Meet the Road Blog – briantowey.com
The second fuel only stop was 10 seconds quicker than the first. We had taken the lead with a pit stop exchange (we are off sequence with the leader) and given it up again just before our stop.
With our stop we are in second place almost exactly one lap down. We expect to be near the leader again when he pits in another 25 minutes, or so.
Ken is out of the car and Bruce Wilson is in. The first (fuel only) stop was flawless and quick – we timed a few of the competitors and we are very happy with how our pit stops have gone. For the driver change stop, we went under the hood to check oil and have a look at everything else.
We are now running second, just over one lap down, and expect to close that gap considerably when the leader makes his next stop. The leader is running a 1999 Spec Miata and is running laps at a pace that should be very difficult to maintain.
We’ll continue to stick with our plan of logging miles and making no mistakes.
Ken Sutherland started in the car and we’ve spent most of the first hour battling with the Midnight Performance Acura Integra (?) for 2nd place. The Atlanta Motorsport Group Spec Miata #62 (1.8L) has led most of the race. At 11:54 am we took the lead when something (we’re investigating) happened to the AMG car.
We did have a minor incident while doing driver change practice. One of the mounts for the window net broke off – Ken broke out the welder and quickly fixed it. That could have been 10 minutes behind the wall if it hadn’t happened when it did. That’s good luck – we’ll take it.
Our lap times are quite good and hopefully we can stay clear of the Acura. We expect a pit stop sometime around the 1 hour 30 minute mark – our advantage against the other fast cars in class, is that we have a bit more range.
The weather has stayed nice all day with the temperature somewhere within a couple degrees of sixty and the cloud cover has slowly increased. All of the Miatacage.com drivers have been in the car, and after a few simple tweaks, all seem to be happy with the set-up. Everybody is running lap times that are in the range of the speed we were able to build a lead with last year.
Early in the day Jonny Davies was concerned about a vibration in the rear of the car. After swapping the rear tires (with some improvement), and then the fronts, the vibration mostly went away. We had a few of the wheel / tire combinations checked and re-balanced and the problem is no longer evident.
We also are exploring the possible reasons for a slightly low oil pressure reading. The number isn’t dangerous and it is consistent – so it could be nothing. We’ll continue to monitor that, but unless it is simply a data error, there isn’t much to do other than change a motor. I don’t expect that, at this point.
NASA is having trouble with live timing and scoring, so we don’t know where we have qualified. Qualifying took place after the sun went down and Ken ran a 207.485 in heavy traffic. We expect there are a handful of cars capable of being faster for short periods of time. We’ll have to wait to see.
Most of the Miatacage.com team made it to Willows, California yesterday (Thursday). We brought a lot of stuff this time. 3 motor coaches and 3 race trailers filled with two complete race cars and enough parts to build another. Everything that we were wanting for last year, we believe, is here this time – we are short a couple of key team members, but have come up with excellent replacements.
The only issue we had yesterday is that the truck pulling the trailer with the race car had a minor overheating problem crossing the Siskyous (that slowed the caravan down a bit). The problem is believed to have been a faulty radiator cap and it has been corrected.
The weather is currently 37 degrees and partly cloudy – it is a beautiful day. The driving team is currently completing the paperwork required to participate in todays test. We have a schedule of tasks to accomplish and will be starting that within 30 minutes. Race cars are on track.
Updates and photos through the race with photos (as we get the data communication issues worked out).
First, I don’t have an axe to grind (but that’s beside the point, so if you think I’m grinding on an axe, so be it – I don’t care, this is about something else). Chump Car accepted the following vehicle as a $500 build – it’s their game, so it’s their call. Some people, it turns out, would like to understand how they got there.
I know that this topic is very interesting to many people (because lots of them find this blog while searching for “chumpcar cheaters”, “chumpcar penalties” and things like that). I believe that discussion about these things can be productive (and interesting). My original plan was to write a story about how a car that was the subject of some “sideways” looks (by me and others) was built. The owner / builder of the car was quite offended that anybody (me, specifically) wasn’t particularly impressed by his $500 build claim, and had offered to show me his receipts and build log as “proof” of it’s compliance with the rules (as if I don’t know what it costs to build one of these things…). As soon as I declared my intention to accept the offer, it was rescinded. If you care to dig into the genesis of this discussion you can read it here – and, if you like math (and complicated obfuscations) there is even some data from the builder to crunch.
