Expanding Into Another Form of Motorsports

Posted on April 1, 2011 by Dave Gran

We have decided to increase the spectrum of racing we cover to include an even more grassroots form. Surprisingly over the past several months, we have received numerous inquires about how to get started in tractor racing. Yes, you’ve read this right! At first we quickly dismissed it but then began to do a bit of research. To say that we were in shock with what was discovered is an understatement. These tractors which can be built for under $900 and travel up to speeds of 40 mph…in a tractor!

From what we’re learning, the rules appear to be fairly consistent among the sactioning bodies and incorporate many aspects which are seen in Club Racing. I expected a basic “remove the cutting blades” and limit engine modifications but it goes way beyond this. For example, they require that all drivers wear an “approved for racing” neck support. We haven’t been able to figure out what exactly this means yet.

In order to provide you a quality resource on how to begin tractor racing, I twisted Kai’s arm to build a mower and attend a few events. Once we get a bit further into this venture we’ll be able to compile a new section on this site.

Should be fun!

UPDATED: We hope you enjoyed your April Fool’s Day, not that we wouldn’t give this a try. :)

DIY Tire Mounting & Balancing – a Realistic Option?

Posted on March 15, 2011 by Dave Gran

While I don’t exactly enjoy spending money on tire purchases, at least I feel like I’m getting something for what I’m spending. Paying a shop between $100 and $120 to mount and balance each set of tires? That just frustrates me! Considering how often many of us racers need race tires mounted and balanced, this becomes expensive quickly. There’s got to be a better way. Continue reading →

Should Racing be Considered a Drug?

Posted on March 11, 2011 by Dave Gran

Hello. My name is Dave Gran. I’m a racing addict. I admit that I think about racing too much. My wife tells me racing is not a hobby of mine, it’s a habit. Fine. Whatever. She’s right.

I find myself in boring work meetings day dreaming about how to become a faster driver. How can I get more more money to go racing? The car I drive is proven to be quick, but lets face it, no race car will ever be fast enough. Just this past week I went to my supplier, Kessler Engineering, and he was busy tuning a car on the dyno. He showed me the results of making some ECU adjustments and proceeded to say, “Dave, I could see us getting some nice gains with your car too.”

Uggg. “I need to get that done to my Prelude” I say to myself.

A friend, Greg Amy, has often said that racing just might be harder to give up than drugs. “With racing, friends and often times family members support the addiction. They push you do go further with it.”

The highs in racing are so incredible, and the lows test you to see what you’re made of. I love this sport! It’s morphed into being a part of my life and who I am. Yeah, it should probably be considered a drug. Want a taste?

Porsche Pilgrimage

Posted on February 22, 2011 by astrophysathingy

The Porsche Museum in Zuffenhausen, Germany

If you are a motorsport enthusiast, you probably know about historic sports cars, racers and races; if not, you are interested in learning about some the above; if you are technically inclined, you love the beauty of sports cars, perfection and ingenuity of their engineering, their development from the very beginning to the present day.

Whatever part of motorsports and cars fascinates you, the Porsche Museum is for you. Astrophysathingy and Ivy took the opportunity during this holiday season’s visit to Germany.

Continue reading →

How Astrophysathingy got into racing: IV. HPDE – Lime Rock, Zen and Transformation

Posted on February 10, 2011 by astrophysathingy

Finally the big day was there. I had signed up for my first HPDE at Lime Rock Park with the Sports Car Driving Association, had prepared everything, the car was checked, clean, had everything from Dave’s what-you-need-list in it. I had agonized about every detail for weeks, and was ready to go.

I got up very early, about 5 AM – if you are into motorsports, you will find that all events start early, and you need to get there, so getting up at o-dark-thirty becomes a habit. Fortunately, the adrenalin and expectation of a thrilling day behind the wheel helps with the jumpstart. You also develop a sense of appreciation for roadside places that sell hot coffee at 6 AM.

While driving through Northwest Connecticut, I was excited, but also nervous.

Continue reading →

Kai, how come you don’t race a nice Porsche?

Posted on February 2, 2011 by astrophysathingy

On street cars vs race cars: Accidents, Repairs, and the cost of racing.

