Mike Simard

Well I just dropped of the car for this weekend's race. If anyone wants to stop by and visit, I'm in the infield paddock close to the bridge. My class is ITO which is the east coast catch all class. It's part of run group 6 but I'm not sure of the schedule.

I had to go through a serious tech inspection with grizzled, old SCCA veterans who have been doing this since cars were invented . The tech guy told me of some 928 racer in California named Kibort. He told me everything

Abby Normal

All the best Mike!!

I sure wish I was going. I'm going to a track down here on Saturday, but it's no Road Atlanta.

andy-gts

Ok .....spill it! WE want to know the everything on Kibort

90 S-4

Good luck Mike, show them what a 928 can really do !

IcemanG17

Rock on Mike!!!!

Hilton

Did he tell you about catching Mark pouring virgin olive oil into Amsoil cartons?

Benton

Mike, we need pictures! How many cars are running in ITO? Are they old Trans Am cars and such? Similar power/weight to your car?

AO

Give 'em hell, Mike! Have fun and be safe.

Mike Simard

Well, nevermind. I'm out.
Something broke during qualifying, again.
Sigh.

Mark Anderson

Something? I take it that "something" is not minor.
Really sorry to hear that

mark kibort

that sucks! what broke??? Thats like a kid at a candy store and not being able to eat anything. Road atlanta is a dream of mine to race at!

BTW, what did the SCCA guy say??

Mike Simard

It's clutch or drivetrain related. It happened on the uphill straight between 5 and 6 where power is really put down, a distinctive something-came-apart noise. It's not the engine and I don't care right now exactly what it is, this is getting frustrating to always have something.

I had great tires, the track was faster than I've ever experienced it and the car would make unholy power. I was in heaven and just about to really start working on lap times when it happened. I'm just so frustrated right now.

Mark Anderson

Well I feel your frustration. I have sheared both torque tube shafts and clutch shafts in the past. Both can be changed in a few hours so maybe you can salvage the weekend. Don't let it beat you down. I've always found that my most challenging weekends were also the most rewarding.

Mike Simard

All I know is that the lower bellhousing has damage, presumebly from something breaking. The engine was idling when I pulled off so the flywheel and timing ring must be intact. Maybe the clutch? I don't know. One likely problem is my starter ring gear. I'd machined it paper thin and drilled holes in it so that's a possibility. I'm not about to crawl under the damn thing right now.

The SCCA guy told me everything

Seriously, we we're both talking about how awesome you are. He mentioned your kids being just like their dad and setting up bike jumping ramps in the paddock. If you lived closer I'd definately want to hang out with you in hopes of something rubbing off!

mark kibort

was it a "zinger" or a bunch of noise with a loss of power? bummer!

Anderson is right, unless you have a lot of custom stuff in there,it might be a simple fix (simple, but some work! )
as far as being power related, anytime you are putting the foot to the floor, you are putting dowo the power, it might be that 5-6 straight, was just too long at that torque level that it twisted something. you are putting down some unnatural power, so who knows what it could be. maybe you need a restrictor plate for awhile until you get in the 1:20s there.

I feel for you.

Hope you get it fixed and save the weekend!