I like Eddie (the owner) and those on his team that I know – I was the lead instructor at his SCCA Licensing School a couple of years ago and specifically recall that he is a nice guy and a competent driver (he even used my number on his car – that was sweet of him…). And, for the record, I like and respect many of the guys whom I’ve filed formal protests about at “real” races in the past (yes, I am a guy who will write a protest when the option exists). These sorts of discussions will always be part of racing – even if we were racing slot cars.
Chump Car was adamant that they would enforce the $500 build rule – this is the original source of confusion (if you write a rule and then clarify it’s meaning, please enforce your rule – I took the time to read it, please don’t insult my intelligence). My suggestion is that a mechanism be established for competitors to have a path to follow regarding conflicts in rules interpretation – currently there is none. At 24 Hours of LeMons races, for example, that mechanism is “The Peoples Curse”. And again, this is a different deal, and if Chump Car chooses to rely on the “Benevolent Dictator” model, we’ll either live with it, or not. In any case, I’ll probably still write about it.
Rather than risk continuing to sound like the transporter of a bunch of sour grapes, I’ll simply post pictures of the car in question during the build process and let the builder (and readers) fill in the “blanks” as he see’s fit. I’ll even start by identifying what I think the biggest “blank” is – it’s that it doesn’t “add up”. For the record, I obtained these pictures from the Facebook photo album that the owner dedicated to the build process. These pictures became available to me recently when a “friend” was tagged in that album.
My point (in guiding you to the big “blank”) is that parts have value – all parts. Safety equipment is excluded from the $500 budget, so don’t count any of that. The Chump Car rules also place no value on labor or team theme (which includes paint, hookers, whatever…) – I’ll presume that means that you can’t credit yourself for labor done in the build process, either… Look at where this car started and how it ended up. Consider the following…
If it turns out that using previously acquired parts (assigned zero value) to build a Chump Car is within the rules, then so be it. That is a can of worms that might be interesting to explore, and I know just the guys to do it.
There’s a nice photo that shows what could be the “donor car” in the background that should go here. It was saved on the Facebook page in a bitmap format which doesn’t work in the blog program. The point is that Eddie has stated that a complete donor car existed – and to be fair, I wanted to point that out.
As we prepare for the 2009 25 Hours of Thunderhill, I thought it would be good to tell a little bit of the story about how this race became particularly important to us.
In 2008 The Miatacage.com team traveled to Willows, California with a car that hadn’t existed 2 months earlier. In fact, there had been no plan to do “The 25”, at all. If it hadn’t been for our success at the ICSCC 12 Hours of the Cascades, at Portland, just over a month earlier, nobody would have ever thought of it.
The drivers for Portland were Jon Davies, Chuck Hall, Will Schrader and me. We had built the car with Sean Hedrick at Miatacage.com in less than 2 weeks and installed Chuck’s “special project” Miata motor. For the Cascade enduro the classes are “displacement based”, meaning that the only concern is how big the motor is. We had a small motor with some special parts in it and it was a rocket. We won our class by 12 laps and finished 4th overall.
Two of our regular Miatacage.com teammates were not with us for the race, however. Ken Sutherland and Bruce Wilson, having missed all the fun, were now itching to do an enduro. We had over a month to prepare for the longest endurance race in the world – no problem. Sean offered to provide the car and lots of support – so the thrash began.
Thunderhill is a NASA (National Auto Sport Association) race. That meant we had to deal with yet another set of unfamiliar rules. Cars are “mapped” into an endurance racing class based on their performance (SM and ITA cars are E2, for example) – but our car wasn’t exactly either of those. After some discussion with NASA officials it was decided that we would re-prepare the car to be classified as PTE (Performance Touring E) which NASA also maps into class E2.
