Norcal Lemons racing TOMORROW!!!!
10-24-2011, 03:16 AM
#31
Race Director
Thread Starter
Thanks, everybody, for the updates! Yeah, if your car looks too nice or strong, you get penalized. Brian learned that early-on - right, Brian?
I loved the blue lights on the roof during inspection! However, I keep wondering, if people there "get" the word "KRANKENWAGEN", of if they may think it means "KRAKEN-WAGON", or something like that...
So, who ran the other 928, and how did it do?
Glad you all had fun! It was a beautiful weekend, and I wish I could have made it to the track today.
I loved the blue lights on the roof during inspection! However, I keep wondering, if people there "get" the word "KRANKENWAGEN", of if they may think it means "KRAKEN-WAGON", or something like that...
So, who ran the other 928, and how did it do?
Glad you all had fun! It was a beautiful weekend, and I wish I could have made it to the track today.
Theme is EVERYTHING in lemons....they love to see out there over the top themes....something they haven't seen before.....and with 150 cars per race and 20+ races per year they see LOTS of themes...however, I doubt they ever saw a naughty nurse on the top of a 928 Estate!!
The team was entirely rennlisters..... Jeff (speedtoys) was our crew chief (and did a great job).....myself, Sean (justaguy), Rick Petty (Rpetty), and Jeff's racing friend Ken drove....Ricky Petty Jr was our crew member (Rpetty2)....
Our own journalist has more video pending and wrote a review of the race here
http://sexylittleasian.wordpress.com...out-of-racing/
I must admit my interview was conducted at dinner Friday night after a "few" :cheers
Bottom line....we do this to have fun....sure "winning" would be nice....but the competition is VERY tough and you need lots of luck on your side.....we had a strong showing...1 small issue with the fuel pump cost us a top 5 finish vs 24th......
Thanks to everyone who showed up....Greg, Charley & Paul all stopped by...
Thanks to the Salt Lake City 928 guys (who were helped by the SLC Motorsports guys!!!) who made the tow all the way to Sears to race!!!
We have "some" plans for a dual 928 theme in the future....its gonna be crazy!!!
10-24-2011, 03:16 AM
#32
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
I had the chance to experience the madness that is the 24 Hours of Lemons firsthand, driving w/ Jim & Bill Ball on Team uxb.
The car was safe, reliable and relatively quick. We didn't play the BS game quite well enough (some other E36 BMW's weren't penalized at all) but that was OK, we were prepared to take our lumps as first-timers. We were there to participate and have some fun. Both goals were met.
The whole team of drivers did an OUTSTANDING job of avoiding contact and avoiding black flag penalties. The car is pretty much unmolested after two days of racing.
It was fun to listen on the radio to Bill's transformation from nervous i-racer to a full fledged wheel-to-wheel racer. I also want to say thanks to Jim & the team. I had the best time driving. I loved absolutely every second of it. I really need to do this more often. I think the track is my natural habitat.
A couple personal favorite cars out there: There was an S-10 pickup with massive subwoofers in the bed. Even over all the exhaust noise, you could hear the bass kicking out of the thing. Cracked me up every time. Second was a perfect replica of the Andy Warhol BMW M1 art car, except it was a modified CRX. Brilliant execution.
Here are some pics of our ride, which is based on the 2010 American LeMans BMW M3. You can see where the Judge Phil added his own graffiti during the BS inspection. Note, this is after one day of racing and it was still clean.
The car was safe, reliable and relatively quick. We didn't play the BS game quite well enough (some other E36 BMW's weren't penalized at all) but that was OK, we were prepared to take our lumps as first-timers. We were there to participate and have some fun. Both goals were met.
The whole team of drivers did an OUTSTANDING job of avoiding contact and avoiding black flag penalties. The car is pretty much unmolested after two days of racing.
It was fun to listen on the radio to Bill's transformation from nervous i-racer to a full fledged wheel-to-wheel racer. I also want to say thanks to Jim & the team. I had the best time driving. I loved absolutely every second of it. I really need to do this more often. I think the track is my natural habitat.
A couple personal favorite cars out there: There was an S-10 pickup with massive subwoofers in the bed. Even over all the exhaust noise, you could hear the bass kicking out of the thing. Cracked me up every time. Second was a perfect replica of the Andy Warhol BMW M1 art car, except it was a modified CRX. Brilliant execution.
Here are some pics of our ride, which is based on the 2010 American LeMans BMW M3. You can see where the Judge Phil added his own graffiti during the BS inspection. Note, this is after one day of racing and it was still clean.
10-24-2011, 11:51 AM
#34
Under the Lift
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Congrats to all the LeMons participants, including me! 
It was a kick to drive LeMons, even though it was not a 928 in my case. My team, led by Jim, was pitted next to Brian's. Brian's team was very efficient and fast, and Jeff not only did a superb job as their crew chief, but he outdid everyone else by correctly diagnosing the bad fuel pump. Brian's car was very competitive, running near the lead much of the time. As Jeff noted, this kind of endurance racing is incredibly tiring. Even during short stints in the car, dehydration was a major issue.
