Page 1 of 1

Daytona/SCCA PDX Sept 30, 2017

Posted: Sun Sep 03, 2017 3:29 pm
by Tom Wells
Well here we go again...

I've signed up the Zephyr for the Daytona/SCCA PDX Saturday Sept 30, 2017.

If anyone's interested in being part of the pit crew, let me know! It's free.

Last time I made three laps before being black flagged for heavy smoke. This time has to be better, right? O}

Tom

Re: Daytona/SCCA PDX Sept 30, 2017

Posted: Sun Sep 03, 2017 6:07 pm
by mooreken
I have signed up also.
Here's hoping the weather is good.
Ken

Re: Daytona/SCCA PDX Sept 30, 2017

Posted: Tue Sep 19, 2017 8:02 pm
by Tom Wells
Here's something I forgot from the previous Daytona weekend. This was the day after my track day when I volunteered at the grid.

The white Falcon that was supposed to run with us at Daytona broke a trans, so Bill drove one of his Porsche race cars. Here's the writeup on the Falcon: https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/artic ... -disguis/
Bill Riddell owns the white one (not pictured in the article). This one accurately resembles a 1960 Falcon, a NASCAR Cup car, or one of John Force's funny cars...

It has been clocked at 198 at the start/finish line at Daytona. The blue one ran 201.

Something to aim for :-bd

I may run the wagon again September 30 if the event takes place - they are milling around right now trying to find enough drivers and volunteers who can take time away from Irma rebuilding. We'll see.

BTW, Bill did remember the wagon when I met him at the races the following day.

Tom

Re: Daytona/SCCA PDX Sept 30, 2017

Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2017 12:43 pm
by Tom Wells
The PDX is on for Saturday September 30.

Since the Zephyr created clouds of smoke at Daytona - yes, I was black-flagged for that - I moved the trans cooler from inside the right front fender to the front of the radiator. It has its own pusher fan. I believe trans overheating (and my overfilling) probably caused the smoke that ended my day.

The engine also ran hot, so I got a shrouded 2400CFM fan and installed it.

It still ran hot when I get after it (don't ask where/when I did that.) The trans stayed much, much cooler.

So now Summit, who were happy to sell me the best Derale twin-fan, shrouded 3750CFM replacement, will Fedex the thing to me, probably today. I'll then have the fun of trying to shoehorn it into the Zephyr because it is a bit thicker. I do have Derale's permission to trim the shroud up to 3/4" :-ss

We'll see...

Still no volunteers for my pit crew - I promise to try to stay longer this time!

Tom

Re: Daytona/SCCA PDX Sept 30, 2017

Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2017 4:02 pm
by mooreken
Well I don't have an cooling problems (at the moment). I did a plug change ant it seems I have a few valve seals leaking. The O'l inter web said that some have trouble with the Trick Flow seals climbing up the shaft so I got some from Comp Cams. Can't decide to change them now or wait till after Daytona in case something goes very wrong.

I have moved my trailer to higher ground. So that won't be an issue this time.

Ken

Re: Daytona/SCCA PDX Sept 30, 2017

Posted: Thu Sep 28, 2017 3:12 pm
by Tom Wells
Ken,

Will look for you on the way down!

Anyone else: I still would like some pit crew if anyone is up for it!

Tom

Re: Daytona/SCCA PDX Sept 30, 2017

Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2017 10:46 am
by Tom Wells
Wow! What a great day!

Ken and I went to Daytona yesterday expecting the worst - a deluge. As Kay says, things never seem to turn out the way you expect - the track was ever so slightly damp for the first session, then dried out completely for the next two. Then the temp/humidity went to 90-90 and sitting in the car in full gear for each of the next two sessions for 20 minutes or so became an ultra-sauna. Three sessions of that was enough so I bagged the fourth one.

We each ran three full sessions; what a ride!

I'll let Ken post his experience, but I can report the Zephyr ran flawlessly all three sessions. Of course, the Zephyr was on street tires since I expected rain, but its top speed was 132.7mph anyway according to the iPhone's GPS. Got passed a lot on the infield part of the course, but kept up fairly well on the NASCAR part - no big surprise. Found myself wishing for the slicks in the infield particularly.

Started with 28psi cold in the tires, ended at 26psi. Almost made three whole sessions on one tank of gas. At the end of the third session Ken passed me; I said to the Zephyr "let's go get him back," and the Zephyr said "wait, I'm thinking about it." The tank was low enough that the gas ran away from the pickup and caused the engine to run out of gas several times for a few seconds... Oh, well, next time :))

If I can untangle the video enough to get a short bit put up on Youtube, I'll add a message with a link. Apple seems to want to make getting your files off an iPhone as difficult and arcane as possible /rant off

On the way home, I hit the rain storms which continued for the final 30 miles. That was when the driver's windshield wiper blade kept trying to fall off so the wipers couldn't be used. Not exactly relaxing, but made it anyway.

If anyone else is interested (Mike, are you listening?) I'll post a note when/if I find out about the next Daytona track day AKA SCCA PDX (Performance Driving Experience.) There are also PDXs at Sebring.

Tom

Re: Daytona/SCCA PDX Sept 30, 2017

Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2017 10:06 pm
by mooreken
Tom, have you seen this fuel sock from Holley? It would solve your fuel pickup problem but when you run out you WILL be out of fuel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfE1v65fNZI

Ken

Re: Daytona/SCCA PDX Sept 30, 2017

Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2017 8:47 am
by Tom Wells
Ken,

Thanks. Looks interesting but maybe not too practical for my rig.

The Zephyr has this installed: https://www.aeromotiveinc.com/product/p ... el-system/

I'm certain that adding a few gallons to the tank between runs 2 and 3 would have solved my problem :D

Tom