Performance Touring is interesting as it uses a points system to make it possible for nearly any type of car to go racing. We considered the parts available to us and did some math to come up with what we thought could be a competitive car. We knew that a Miata with a 1.8 liter motor would be preferable (on sheer speed, anyway) as an ITA car, but we have a 1.6 liter and what we believe was the best driver line-up on the E2 grid.
We had to throw together another “less aggressive” motor to make the car E2 legal and capable of 25 hours. The rest of the parts which were “mostly” SM legal (and importantly, SM based) stayed with the car. Ken Sutherland organized the preparation. We installed a new transmission, micro-finished hubs, specially made brake pads that would last the entire 25 hours, an improved radio system and away we went.
The race was red flagged for fog in the middle of the night. We had taken the lead during my stint (and not because of anything, in particular, that I had done) and had a substantial lead when the race was stopped.
As the race resumed, we settled into a solid rhythm and extended our lead to 5 laps when a part that never breaks, broke – and, we didn’t have a spare.
Ken Sutherland was able to scavenge a part and get the car running again in just over 20 minutes. The culprit was the throttle body – the shaft that controls the butterfly had snapped because of a small amount of corrosion that was hidden from view. That’s the kind of thing that can ruin your day.
We now had a choice to make – the only choice. The car was running on pace again, but instead of being 5 laps up, we were 5 down. We made a plan. We would go at “sprint pace” for as long as the car would last – betting that somebody (everybody) else would have at least a small problem in the meantime.
There are other choices to make when one makes choices… Our decision was to streamline our pit stops and only check under the hood (for oil level, as an example) when we were also changing a tire (this could gain us a full lap by the finish). Our motor was using a little bit of oil and this was a concern – not as big a concern as not winning, however.
We were running in second place (and gaining) with Ken in the car, running a scorching pace, when we developed a ventilation problem with the block. The problem was that you could see from one side of it through to the other and all of the oil had fallen out. That’s bad. And, it’s also why we must return.
The Miatacage.com travel team this year is mostly the same. The crew is missing two key members, Peter Lovejoy (to Fire Chief duties) and Garth “Crusher” Levin to his job making cruise ships beautiful for vacationers everywhere (I’m thinking tanned college co-eds and seriously considered joining him). The driving team this year includes Will Schrader (replacing me as I continue my recovery from the cycling injury). Will is the current Spec Miata lap record holder at Thunderhill and a great guy to race with. I can’t think of anybody I’d rather have take my place. I’ll be there as member of the Miatacage.com braintrust making sure that Peter and Garth aren’t too badly missed.
Live blogging on the race should happen in this space – Thunderhill is known for intermittent (read: poor) data access. We will do our best to circumnavigate the challenges.
Photos by Carrie Sutherland
Here are the final results as found at mylaps.com. If you click on each of the individual vehicles you can see a graph that shows the lap times over the course of the event (you need to be logged in with your mylaps.com account to do this, though).
What I was able to learn from the lap chart is that, for the most part – (yes Garth, I mean you), The Team Partridge Family drivers followed the plan. They did a great job for a bunch of guys that (except for one) had never seen a green flag before. I’m proud of you. You ran as high as 2nd before the electrical issues dragged us down.
You did that in a car that was 9.998 seconds slower (on its fastest lap) than the overall winner.
I think particular kudos go to the “World Rally Chumps” for coming 4th with a slowish car that it looked like any yahoo off the street could build in his garage. I think that is inspiring to those that don’t regularly get an opportunity to experience the “joy of racing” with their buddies. Well done.
The “Beach Dudes” car was awesome, too.
