tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84767700566496484222024-03-14T11:49:01.469-07:00Racing and life's adventuresRick Duricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11437703024731744262noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476770056649648422.post-29996972748156275652011-04-12T16:44:00.001-07:002011-04-12T16:44:30.265-07:00saturday night April 2nd 2011ur race on April 2nd 2011 started out great, we won the heat race, the car was working good, and we started on the pole for the main. I was able to get a great start and jumped into the lead. The car was running great ,the track had slicked up and was dusty, but there were two grooves; high or low I was running the higher line. I held on to first place for a few laps when one car was able to get under me for the lead. After a few laps we had caught up to a lapped car that wasn’t running much slower then I was making it hard to get past. I tried to dart under him in the first and second turns but hit a wet spot and pushed up, just as the car behind me tried to “shoot the gap” but managed to shoot into my right front tire. The impact sent him sailing and broke my upper ball joint. I headed pit side so Doug could try and get the car repaired and back out. Doug and Bailey worked quickly to replace the ball joint, but the race ended just as they finished repairs. After the races we found the shock was bent, the R/F rim is also ruined the front bumper bent and the brand new nose piece bent. We will get it all repaired and ready for the next race April 16th, 2011 at Mohave Valley Raceway.Rick Duricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11437703024731744262noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476770056649648422.post-14000780125102303642011-03-23T10:49:00.000-07:002011-03-23T10:50:50.621-07:00Saturday March 19th 2011<div align="center">Saturday, March 19th 2011<br />We raced at the Mohave Valley Raceway Saturday night. There was a lot of wind in Vegas, so we left early to try and not have to rush getting to the track.<br />The track looked to be in great shape, and by the time I got changed into my racing gear and strapped into the car they had stopped wheel packing and called for the races to start lining up. Just as the mini stocks took a few laps in their first heat trouble hit. The lights went out on the corners and back straightaway. The track officials worked on them, getting them to turn on, then flicker off. This went on for about an hour until an electrician showed up and shortly had the lights working.<br />I started on the pole in the heat race, but lost the race to the first turn. The car was running good, but I still had a big push going into the turns, the third turn seemed worse then the first turn but I adjusted my driving and was running pretty well. With one lap to go I got passed for second, and finished the heat in third.<br />We made some adjustments to the car for the main event and I started on the pole again. I got a great start and took the lead. The car still pushed getting into the turns, but was working great thru the turns and down the straight-aways. After a couple of yellows the brakes started fading and I had to slow down a little earlier for the turn. This allowed the cars behind to catch up and try a bonsai move under me getting into the third turn. The resulting contact pushed us both off the track and the almost the whole field went by while we got back on the track. From then on it was wasn’t pretty, with little brakes I drove as best I could avoiding problems, but still got into the back of one car when the pack in front of me decided to wreck each other.<br /><br />Sunday we found the brake line had gotten pinched in the rear suspension and smashed. So this week we will make another front bumper and fix the brakes and get back after it.<br /><br />Remember, words of encouragement, sponsorship offers, or general communication can reach me at <a href="mailto:rick@duricaracing.com">rick@duricaracing.com</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.duricaracing.com/">www.duricaracing.com</a></div>Rick Duricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11437703024731744262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476770056649648422.post-76784106479139182642011-01-20T09:18:00.000-08:002011-01-20T09:25:22.252-08:00The off season<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayQcPwyOwbo4DG76S0OuCPM1TQ1BdyaFidb_RD-u6ExWjyHk1eWk9sKVmJGi_6FtvlZN_0bqMazygv6s_WNhvIjEvJM_J6Q_cogt4jT4E3jnPMwc3oy1gb-eVYSLCG069FVGs0jYmUpM/s1600/new+birdcage.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564318804262674674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayQcPwyOwbo4DG76S0OuCPM1TQ1BdyaFidb_RD-u6ExWjyHk1eWk9sKVmJGi_6FtvlZN_0bqMazygv6s_WNhvIjEvJM_J6Q_cogt4jT4E3jnPMwc3oy1gb-eVYSLCG069FVGs0jYmUpM/s320/new+birdcage.JPG" /></a> I have finally got back to work on the racecar after not doing much during the Christmas season.<br />The first project is the Rear suspension; I built a new Birdcage for the right rear, based on the birdcage I built for the left rear. So I now have two new birdcages on the rear suspension.<br />This year I am also trying out a new mounting location for the R/R shock and spring. I have always run the combination clamped to the rear-end, but most of the four bar cars seem to run it mounted in front on the birdcage, So I am going to try that the first race of the season and see how the car ( and driver)reacts.Rick Duricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11437703024731744262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476770056649648422.post-26495248588115097162010-12-20T15:59:00.001-08:002010-12-20T16:35:12.469-08:00Las Vegas Duel in the Desert<div align="center">Our last race of the season was the 13th annual Duel in the desert. We have made it to all of 13 races, However our racing and qualify record is not too good.<br />For the past four years the first night of the three day show has found us changing engines because of some engine problem. This year I stayed with the engine we ran most of the season and it performed well all three nights without any problems.<br />My next issue there is pill draw, I have the worst luck at drawing numbers at this race (however last year I drew outside pole in the 6th heat, only to blow the engine up in hot laps), this year was not an exception, I started last in the second heat Thursday, 3rd in the 20 heat on Friday, and lined up 13th in my last chance race Saturday.<br />Thursday’s early heat race was a hammer down affair with a tacky track and a good cushion. The car pushed terribly getting into the corners and I fought my way up to 11th place. We made some adjustments for the B main, but not enough. The car was still pushing, but I found if I could get the car turned to the bottom of the track it ran pretty good and I worked my way up to 8th spot ( not bad from 21st)<br />Friday I started 3rd in the 20 heat race, at the start I got shuffled back a few spots, but managed to work my way back to fourth. The car was still pushing getting into the corner, but I had adjusted my driving and that helped a little. In the B main I was working the top groove trying to make some progress, but I jumped the cushion and smacked the third turn wall, breaking the right tie rod end. That wasn’t the worst of it though. Trying to get into the infield I drove over the berm, ripping off the oil filter and oil filter adapter. Luckily the oil light came right on and I shut off the engine, only losing a couple of quarts of oil.<br />Saturday we made more adjustments trying to loosen the car up getting into the corner and I lined up mid pack for the last chance race. The car drove much better then it had the previous nights, but ran out of laps to get to the front and finished 9th.<br />Overall we learned a lot and ran pretty good without breaking too much. My Mom and Dad got to watch the races and help in the pits and that is always fun, so not too bad a weekend.