Kansas City Area Thread

[MikeRoberts44]

Sounds good to me! I have already gotten "permission" also. I just got my oil and oil filter and brake fluid changed, and he supposedly checked the air filter. I would like to pull the pan and see if he did some of the things I think he did.

The antenna trick sounds good, too. I don't know the details, but mine sucks!

Should we email Lisa?

I will need an address and time. What should I bring? Tools? Upholstery clips and adhesive?

[turbophil]

Originally Posted by MikeRoberts44

Sounds good to me! I have already gotten "permission" also. I just got my oil and oil filter and brake fluid changed, and he supposedly checked the air filter. I would like to pull the pan and see if he did some of the things I think he did.

The antenna trick sounds good, too. I don't know the details, but mine sucks!

Should we email Lisa?

I will need an address and time. What should I bring? Tools? Upholstery clips and adhesive?

Cool.

I'd like to start in the morning... say 9ish?? I don't have peewee's to worry about so it's completly understandable if you need to push it back later...

Check your email from a couple days ago. I sent directions from my boefab account... possibly in your junk mail?

Go ahead and contact Lisa. I didn't get her number... It's the story of my life

I can't imagine that we'll need any tools I don't already have... However, the upholstery clips and adhesive sound interesting. I'd like to flip that lumbar support.

Sound good?

Phil

[noel_audio]

Phil - when we have a second I think that I would like to use your power bleeder to get some fully fluid through my system (since I still have some of that 'air bubble' type annoyances pop up occasionally.
Maybe the weekend of May 18th 19th weather and all other forces of nature permitting. As that is the next weekend I'm in town.
Thanks!

[darkSol]

Heartland Park Announces Road Course Configuration Changes

TOPEKA, Kan. (April 23, 2007) – Heartland Park Topeka announced today several changes to the course layout of the 2.5-mile configuration utilized for the SCCA National Championship Runoffs® Presented by AT&T.

Two sections of the race track, including Turns One, Two and Eight, will be modified prior to the 2007 Runoffs, held Oct. 8-14.



The Turn One-Two complex will become faster, with wider radius turns to encourage side-by-side racing while making it less probable for cars to run off course. The higher speeds into Turn Three will also open up the corner entry for out-braking maneuvers.

Turn Eight will no longer be a hard braking zone, with a gradual bend to the left before feeding into the right-hand Turn Nine. This section of the course is expected to be much faster. Turn 10 will become a heavier braking zone due to increased speeds out of Turn Nine.

“The new course changes will accomplish several goals. It will create faster average lap speeds, faster overall speeds, at least one very fast, ‘signature’ corner and address two problem areas where cars would frequently leave the course and bring debris back on the track surface,” Heartland Park Topeka Owner Raymond Irwin said. “Both sections will be at least one gear higher, and the Turn Eight-Nine section will be very fast, requiring both skill and courage, not unlike The Kink at Road America.”

“Raymond Irwin and Heartland Park Topeka have listened to its customers and taken a course of action that they feel best addresses the feedback from the 2006 event,” SCCA President and CEO Jim Julow said. “While the changes are minor in comparison to the complete renovation of the facility completed in 2006, we expect them to have a major positive impact on the racing.”

Construction will begin this summer and, while Irwin does not rule out the possibility of completion before late-summer events, it is expected that the new changes will be run for the first time during the Oct. 1-7 test week leading up to the Runoffs.

The SCCA National Championship Runoffs® Presented by AT&T, The Pinnacle of American Motorsports, will crown Sports Car Club of America’s Club Racing National Champions for the 44th-consecutive year in 2007. More than 700 of the best amateur drivers from across North America convene on Heartland Park Topeka’s 2.5-mile road course each fall in what is considered the “Olympics” of motorsports.

Heartland Park Topeka, a multi-purpose racing facility located in Topeka, Kan., annually hosts NHRA POWERade drag racing, Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) and many other pro and amateur drag racing, road racing and dirt racing events throughout the race season.




There goes the neighbourhood...

[turbophil]

Originally Posted by darkSol

There goes the neighbourhood...

So does that mean that the course will change for touring days as well? It looks like 8 and 9 will be changed for us, but we don't follow the path after alpha zero as it is... Wouldn't we still sweep to the left and not follow the new path at turn 1?

In any event, we'll just have to get on the FI band wagon a bit sooner with the added speed

[darkSol]

Originally Posted by turbophil

So does that mean that the course will change for touring days as well? It looks like 8 and 9 will be changed for us, but we don't follow the path after alpha zero as it is... Wouldn't we still sweep to the left and not follow the new path at turn 1?

I just hope it doesn't get too ugly looking after Alpha-Zero...

(our current config)

Originally Posted by turbophil

In any event, we'll just have to get on the FI band wagon a bit sooner with the added speed

Not until there's a safe, reliable, affordable, trackable option with no piggyback involved. Maybe in 2008.

