<VV> SVRA at VIR-#73

Sadek Charles H DLVA SadekCH@NSWC.NAVY.MIL
Tue, 19 Oct 2004 15:03:45 -0400


Subject: SVRA at VIR-#73

364 cars registered in 10 race groups.  Included were a '91 and a '97
Benneton F1.  You should have seen and heard the '97!  Very fast cars in
each group. For example, leading Camaros turn 8000 down straight with 15"
treaded tires-I don't know what rear end ratio.  You can figure their mph.

I arrived Wed at 3 pm when registration opened-30th in line. Test day on
Thurs, I set up and visited folks, qualification began on Fri.  In spite of
numbers, I saved space in paddock for 5 cars which turned out to be 7 other
cars-canopies, food, hot breakfast, etc. in our area.  Great weather and
fun.

#73 ran in the wet all session on Fri am, and the dry (from noon on)
afternoon session for 20 min.  Track very slippery in wet and in dry.
Coming into pits, car made bad noises. Found a broken valve spring; got a
Chevy spring from Advance Auto that night.  Used a valve spring compressor
with head on the car.  Stuffed rope in cylinder to hold valve up.  Borrowed
screw-type compressor, a Snap On, made by Blue Point.  Much nicer than ones
in auto parts stores.  Turning handle is hvy plastic and can be removed
easily and a wrench used (per directions). Changed spring but still had a
noise when turning over or running which turned out to be the #5 valve seat.
Pieces embedded in the squish area.  Worried about the piston; obviously the
head needs major repair.  These are very old heads-used for years with only
valve grinding, etc.  Actually removed the left side head and did a valve
job the day before leaving for the track.

What else?  Aluminum jack broke (retainer on spring return for handle),
trailer tire went flat in Richmond on way home.  Filled it with air
bottle-made it to the truck stop.  I changed it in TA truck stop at exit 89
on I95 laying in the muck.  Truck service center wanted an hour wait and
$36; they only had air jacks and no floor jack-which I asked to rent. Used
the dually truck jack (missing lug wrench and handle-never looked for it and
assumed it was there). 

Note to racers; buy a bottle jack for the trailer. Check your jack
paraphernalia.  Make sure your spares are up to pressure (mine was).

Aston Martin owner/driver (orthopedic surgeon) shows up wearing a gray
BoHunk Bros T shirt; Chief Steward has one as well.  Other than not racing,
a wonderful weekend in southern Virginia.

Chuck S
YS73
BBRT