<br /><br />Now it is on to our winter maintenance, we plan on freshening the engine with new bearings and rings, do some work on the rear suspension, rebuild the clutch inside the transmission and hopefully get to work on our new car that has been sitting next to the house for three years.<br /><br />Remember, we are looking for a couple of new sponsors for the 2011 season. Please contact me <a href="mailto:Rick@duricaracing.com">Rick@duricaracing.com</a> or visit our website for more information <a href="http://www.duricaracing.com/">www.duricaracing.com</a> </div><div align="center">and from all of us on the Durica racing team<br /><em><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Have a safe and happy Christmas and New Year</span></strong></em></div>Rick Duricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11437703024731744262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476770056649648422.post-42742115129522294362010-09-15T16:29:00.000-07:002010-09-15T16:31:18.364-07:00Saturday Night September 4th 2010Well, back to the races after our summer break, another ownership change at the track, but it was nice to see some familiar faces at the track again.<br /><br />We had spent a lot of our time off working on the rear suspension in a quest to get more forward bite on the dry slick racetracks. But we went to the track with lots of ideas to change to a muddy or tacky track depending on what we were presented with.<br />I started on the outside pole for the heat race and was able to get a good start and jumped into the lead. The changes we made had a drastic effect on the handling and the car was pushing terribly getting into and out of the corners. I managed to stay out front though by using most of the track getting through the corners and I didn’t hear anyone behind me, but shortly a yellow flag came out. Riding around on the yellow flag I heard what I thought was an exhaust gasket but I figured I wasn’t stopping for that. On the restart I again jumped out to the lead, but now I was under heavy pressure from second and not able to use up the whole track to get through the corners. The second place car slipped by into the lead, and about that time my header broke completely. I managed to hang on the rest of the race to second.<br />Back in the pits the search was on for a welder to fix the broken header, luckily Steve Simpson came to our aid with a welder, but then the generator quit running. Thankfully Shane Geer helped us out with a generator and we were able to get the header fixed up for the main. We also made a few adjustments to the suspension to help the car in the main.<br />I started inside the second row in the main event, and at the start, the leader spun out going into the first turn, everyone managed to get past him without incident, and I was on the pole for the new start. I jumped into the lead at the drop of the green and the car was running really well. The changes we made over the break seemed to be helping a lot, but still the car pushed into and out of the turns, but the track was still a little tacky. I was out front and saw a little challenge from second, but I was able to keep my momentum up through the corners and stay in the lead, when a caution came out.<br />On the green I was able to stay out front, but soon pressure on the inside caused me to drop to second. Running behind the new leader I was able to keep him a car length or two in front of me and as the track dried out, my car seemed to get better in the turns and I began to close in on the leader. I was making up a lot of time getting in turn one and two, but not so much in the third and fourth turns. Finally I got a good run thru turn three and four and was on his bumper going into the first turn. I was able to drive under him as we came out of the second turn and we raced side by side down the strait. We bumped wheels and I had to let off the gas to avoid wrecking and the next lap we got the white flag. I wasn’t able to catch the leader and settled for second place. Overall the car handled very well and I think some small adjustments will have it really good.<br /> Until next timeRick Duricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11437703024731744262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476770056649648422.post-60397874028596969892010-06-28T15:38:00.000-07:002010-06-28T15:38:52.014-07:00Photo: DSC 1835 | Friday Photos plus Stock Cars album | U.S. Photographics & Mike Arthur Photos | Fotki.com, photo and video sharing made easy.<a href="http://public.fotki.com/USPhotographics/2009-duel-in-the-desert/friday/dsc-1835.html">Photo: DSC 1835 Friday Photos plus Stock Cars album U.S. Photographics & Mike Arthur Photos Fotki.com, photo and video sharing made easy.</a>Rick Duricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11437703024731744262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476770056649648422.post-37094662227943902002010-06-25T15:06:00.000-07:002010-06-25T15:10:30.073-07:00Saturday night at the races June 19th 2010<br /><br />The last race before the summer break at the Mohave Valley Raceway. There were some additional cars and that is always good.<br /><br />The track was really wet during wheel packing and we had to clean what seemed like a ton of mud off the car before the heat race. I also freed the car up a little because I thought the track would be tacky in the heat<br /><br />I lined up on the outside pole for the heat race and managed to get to turn one ahead of the pole sitter. I took off into the lead, I knew I had made the wrong adjustments when I saw how the track had really slicked off. The car was pushing getting into the corner, and spinning the tires getting out of the corner. Being out fron I could adjust my line and get through the corners pretty fast. However a yellow flag soon came out and allowed the field to catch up.<br />I led the next lap or two but the second place car was able to get by me for the lead when I went a little too high in the second turn and hit a really dry slick spot. I did hang on and finish second.<br /><br />I lined up third in the main, and on the start I moved into second place. I was racing with third when the yellow came out. On the start the leader got too good of a jump on the field and the starter didn’t throw the green flag. However someone in the back didn’t pay attention and pinballed through the field bouncing off my Left rear tire. We finally got going again and I maintained second but then the car snapped around going into the second turn a crazy fast double 360 spin. I thought the L/R tire went flat from the previous contact and headed into the pits for a tire change. Doug and Bailey checked the car over and didn’t see any damage and sent me back onto the track. When the green flag dropped I knew there was something wrong as the car seemed not to have any forward traction at all. I headed back to the pits to try and figure out what was wrong.<br />Doug jacked up the back and right away we saw a problem with the Left rear as it just spun freely. We quickly checked and found a broken axle. Doug put the car back together and I went back out onto the track. From then on I just stayed out of the way and hold on to finish 7th.Rick Duricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11437703024731744262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476770056649648422.post-80078867417227652432010-06-10T12:42:00.000-07:002010-06-10T13:23:48.566-07:00Is this the best way to spend your time and energy?HOLY CRAP, Some person got paid to think up this "great Idea" and TWO other Higher paid people gave them the green light to publish it!:<br /><br /><br /><br />Last Updated: June 10. 