Well, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Until next time
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
Saturday night at the races June 19th 2010
The last race before the summer break at the Mohave Valley Raceway. There were some additional cars and that is always good.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
The last race before the summer break at the Mohave Valley Raceway. There were some additional cars and that is always good.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Is 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!:
Last Updated: June 10. 2010 1:02PM
GM: 'Poorly worded' Chevy memo not meant for fans
New York Times News Service and Detroit News staff reports
General Motors today backtracked from a memo discouraging the use of “Chevy” to describe its Chevrolet brand.
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 trucks for more than half a century after World War II.
But in a statement issued today, General Motors said " 'Chevy' will continue to reflect the enthusiasm of customers and fans."
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"Today's emotional debate over a poorly worded memo on our use of the Chevrolet 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.
"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."
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."
In Tuesday's memo, the automaker asked that "whether you're talking to a dealer, 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.
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.
"Why is this consistency so important? The more consistent a brand becomes, the more prominent and recognizable it is with the consumer."
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.
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."
Regardless, if Chevrolet plans to puts the Chevy genie back in the bottle, the task could prove harder than climbing out of bankruptcy.
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 dealership in Wilmington, N.C.
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."
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."
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.
"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: http://detnews.com/article/20100610/AUTO01/6100449/General-Motors-proposes-leaving-Chevy-nickname-in-the-dust#ixzz0qTsHM5rE
Last Updated: June 10. 2010 1:02PM
GM: 'Poorly worded' Chevy memo not meant for fans
New York Times News Service and Detroit News staff reports
General Motors today backtracked from a memo discouraging the use of “Chevy” to describe its Chevrolet brand.
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 trucks for more than half a century after World War II.
But in a statement issued today, General Motors said " 'Chevy' will continue to reflect the enthusiasm of customers and fans."
New scientific discovery fuels muscle building
How to restore your PC to like-new performance
Age 55 or older? Pay up to 75% less for your cruise
Craving nature? Go Galapagos for a cure
Do you qualify for a credit card bailout?
Auto insurance too expensive? How to cut your cost
"Today's emotional debate over a poorly worded memo on our use of the Chevrolet 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.
"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."
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."
In Tuesday's memo, the automaker asked that "whether you're talking to a dealer, 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.
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.
"Why is this consistency so important? The more consistent a brand becomes, the more prominent and recognizable it is with the consumer."
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.
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."
Regardless, if Chevrolet plans to puts the Chevy genie back in the bottle, the task could prove harder than climbing out of bankruptcy.
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 dealership in Wilmington, N.C.
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."
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."
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.
"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: http://detnews.com/article/20100610/AUTO01/6100449/General-Motors-proposes-leaving-Chevy-nickname-in-the-dust#ixzz0qTsHM5rE
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Mohave Valley Raceway May 15th 2010
What great weather for racing at the Mohave Valley Raceway on Saturday night, unfortunately a rather same turnout of modifieds showed up to enjoy it.
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.
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!
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.
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
Until next time you can find more pictures, information and advice from my mom at our website www.duricaracing.com
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.
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!
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.
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
Until next time you can find more pictures, information and advice from my mom at our website www.duricaracing.com
Monday, May 3, 2010
May 1st 2010
Another night at the Mohave Valley Raceway .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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Also, due to an early season rainout the track added another race on May 29th, 2010.
Hope to see you at the track
www.duricaracing.com
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Also, due to an early season rainout the track added another race on May 29th, 2010.
Hope to see you at the track
www.duricaracing.com
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Mohave Valley Raceway April 17th 2010
It'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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Until the next time thanks for reading and check out our website http://www.duricaracing.com for more information and pictures
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.
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.
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.
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.
Until the next time thanks for reading and check out our website http://www.duricaracing.com for more information and pictures
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