I have to say BIG THANKS to Jim for singlehandedly putting together an entry from a well-worn mid 90s 325i so I could experience LeMons too with Jim, Dennis and the rest of our crew. What a great car! Not the most powerful by a long shot, but definitely a superb handling car until the tires were gone mid 2nd day. It was my first time in any timed wheel-to-wheel event, first time on Infineon and it was essentially a hoot. With 150 cars on the track, at least initially, sometimes it was a bit more than a hoot, going 3 and 4 wide into narrow turns, watching some people who amazingly had far less skills than me lock up their brakes for no good reason and take the most ridiculous lines around the course, display zero race etiquette, etc. It was quite scary to find people sliding out of control next to me as they attempted ill-advised passes. I actually was the first to pick up some paint on our car, but it literally buffed off. As our crew chief said, "If you're not rubbin', you're not racin'." I learned a lot about driving in traffic and all the alternative lines to take advantage of that. Anyway congrats to me, Jim and the rest of our crew and to Brian's team for surviving essentially unscathed, which was no mean feat. More than half the field went MIA by the 2nd day. Also, we had only one slight off with a very quick and safe recovery and no other black flags at all, which I think was rather rare.
Brian did a superb job of capitalizing on his German ambulance idea. The girls, er, scratch that, ladies were a big hit, to say the least.
It was a kick to drive LeMons, even though it was not a 928 in my case. My team, led by Jim, was pitted next to Brian's. Brian's team was very efficient and fast, and Jeff not only did a superb job as their crew chief, but he outdid everyone else by correctly diagnosing the bad fuel pump. Brian's car was very competitive, running near the lead much of the time. As Jeff noted, this kind of endurance racing is incredibly tiring. Even during short stints in the car, dehydration was a major issue.
I have to say BIG THANKS to Jim for singlehandedly putting together an entry from a well-worn mid 90s 325i so I could experience LeMons too with Jim, Dennis and the rest of our crew. What a great car! Not the most powerful by a long shot, but definitely a superb handling car until the tires were gone mid 2nd day. It was my first time in any timed wheel-to-wheel event, first time on Infineon and it was essentially a hoot. With 150 cars on the track, at least initially, sometimes it was a bit more than a hoot, going 3 and 4 wide into narrow turns, watching some people who amazingly had far less skills than me lock up their brakes for no good reason and take the most ridiculous lines around the course, display zero race etiquette, etc. It was quite scary to find people sliding out of control next to me as they attempted ill-advised passes. I actually was the first to pick up some paint on our car, but it literally buffed off. As our crew chief said, "If you're not rubbin', you're not racin'." I learned a lot about driving in traffic and all the alternative lines to take advantage of that. Anyway congrats to me, Jim and the rest of our crew and to Brian's team for surviving essentially unscathed, which was no mean feat. More than half the field went MIA by the 2nd day. Also, we had only one slight off with a very quick and safe recovery and no other black flags at all, which I think was rather rare.
Brian did a superb job of capitalizing on his German ambulance idea. The girls, er, scratch that, ladies were a big hit, to say the least.
10-24-2011, 05:16 PM
#37
Rennlist Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Edmonton,Alberta
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Guys
Just made it back to the Great White North -9 Deg. C over night low that's about 15 Deg. F for Ya' all.
Wish I could have staied in Ca. a little longer. The weekend was a lot of fun and a tremendous sucess despite the set back of the failed fuel pump.
I would like to thank the entire team , for not just making it happen, but for making it a very enjoyable and memorable experience.
When do we go again? Laguna next month with Chump Car?
Sean
Just made it back to the Great White North -9 Deg. C over night low that's about 15 Deg. F for Ya' all.
Wish I could have staied in Ca. a little longer. The weekend was a lot of fun and a tremendous sucess despite the set back of the failed fuel pump.
I would like to thank the entire team , for not just making it happen, but for making it a very enjoyable and memorable experience.
When do we go again? Laguna next month with Chump Car?
Sean
10-24-2011, 08:59 PM
#38
Race Director
Thread Starter
UPDATE......
It turns out our +20HP +20 torque exhaust had some "hanger" issues....so I took it to my friends muffler shop to get it fixed.....$20 later....its ready (think extreme lemons budget)
I also included a couple pics of the big HP exhaust.....
Lemons was a HUGE success....sure I'm tired and it was quite stressful for me being both a driver and team owner....the guys came through (Jeff hit a home run with our naughty nurse, not to mention being a great crew chief)......
Like Bill mentioned the HEAT was brutal.....85F outside doesn't sound bad, BUT 107F in car temps are NOT good for endurance racing....even our Stig who is a very seasoned endurance racer was hurting after 3 hours..... Its time to come up with a cool suit (lemons style....think a homemade one) and adjusting the stock HVAC fan to bring in outside air to blow on the driver (hot engine air doesn't help much...I tried).....if we can keep the driver comfortable for 2.5+ hours then we will improve our chances immensely....