2010 1:02PM<br />GM: 'Poorly worded' Chevy memo not meant for fans<br />New York Times News Service and Detroit News staff reports<br />General Motors today backtracked from a memo discouraging the use of “<a style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: darkgreen 0.07em solid; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px !important; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent !important; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; COLOR: darkgreen !important; FONT-SIZE: 100% !important; FONT-WEIGHT: normal !important; TEXT-DECORATION: underline !important; PADDING-TOP: 0px" class="iAs" href="http://detnews.com/article/20100610/AUTO01/6100449/General-Motors-proposes-leaving-Chevy-nickname-in-the-dust#" target="_blank" itxtdid="19742857">Chevy</a>” to describe its Chevrolet brand.<br />On Tuesday, GM sent a memo to Chevrolet employees at its headquarters, promoting the importance of "consistency" for the brand, which was the nation's best-selling line of cars and <a style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: darkgreen 0.07em solid; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px !important; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent !important; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; COLOR: darkgreen !important; FONT-SIZE: 100% !important; FONT-WEIGHT: normal !important; TEXT-DECORATION: underline !important; PADDING-TOP: 0px" class="iAs" href="http://detnews.com/article/20100610/AUTO01/6100449/General-Motors-proposes-leaving-Chevy-nickname-in-the-dust#" target="_blank" itxtdid="18876105">trucks</a> for more than half a century after World War II.<br />But in a statement issued today, General Motors said " 'Chevy' will continue to reflect the enthusiasm of customers and fans."<br /><a href="http://www.aralifestyle.com/article.aspx?UserFeedGuid=c63c54a4-7fdc-458c-b47d-10a1cf070ec8&ArticleId=2277&ComboId=5899&title=New-scientific-discovery-fuels-muscle-building&origin=222838-APP12" target="_Blank">New scientific discovery fuels muscle building</a><br /><a href="http://www.aralifestyle.com/article.aspx?UserFeedGuid=c63c54a4-7fdc-458c-b47d-10a1cf070ec8&ArticleId=2624&ComboId=11123&title=How-to-restore-your-PC-to-like-new-performance&origin=222838-APP12" target="_Blank"></a><br /><a href="http://www.aralifestyle.com/article.aspx?UserFeedGuid=c63c54a4-7fdc-458c-b47d-10a1cf070ec8&ArticleId=2624&ComboId=11123&title=How-to-restore-your-PC-to-like-new-performance&origin=222838-APP12" target="_Blank"><br />How to restore your PC to like-new performance</a><br /><a href="http://www.aralifestyle.com/article.aspx?UserFeedGuid=c63c54a4-7fdc-458c-b47d-10a1cf070ec8&ArticleId=2434&ComboId=7463&title=Age-55-or-older-Pay-up-to-75-less-for-your-cruis&origin=222838-APP12" target="_Blank"></a><br /><a href="http://www.aralifestyle.com/article.aspx?UserFeedGuid=c63c54a4-7fdc-458c-b47d-10a1cf070ec8&ArticleId=2434&ComboId=7463&title=Age-55-or-older-Pay-up-to-75-less-for-your-cruis&origin=222838-APP12" target="_Blank"><br />Age 55 or older? Pay up to 75% less for your cruise</a><br /><a href="http://www.aralifestyle.com/article.aspx?UserFeedGuid=c63c54a4-7fdc-458c-b47d-10a1cf070ec8&ArticleId=2319&ComboId=9639&title=Craving-nature-Go-Galapagos-for-a-cure&origin=222838-APP12" target="_Blank"></a><br /><a href="http://www.aralifestyle.com/article.aspx?UserFeedGuid=c63c54a4-7fdc-458c-b47d-10a1cf070ec8&ArticleId=2319&ComboId=9639&title=Craving-nature-Go-Galapagos-for-a-cure&origin=222838-APP12" target="_Blank"><br />Craving nature? Go Galapagos for a cure</a><br /><a href="http://www.aralifestyle.com/article.aspx?UserFeedGuid=c63c54a4-7fdc-458c-b47d-10a1cf070ec8&ArticleId=2443&ComboId=7521&title=Do-you-qualify-for-a-credit-card-bailout-&origin=222838-APP12" target="_Blank"></a><br /><a href="http://www.aralifestyle.com/article.aspx?UserFeedGuid=c63c54a4-7fdc-458c-b47d-10a1cf070ec8&ArticleId=2443&ComboId=7521&title=Do-you-qualify-for-a-credit-card-bailout-&origin=222838-APP12" target="_Blank"><br />Do you qualify for a credit card bailout? </a><br /><a href="http://www.aralifestyle.com/article.aspx?UserFeedGuid=c63c54a4-7fdc-458c-b47d-10a1cf070ec8&ArticleId=2481&ComboId=8060&title=Auto-insurance-too-expensive-How-to-cut-your-cost&origin=222838-APP12" target="_Blank"></a><br /><a href="http://www.aralifestyle.com/article.aspx?UserFeedGuid=c63c54a4-7fdc-458c-b47d-10a1cf070ec8&ArticleId=2481&ComboId=8060&title=Auto-insurance-too-expensive-How-to-cut-your-cost&origin=222838-APP12" target="_Blank"><br />Auto insurance too expensive? How to cut your cost</a><br />"Today's emotional debate over a poorly worded memo on our use of the <a style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: darkgreen 0.07em solid; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px !important; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent !important; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; COLOR: darkgreen !important; FONT-SIZE: 100% !important; FONT-WEIGHT: normal !important; TEXT-DECORATION: underline !important; PADDING-TOP: 0px" class="iAs" href="http://detnews.com/article/20100610/AUTO01/6100449/General-Motors-proposes-leaving-Chevy-nickname-in-the-dust#" target="_blank" itxtdid="19743676">Chevrolet</a> brand is a good reminder of how passionately people feel about Chevrolet. It is a passion we share and one we do not take for granted," it said.<br />"We love Chevy. In no way are we discouraging customers or fans from using the name. We deeply appreciate the emotional connections that millions of people have for Chevrolet and its products."<br />But the automaker noted that "in global markets, we are establishing a significant presence for Chevrolet, and need to move toward a consistent brand name for advertising and marketing purposes. The memo in question was one step in that process."<br />In Tuesday's memo, the automaker asked that "whether you're talking to a <a style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: darkgreen 0.07em solid; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px !important; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent !important; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; COLOR: darkgreen !important; FONT-SIZE: 100% !important; FONT-WEIGHT: normal !important; TEXT-DECORATION: underline !important; PADDING-TOP: 0px" class="iAs" href="http://detnews.com/article/20100610/AUTO01/6100449/General-Motors-proposes-leaving-Chevy-nickname-in-the-dust#" target="_blank" itxtdid="22221961">dealer</a>, reviewing dealer advertising, or speaking with friends and family, that you communicate our brand as Chevrolet moving forward." It was signed by Alan Batey, vice president for Chevrolet sales and service, and Jim Campbell, the GM division's vice president for marketing.<br />Chevrolet said that "when you look at the most recognized brands throughout the world, such as Coke or Apple for instance, one of the things they all focus on is the consistency of their branding.<br />"Why is this consistency so important? The more consistent a brand becomes, the more prominent and recognizable it is with the consumer."<br />Although the memo cites Coke, it does not note that Coke is shorthand for Coca-Cola -- or that Apple is not commonly used in reference to its products, which are known simply as iPads, iPhones and MacBooks.<br />One expert on branding said GM's effort ran counter to a trend in which corporate names had become more casual. The consultant, Paul Worthington, head of strategy for Wolff Olins, amarketing and branding firm, noted that FedEx had replaced Federal Express, KFC had supplanted Kentucky Fried Chicken and "even RadioShack has evolved into the Shack."<br />Regardless, if Chevrolet plans to puts the Chevy genie back in the bottle, the task could prove harder than climbing out of bankruptcy.<br />If taken to its logical conclusion, Chevrolet would presumably need to ask Jeff Gordon, the four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion who currently races a Chevrolet Impala, to change the website address -- jeffgordonchevy.com -- for his <a style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: darkgreen 0.07em solid; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px !important; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent !important; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; COLOR: darkgreen !important; FONT-SIZE: 100% !important; FONT-WEIGHT: normal !important; TEXT-DECORATION: underline !important; PADDING-TOP: 0px" class="iAs" href="http://detnews.com/article/20100610/AUTO01/6100449/General-Motors-proposes-leaving-Chevy-nickname-in-the-dust#" target="_blank" itxtdid="22221947">dealership</a> in Wilmington, N.C.