78 replies to this topic

[Danny Steyn]

Qualifying 1 and 2 are in the books and Sundays race looks to be close. While the field is quite small, there are some top flight drivers and times are very close.

In Q1, Cliff Brown, Jim Drago, Pat Sandlin and I drove nose to tail. In lap 4 I was lucky to get the perfect draft off Drago and Sandlin to get the pole.

Unfortunately, on the pole lap, coming down into the final turn, T12, before the start/finish line, which is easy to do flat with your eyes closed, I almost spun out! Twice

It felt as though I had a flat left rear tire, and I immediately pulled over and drove the in lap really slowly.

What I did not know was that I had blown off a radiator hose and almost spun in my own coolant, but all the gauges were perfect, oil pressure 60psi, and temps never went above 215. To make a long story short, with no fluids I cooked the motor (so sorry Mike - it was a really great one) and OPM is working to change out my Rossini motor tonight.

Anyone recommend a good gauge/method to detect rapid coolant pressure loss??? Need some kind of warning light to warn when coolant pressure drops suddenly.

Q2 was after lunch in hotter conditions, and the morning times fortunately held up


Qualifying 1
Danny Steyn........... 1:43.725
Cliff Brown............... 1:44.063
Patrick Sandlin......... 1:44.070
Jim Drago................ 1:44.162
Chris Topping.......... 1:44.537


Qualifying 2

Jim Drago................ 1:45.085
Cliff Brown............... 1:45.198
Chris Topping.......... 1:45.736
Stephan Tisseront... 1:46.691
Dave Colledge......... 1:47.006

[Keith Andrews]

Damn Danny that sucks. Hope you are able to get out there tomorrow. Regarding the gauging for that type of issue, I know the NASCAR guys have the same issue when they blow all the coolant out. There is nothing in there for the temp sensor, except hot air. They get the same result as you did.

[Armando Ramirez]

>Anyone recommend a good gauge/method to detect rapid coolant pressure loss??? Need some kind of warning light to warn when coolant pressure drops suddenly.

Here you go Dany - Armando

http://www.summitrac...arts/LNG-40141/

[Roger Caddell]

After a rock through the radiator at Thunderhill, we added a pressure sensor to the water system. Still running one in the off road trucks.

The other option is to move the water temp sensor to a point low in the system so it is still under water as the fluids leak out. Then you will see the remaining water increase in temp. A huge leak like a hose coming off dumps the water out so fast that this won't help but a small hole in a line or radiator you could catch. I would consider both.

[MPR22]

Qualifying 1 and 2 are in the books and Sundays race looks to be close. While the field is quite small, there are some top flight drivers and times are very close.

In Q1, Cliff Brown, Jim Drago, Pat Sandlin and I drove nose to tail. In lap 4 I was lucky to get the perfect draft off Drago and Sandlin to get the pole.

Unfortunately, on the pole lap, coming down into the final turn, T12, before the start/finish line, which is easy to do flat with your eyes closed, I almost spun out! Twice

It felt as though I had a flat left rear tire, and I immediately pulled over and drove the in lap really slowly.

What I did not know was that I had blown off a radiator hose and almost spun in my own coolant, but all the gauges were perfect, oil pressure 60psi, and temps never went above 215. To make a long story short, with no fluids I cooked the motor (so sorry Mike - it was a really great one) and OPM is working to change out my Rossini motor tonight.

Anyone recommend a good gauge/method to detect rapid coolant pressure loss??? Need some kind of warning light to warn when coolant pressure drops suddenly.

Q2 was after lunch in hotter conditions, and the morning times fortunately held up




Qualifying 1
Danny Steyn........... 1:43.725
Cliff Brown............... 1:44.063
Patrick Sandlin......... 1:44.070
Jim Drago................ 1:44.162
Chris Topping.......... 1:44.537


Qualifying 2

Jim Drago................ 1:45.085
Cliff Brown............... 1:45.198
Chris Topping.......... 1:45.736
Stephan Tisseront... 1:46.691
Dave Colledge......... 1:47.006

Bill Agha developed a cluster of gauges and lights because he had the same issue with no water no info. I believe you can buy it at autosportheaven.com

[dstevens]

After a rock through the radiator at Thunderhill, we added a pressure sensor to the water system. Still running one in the off road trucks.

You're really just trying to get me to upgrade my Drack to a Pista, huh....

[FTodaro]

If someone has a solution to the water pressure issue that I can plug into my Traqdash, warning light, please post it.

[suck fumes]

Motorsportheaven.com is the correct site. I don't have it listed yet but bill and I have a kit that we can sell that we have personally tested on our own cars and it works flawless on detecting water pressure drop since the temp gauges are not that effective. We will develop a price for the kit soon.

[FTodaro]

I would be interested, I have an analog input in my TM that I can hook up a warning light if that would be compatible.

[Race Engineering]

Congrats to all. Sounds like fun, sorry cars got crashed but I guess that kinda thing happens in racing. Im sure you guys will get em fixed and shiny in no time. Good job JD and company.

[Ron Alan]

So if your cap pops(releases pressure)for whatever reason does this create a false alarm of sorts?

[Keith Andrews]

Congratulations Jim, I watched the timing and scoring. It looked like a good battle for the the win.

[joe varble]

Was watching at turn 10, just as the leaders turned in at 10A, back marker spun in front of them, cars went in all directions. Browns car must have been a good 4 feet in the air and i don't think he lost a spot.

[Keith Andrews]

We need video of that.

[James York]

So if your cap pops(releases pressure)for whatever reason does this create a false alarm of sorts?

No false alarm. If it's a pressure switch (which it probably is), no pressure means it's in alarm telling the truth.

