage in Jersey City. At this point, he is digging into it, but his initial opinion is that it is a top-end problem, maybe a sticking valve or lifter, or broken valve spring, and thus much less dire than a spun bearing. The engine cut out was probably caused by the ECU knock sensor detecting an irregularity, and retarding the ignition and cutting back fuel. More later.

Anyway, it was a great Saturday, and I hope that the engine problem is solved before my next scheduled track weekend at Summit Point in mid-May.

Re: Watkins Glen Track Day
 

Good luck on the engine, Dan.......

Hope to see you at Summit Point - ping me to remind me .....

I think the Mercedes Club will be on Jefferson in July - check out the web site: http://www.gws-mbca.org/events/SP07-10_DE.html for the latest ....

Harry

PS: good to see you at READING!

Re: Watkins Glen Track Day
 

Dropped the pan today... #5 is sqeezing out of the side of the rod... Looks like we are into it again... More once I pull it and find out what caused it

Tom

Re: Watkins Glen Track Day
 

I hate EG33 oil pans......:mad:

Re: Watkins Glen Track Day
 

Hi Bob, long time:)

Tom

Re: Watkins Glen Track Day
 

Sorry to hear about the engine SGS but glad to hear you're getting it to where you want it and have that pesky hot coolant taken care of. Our fan toggle switch set up worked great, at least for people coherent enough to plan ahead and cool the engine nice and good between runs. :) Those with brain farts set off loud bangs as radiators blow up.:D

Re: Watkins Glen Track Day
 

Ben:

Thanks. It was a brief but great pleasure. Hope you're enjoying your TVR.

Dan

Re: Watkins Glen Track Day
 

Story of my life. :lol:

Good luck with the motor!

Re: Watkins Glen Track Day
 

Looks like we stumbled upon an oiling issue... If thats not an understatement...

The right hand side of the block oils the rear portion of the mains and rods in series. The bearings oiled by this supply seemed to have been starved of proper oil. Not sure why yet, will pull the oil pipe plugs tomorrow and have a look see... I am guessing there is some silicone or something of that nature blocking the passage from seeing proper flow. This would help explain why the oil light did not illuminate even though the rod bearing was clearly demolished.

Tom

Re: Watkins Glen Track Day
 

I realize this was close to 2 months ago now, but I just now read this for the first time. Did you get the motor back together yet?

And I'm glad to hear that the swaybar is treating you well! And I felt flattered that it was even worthy of mention in your initial post!

Re: Watkins Glen Track Day
 

Nevin:

It's back together, but with some serious oil leaks. Need some heli-coils in the valve cover screw holes. Also, still trying to get it emissions compliant. Tom programmed a new leaner low-end map, and i passed at 2500 rpm, but still failed at idle. Plan on going to Pocono in a couple of weeks, if the leaks can be fixed.