| Pos | No. | Name | Laps | Total time | Diff | Best time | In lap | Best speed |
| 1 | 33 | Git Miata Here | 594 | 20:26:03.611 | 1:39.251 | 467 | 71.419 | |
| 2 | 5 | Dagobah II | 580 | 20:26:50.985 | 14 Laps | 1:39.176 | 532 | 71.473 |
| 3 | 2 |  Coalition of the Willing |
572 | 20:26:35.675 | 22 Laps | 1:43.961 | 463 | 68.183 |
| 4 | 7 | World Rally Chumps |
566 | 20:26:56.458 | 28 Laps | 1:48.332 | 437 | 65.432 |
| 5 | 88 | team rusty fishhook | 564 | 20:27:54.015 | 30 Laps | 1:42.440 | 475 | 69.196 |
| 6 | 0 | Pole Position Racing | 562 | 20:26:31.466 | 32 Laps | 1:42.137 | 502 | 69.401 |
| 7 | 82 | Autosport Lab Rats |
551 | 20:28:04.498 | 43 Laps | 1:35.782 | 438 | 74.006 |
| 8 | 29 | Team Produnk | 541 | 20:26:29.658 | 53 Laps | 1:40.402 | 494 | 70.600 |
| 9 | 55 | Team RSI | 538 | 20:26:56.555 | 56 Laps | 1:41.379 | 510 | 69.920 |
| 10 | 94 | Team Partridge Family |
527 | 20:27:33.086 | 67 Laps | 1:49.253 | 267 | 64.881 |
| 11 | 42 | Beach Dudes | 520 | 20:23:43.902 | 74 Laps | 1:50.294 | 511 | 64.268 |
| 12 | 47 | Pistons are Highly Over-Rated |
517 | 20:27:41.949 | 77 Laps | 1:45.702 | 286 | 67.060 |
| 13 | 80 | Free Range Racing | 515 | 20:27:00.131 | 79 Laps | 1:42.328 | 436 | 69.271 |
| 14 | 3 | Worker’s Revenge | 513 | 20:26:58.011 | 81 Laps | 1:46.140 | 405 | 66.783 |
| 15 | 74 | TEAM IROC |
507 | 20:27:33.954 | 87 Laps | 1:45.681 | 420 | 67.074 |
| 16 | 86 | Clean Racing | 506 | 20:26:58.887 | 88 Laps | 1:56.055 | 493 | 61.078 |
| 17 | 15 | Government Motors DptHoMo | 502 | 20:28:05.903 | 92 Laps | 1:42.057 | 474 | 69.455 |
| 18 | 11 | Happy Toyz | 495 | 20:27:08.362 | 99 Laps | 1:44.354 | 384 | 67.926 |
| 19 | 81 | Reversed Darwinism |
492 | 20:28:07.202 | 102 Laps | 1:41.436 | 433 | 69.881 |
| 20 | 28 | La Famila |
490 | 20:26:47.182 | 104 Laps | 1:50.759 | 408 | 63.998 |
| 21 | 89 | Chia Bull | 475 | 20:26:45.034 | 119 Laps | 1:41.236 | 446 | 70.019 |
| 22 | 00 | Breast Men | 464 | 20:26:08.743 | 130 Laps | 1:44.200 | 416 | 68.027 |
| 23 | 32 | GumBall Rally |
454 | 20:26:48.728 | 140 Laps | 1:44.676 | 309 | 67.718 |
| 24 | 8 | Miyagi Do | 442 | 20:27:08.822 | 152 Laps | 1:42.428 | 362 | 69.204 |
| 25 | 99 | Eh! Team | 440 | 20:26:30.296 | 154 Laps | 1:44.519 | 391 | 67.819 |
| 26 | 96 | Team TSR 2 | 440 | 20:27:53.036 | 1:22.740 | 1:46.102 | 299 | 66.807 |
| 27 | 13 | GERI-AT-TRICKS OR TREATS | 439 | 17:38:36.025 | 155 Laps | 1:43.360 | 357 | 68.580 |
| 28 | 69 | rockerzin dockerz | 431 | 20:26:38.431 | 163 Laps | 1:49.550 | 381 | 64.705 |
| 29 | 95 | Team TSR |
405 | 16:57:35.496 | 189 Laps | 1:46.169 | 355 | 66.765 |
| 30 | 1 | Squirrels of Fury | 391 | 20:26:36.185 | 203 Laps | 1:42.970 | 212 | 68.839 |
| 31 | 87 | Cobra Kai | 358 | 17:56:28.549 | 236 Laps | 1:44.511 | 350 | 67.824 |
| 32 | 10 | Squirrels of Fury == Unfair Ad |
347 | 20:26:08.858 | 247 Laps | 1:42.560 | 325 | 69.115 |
| 33 | 6 | Stumptown Chumpsters | 314 | 19:52:43.975 | 280 Laps | 1:43.501 | 227 | 68.486 |
| 34 | 22 | KamiKhazi | 298 | 20:26:45.265 | 296 Laps | 1:41.577 | 271 | 69.784 |
| 35 | 20 | The Brian Towey Surfing School | 275 | 10:05:23.147 | 319 Laps | 1:45.475 | 257 | 67.205 |
| 36 | 40 | Red Rocket Rally | 263 | 20:27:44.026 | 331 Laps | 1:52.116 | 160 | 63.224 |
| 37 | 67 | Size Does Matter | 72 | 2:43:16.306 | 522 Laps | 1:57.260 | 71 | 60.450 |
| 38 | 31 | Bullitt Film Car |
66 | 18:19:33.055 | 528 Laps | 1:45.253 | 26 | 67.346 |
Not quite.
