GHIT 0116: Car Prep Weekend Progress and the NASA Great Lakes HPDE at Mid-Ohio Wrap UP
Vicki, Jennifer, and Bill tried to talk through the recent work weekend at the garage and then we reviewed the NASA Great Lakes HPDE Bill attended at Mid-Ohio.\xa0 Everyone was quite tired from the weekend, but we wanted to get this out while it is still fresh in our minds and to fulfill the \u201cfix\u201d of a few listeners who wanted more detail from the HPDE after Bill\u2019s \u201ctoo short\u201d episode from Saturday. \xa0If you have any more questions, we will have at least two more NASA Great Lakes Episodes in the coming weeks with other instructors and drivers from the event, so please let us know.\xa0 We also had two competing tools of the week from Jen and Vicki while they were prepping the cars for their new theming.\xa0 On this episodes \u201cDominating with Dawson\u201d segment we go into Pre-Race Thoughts and how we prep for a race weekend and a driving stint, with some of our usual digressions along the way.
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We hope you enjoy the episode and apologize for being a bit scattered and tired during the recording!
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Best regards,
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Bill, Vicki, Jennifer, and Alan
Hosts of the Garage Heroes In Training podcast and team members in the GHiT Immature Endurance Racing Team
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Highlights from the episode include:
1)\xa0 We start our discussion Live, inside the Hindenburg, or at least it sounds that way.\xa0 We are sorry but our microphone unplugged as we started recording .
2)\xa0 Progress on the mechanical and electrical projects that are needed in the BMW E36 race car, including the new passenger seat for HPDE usage
3)\xa0 Progress on the fuel cell and sway bar projects for the El Jeffe Chevy S10 race truck and the beginnings of the new theme.
4)\xa0 Our progress tape system we are using to communicate the progress and status of our various projects between all the team members that are working.\xa0 Hopefully it will help us (and you) to keep track of things and eliminate silly/avoidable errors, like torqueing lug nuts.
5)\xa0 Two new additions to the team, Randy and Dennis, who are helping us out and Randy may even drive with us in the upcoming races.
6)\xa0 We review and compare the three types of painting we have used on prior cars.\xa0 This includes spray cans/rattle cans, Plasti-dip spray cans/spray wrap, and auto paint using a HELP system.
7)\xa0 If you do use a normal spray can or rattle can, please make sure to use the auxiliary handle to make it much easier to hold the nozzle open.\xa0 After 40 or more cans, your fingers will be much happier.\xa0 Details are on our website under the tips and tricks section if you are not familiar with this attachment.\xa0 Its usually around 5-8 dollars.
8)\xa0 The demise of our \u201cBob Ross Penalty\u201d adorned to the side of the El Jeffe/Bad Hombre race truck
9)\xa0 We then discussed the HPDE at Mid-Ohio and how the changes to the Toyota 86 affected the handling of it on track
10)\xa0 Bill goes into the preparation process he uses for an HPDE, as well as for a new track.
11)\xa0 We also go into a few of the bad habits we have developed from our primary racing in endurance racing.
12)\xa0 The COVID/social distancing related changes and impacts on the event schedule and potentially on upcoming HPDE and racing events
13)\xa0 Our dogs Zoey Lemons Fischer and Ziggy Stardust Skripchuk made guest appearances throughout the episode in the background.
14)\xa0 Bill messes up by calling a C ZOO Corvette a Camaro.\xa0 Boy, he was tired, lol.
15)\xa0 Bill gets into the track prep and track map notes he makes prior to going to a new track using Mid-Ohio as the example.
16)\xa0 We describe the four drills that we used in the HPDE 2 run group this weekend.
17)\xa0 The final two sessions were Bill\u2019s favorites of the day, likely due to his being more comfortable with the track and hopefully his improved driving skill.\xa0 TBD.\xa0 Everything went well until Bill mixed his lefts and rights in describing the chicane going into the keyhole.\xa0
18)\xa0 Bill\u2019s goals going into the HPDE we accomplished, and in some cases too much in the other direction.
19)\xa0 Best practices and habits for getting the most out of an HPDE event.
20)\xa0\xa0 Bad endurance racing induced habits:\xa0 Slow to learn a track, no firm fixed points for each turn, too comfortable winging it and adjusting line and speed by visual and by feel, need to tighten up and be more consistent, especially in an open track condition and an HPDE.
21)\xa0 Goals for Bill\u2019s next HPDE session include:\xa0 1)\xa0 better prep,\xa0 2)\xa0 Fixed points on the track for BoB and EoB, Turn in, and Track out.\xa0 (apex is set)
22)\xa0 Jen\u2019s tool of the week is a grinder with a wire wheel to remove rust and paint because it is so Zen.\xa0 Vicki\u2019s tool of the week is the Power Bleeder for bleeding brake fluid and changing brake fluid.\xa0 Thank you Randy for letting us borrow it.\xa0 The tool of the week should have been a pillow.
23)\xa0 We finally figured out why Bill is here.
24)\xa0 Vicki wraps it up when she was done, lol.