Luckily for me the "list" for repairs post race is not too bad.....a bent sway bar mount (WTF)....and a leaking trans (needed to flush it + new filter anyway)....update Carls swaybar-towhooks,oil change + analysis & an overall health check is about it....
It turns out our +20HP +20 torque exhaust had some "hanger" issues....so I took it to my friends muffler shop to get it fixed.....$20 later....its ready (think extreme lemons budget)
I also included a couple pics of the big HP exhaust.....
Lemons was a HUGE success....sure I'm tired and it was quite stressful for me being both a driver and team owner....the guys came through (Jeff hit a home run with our naughty nurse, not to mention being a great crew chief)......
Like Bill mentioned the HEAT was brutal.....85F outside doesn't sound bad, BUT 107F in car temps are NOT good for endurance racing....even our Stig who is a very seasoned endurance racer was hurting after 3 hours..... Its time to come up with a cool suit (lemons style....think a homemade one) and adjusting the stock HVAC fan to bring in outside air to blow on the driver (hot engine air doesn't help much...I tried).....if we can keep the driver comfortable for 2.5+ hours then we will improve our chances immensely....
Luckily for me the "list" for repairs post race is not too bad.....a bent sway bar mount (WTF)....and a leaking trans (needed to flush it + new filter anyway)....update Carls swaybar-towhooks,oil change + analysis & an overall health check is about it....
10-24-2011, 09:42 PM
#39
Racer
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Pebble Beach, Ca
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Guys
Thanks for the great time at Sears point (I still call it that)
For me driving only maybe 3 laps before (years ago) at Sears, it was a crash coarse for me Sunday morning.
Man the traffic was CRAZY!
My son had a GREAT time too!
He appreciated you letting him participate in the crew work and the driving of Jeff's car all over the paddock and beyond!
Sorry about the 2 of the 3 black flags (1 wasn't a PUY)
anyway, after they insulted me for driving a Porsche, they sent me on my way.
Again,
Great fun!
Thanks!!
Thanks for the great time at Sears point (I still call it that)
For me driving only maybe 3 laps before (years ago) at Sears, it was a crash coarse for me Sunday morning.
Man the traffic was CRAZY!
My son had a GREAT time too!
He appreciated you letting him participate in the crew work and the driving of Jeff's car all over the paddock and beyond!
Sorry about the 2 of the 3 black flags (1 wasn't a PUY)
anyway, after they insulted me for driving a Porsche, they sent me on my way.
Again,
Great fun!
Thanks!!
10-24-2011, 09:47 PM
#40
Rennlist Member
Guys
Just made it back to the Great White North -9 Deg. C over night low that's about 15 Deg. F for Ya' all.
Wish I could have staied in Ca. a little longer. The weekend was a lot of fun and a tremendous sucess despite the set back of the failed fuel pump.
I would like to thank the entire team , for not just making it happen, but for making it a very enjoyable and memorable experience.
When do we go again? Laguna next month with Chump Car?
Sean
Just made it back to the Great White North -9 Deg. C over night low that's about 15 Deg. F for Ya' all.
Wish I could have staied in Ca. a little longer. The weekend was a lot of fun and a tremendous sucess despite the set back of the failed fuel pump.
I would like to thank the entire team , for not just making it happen, but for making it a very enjoyable and memorable experience.
When do we go again? Laguna next month with Chump Car?
Sean
We have plenty of tires.
10-25-2011, 01:12 AM
#41
Rennlist Member
More good photos of inspection..that video didnt capture.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/2880466...7627972707748/
A prized shot of the head perp:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/2880466...7627972707748/
A prized shot of the head perp:
10-26-2011, 12:40 AM
#43
Race Director
Thread Starter
Yet another weak spot of the stock oil system....oil has NO BUSINESS anywhere in the intake....but its required to meet smog standards, that a racecar doesn't have to worry about..... 17 hours racing and only burn 3.5 qts of oil....hard to argue with that.....since there isn't another race 928 in the world that logs more hours in a YEAR than the 17 the Estate did in 3 days....
10-26-2011, 01:23 AM
#44
Rennlist Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Edmonton,Alberta
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Between the two of us we blew Five 32 Valve motors in the Widow. Yet we pound the **** out of the Estate for 70 hours and it just keeps running. How can that be? Same drivers same tracks.
Just asking? Do you think the extra 50 or so Hp and the racing tires make that much of a difference?
Is it enough to put a marginal engine over the edge? Does the OB pan and spacer make that much of an improvement to the oiling system or is it just a coincidence?
Again just wondering out loud.
Sean
Just asking? Do you think the extra 50 or so Hp and the racing tires make that much of a difference?
Is it enough to put a marginal engine over the edge? Does the OB pan and spacer make that much of an improvement to the oiling system or is it just a coincidence?
Again just wondering out loud.
Sean