New sport (sprint car) (mid July season break update)

That right out of the gate intensity is what I’ve always struggled with, whether it’s moto, hare scrambles, or car racing. Luckily my fitness was always good enough on a bike that I could start picking people off at the end of a moto or HS, but car racing has always been one I’ve had a hard time finding any other way to get around the intensity needed to get to the front quicker. 

In my first feature in a street stock, we had to draw pills because a rain delay ate up our time for heat races. I pulled outside 2nd or 3rd row for my first ever start in the car out of 18-20 cars. This was the same class my dad had raced for 20 years, so he was familiar with just about every other driver and I’m sure gave them a forewarning. Anyway, my dad wouldn’t let me elect to start in the rear so I had to start up there. I was 15 and was terrified when the green went. I just tried to stay in the high line and let people get their nose up to my door when they could. We had a caution around lap 8 or 9 and when we finally slowed down I realized how inconsistent, or non existent my breathing was the whole time. Me and the car made it home in one piece that night, but that is something I will never forget.

Still never figured out how to gain that intensity in the first few laps, or go put down a burner qualifying lap. I was much more of a save the tires until the end kind of driver. 

Watching your video from the stands is impressive though! I’ve never had the opportunity to drive any kind of sprint car, but I can’t imagine how much different it is than any kind of full body car. Your corner entry and rotation through looks like you’ve been doing it for 10 years already. 

Meant to post while I was still there, but just got back from three days at Eldora for the Dirt Late Model Dream! Place blows me away everytime I walk in there.

You look like your car control is coming along well. Getting the car to go exactly where you want it takes time. I would say maybe a stiffer throttle spring to calm your foot a little might help on nights where there isn't much track there. The middle was definitely death valley! Look into lighter bars, the car doesn't seem to be "in" the track as much as on top of it. Don't try to get roll by backing off the LR rebound though, that's not the best way. You'll just get the car loose then start fighting that all over. Just a couple of thoughts. 

Good luck and have fun tomorrow night !!! 

Maybe try reverse split ?

Looks like a busy night. At least you got back out for the main. Keep working on it ... it isn't easy.

How bad was the axel, were you able to get another one if it wasn't able to be straightened? For those of you that think it's bad to straighten a slightly bent axel, while not optional it is ok to do. Just have to take it slow. Most times the spare was a straightened one anyway. 

Good your parts "warehouse" is close by ... how in the hell are you going to get any seat time this year ???!!! That schedule is really fucked up!!! You've got three more shows and you're done!! 

That's ridiculous, and why not have a fair race ?? 

Rant over, sorry. 

Hey, why not get a wing car and run the NARC show  at Santa Maria on the 11th !! Cept the track is alway rough as fuk.

😄🤙hellsyeah

They used to usually have one night of racing at the beginning of the fair which included a demolition derby.  But the race track is used for concerts during the fair, so the races would usually be like the first night of the fair, sometimes on a weekday I think, and then they'd shut it down and turn it into a concert stage. 

I'm not sure why they quit doing that.  I'm guessing it was a fairgrounds decision, not a raceway decision.

Those will be fun, SM, Ocean and Antioch are similar in size so you should be able to get away with gear sizes similar to what you have, never been to Kern. Make friends with the tire trailer guy.🤣 And pick up a couple more gear sets for Kern.

Id love to see the bottoms of the pistons to see how much they sanded on 'em to balance out.  Same with the rods.
Did the rotating assembly balance out with no mallory metal added?  Big drill holes?

I used a Eagle ultralight crank on my 360 and was super fortunate it all balanced out without any mallory metal.  If you look at this pic,  you can see how skinny those crank throws are.  Eagle Ultra lightweight crank,  Eagle rods and JE Ultra pistons. Very light reciprocating assembly.

Is you dad using 1.5 rockers?  1.6?   You mentioned lifters,  I heard people dont use RevKits anymore?  With a steep ramp,  how do you keep the roller from bouncing?

Post up some engine build pics when you get that far.   Helmet is gonna be sweet.

As long as it doesn't look like this ... 

High limit series just rolled through the area last week. Our local track had them on Thursday night. Got home at 1am ,wirk was alittle slow Friday for me.

Daaamn,  they are really testing the limits of valve locks these days.  LOL   Ive been outta the loop for a while now so since you posted this thread did some reading,  it seems they have come out with some really cool valve spring designs that dont have the funky harmonics like older stuff did, and they are getting valve weight down enough so the moving mass doesnt need as much pressure as it used to.  They also have tweaked ramp rate so even with really high lift grinds,  you arent slamming the door so much on closing.

I always did installed heights on valves myself to get them all perfect.   Slow tedious stuff,  but worth it when you put the rocker shaft on and everything is spot on aligned across the tips.

I think that batch there was Ferrea.   

Lid turned out very special !! Great job D !!! 

Be careful if you make it up to SM, place always ends up with a lot of "character" and a mean ass cushion that'll ruin your hour and a half drive home.