Buttonwillow Oct 14 & 15

[moosetestbestanden]

I'm contemplating going to the NASA event at Buttonwillow on 10/14 & 15. The event will be run in the opposite direction to the previous event we attended.

Anyone else interested?

[Doug Liedblad]

This may be possible.

How do you know it is run the other way? I found no details on the NASA site.

Doug

[Roll a 7]

I share your contemplations regarding Buttonwillow in October.

[slomove]

I contemplate my shares the same way....

[moosetestbestanden]

How do you know it is run the other way? I found no details on the NASA site.

It's shown on the registration page. It says counter-clockwise so I guess that means the opposite way from last time, depending on which direction one is facing of course. I think the weather might be fine that time of year.

[moosetestbestanden]

I just spoke w/ Stokes. He said he'll be at the track that weekend. He's in the midst of a battle for the TT championship, new motor & all...

[Doug Liedblad]

M. Murphy, Pierre, and Woody will try to be there.

I'm working on a Garage deal again too.

Another engine for Stokes? What happened to the one from Cosworth? Or is he looking for more HP?

Doug

[Doug Liedblad]

Garage #8 is reserved for the 14th and 15th.

We can get in anytime after 7:00 AM on FRIDAY.

Note that my trailer gets first choice of the concrete pad next to the garage. (end of the building). This is included in the garage rental.

Please let me know if you are interested in sharing the cost.

This one is $150.00 for the weekend and should hold 6+ cars easy.

I have also signed up for the event HPDE 2.

So far I have commitments from.

M. Murphy
Gert
Doug
Stan
Brad
Chris

Thanks

Doug

[soareyes]

Count me in too Doug!
Stan

[Roll a 7]

I'm in!

[moosetestbestanden]

I'm registered in HPDE 3 but I'll likely step down to 2 because I haven't run the track in this direction before.

Please include me in the garage tally Doug.

Thanks!

Oh yeah... Stokes had a cooling issue (i.e. oil getting into the place where only the water should be) w/ the 1st Cosworth motor. During the refresh they added high compression pistons and some other stuff. He's making about 235 hp *at the rear wheels* now. He sez he has had to relearn *all* of the braking points on circuits he knows, er, knew. Yikes!

Chant the mantra: 2 liters good. 2.3 liters truck motor. 2 liters good. 2.3 liters truck motor. Ooooommmmm.

[Doug Liedblad]

It looks like we may have a good turnout for this event.

Is one garage going to be enough?

Garage 7 is available if we want to have two.

Let us try to get a count soon.

Thanks.

Doug

[soareyes]

Doug, I'm trying to get my brother to sign up too (in his Miata). I'll ask him tonight if he is interested in going in on the garage, and I'll let you know. It was nice having the two garages side-by-side last spring.
Stan

[soareyes]

Well, my brother and friend of his both signed up for HPDE 1 with their Miatas, and are willing to go in for the garage if we want to reserve the second one. Would that be enough to make it worthwhile to reserve two?
Stan

[Doug Liedblad]

Garage #7 and garage #8 reserved for the weekend of October 14th & 15th.

We have confirmed.

Stan
Stan's brother
Stan's brother's friend.
Doug
Michael
Gert
Chris
Brad
Magnus

There should be room for a couple more, please advise if interested or just show up.

Doug

[Roll a 7]

Magnus is also interested if he is on this continent, I think.

[magnusfeuer]

I'm in.

I just registered on the Nasa site. I would also like to chip in on a garage, if there is still space available.

/Magnus F.

[Doug Liedblad]

Magnus, there should be room for you in one of the garages.

Doug

[magnusfeuer]

Ok. Anyone thought about hotels yet? Brad and I stayed at a place that was a bit much Guantanamo Bay for me. Is there anything less spartan around (Super 8?)

Also, should we try to synchronize the tool-festivities that usually ensues when we get together? We probably don't need five jacks and twelve complete sets of wrenches.


We need the following:
1. A jack (the quick jack that someone brought last time was exceellent)
2. Jack stands (6 should be enough)
3. Wrenches (imperial/metric)
4. Sockets and drives (imp/metric).
5. Screw and philips drivers
6. Allen wrenches
7. Tie wraps
8. Duct tape.
9. Pliers
10. Torque wrench.
More?

I can bring 2, 3, 6, 7 and 10.

/Magnus F.

[soareyes]

I just made a reservation at the Super 8. Its handy, being between Starbucks and the Indian restaurant :)
Stan

[slomove]

I did not look up other choices yet. Suppose that may be limited in a metropolis like Buttonwillow.

But I know for sure that among the Super8 variety this is a luxury resort. If that's Guantanamo I have been at a torture dungeon of the Medieval Holy Inquisition of sorts in Tempe Arizona....was also Super8.

Actually, since that time my wife rejects anthing with an "8" in the name for accomodation.