<br />And what about rolling back the popular culture references to Chevy? Elton John, Bob Seger, Motley Crue and the Beastie Boys have all sung about Chevy, and hip-hop artists rap about "Chevy Ridin' High" or "Ridin' in My Chevy."<br />Worthington, the branding expert, said Chevrolet seemed unclear what the brand stood for. But ultimately, he said, consumers "will call you whatever they want to call you."<br />But not Chevrolet staff members. A postscript to the memo says a sort of cuss jar -- a plastic "Chevy" can -- has been situated in the hallway.<br />"Every time someone uses 'Chevy' rather than Chevrolet," the note said, the employee is expected to put a quarter in the can. From The Detroit News: <a style="COLOR: #003399" href="http://detnews.com/article/20100610/AUTO01/6100449/General-Motors-proposes-leaving-Chevy-nickname-in-the-dust#ixzz0qTsHM5rE">http://detnews.com/article/20100610/AUTO01/6100449/General-Motors-proposes-leaving-Chevy-nickname-in-the-dust#ixzz0qTsHM5rE</a>Rick Duricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11437703024731744262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476770056649648422.post-86274597049374612202010-05-19T11:05:00.000-07:002010-05-19T11:36:49.381-07:00Mohave Valley Raceway May 15th 2010<div align="center">What great weather for racing at the <a href="http://mohavevalleyraceway.com/">Mohave Valley Raceway</a> on Saturday night, unfortunately a rather same turnout of modifieds showed up to enjoy it.<br /><br />We made more adjustments to the racecar trying to get more forward bite on the slick racing surface. Some of the adjustments caused the car to be much too tight turning into the corner, so we undid those and tried a couple of new settings. Looking at the track before the modified heat races I decided I should back off a little on the adjustments because the track looked pretty grippy. When we hit the track for our heat, I new I had misjudged, the track was black and slick as we did our parade lap. As I started on the pole I took off at the drop of the green, but was careful getting into the corner racing with a car on the outside. The outside pole car and the second row outside car shot past me through the turn and I settled into third place. While racing along in third, I was trying different things with the racing line and brakes to see if I could improve my forward traction out of the corners. Meanwhile the leader had jumped out to a huge lead. I noticed after a lap or two the second place car and I started catching up to the leader, so I started pressuring the second place car for position.<br />As the white flag flew we really gained ground on the leader going down the back straightaway, and the second place car moved up to try and pass the leader. Meanwhile I dove to the inside and was able to drive past both cars for the win at the line!<br /><br />I made a few more adjustments to the car for the main event, and lined up outside pole. At the green flag the leader and I raced into the first turn side by side and I managed to hold on and race side by side for a lap or two. The car still didn’t have the grip I needed to get out of the turns, but I was able to hold on to second place. A few laps later I jumped the cushion in the third turn and that allowed the third place car to catch up and start pressuring me for position. I was running the high groove, where there was a little rubber laid down but the third place car was able to get a better run off the fourth turn and drop me a position into third. Now there was still pressure from behind and the fourth place car and I raced through the corners and down the straits battling for the third spot. I was able to hold on to third until the checkered flag despite his strong challenge. After the race the right rear tire was blistered all the way around from the set-up in we ran. So we are still scratching our heads and will be making some more changes for the race on May 29th.<br /><br />The car has been really strong in heat races, this was my 5th heat race win of the season, and we just need to make the right adjustments to get faster during the main events<br /><br />Until next time you can find more pictures, information and advice from my mom at our website <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.duricaracing.com">www.duricaracing.com</a></div>Rick Duricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11437703024731744262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476770056649648422.post-40400365926880140202010-05-03T16:35:00.000-07:002010-05-03T16:54:46.375-07:00May 1st 2010Another night at the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.mohavevalleyraceway.com">Mohave Valley Raceway</a> .After a week of high winds and cold weather (for Las Vegas) Saturday was great, unfortunately very few IMCA modifieds took advantage leaving us a short field of 9 cars.<br />I lined up 3rd in the first heat and on the first start the second place car drove down on me on the front straight so I slowed down a little, not wanting to be the numbskull that wrecked out for the night in a heat with only 5 cars.<br />Slowing down turned out to be a good thing because that same car gave the leader a wicked shot in the rear bumper getting into the 1st turn, spinning him around directly into my path. I took evasive action, and was able to drive between the two cars into the lead. However the yellow flag came out so we had a complete restart.<br />With the pole sitter going to the pits, I assumed the lead. When the green flag dropped I took off into the lead. The track was pretty tacky and the car was HOOKED UP! I had made a lot of changes on the car in the last couple weeks trying to get more traction on the slick tracks and I had a push going into the corners, that allowed the second place car to catch up and we put on a pretty good side by side battle for a few laps, but I held on for the win.<br /><br />Somehow that found me lined up on the pole for the main event, the crew and I went to work on the car trying to get some of the push out for the main, while maintaining the forward bite.<br /><br />On the start the car was good, but still pushing going into the corners. I was out in the lead, but the 18 car of Bill Meyers had closed up and we raced side by side a few laps until the yellow came out. Scoring put me back to second, and on the start I dropped back to third, while racing with the fourth place car I missed the cushion getting into the first turn and spun off the track bringing out the yellow. On the restart I started passing cars again and made it back to fourth place. The car had pretty good drive off the corner, but I had to slow down too much to get the car to turn into the corner so I wasn’t really a factor in the battle for the lead. However, I did finish fourth, without any real damage to the car, so it is hard to complain.<br /><br />Also, due to an early season rainout the track added another race on May 29th, 2010. <br />Hope to see you at the track<br /><br /><a href="http://www.duricaracing.com/">www.duricaracing.com</a>Rick Duricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11437703024731744262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476770056649648422.post-10762332516932118672010-04-20T15:09:00.000-07:002010-04-20T15:32:05.224-07:00Mohave Valley Raceway April 17th 2010It's hard to believe, but we are almost halfway done in the Mohave Valley Raceway season with the running of the 5th race of 12 IMCA points races this Saturday night.