Hi all,

I had started writing this article to address the above topic, but soon realized that I would have to go a bit into the different cost factors of racing. Dave has already written about this in his book / this webpage (see HERE and HERE), and this post elaborates on some of the aspects, in part telling my own experience, in part summarizing what I learned in discussions from experienced people – big thanks to the sandbox.

Why do I spend time on this? Because I think it is important to explain this to every beginner before they decide what kind of car to race and write a big check. I do not mean to discourage anyone from racing – most of you who read this blog are likely addicted anyway . The purpose is to help with the decision what kind of car you can not only afford to buy, but also afford to maintain, repair, and race for a good number of events every season. This should maximize the fun and minimize frustration.

It is not a red flag. It’s an orange cone to help you avoid the pothole.

Kai

Dave and Kai, testing at Lime Rock Park

Many people look at my car and say “That doesn’t look like a racecar at all.” They are kind of right. It has big numbers and some stickers, but it is obviously an old Honda Civic. There are no wings or aggressive aerodynamics, no huge tires. Is it fast? That depends on the driver, and on what you call “fast”. In its class, yes, the car is fast. Sam and Susan Ryan, who built and raced the car before they sold it to me, were really successful with it. Does “fast in its class” mean “boring Mickey Mouse racing with a grocery getter”? Let’s ask our very own Dave. He holds the SCCA track record in his class (ITB) at Watkins Glen. Watkins Glen is an active NASCAR, INDY and former F1 track, and probably the fastest and most challenging road course in the Northeast. The racing legends of the past have made history there, and some lost their lives. After his first full-speed qualifying session in the Civic, Dave had a huge smile on his face, his eyes were full of adrenalin. “This car is scaaaary!!!” he said.

Continue reading →

How a Simple Fire Can Get Less Than Simple

Posted on January 26, 2011 by Dave Gran

by Jake Gulick

Saturday afternoon, I was moving cars around. Long story short, I backed my truck up my longish driveway and left it near the street. Then I moved my 1973 911 and since it has no choke, and a sketchy battery that needed lots of help to turn the engine over, I left it running (crappily, as you’d expect a flat 6 carbed car that has no choke to run in 22 degree weather), while I got another car and left IT right behind the 911. All to get my girl friend’s POS minivan that I had just done the brakes on out of the garage.

As I got out of the last car in line, and was walking back to the garage, I hear a weird ‘boom” from the spitting and fast idled 911. Odd, and I turned around. Hmmm, LOTS of smoke, even more than I’d ever seen. I look closer, and see, suddenly, orange light below, and quickly through the engine vent. FIRE! Continue reading →

Light sabers, cones and happiness

Posted on December 20, 2010 by astrophysathingy

The other morning while in a motel parking lot I saw a middle-aged lady, obviously in poor health, with an old Lincoln, the trunk full of old clothes and items of daily use. Most likely it was all she had. Next to her was an 8 year old blond chubby boy in a dirty old sweater. The boy looked like me when I was his age. As I walked by, he started a conversation with me and proudly showed his two old plastic toys he was carrying – a Star Wars laser gun and a light saber, both of which had parts missing. I remembered being a kid, loving Star Wars, and the jolly little guy brought a smile to my face. At the same time, it reminded me how many children there are living in rough conditions. Continue reading →

Guide to Purchasing Safety Gear Online

Posted on December 9, 2010 by Dave Gran

Wouldn’t it be great if we all had a racing safety equipment store with a large inventory and reasonable pricing right near us? Unfortunately the majority of us are not so lucky. Then if there is a store nearby, chances are they do not have many different brands or sizes to choose from. This leads us to making purchases though online suppliers, which for some raises a concern of not being able to try on items. I sat down with Steve from OG Racing to get an industry expert’s advice on making these online purchases. I admit to being biased towards OG Racing having been a loyal customer of theirs for several years even before they became a sponsor to this free resource. Continue reading →

Great Racing Gift Ideas

Posted on November 24, 2010 by Dave Gran

We all know what the holiday season should really be all about…you getting racing goodies!! No really, you deserve it. However, if you’re like me, people have no idea what you’d like as potential gifts. Below are some neat items that you should consider putting on your wish list. Continue reading →