Well, I just follow what you guys are doing.

Gert

[Doug Liedblad]

I'll bring my Quick Jack. That's the lightweight jack that lifts it up in one movement. It's limited on how high it can lift the car. Good for changing tires but not for getting it high enough to work underneath.

[moosetestbestanden]

I just registered on the Nasa site. Great!


I would also like to chip in on a garage

You chip in enough w/ the web site. Doug, do not accept any funds for accomodation from this man but give him the front row seat.

Magnus, will Miwako be able to come this time?

[soareyes]

But I know for sure that among the Super8 variety this is a luxury resort. If that's Guantanamo I have been at a torture dungeon of the Medieval Holy Inquisition of sorts in Tempe Arizona....was also Super8.
Gert

I think Magnus meant the other place they had to stay in was Guantanamo-like, since the Super 8 was full that first night?

Anyway, we can always try something different. The Willow Inn just up the street is the "recommended" NASA motel and rates look about the same. Try something new or stick with what we know?

Stan

[Michael Murphy]

Hi All,

Just checking in.

I'm planning to attend, if I can tidy up a couple of loose ends before hand -- such as (1) fried ECU (currently at an undisclosed Pectel location for further testing); (2) rear end of car seems wonky (more analysis required); (3) incipent case of Doug's Disease (unexplained engine cutout, not related to item (1)).

On the positive side, I have, after three hundred hours of effort, managed to move my spiffy new race seat back one whole inch so that my spiffy race shoes don't get wedged up my nose when driving.

Ordinarily I would be delighted that Buttonwillow is being run in reverse order, as I am always keen to try new things. However I noticed today that my right front ACB10 is just about toast and I was thinking "no problem, Buttonwillow runs clockwise so the wear will be on the left side next time"... Darn.

Ever the optimist, I'm excited about the next weekend and looking forward to seeing y'all again.

[Elv15]

Now Michael,

You are not trying to compete with Paul "aka: the Stig", in a spiffy shoe contest - are you?

I mean his shoes! Well, you'd have to be trying pretty hard to get a more colorful pair! :p :D

[Michael Murphy]

No man competes with The Stig. Those shoes are awesome...

[soareyes]

Well, I moving my racing shoes over to the Willow Inn as my brother and his friend couldn't get the room they wanted at the Super 8. Here's the link if anyone is interested:

http://www.affordablelodging.net/willowinn-buttonwillow/

Stan

[Rod]

I registered the dreaded green Caterham for both days for HPDE 1

Doug, I would like to pitch in with the cost of the garage.

The Super 8 was unable to meet my lodging needs so I will be staying at the Willow Inn & Suites as well.

[magnusfeuer]

I booked the Willow Inn & Suites as well.

/Magnus F.

[Doug Liedblad]

Rod

I believe you'll make 10. If they were all 7s I'd say no worries but two of them are Miatas. We've fit 6 Sevens in one garage with room for more so you should be OK.

We have garages numbers 7 & 8. We can get into them after 7:00 AM Friday.

The garage list so far:

Stan
Stan's brother (Miata)
Stan's brother's friend. (another Miata)
Doug
Michael
Gert
Chris
Brad
Magnus
Rod

I'll be staying at the track.

I will also bring:

Table
my big BBQ
Floor jack that goes to 19"
Quick lift jack
Battery charger

Doug

[moosetestbestanden]

Battery charger

:D

[slomove]

I'll bring my carefully selected "bag of bolts" that has saved the butt of various fellow Seveners.....http://www.californiacaterhamclub.com/chat/images/icons/icon10.gif

I'm also at Willow Inn and Suites.

Gert

[Doug Liedblad]

I too had an alternator problem at the last Alfa event.

Also been saved by Gert's bag of bolts.

Doug

[Doug Liedblad]

BTTT

I probably won't be there until late Friday night.

Please to save room in one of the garages for my car as well as the cement pad next to garage 8 for my toyhauler.

It's part of the package per the garage rental people.

Thanks.

Doug

[slomove]

Same here, arrival late Friday but I a will stay at the hotel and go to the track Saturday morning.

[Michael Murphy]

I hope to arrive on Friday morning. I will try to secure a spot for Doug's mobile palace.

[Doug Liedblad]

Garage count:

Garages 7 & 8. We can get in anytime after 7:00 AM FRIDAY.

Stan
Stan's brother (Miata)
Stan's brother's friend. (another Miata)
Doug
Michael
Gert
Chris
Brad
Magnus
Rod
Another Rod making 11. I think. Please advise if I have left you out.

I believe we can fit all these cars in but we shall see. The garages are reported to be 25' x 25' We can always stack them two high.

The order above is the order reserved.