<br /><br />We made a lot of changes to the car since the last race, hoping to be able to find more traction on the dry slick track that has become MVR. I Lined up outside of the front row for the heat and got pushed out of the groove coming out of the second corner. The car was pretty fast, but pushed terribly if I missed the corner entry even a bit. It seemed I was fighting a losing battle so I figured I would pull in and make more changes to get the car better for the main before I wrecked. Just as I slowed the engine started making horrible sounds, but after a quick check of the gauges everything still looked good but I pulled into the pits to get ready for the feature.<br />We found the header had busted at the mounting flange, I checked and adjusted the valves just to be safe, borrowed a welder from Bill McIntosh and welded up the header and changed the R/F spring to something a little stiffer in hopes of fixing the handling.<br /><br />I started inside the second row for the main and on the start the leader pushed up in the second turn and I was able to move under him for second. A lap or two later I was able to make a move on the leader while the third place car was racing under me and I moved into the lead. We raced pretty much side by side for a lap or so when the yellow came out. Scoring had me in second so I lined up on the outside for the restart. When the green came out I drove hard into the turn, but lost the battle and settled into third. I followed the race for the lead, the car was handling pretty good now and I was able to maintain third with some pressure coming on from fourth. with just a couple laps to go, the second place car jumped the cushion and I drove under him into second place, where I ended up finishing. <br />On the front strait the car was spewing water from the vent tube, so I hope it is just a bad radiator cap, but I need to pull the one head off the car and give it back to Tim so he can get his engine put back together. Also it looks like I need to rebuild the transmission again because the clutch was slipping badly when I drove into the pits.<br /><br />Until the next time thanks for reading and check out our website <a href="http://www.duricaracing.com/">http://www.duricaracing.com</a> for more information and picturesRick Duricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11437703024731744262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476770056649648422.post-55412114903727431012010-03-08T14:24:00.001-08:002010-03-08T14:24:52.873-08:00Mohave Valley Marh 6th 2010Saturday. March 6th 2010 Mohave Valley Raceway<br /><br />After many 2 blown engines in the last two weeks, we scraped up enough parts to put one more together for Saturday nights racing at <a href="http://www.mohavevalleyraceway.com/">Mohave Valley raceway</a>.<br /><br />One good head of my engine, one good head from Tim’s, Cam, lifters and oil pan out of the 383 that spun a rod bearing crank and rods from the engine that kept eating cams, a freshly machined block and a little luck we were ready to race ( we hoped).<br />Threatening skies greeted us at the track and they promised to get the program run off as quickly as possible. The track looked fast and when I went out for hot laps the new engine ran great, we did however have an oil leak from the valve cover. We pulled off the valve cover and re-glued it in place and went out for the heat race.<br /><br />I jumped into the lead from the pole position and never looked back, the track was super hooked up and the car was handling great, allowing me to go around the track nearly full throttle. I did however have one small slip in the second turn and I thought someone would be trying to pass, but afterward I found I had a huge lead the entire race.<br />But, the oil leak persisted; we took the valve cover off again and applied some silicone to the gasket surface. I checked the valves quickly and every thing was good to go.<br /><br />I started on the pole for the main and jumped into the lead with the drop of the green flag. Once again I was nearly flat out around the top of the track, just needing to use the brakes just a little bit to get the car into the turns.<br /> I was tearing off the laps, not hearing anyone behind me when the race was slowed by a caution. Again I took off at the green flag but now I could hear cars behind me.<br />The cushion started getting a little beat up and I was using more brakes getting into the turn but the pedal was getting softer. I changed my assault of the corners trying to use less brake but soon, I had hardly any brakes, Of course, when everything is going good the yellow flag came out again.<br />This start I had traffic on my back bumper, with little brakes I was rim riding the top, but the second place car could run the middle groove a little better and soon he slid underneath, he also brought the third place car with him and it was a three way battle for the lead. Just as things were heating up, the oil pressure light started flicking on when I threw the car hard into the turns, I adjusted my line a to drive straighter into the turn, but that allowed the first two cars to get ahead. I was now hoping the white flag would wave before I ran out of oil, when the yellow flag came out again for a spin. When I slowed down the oil pressure dropped to zero and then finally came back up, but it was much lower then normal, so I pulled into the pits. Just as I hit the pits it started raining, the track threw the checkered flag and reverted to the last green flag lap so I finished third.<br /><br />So far this year we have won three heat races and finished third in the two races I finished, and we were able to drive the car into the trailer (always a good thing as my Mom points out)<br />And at least this week I will have something to work with and I will put a new set of bearing in the engine just to be safe.Rick Duricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11437703024731744262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476770056649648422.post-37044949124916299632010-03-01T16:10:00.001-08:002010-03-01T16:11:31.135-08:00Lest we forget, we are always open to offers of help, donations of time or equipment and cash...<br /><a href="http://www.duricaracing.com/">www.duricaracing.com</a>Rick Duricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11437703024731744262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476770056649648422.post-29461464791575435622010-03-01T16:05:00.000-08:002010-03-01T16:06:54.928-08:00Las Vegas Motor Speedway feb 26th 2010Las Vegas Motor speedway Friday Night February 36 2010,<br /><br />We got in a rare treat Friday night with a race at the Dirt track at <a href="http://www.lvms.com/">Las Vegas Motor Speedway</a>.<br />With the Nextel, nationwide series in town, the speedway opened up the dirt track Thursday and Friday nights for Sprints and midget racing.<br />With a low turn out expected Friday night the track added the IMCA modifieds to the show and Tim and I worked hard all week getting an engine put together for my car.<br />The guys at Jacks Machine Shop did a super quick turn around on a pair of cylinder heads , getting them back to me on Thursday afternoon so we could get them on the car and loaded up for Friday night.<br />We got to the racetrack and changed the gear for the Vegas track, the track used plenty of water and wheel packing had the cars pretty sloppy. I didn’t go out for the first set of hot laps, but did use the second set of hot laps. After about three laps the engine seemed to lose a little power so I pulled in for a once over. We found one loose rocker arm and after a quick valve adjustment we were ready for the heat.<br />The draw had me lined up 7th and I knew there were a couple of fast cars behind me so I had to gain a few positions to make it into the A main. On the start I figured I would try the high groove but there were a couple of cars battling for position. The second lap around the high groove was open and I hit the turn flying, I was getting ready to get a great run off the corner when BANG! Rattle rattle … I knocked the car to neutral and heated for the infield. Of course I found a massive mud puddle getting into the infield and soaked myself. Back in the pits, it looks like another engine gone south, something broken internally. Two engines in two weeks, however, both engines were about 5 years old and I guess I just pushed the old parts too far.