Group hug for the car aka Rusty..

[TroyV]

I just wanted to come on here and say thanks for the huge amount of effort folks threw in to try and get me up and running again after my break down on Monday. Les, Will, Bill, Greg, and cast of hundreds swarmed over my car and determined that the timing belt jumped some teeth, and corrected the problem. Not only did they work feverishly to diagnose the issue, but did so with great efficiency, while also bickering at each other in a way only done by the best of friends. I feel very fortunate that these guys were willing to spend time on the car when they could have been doing much more fun things, like enjoying the BBQ. I will not forget it.

Unfortunately, whatever caused the problem caused it again the next day as soon as I entered the hot pit.....but I'm still grateful to have been given a chance to try and get back out there.

I figured I'd just pack it in and head home, but Mark S was there instantly to offer his car to me for the TT. Never having driven a FWD on track before, I was little apprehensive. Race cars are an interesting breed. There are always issues or quirks that the driver deals with in their car, that must be explained to a driver not in the know. Mark went on to explain the conditions of driving his car......jiggle the handle before turning the knob....you gotta shift up to fifth to get the synchros to allow you to get to second....when you're coming out of turn 10, pull the white zip tie on this harness so that those two wires short and give you more power through that section. I considered it for a moment, but seeing as how the weather was coming in, I thought it was smarter not to drive a car I was completely unfamiliar with. Still...I was really appreciative of the offer.

Enter Jeff Wasilko...

Jeff offered me his car for a few laps of practice and the TT.. Always being the one to watch as Jeff pulls away from me with abandon during practice sessions, I jumped at the offer. Being his car is set up relatively similar to mine, it would be a good indicator of how the 1.8l feels as compared with my 1.6l...with everything else being roughly equal.

In short, the car was frickin fantastic. Big thanks to Jeff for the offer. I owe beer to quite a few people....I'll be taking orders at the next event.

There are a lot of selfless people running with this club, and I feel fortunate to be a part of it.

Troy V

[CalypsoBean]

the club has always been super helpful to me as well in situations like this, including solving my potentially catastrophic coolant hose issue at Monticello in time for the time trials that morning.

[TroyV]

Looks like it was the tensioner that let go. Some new trinkets, a belt and new water pump, and I should be good to go in a few days.

[PaddyMcP]

Good to hear dude. Just saw the st4 result. Not bad

[WillM]

Wait a second.
Troy, that was your car?
I thought we were working on Jeff's!
Crap!

[paultg]

Wait a second.
Troy, that was your car?
I thought we were working on Jeff's!
Crap!

[TroyV]

Funny you mention that Will..

I constantly get complimented on Jeff's and your performances out there. Almost at every event....there would be a dude to walk up and start talking....

Dude: "that was an awesome session!!!...I was trying to hang with you after you passed me...I was driving the (insert name of fast car here)....you're really smoking fast!!"

Me: "I wasn't out during that session."

Dude: "I'm sure it was you...black Miata, red roof etc...."

Me: "I'm pretty sure I'd remember passing a (insert name of same fast car here)."

Dude: "like in T6 when I went like this....and you went like that..."

Me: "if you say so, but really don't recall this happening....especially since my run group has yet to even be called this morning."

[jeffw]

Glad you were able to run in the trial, and that the car is looking like an easy fix.

Back in the day when I used to track my S4, there was another guy with the same car running in the same group. I'd have people come up to me asking about how I managed to lap them twice in a session

[TroyV]

The car runs nice and smooth, with perhaps a little more zing than before. The boys at Fastrack busted their asses on this one!! Jamie was crawling around and under the car until the last minute making sure everything was ship shape.

Thanks guys..

[Dave_G]

The car runs nice and smooth, with perhaps a little more zing than before.

Just great... It's hard enough keeping up with the Joneses as it is.