Well, here's my report from the Saturday Pocono event run by PDA.
I was the only Cobra running that day. Another Cobra, owned by Stan Brown, came to hang out for a bit, but did not run. The field was 90% composed of just 5 different groups...'Vettes, BMWs, Porsches, Ferraris and Vipers.
To sum it up, my day was
then
then
I was so anxious to try out my brand new 3 link rear FFR set up along with my new 3.73 gears. We also put in a 160 degree thermostat to help cool the car, a new axle, all new bearings, tuned the carb, etc...I was really excited to give it a go. I ran with the white run group. After our first 2 yellow flag laps to get oriented (we were running the double infield course, 3.3 miles long), I got on it hard. The car felt SO good. The new gears woke my little underpowered motor up, and the 3 link is awesome!! My car was planted firmly. Now, remember, I'm on street tires. While I won't lie and say I was blowing by cars on Hoosiers, I was keeping up with everyone. I had passed a Viper and was reeling in another car. That was pure
. I was finding good lines and getting a real feel for my new set up. The car felt completely different than in July.
Then, about half way through the first session, I watched my water temp gauge start climbing. 190...200...210... oh sh!t!!!!!! I backed off and pulled off the course (the checkered flag waived anyway by then). Pulled into my garage and check under the car. Nothing is leaking, nothing broken. But I definitely pushed coolant out the overflow. Son of a....
Simple fact of the matter is I was pushing the car too hard for my stock radiator to keep up. My mechanic had a feeling this may happen, and that's why we put the 160 thermostat in. But since the car felt SO SO SO good and I was pushing it hard, those long straights just murdered the radiator.
So I gotta let it cool enought to take off the cap and check to see if I need to add anything. At that point, I was just going to top it off and head home, because what's the point of running if I have to go out there like a wounded duck? All the while, many people, all with the best of intentions and very politely, told me that I should get an aluminum radiator. I was very polite in response to them, as I know they want to help me. But as frustrated as I was, I just didn't want to talk to anyone.
By time the car cooled off enough to take the cap off, it was nearly time for my run group to go out again. The car actually hadn't spit too much out. So, after discussing it with the wife, I decided to head back on the track. I topped it off with water and went back out. I decided that I would run fairly hard through the corners (just leave it in 4th gear, instead of shifting to 3rd to get off the corners real hard) and just cruise slowly down the straights. At least that would get me seat time, and I could still take the corners hard. So, there I was shifting at 2500 rpm into 5th on the straights and letting people by. Kind of demoralizing, but it was redemption knowing that when I let them by on the straights, I would keep right with them through the road course. This strategy kept my water temp down around 190. But damn, I so badly wanted to get on it again, I was having such a good time before I overheated.
We started 30 minutes late, then had a car drop
oil all over the track. So I decided this would be my last session. It was 4:00 by time we got to my third session of track time. Same strategy as before, to keep the temps down. Run is going well, having a good time. Going down the front straight, there was an early '90s 'Vette ZR-1 two cars ahead. As we approached the end of the straight, where we had to make a right onto the infield, I saw his brake lights come on just as he started turning. I know this is a cardnal sin. Instantly I thought...he overcooked it, he ain't gonna make it. On the brakes onto a corner is a bad thing and sure enough he started turning sideways. I immediately back off and start waiving my arm in the air to warn cars behind me. The car in front of me jams his brakes and goes left (as if going towards turn 3). The ZR-1 only turned 90 degrees sideways, so he comes to a stop completely sideways right in the middle of the track. So that avenue is blocked. The car in front of me went left on the track. Now my choices are few and none.
Thankfully, as this was happening, I was on the brakes hard watching where they were going. I was able to bring my car to a stop just between the 'Vette and the car in front of me. It probably looked a lot less dramatic from a spectators point of view, but it certainly got my attention. For just that spit second, the track was blocked, and my escape road was partially blocked too.
Finished that session with no further incidents and headed home, both with a new amount of confidence knowing I had a well set up car and could keep up with cars running race tires, and complete frustration knowing that I left ALOT on the table and felt like I was just limping it around.
I have little doubt my problem is with the radiator. I have no problems on the street or even autocross. But pushing that hard was just too much for it. Luckily this was my last track event of the year, because I don't have enough money right now to get the aluminum radiator. I need a second job, or a sponsor, or the lottery, or SOMETHING.
Best of luck to the Club Cranky crew at the Glen. Keep the shiny side up, and remember, you don't start drinking until AFTER you're done running. Although I hear Cranky turns some mean laps half sauced up.
Steve