Hey y'all,
I got a chance to see some of the faithful at Gingerman Saturday, where
I picked up the bonnet and hardtop I bought from Daniel Thompson
(thanks) , and were delivered by Thicko Mike Jackson (thanks).
I pulled the Red Rat's old motor out of Redrum, where it had performed
admirably for Saturdays race a few weeks ago at Blackhawk. At the end of
the small bore grand prix the oil pressure turned to shit and I shu her
down. So, as we began pulling the motor, I found the oil filter was
loose (might have explained the leak and the loss of pressure, huh?) So,
we hooked things up and fired her...65 lbs of oill pressure (not bad for
a race motor with 5 hard seasons living at 7500 rpm). That's the good
news... so maybe I didn't f up my nitrided crank (which I've gotten away
with polishing tht last 2 rebuilds). But, there is a nasty noise at the
front end of the motor... like near the timing chain. (Maybe the vernier
cam sprocket is fubar?) So, we yanked it anyway.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch....the 1275 that came with the car has been
at Elmo's Logantucky machine shop for weeks. Supposedly, it should be
good to go. I normally use a machinist in West Allis, WI that does a lot
of Nscar stuff, and have been thrilled with their consistant quality.
So, hopefully this motor goes back together ok. It's a relatively mild
1275, but ought to get out of it's own way.
The plan is to run the Brian Redman International Challenge in 2 weeks
at Road America. For you Spridget guys, this is the largest vintage
event in the country, if not the world. 600+ race cars, concours show
cars, and 150,000 spectators over the 2 days. I ran this event for many
years, but haven't in the last 3. It's an expensive entry, and the track
insists on charging a ridiculous amount to park a camper there for the
weekend (as high as $250 w/o water, power, or septic on top of the $400+
entry..)
The spectacle is great... the quality of care is unrivaled... it's the
quality of drivers that varied widely. Also, the pits are very crowded
with the "beautiful people" that don't always concern themselves with a
hot race car trying to navigate back trhough the paddock.
So, the plan is...run the 1275 at the BRIC, since the smalled engine
class they have is 1300 cc. I will rebuild the old RedRat 948, and the
other 948 that came with Redrum. The goal will be to be always sporting
a spare fresh 948 and 1275 with trannys on the trailer.
Tomorrow the car's going over to the fabrication shop. I've removed the
rear cross braces on the roll bar that interfere with mounting a seat
back far enough for my Gulliver size proportions. Might be fun to drive
this car when I fit in it.
I'm thinking some seat time this year with a 1275,sort the chassis out
and then, over the winter, build a serious 1275/1380 with all the
expensive go fast goodies and go Dr J hunting next year.
So, I'll will be setting up Thicko Village at the BRIC, most likely, if
possible near Fourintune. Elmo may make it... but every time I call him,
he's out on the pontoon boat. John Colgate, former Healey Works Sprite
driver, will be driving Tom Kovac's 100S prototype recreation. John's a
great guy, and some of you Sprite guys might enjoy meeting him.
Thickos and Spridget guys, let me know if you're gonna be there either
racing or spectating.
Also, I need a Sprite rear axle housing, if anyone nearby's got one near by.
WST
Flounder
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