<br /><br />Now we have another long week ahead, putting together another engine, this one was supposed to be a good motor, but I always have valve train issues and we sat it in the corner for 5 years. I am hoping a new block will cure old problems and we get another engine together that will last the season.<br /><br /><br />Till Next weekRick Duricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11437703024731744262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476770056649648422.post-31378193373439980832010-02-25T11:37:00.000-08:002010-02-25T11:39:16.729-08:00Mohave Valley Febuary 20th<strong>Opening night at Mohave valley Raceway!<br />The luck of the Pill draw had me starting third in the 2nd heat race. However, the pole position car dropped out so I started in the first position.<br />On the start the outside car was able to get to the first turn and into the lead before me and I settled in to second. The car was working great, I am really happy with the new shocks I put on the front a few weeks ago. I was able to run high or low and after a lap or two I was catching the leader. Just as I was setting up to make an inside run on him his car died and I cruised past into the lead. I heard pressure from behind me, but I was able to hang on for the win.<br />The redraw for the main found me lined up fourth for the start. At the drop of the green we roared into the first turn, but the leader pushed way high and I had to left off the gas, that allowed the three cars on the inside to slip past and dropped me to 5th. A corner or two later I passed the pole sitter and moved to fourth. The car was working great, I had made a few adjustments after the heat and the car responded well, I could go low, high or in the middle, however the fastest way around seemed to be the high groove, right on the cushion. The top four raced pretty close, but soon the leader slipped over the cushion and I raced by moving to third. The car was still fast and every restart I was able to challenge for the next spot. One car was able to drive into my Left side knocking me out of the way and dropping me back to fourth and another car spun in front of me and I was able to move back to 3rd. I was racing along when suddenly going into the 3rd turn BANG! the engine locked up and I slid into the turn, right in the groove. I was a sitting duck I grabbed the wheel waiting to get drilled by another car, but everyone took evasive action and made it by me without further damage. However I was done, blown up, exploded , after getting the car pushed into the pits we found multiple hole in the oil pan.<br />After tearing the engine down Monday we found pretty much everything junk or needing repair.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>We are now getting our backup engine ready for racing and we will be at the Las vegas Motor Speedway on Friday Night feb 26th .</strong>Rick Duricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11437703024731744262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476770056649648422.post-33401514308333939772010-02-19T15:58:00.000-08:002010-02-19T16:23:25.500-08:00Parhump 1/30/2010<a href="http://photos.bravenet.com/176/369/809/0/0653207A27.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 381px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 396px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://photos.bravenet.com/176/369/809/0/0653207A27.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Because of my poor finish last race I was started up front in the heat race. On the start the second place car was able to get past but I held on for second. The car was working well, my new<a href="http://www.bryke.com/integra_racing_shocks.html"> Interga dry slick front shocks from BRYKE racing </a>seemed to be working great. I stayed with the leader and a few laps later he spun into the infield and I assumed the lead. However I was starting to get the dreaded brake fade so I was letting off the gas a little early to get into the corner with minimal use of the brakes. This allowed the second place car to work to the outside of me and after a lap of two of racing he took over the lead. I continued my pressure and coming through the first and second turns, the leader bobbled and I was able to drive past him and retake the lead. This time I knew time was short so I drove a little harder and maintained the lead and won the heat.<br /><br />I started on the pole for the main and was sticking to the low line when suddenly BASH! I got drilled in the left side I was running as low as I thought you could go, but another car thought he could run a half a groove lower and pass through me I guess but alas after getting through the quarter panel the L/R shock stopped his progress but by then the damage was done and I headed to the pits with a flat (almost new)L/R tire.<br />Tim Helms got to work and with an assist from Dan Fitzgerald's crew guy Blake I was back on the track .</div><br /><div>The bent shock didn't seem to have a big negative affect because I was able to work my way back through the field. I was working on the fourth place car who seemed to be struggling on the dry slick surface , and I managed to get under him but I guess he didn't see me up along side because he turned down bending up my Right door. I backed off and tried again a lap or two later and make it cleanly under him down the back straight and the 3rd and fourth corners. I raced down the front straight and into the turn when BWAM!! I get drove into. I look to my left and see the offending "drivers" r/f tire and hood trying to make it through my Left door and quarter. I guessed he didn't realize that we couldn't occupy the same space at the same time so I slowed up and was going to let him pass me so I could give him his own lesson in physics. However, he couldn't catch back up so I took off again after the straightaway ahead 3rd place car.</div><br /><div>I inched my way closer each lap and finally was able to catch up to him. We raced side by side a lap or two, but I was able to get by him and move to third. We ran out of laps to make anymore advancement so I settled for a hard fought 3rd place.</div>Rick Duricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11437703024731744262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476770056649648422.post-81340996293726653922010-01-21T10:46:00.000-08:002010-01-21T11:23:08.175-08:001-9-2010 first race of the yearThe first race of the year is always exciting. This year we started out at the <a href="http://www.pahrumpvalleyspeedway.com/">Pahrump Valley Speedway</a>, where they have gotten their <a href="http://www.imca.com/">IMCA </a>sanction back for 2010.<br />We started the day looking at a 1956 Cadillac in pahrump, my daughter Bon has decided she likes the 50's caddy and would like one for her first car.<br />Then over to <a href="http://www.jemracingengines.com/">Jerry Buesigs JEM machine</a> to drop off a block to get ready to build a new engine. Jerry has a new location in Pahrump just behind Wulfy's casino and RV park<br />We got to the track and got ready for some wheel packing. The track was still pretty sloppy when they waved off wheel packing and announced they were having "hotlaps" for the modifieds ( I stayed at the trailer and scrapped the mud off the car)<br />My pill draw had me lined up third in the third heat, and during line up we were told we would get three warm-up laps before the green. I went out and did my three laps and saw the flag man giving me the black flag so I pulled into the pits for a consult with the crew.<br />We found the limiting chain on the R/R had snapped the bolt ( <a href="http://www.photocross.net/10/ps100109/MODIFIED/imagepages/image171.html">perhaps from the roughness of the track?) </a>and told the track we wouldn't be ready for the heat and got the car ready for the main.