This coming Sunday (Sept. 16) is the SCTA El Mirage meet.  This will be the first meet with  our new engine.  As of right now,  we still have a few things left to work on.   James, Mark & I spent almost all of Sunday working on the car behind James' work trying to complete all of the remaining issues before the race.  Besides putting in a new motor,  we need to do all of the work involved with a major class change.   Last week we installed the Parachute release but we still needed to attach the parachute to the car and cut the rear cowling to fit around the 'chute.

The biggest job was trying to squeeze the exhaust pipe between the electronics, the air tank and the fuel tank.  To protect the electronics and the fuel system we added a heat shield to pipe.  Mark spent much of the day cutting, welding and grinding until we had a workable system.  James designed and fabricated a complex mounting bracket to hold the pipe.

(the thing that looks like a muffler is the heat shield)

With the exhaust done,  we fired up the motor for the first long test run. We had never run it for more then 5 seconds before Sunday afternoon.  It was loud enough that we attracted a small crowd, among them are my sister and brother in law and a few people from James' work.

Once the car is running, you got to drive it!  We needed to try out the shifter as well.   James drove it, his response.... OOOOOOOOO!!!!

(so fast the camera sees it twice!)
 

4 more notes:

1. We have most of these news letters posted to the web now so you can catch up on any you missed.  http://www.csulb.edu/~jhrice/index.html
2. I would like to thank two of our supporters who have helped with out efforts: Ford Electronics & Composite Sports
3. The response to the new format of the newsletter was 7 FOR, 1 against.  But the voting is still open.
4. If your planning to go to the El Mirage race, here are the directions:

• From most of So-Cal take I15 north towards the Cajon Pass.
• Turn off at Hwy 138 west (some times called the Wrightwood cutoff) Follow 138 over the top of the hill and stay on 138 for another ½ mile to Phalen turn off (Sheep Creek RD)
• Follow Sheep Creek Rd through Phalen (last place for food & Gas) all the way to El Mirage HWY (about 15 miles)
• At El Mirage HWY turn Right and drive a few miles to find access road for the lake (Look for signs big and small saying El Mirage Lake Access)
• Turn Left (North) on to dirt road and follow the signs onto the lake bed
• Once onto the lake bed we are at the far (North-west) end. Look for a long sliver trailer #9999 with a "RV" painted on it
• PLEASE BE CAREFUL - El Mirage is one of the most dangerous places I’ve ever been. It looks so safe people stop being careful.
• The speed limit during the races is only 25 MPH. ( I know that other people are going faster, but the limit is 25)
• Please watch for lines of traffic cones marking the track. If you see a line of cones stay very near them until you are certain of which side you are supposed to be on.
• The weather is very hot and there is NO water or other services.
• During the races (and at night) it can be VERY loud. Our car is much louder now then it use to be.
• Dogs do not like the noise and have been known to run away.

We are at the races to race. Please forgive us if we are less sociable with you then you expected after your long drive, but we need to concentrate on what we are doing.
 

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