Here’s a video of some of the cars that passed the $500 “acid test”.
A discussion has been started by a Chump Car official over on their website claiming that grumblings about the lack of enforcement (re: the $500 prep rule) are not well founded – actually, I have reason to believe he’s talking about me.
Probably most recently here and previously here.
This is the post:
Contrary to opinions…
Hi Chumps – 3:30am and I’m sitting in the tower, watching the fog role in and out… and I had a moment to respond to an issue that was bouncing around the paddock earlier today.
I’ve read some of the comments about some of the “eligibility” and $500 legality of certain cars here at PIR. Yes, there is an ex-Spec Miata in the race; however, they did swap put all of the “race” suspension for junk, stock suspension, and the powertrain was VERY used and stock. As many of you know, I have have raced in Spec-Miata and I have two Miatas that I have campaigned in LeMons… so I know a POS Miata when I see one. So, upon a very thorough inspection, ChumpCar determined that this car was no different then buying ANY used race car and downgrading it to crap-can standards. We have been watching the lap times and handling of many cars — some that we thought may have been borderline — and no one has been “pulling away.” We have not seen any unfair advantages and, if anything, those cars which were suspect of legality have, in my opinion, underperformed. Bottom line — there will always be a car (or cars) that are suspect of cheating. ChumpCar is not immune from opinions or rumors… and unless you’re the one that is crawling under and through the car to check legality issues, everyone will have to trust the Safety and Technical Inspection Team to do their job.
All the best –
John
The comments that follow in that thread are great – whiners?. Really? That’s the best you’ve got?
No, it isn’t.., you’ve also got (from the forum) – “Additionally, the rules kind of prohibit convertibles. So a hard top might fall under safety.” This can’t possibly be a serious defense.
I think Chump Car is a cool idea (it is different from LeMons) and I’m glad they decided to come to Portland. And, if they say a car is elligible, it is. There is reason to believe, because of comments and writings of officials, that they want us to believe they are “serious” about the $500 car thing. My opinion is that they are not, and I’ve cited specific examples (including the cost of parts on the car) – I’ve got plenty more, if you want to go there. Don’t show me a duck and insist it’s a pig. If it walks, talks and quacks like a duck…
My opinion (and you are welcome to yours) is that they missed the stated target. That’s all. And, if this really is racing, then working over your competitors about the legality of their cars and the officials (when necessary) is part of the process. So get off your high (I’ve been doing this for 2 years and I’m really experienced) horse and get over it.
I believe that “Chump Car” will get it right and they could use help from competitors in understanding what we think “right” is (again, my opinion). If you think they did get it right, tell them so.
I’ll look over at the Chump Car forum occassionally and chime in if the discussion continues (and becomes more interesting, read: smarter), but more people are coming to this blog, so feel free to discuss it here if you like. If you post a comment, an admin will approve it, even if it is contrary to my stated “opinion”.
Team Produnk (thinly disguised Spec Miata)
Coalition of the Willing (1st gen RX-7) – on the same lap
Dagobah II (I think it’s a Sentra) – minus 1 Lap
Git Miata Here (another x-SM?)
Chia Bull (Taurus SHO with astroturf)
And, we’ve just gone full course yellow