If you want diagnostics, you better wire two.

[suck fumes]

After TWS this weekend we will have the kit together for anyone that wants it.

[Caveman-kwebb99]

Put me ont he list for that!

[Danny Steyn]

On Sunday for the National, I had the best seat in the house to watch the great race up front. The spare motor we threw in Saturday night was not quite as good as we needed and I dropped from pole to 5^th by turn 3. Brown led Drago, Topping, Sandlin and myself. Topping and Sandlin almost came together in T3 and Sandlin took evasive action dropping back. I then hung in 4^th place for the next 15 laps, losing touch on the back straight and gaining it all back from T1 to T7, possibly my best drive in years.

Up front Drago and Brown were duking it out and Topping was hanging on. Topping’s gearbox quit at about the same time that Sandlin was charging from behind. Sandlin stormed past me and made contact with Cliffy and Jim. Coming into T10A on the second last lap, two lapped cars spun between T10A and T10B right in front of Jim and Cliff. Cliff went through the grass and as Joe said was way up in the air. Jim stayed on track and came out ahead. JD kept the win by 0.3 secs.

Cliff and Jim had a really great race. It was a pleasure to watch them make their move and fight for position. Great fast clean racing, the stuff that makes this class so great.
1. JD
2. Brown
3. Sandlin
4. Steyn
5. Cottrell
6. College
7. Webb

Was very surprised to pick up the FRL with a 1.44.520

In the Pro-IT, Cliffy and I had a great race. Cliff pushed me down the straights for the first two laps then went by, and I did everything I could to make up the lost ground through the infield. Somehow I managed to hang with him, driving the snot out of my great new car and getting more out of the Hoosiers than they were ever made to give. Even got the FRL by 8/100ths. Cliffy, I have the most fun racing with you, cannot wait to do it again.

Thanks to OPM for the great service, Ryan and Scott for doing the late night engine swops, Traqmate for the data and Mike Rossini for the great engine that I unfortunately melted in qualifying. Mike I am so sorry about that, it was a great one and it would have been a very different race running up front with the guys.

[Jim Drago]

I think I picked the wrong weekend to win the road Atlanta National. Something tells me that this thread might not get that much attention.


First, for those who have never raced Road Atlanta. I must say that there simply is no better sensation in a race car than driving Road Atlanta when
your car is handling well and you are clicking on all cylinders. It is pure joy. My car was spot on as it rolled of the trailer and we never touched it other than tire pressure adjustments. A great feeling.

Danny and I have both had pretty frustrating seasons so far, I'm glad Danny put the motor in and didn't pack up and go hone, I know how tempting that option must have been

As far as my race, Danny summed up much of it. I think it was one of my better drives, running with Cliff at Road Atlanta is as much as you want to deal with I can assure you. He is super fast there. I started p4 came through the start in P2 heading into T3. I pushed Cliff for 10-12 laps, we ran nose to tail. We were trying hard to drop Toppings and Danny, we did once or twice, only for them to get back to us again. I went by Cliff on lap 12 or so. I was able to put in some nice laps from 13-16, got out maybe a little over a second and caught a lapped car on lap 17 going into the esses, I had to check up a bit and Cliff was right back on me.

Lap 17 going down into 10A, Cliff drafted by on the inside, when we are about 100-150 ft from 10A, side by side and doing 115-120mph. Two lapped cars get together at the apex of 10A and spin.. Oh @#$$%^&*!!!!!! Cliff goes straight up the hill right across my nose( as he was on the inside), I hit the brakes, turn left just behind Cliffs rear bumper and behind the two spun cars. I head up the hill, trying to gauge Cliffs speed and vector As most of know, that move usually results in the two cars t-boning just before the bridge. I hit gas, then brake, then gas and finally brake again as I didn't think I could clear Cliff. Cliff crossed my nose and managed to stay on track, I was able to pull him down the hill and lead the start of the last lap. I've seen many try the move through the grass, rarely does it work out like this. I have seen a few stick the move. I have NEVER seen someone make the move and not lose a position! Great job Cliff!

Lap 18, I knew I needed to try and gap Cliff through the infield or I would have to deal with him at 10 again. I managed to get away a little and I got to turn seven thinking, just don't mess it up and your home free... So of course I go in just a tick hot and the slightest of a lift after the apex and here comes Cliff! I ran the inside edge of the track all the way to turn 10, Cliff takes the outside, we enter 10a side by side, Cliff actually gets a foot ahead or so, but I had position, up the hill and to the checker flag .

Although I am certainly glad it turned out the way it did, I had such a great time racing Cliff, that had it turned out that he got me on that last lap, I'm not sure I would have felt much different. Races like that and the one with Matt Reynolds last year( which I finished second) I had last year is why I do this stuff. It was a really great race, tough as nails, but clean as could be. Not a scratch on my car or Cliffs. Sincere thanks and congratulations to Cliff. Pdaddy Sandlin came back from lap one mishap finish 1-3,East Street Finish. . Another lap or two, Cliff and I were in trouble as Pat was coming. I must have had at least 10-15 people , non SM people come up and comment on what a great race that was to watch. I wish we could line up again this morning!


Tech did what I thought was a VERY good test post race. They checked fifth gear and final drive ratios. I have seen and heard many 5th gears that don't sound like mine.. They checked the top three, all passed, but I think that is a test that will find someone on the wrong side of the rules at some point.


Thanks again, great seeing every one!

Jim



I will have to figure out how to post my video, haven't done so since 09 It was a great video to watch.

[joe varble]

Hope you and Danny can both load your video's, still cant belive those last two laps. do you know if the 58 car had a camera?