Comments on: Speed:Sport:Life Race Report, August 16-17, 2008, Mid-Ohio: Go fourth and prosper.

By: Jack Baruth

Jack Baruth — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 00:33:47 +0000

Hey ACR Man,

We bench-bled the cylinder prior to, and after, installation. We also balanced the car nose-down on jackstands so the master was level, to prevent air being trapped in one end. That doesn’t mean we did it right, though… I’m starting to wish the car had cable brakes!

Right now we think we might have a bad rear brake caliper - going to swap ‘em out this week.

By: ACR MAN

ACR MAN — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 23:04:15 +0000

Re: the brake issue. Did you try bench-bleeding the master cylinder? A fellow SSC competitor once had a lot of low-pedal brake troubles at Road America just after installing a NEW master cylinder. Repeated bleeding at the calipers had no effect. I wasn’t the guy who fixed it, but I understand that their field fix was to slightly loosen each brake line at the master cylinder and gently pump the pedal to remove the offending air. If the master cylinder had been bench-bled prior to installation, they would not have had that problem…

Just a thought.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:23:35 +0000

I can’t really express how proud I am to have been part of this. It was a truly herculean effort to get this thing engineered, built, painted, and raceable in the time available. To build a Grand Am level chassis/cage like this alone in that time would have been impressive, but to get the rest of the bits into that chassis and race it is simply astounding.

Dare I say “thanks” for wrecking the green car?

I will be around for the next wreck or motor explosion whenever it happens, and we can bring it back bigger faster stronger just like this time!

By: Ryan/Ry_Trapp0

Ryan/Ry_Trapp0 — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 09:51:34 +0000

awesome stuff! i really need to save some change to get me a beater to race! well, maybe in about 5+ years, lol. cant wait to read more!!!

By: Tinman

Tinman — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 01:30:31 +0000

I would do it all over again without the slightest hint of a second thought.

Thanks to everyone involved for making this happen. It was a joy to be involved in such a task with such a fine group of individuals. And thank you Jack for both keeping her together and finishing very well under some very difficult circumstances so we can fine tune her for Nationals!

By: Mark M

Mark M — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 19:53:29 +0000

Even getting the car to the track on Friday proved to be an adventure — in what would be a weekend long theme, Matt’s truck blew a rear brake line while towing the Neon to the track, and yet thanks to his roadside MacGyver-esque repair work, we STILL managed to get on the grid and make it out for the first session.

The dedication, sacrifice and perseverance that everyone involved showed is just incredible. It’s rare that you get to do something like this in life: face a seemingly impossible task with all of your friends supporting you out of what must be some kind of group mental illness.

Jack, you did everyone proud with the way you drove. The car was terrifying enough on an open track with no traffic, never mind being surrounded by Spec Pinatas. That by itself is enough to induce nausea.

Next stop, NASA Nationals!

By: Lord Byron

Lord Byron — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 17:15:21 +0000

“Don’t hit me! I’m in PTE!”

I love it. Couldn’t be more proud. Now fix those g’damned brakes!