I'm bringing to share

BBQ large (Saturday only)
Quick lift jack
Hyd floor jack
Tire inflation stuff
Battery charger (25 amp)
Table

Doug

[Michael Murphy]

The track is open for racers on Friday ($45) so I'm planning to go down early on Friday. I will take possession of the garages. I'll bring the usual assortment of tools and some jack stands, electrical doodads, spare bolts and salad.

Does anyone have a spare nose cone fastener? (I believe they are Dzus fasteners or similar).

[soareyes]

Doug,

Its possible one or both Miatas won't need to spend the night in the garages (may go back to the motel). We'll see how it works out when we get there, but either way, they plan to chip in their share of the payment since they will be using them during the day too. I know my brother's car has never seen the inside of a garage, might get claustrophobic in the middle of the night and cause a disturbance ;)

Stan

[slomove]

.

Does anyone have a spare nose cone fastener? (I believe they are Dzus fasteners or similar).

Duct tape!!

[Doug Liedblad]

NOTE: WE HAVE PLENTY OF PAPER PLATES, PLASTIC KNIVES, FORKS, AND SPOONS left over from Thunderhill.

No need to bring more unless you are having a dinner on Friday, which I won't be there for.

Also plenty of paper napkins.

Doug

[moosetestbestanden]

Does anyone have a spare nose cone fastener? (I believe they are Dzus fasteners or similar).

I do. I'll do my best to remember to bring some.

[Doug Liedblad]

I too am bringing replacement Dzus fasteners.

Choice of flat ones or wingnut type.

If you have 1/8" pop rivets in 3/8" and 1/2" length they might be of help.

I have 1/4"

Thanks.

Doug

[magnusfeuer]

F*ck. I will not be able to make it.

The SEMA show that my startup is attending to just exploded in complexity as we now will set up our own booth instead of just piggybacking on someone else's exhibition. I will have to work more or less non-stop until the end of the month in order to get everything ready. I was planning to come, but I realized that it was time to change plans when I got a knot in my stomach just thinking of getting my car ready in time.

I am sorry. This really sucks, I was really looking forward to some high quality track time with you guys. Crappy Caterham year for me...


/Magnus F.

[Michael Murphy]

Magnus, I'm sorry you can't make it. See you at the next one.

Weather.com forecasts rain on Friday, sunny on Saturday and Sunday. Bugger. I am planning to run on the track Friday afternoon. That plan is a non starter if the track is wet.

Chris, Doug -- thanks for bailing me out with the Dzus fasteners. I have 1/8 x 3/8 aluminum rivets (per Doug's suggestion). Will try to pick up some longer steel ones on the way down.

I'm looking forward to displaying my latest acquisition, namely the ORIGINAL sevenesque car trailer which, I believe, was the model for certain cheap knockoffs that have been seen within the sevens community in recent months. (Oooh, take that Chris.)

Otherwise, all the gear is piled up in the shed, the car is loaded and so is the driver. Can't wait!

[moosetestbestanden]

I'm looking forward to displaying my latest acquisition, namely the ORIGINAL sevenesque car trailer which, I believe, was the model for certain cheap knockoffs that have been seen within the sevens community in recent months. (Oooh, take that Chris.)

This is the real reason Magnus won't be on-scene, not the (clearly transparent) excuse that he's got to get ready for the Rice Racer show in Vegas.:D

Now that you have two trailers are you going to return Pierre's favor of last May and haul his car down for him, Aussie Roadtrain style? Loogout Mates!

[Roll a 7]

With very DEEP regrets, I will also not be joining the fun this weekend @ Buttonwillow. The rest of my life has exercised a call on my time which I cannot ignore, unfortunately. The only consolation is that when they call my name on saturday morning I won't be stuck in the motel....

Have a great time and I'll see you guys next time out!!

[soareyes]

Did anyone get an email this last week from NASA with the schedule? If so, what time do we need to be there Saturday morning? What time does tech inspection open? Thanks!

Clueless in Victorville

[slomove]

Did not get an email but usually you are O.K. if you come around 7.30

[Doug Liedblad]

http://socal.drivenasa.com/events/BW-Oct06.pdf

Drivers meeting at 7:45

You can download a tech form from their website too.

Tech at the track was free last spring.

Doug

[soareyes]

Thanks Doug,
I'm on my way out the door now. Damn, its sprinkling :(
Stan

[Doug Liedblad]

The event goes on rain or shine.

I'll be there.

Doug

[Clark]

I'd like to thank everyone in our Sevens group for their hospitality and friendship towards our 'Brit' friends, Roger and Barbara Swift. Roger and his wife Barbara have been engaged in an e-mail friendship relationship with Kathy and I for close to ten years now. Through those years, we often talked about sharing time with each other at some event, and Roger made the first move! He's always said that the Seven draws excptionally fine people into its fold, and as we all departed from Buttonwillow Sunday evening, he let me know that his belief structure in the power of Seven was firmly intact!