<br />After careful observation after the heats I decided to really loosen the car up and take as much side bite out by adjusted the cross weight and the panhard bar because the track looked very tacky, but rough and starting in the back I knew I would have to be careful and work my way up through the field.<br />At the start of the main I knew I had made the right adjustments, the car would drive through the <a href="http://www.photocross.net/10/ps100109/MODIFIED/imagepages/image316.html">corners without catching the ruts and </a>would give me great drive out of the corners. I avoided a couple wrecks and passed a few cars but every time I passed a car the yellow would come our and I would have to go back behind them. Once after a particular wreck I was up to 7th, but after scoring re-aligned the field I was back to 12th. During one wreck I hit the brakes to avoid the malay, but the brake pedal went to the floor and I rammed another car also taking evasive action. During the yellow, I adjust the brake bias and the brake pedal responded with slowdown power so I decided to stay out on the track. However after a few laps of racing the pedal was again mushy. A lap or two later a car pulled in front of me to slowdown and I rammed him when my car wouldn't slow down so decided I had better take the car to the pits before something major happened.<br />After inspection back at the house we found that one of the brake lines had started to leak and caused the brake problem so we have that fixed. Also the clutch started acting up in the Bert transmission, so I took that out and rebuilt it and we found some bend steering parts that we have changed and now I only have to build a new <a href="http://www.photocross.net/10/ps100109/MODIFIED/imagepages/image332.html">front bumper</a> and nose piece.<br /><br />Check out ( and maybe buy a few) pictures of all the action at the <a href="http://www.photocross.net/10/ps100109/index.html">photocross </a>website<br /><br />Until Next time!Rick Duricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11437703024731744262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476770056649648422.post-82016553564236474752009-12-09T13:12:00.000-08:002009-12-09T13:13:21.064-08:00LVMS FridayFriday I had to pull from the High number box and got to start 13th in the 6th heat. The track still had some tacky spots and was still fast I worked my way up to around 8th, but fell back trying to make a few more spots and finished 10th. That had me lining up 20th in the 3rd B main. By now the track had slicked off and started taking rubber But I managed to pass some cars and wound up 12th. Someone told me racers need to learn when they have gotten as high as they are going to get and drive more defensively. I need to learn that and I would have finished a few spots higher each night so farRick Duricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11437703024731744262noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476770056649648422.post-75955596655228604012009-12-09T12:52:00.001-08:002009-12-09T13:11:40.389-08:00LVMS Duel in the Desert ThursdayThe last race of the year for us was the 3 day Duel in the desert at the Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.<br />This year was a lot of fun, My Mom and Dad made it out Thursday and Friday to help and watch But Tim and I were on our own Saturday night.<br />For some reason the last three or four years has seen me changing engines on Thursday night. Last year a bad distributor had us changing engines trying to find a crazy mis fire in the engine, this year my engine started rapping during hot laps.<br />I ran one of the later hot lap sessions this year, and after two laps the engine started making (a bad) noise so a quickly pulled in. Right away I got my Dad started on pulling the engine out, and I headed home to get our old faithful engine and Cherry Picker. By the time I got back my Dad was just about ready to yank the engine and we got the other ready to bolt in. Unfortunately, I was in the 9th heat ( supposed to start 3rd) but we didn't get done until about the 11th heat hit the track.<br />I lined up 22nd in the B main and was able to pass a few cars and wound up 16th.Rick Duricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11437703024731744262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476770056649648422.post-450791068006621422009-04-22T14:53:00.000-07:002009-04-22T15:05:08.674-07:00FridayWe drove them onto the trailers saturday night, and that could have been the high point of our weekend.<br />After a busy week of work, we headed to the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.mohavevalleyraceway.com">Mohave Valley Raceway</a> Friday for the <a href="http://www.wildwestmods.com/">wildwest modified tour</a> first stop there this season.<br />The pill draw had me lined up 5th in the forth heat race. The car was running OK, but picked up a HUGE push going into the first turn and I slid off the track and ended up running at the rear of the field.<br />We made some changes for the B main but couldn't find the reason for the intermittent push, so I lined up for the B main. The car was running great the first bunch of laps, and after some good luck I was up to second. Then the car started sputtering coming out of the turns, each lap it seemed to get worse and worse, the car running slower and slower. I was just holding on and hoping the laps were winding down faster then they seemed. Sure enough, I got passed for second, then third and I decided I better run the lowest groove possible to protect my transfer position.<br />With a lap or two to go I got tangled up with the 5th place car , bringing out the yellow and ending my night.<br />Back in the pits we found the L/R wheel had a giant bend in it from the contact, if not for the tube in it , it would have certainly been a flat.<br /><div align="center"><a href="http://www.duricaracing.com/">www.duricaracing.com</a></div>Rick Duricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11437703024731744262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476770056649648422.post-72334028768056046302009-03-11T11:01:00.000-07:002009-03-11T11:19:20.662-07:00Saturday March 7, 2009<p align="center"><a href="http://www.chemicalguys.com/?Click=8809"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 457px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 103px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u79/chemicalGuys7/DETAILINGSUPPLIESWAREHOUSESALE.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br /><p align="right"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDvZCg0-EIFgJtgby9LkQAV5PQ51VvwHhWgSkqbkN9WBosCvdaemp6gvYHLjMl66lFQizjptxh8pqjGKLg1IHGEwnwA5nNs-bBd6ZmdydqyyC4lZ2hKilxPFRwVMyc4qGoWxhFU_wttBw/s1600-h/100_1624.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311992749177922946" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 241px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDvZCg0-EIFgJtgby9LkQAV5PQ51VvwHhWgSkqbkN9WBosCvdaemp6gvYHLjMl66lFQizjptxh8pqjGKLg1IHGEwnwA5nNs-bBd6ZmdydqyyC4lZ2hKilxPFRwVMyc4qGoWxhFU_wttBw/s320/100_1624.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br /><br /><p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDv5NApyOD5a6IgmzS5vplz60KbEklr5IzOy19iPtA804pmrgbRGI-labUIBm6nMZ79fb2meE4uV6imxYQpqX2JWjbnnLgAiLx05PFn4HOtf1k-ZLjAFXk8_aSTFczmH4pLAkLhPFpxbs/s1600-h/100_1625.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311992620386561762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 241px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDv5NApyOD5a6IgmzS5vplz60KbEklr5IzOy19iPtA804pmrgbRGI-labUIBm6nMZ79fb2meE4uV6imxYQpqX2JWjbnnLgAiLx05PFn4HOtf1k-ZLjAFXk8_aSTFczmH4pLAkLhPFpxbs/s320/100_1625.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The first race of the 2009 Mohave valley points season was Saturday night.