08-28-2011, 01:30 PM
Our main race finally was called about 4pm. We were to start on the outside of the first row! Talk about a surprise! I figured weâd start mid-pack, at best. On our inside was a little 4 cylinder Toyota Tacoma. We chatted amongst each other. I figured weâd dust him at the start and never see him again. 30 seconds to start, 20, 10, 5-4-3-2-1. We are off! The green flag flew and I hammered down. Nothing! The engine spat and popped a few times and slowly took off. It cleared up some and I grabbed 2nd gear. By now we were in the yotaâs dust.
I had no idea what was wrong. It ran fine during the heat race. But it was running and driving, so I figured weâd just keep on going and hope for the best. We gave up a few places during the first few laps, with me letting a few faster Heeps by. After the 4th lap it felt like I was trying to baby the engine to keep it happy and that we were driving a basketball. The shocks had ceased functioning as shocks. It felt like we were just bouncing between rocks, gulleys, ruts, and stumps. I heard my neck crack a minimum of 3 times, not to mention my middle and lower back. The jarring was incredible. I think that sitting in a clothes dryer for an hour might be good training, though it might be cooler and less abusiveâ¦
In the end we finished sixth. There were 4 minutes between us and first! It was very tight. We did have to bump a lapped vehicle once. They didnât move, despite Clay laying on the horn for about ½ a lap and me following right behind them. I nudged them a few times until the finally moved over. No harm, no foul. With that though, we lost valuable time and a place or two.
It was a good race and a learning experience. For the final race I hope to have some good shocks, the engine issue fixed (I think it might be fuel cell foam breaking down and getting into the filter), and a set of spare kidneys! Thanks to Sharon and Nick H coming out for support and for snapping some pics. Till next time.
I had no idea what was wrong. It ran fine during the heat race. But it was running and driving, so I figured weâd just keep on going and hope for the best. We gave up a few places during the first few laps, with me letting a few faster Heeps by. After the 4th lap it felt like I was trying to baby the engine to keep it happy and that we were driving a basketball. The shocks had ceased functioning as shocks. It felt like we were just bouncing between rocks, gulleys, ruts, and stumps. I heard my neck crack a minimum of 3 times, not to mention my middle and lower back. The jarring was incredible. I think that sitting in a clothes dryer for an hour might be good training, though it might be cooler and less abusiveâ¦
In the end we finished sixth. There were 4 minutes between us and first! It was very tight. We did have to bump a lapped vehicle once. They didnât move, despite Clay laying on the horn for about ½ a lap and me following right behind them. I nudged them a few times until the finally moved over. No harm, no foul. With that though, we lost valuable time and a place or two.
It was a good race and a learning experience. For the final race I hope to have some good shocks, the engine issue fixed (I think it might be fuel cell foam breaking down and getting into the filter), and a set of spare kidneys! Thanks to Sharon and Nick H coming out for support and for snapping some pics. Till next time.