For myself, this weekend turned a little frustrating when a wheel bearing, that I know I should have taken care of before Buttonwillow, decided to pack it in. But Roger quickly reminded me, "this is all part of the track-day experience, isn't it?" As much as the driving, he enjoyed working with everyone who pitched in with help and ideas. Ultimately, I would like to give a big THANK-YOU to Rod Lingren for allowing his Seven to be an organ donor. Once we popped his outside wheel bearing onto my spindle and put all the bits back in place, my car ran faultlessly back to Riverside - another terrific track weekend behind us. I'd also like to thank Doug for sticking around to make sure the trackside repair would hold up. He followed me to the Buttonwillow rest stop where we made a quick temperature check of the repaired hub, and knowing Doug, he would have stayed to help if the need was there. A big THANK-YOU for Doug also.

For Michael Murphey, I hope that his incident in Sunset during the race on Sunday doesn't diminish his enthusiasm for our sport. It would be easy to dismiss the accident as "that's racin", but at that level in the sport, you have the right to expect driver competence. Roger asked me afterwards when Mike's car was brought into our pit area, "how do we deal with things like this?" Over in England, Arch Motors is nearby, and they're well equiped and skilled to fix race damage to Caterhams. All I could say was that Bruce Robinson at Arch Motors is very helpful, as well as James Whiting is capable of giving good advice. We also have guys like Woody and some vintage race shops with the experience to tackle jobs like this. At any rate, my feelings go to Michael, and hopes for a quick recovery!

So, did Buttonwillow 13-CCW ROCK, or what? I'd like to hear everyone's comments, but I liked this configuration immesurably. it offered some challenges we haven't faced before, like braking for Sweeper while still in the Esses, staying waaaaaay out on Buttonhook to get that hidden late apex, and setting up those passes coming out of Cotton Corners - so easy in a Seven with our car's quick handling. I want some more!

Finally, Kathy and I are having a BBQ for the Swifts on Saturday afternoon/evening, Oct. 21. We'd love to have anyone in our Sevens group join us for this. Please let me know if you're interested.

Best wishes,

[Michael Murphy]

Calling Rod of the Crossflow -- don't know your last name or call sign. Can you send me a PM. I think you have a reversing light that I could use.

Thanks.

[moosetestbestanden]

Good to hear you made it home ok Clark!

It was a real pleasure to meet Roger (chairman emeritus of the L7CGB btw) & Barbara. Next time it's our turn to head over their way.

MM: Please keep us posted w/ your progress over the winter. I'm interested to know how much damage occured & the specific remedies. P.S.: the helmet came out smelling ok after liberally applied disinfectant:D

A real pleasure to meet Steve from my neighborhood w/ his new, gorgeous, black Caterham 7.

And Rod as well. His move up to 3 in 3 sessions and his selfless assistance w/ Clark's problem pretty much says it all. Evidently he's the only person of Scandanavian extraction from south of the Orange Curtain who understands how to properly order his priorities.:D

[rlingren]

Friends
It was a great weekend for me. Brad had spoken highly of
most of you and I would have to agree.

As to Scandinavians and closets I mean curtians,
it is understandable that Brad being of Danish
extraction may have questionable priorities but Magnus
is Swedish as am I and therefore has no excuse.
I mean what would Pippi Longstocking do ?

And as to the wheel bearing incident, Gert gave me gas,
I mean filled my tank, Roger worked for hours on Clark's
car, so did Doug, Michael and Doug worked on Michael
Murphys car, Chris brought chips, Clark teked our cars
and fixed my brake lights, we all contributed to the greater
good in our own ways.

I sent Michael Murphy pictures of his car and in stiff upper lip
fasion and all that said " the happy memories just come flooding back "

It was as well great to meet Roger and Barbara and I'm sorry
for not getting a group picture. I certainly hope to see them
again. As to going there, blatting about England and France
does have a nice ring to it. A group trip might be in order ?

This was my first NASA experience and I was very pleased
with the way it was run with the emphasis on safety and courtesy.
Also the track was for me a great mix corners and straights.

Thanks for a really fun weekend, I hope to see you all soon

Rod

[slomove]

Rod, now you have done it....Brad is Norwegian!

[Roll a 7]

To set the record straight: 5/8 Norwegian, 3/8 Swedish, and 0% Danish. 100% Caterham Stud Driver.

Furthermore, I never said anything good about any of those guys, and especially you, Rod!

[Doug Liedblad]

This explains a lot about Brad, more Norwegian then Swedish!


To set the record straight: 5/8 Norwegian, 3/8 Swedish,

Doug (75% Swedish, 25% Norwegian) Uff Da!

[Rod]

I want to say a big thank you to everyone. I had a great time and I really appreciate the welcome and camaraderie. I was really good to get away from the silly-con valley and just do stuff for fun.

The other “Rod” (Also Swedish).