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />My Dad worked all week on the racecar, changing the engine, and fixing the body<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I started on the pole in the heat race and jumped into the lead at the drop of the green. I thought the yellow light was on when I got to the 3rd turn and I slowed , but I saw the green light still on in the 4th turn so I stood back on the gas and stayed out front for our first heat race win of the season. However, the car was smoking from an oil leak so we had to get to work figuring out that problem. We found the valve cover was leaking so we replaced the gasket and hoped that would fix it.<br /><br /><br />For the pill draw I pulled 8th starting spot, on the start I was running with the leaders, but still smoking and had worked my way up to 6th when two cars ahead of me tangled and brought out the yellow. When I slowed down the oil pressure light came on so I pulled in the pits and got a quick oil filter change. The oil filter change brought the pressure back up and I rejoined the race in the back. The car was still smoking and not running as well as I hoped because the track was tacky and fast. I did however manage to work my way past some cars and another couple dropped out so I managed to get back to eight place.<br /><br /><br />After spending Sunday washing of the thick layer of goo off the car I found the valve cover gasket had pinched again causing my oil leaking problems<br /><br /><br />We will have it all fixed and ready for the races March 21st at the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.mohavevalleyraceway">Mohave valley raceway</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Also, we are trying this new wax next race from the chemical guys. click the picture link above for more information on their products<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.duricaracing.com">durica racing<br /></div></a>Rick Duricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11437703024731744262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476770056649648422.post-22086550396115947772009-02-25T15:18:00.000-08:002009-02-25T15:25:40.511-08:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizrdbRDrLZK7EV3BH0n-3XsvcVwZgzW-WZQ-b8s86dt02nDIsz-HlDLZsDD1js17zN4WjvRTvofyhzytASmX7RotGxNfe2IOQpQuIsaulwRNAuaUvJ39LQyrW43vAvKwdHbNr4FOR_Oso/s1600-h/35+Happy+driver+-+great+racing.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306880174520754226" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 241px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizrdbRDrLZK7EV3BH0n-3XsvcVwZgzW-WZQ-b8s86dt02nDIsz-HlDLZsDD1js17zN4WjvRTvofyhzytASmX7RotGxNfe2IOQpQuIsaulwRNAuaUvJ39LQyrW43vAvKwdHbNr4FOR_Oso/s320/35+Happy+driver+-+great+racing.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><p><a href="http://www.duricaracing.com/">http://www.duricaracing.com/</a></p><br /><p>we will be racing saturday and sunday at the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.mohavevalleyraceway.com">Mohave valleyRaceway</a></p><br /><p></p>Rick Duricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11437703024731744262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476770056649648422.post-58354409930209428282009-02-08T12:50:00.000-08:002009-02-08T12:52:57.752-08:00RainThe rain held off long enough at the <a href="http://www.mohavevalleyraceway.com/">Mohave Valley raceway</a> long enough for us to get unloaded. Then a steady drizzle started and forced the postponement of the races until next weekend.Rick Duricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11437703024731744262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476770056649648422.post-42845102551981054192009-02-05T09:26:00.000-08:002009-02-05T09:27:35.042-08:00<table style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(search-v7n-468x60.gif); WIDTH: 468px; BACKGROUND-REPEAT: no-repeat; HEIGHT: 60px" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr><td style="WIDTH: 468px" valign="top"><a href="http://directory.v7n.com/" target="_blank"><img height="25" src="http://www.blogger.com/dirspace.gif" width="468" border="0" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; PADDING-TOP: 5px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><form action="http://directory.v7n.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi" method="post" target="_blank"><input style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; FONT-SIZE: 14px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid" size="45" name="keywords"> <input style="FONT-SIZE: 13px" type="submit" value="Search" name="B1"></form></td></tr></tbody></table>Wow, what a night of fighting with racecars, put the oil pan on, problem with the starter bolts had to take the pan off, helicoil the bolts and put the pan back on,Rick Duricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11437703024731744262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476770056649648422.post-25645918625767665452009-02-04T13:28:00.000-08:002009-02-04T17:25:18.424-08:00Mohave valley raceway 1/31/09We had high hopes with the new engine in place Saturday afternoon, in hot laps the car ran great and I didn’t make any changes for the heat. However, after a few laps in the heat I lost fuel pressure so I pulled into the pits and we got to work replacing the fuel pump.<br />I started near the back in the main, and the car was running pretty good, the middle lane was starting to come in when BAM! Coming out of the fourth corner the engine broke and I coasted around the track.<br />Sunday, when we got the engine out of the car (and looked through the new convenient inspection hole that is now in the oil pan), we saw a broken piston. So I guess I ran the engine a little leaner then I thought and broke a piston.<br />But now we are through with January and I hope finished with the rash of problems that have plagued us this month.<br />So far this month we have managed to rack up an impressive array or broken stuff: one transmission, Two tires, One blown engine, Two broken rocker arm studs, One bent tie –rod, and two bent bumpers. Also the body on the car is beginning to look like we had a fight with a can opener and lost. However, we have one more race to run in the Winter days of thunder series at Mohave valley raceway so we will put in old faithful engine for one more run and get to rebuilding it after next weekend.<br /><br />Once again we have to thank our sponsors<br /><br />Cole Industries, Inc<br /><br />Silver Dollar Recycling<br /><br />Desert Industrial Gases<br /><br />O’Hanley’s 9” rear-ends<br /><br />Jacks Machine Shop<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />AND don’t forget<br /><br />We are also looking for additional sponsors for 2009<br /><br />Until then offers of encouragement, money or product sponsors can reach me at <a href="mailto:Rick@duricaracing.com">Rick@duricaracing.com</a><br /><br />Our plans are to run about 25 IMCA points’ races between the <a href="http://www.mohavevalleyraceway.com/">Mohave Valley raceway</a> and <a href="http://deathvalleyraceway.homestead.com/">Death Valley raceway</a> if the crew and checkbook can keep up.<br /><style type="text/css"><br />@import url(http://www.google.com/cse/api/branding.css);<br /></style><br /><div class="cse-branding-right" style="COLOR: #000000; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff"><br /><div class="cse-branding-form"><br /><form id="cse-search-box" action="http://www.google.com/cse" target="_blank"><br /><div><br /><input type="hidden" value="partner-pub-2572014619003846:cvdje9sv3e3" name="cx"><br /><input type="hidden" value="ISO-8859-1" name="ie"><br /><input size="31" name="q"><br /><input type="submit" value="Search" name="sa"><br /></div><br /></form><br /></div><br /><div class="cse-branding-logo"><br /><img alt="Google" src="http://www.google.com/images/poweredby_transparent/poweredby_FFFFFF.gif" /><br /></div><br /><div class="cse-branding-text"><br />Custom Search<br /></div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.duricaracing.com/"></a>Rick Duricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11437703024731744262noreply@blogger.com0