I don't feel like blowing my engine to kingdom come on a sustained 25 minute track session in 108 degree temps in August - those were the conditions at the last 2006 Road Warriors... and not until I learn how to drive the car better and use the power I already have.

I know there's at least another 2 seconds left on that course in my current config. I can and will hit 01:40.99 this season - then it's suspension and reliable supercharger time for 2008...

Besides I'm modded out financially for 2007 - house house house house house... even new A048's are going to have to wait until mid-late season.

[babak]

bad idea. The busstop complex, turns 8 and 9, are challenging and fun. However, there were a ton of complaints at the runoffs last year about people running off and dragging dirt back on the track. This plays into the hand of the HP cars and penalizes the momentum cars IMO.

[turbophil]

Originally Posted by darkSol

and not until I learn how to drive the car better and use the power I already have.

As much as I want more ponies, your comment above became very real for me the other week Driving with turns is much more challenging than I anticipated...

Best,

Phil

[babak]

I really hope that they leave the current configuration as a possibility. I.e. pave the new section for the runoffs but leave the old one intact to allow for reconfiguration of the chicane.

[MikeRoberts44]

I spent three days in Topeka last fall watching the runoffs. I think the proposed changes are excellent! Most of the crashes and body contact were at these two locations, including a major FUBAR in E Production at turn 8, where a mean big car tried to mount a poor Lotus Seven. I think I still have that race on my DVR if anyone is interested.

I think both changes will favor the Elise. It doesn't look like the touring days configuration would change after Alpha-Zero, but I would certainly prefer to see the whole course for touring days. Turn three would be a blast in the Elise.

[MikeRoberts44]

Thanks to turbophil for hosting the first area shop day! Great shop, great day, but not a great attendence.

We changed Phil's clutch and brake fluid with his presurized changer. That went real well and was actually pretty easy. Phil did the wrench work and I kept tabs on the fluid levels and the hand pump. Of course, Phil could have done it himself, but I enjoyed seeing it.

Then we traded rides. He had not driven a car w/o sport suspension and tires and I had not driven one with. Fun experience! I like his window mounted shift light and his car certainly sounds more serious than mine. He was not able to heel and toe my car (nor could I) so when we got back he raised my brake pedal a bit to make it easier. I have been practicing and am getting there. I was actually pretty good in the Elan.

I have May 16 on my calendar for Topeka track day. Anyone else going? Anyone else up for some sort of get together?

[turbophil]

Thanks for your help Mike. I had a blast. A great way to spend an afternoon. It got me out of some yard work as well. What more could I ask for?

I'm happy to host another wrench day if anyone else is up for it...


I've already signed up for the May 16 track day. I bet Babak and Darksol have as well.

Best,

Phil

Originally Posted by MikeRoberts44

Thanks to turbophil for hosting the first area shop day! Great shop, great day, but not a great attendence.

We changed Phil's clutch and brake fluid with his presurized changer. That went real well and was actually pretty easy. Phil did the wrench work and I kept tabs on the fluid levels and the hand pump. Of course, Phil could have done it himself, but I enjoyed seeing it.

Then we traded rides. He had not driven a car w/o sport suspension and tires and I had not driven one with. Fun experience! I like his window mounted shift light and his car certainly sounds more serious than mine. He was not able to heel and toe my car (nor could I) so when we got back he raised my brake pedal a bit to make it easier. I have been practicing and am getting there. I was actually pretty good in the Elan.

I have May 16 on my calendar for Topeka track day. Anyone else going? Anyone else up for some sort of get together?

[babak]

I'm not sure about the 16th, a lot going on in my life right now.

[MikeRoberts44]

I just registered for May 16 track day at Topeka Heartland Park and will fax other stuff tomorrow.

I know Phil is signed up. Anybody else? Dave? Babak, will you be able to go?

[darkSol]

I'll be at all the HPT Touring Club track events this year.

[MikeRoberts44]

Originally Posted by darkSol

I'll be at all the HPT Touring Club track events this year.

Great! I'll need all the help I can get to figure out how to get around.

Is the best way over on I-70? Seems like there ought to be a decent "southern" route.

[darkSol]

There's NOTHING Southern unless you take K10 to Lawrence go stop by Miltons for some Coffee then continue North to I70 and on to Topeka...

[turbophil]

Originally Posted by darkSol

There's NOTHING Southern unless you take K10 to Lawrence go stop by Miltons for some Coffee then continue North to I70 and on to Topeka...

Mike, the south route, as Dave said, is K10 to Lawrence. Except the correct route through Lawrence is to grab a Chipotle burrito on Mass and then on up top city (that's what I do anyway)...

Dave, the LAST thing you need is coffee


See you guys Wednesday

Best,

Phil

[darkSol]

Originally Posted by turbophil

Dave, the LAST thing you need is coffee

I don't understand - what are you trying to say?

I've been assured that my uncontrollable twitching condition has stopped.

I don't have OCD


I don't have OCD







I don't have OCD

Never mind.

[MikeRoberts44]

Anyone want to meet in KC, caravan over with a stop in Lawrence?