2007 RSR Archive
go figure... 
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
From: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
As Mark mentioned above, we broke an engine in the 198 on lap two of the 1st session. Like the good 'Boy Scouts' that we are (always prepared!), we installed the spare and were ready to go Saturday morning, missing only the Friday afternoon session.
We were puzzled by the failure. It appears we had a part failure. We think a rod broke. There was nothing in the oil, no bearing material, no nothing!. Just a dent in the bottom of the pan. The Data showed full oil pressure, normal engine temps, no over-rev right up to the failure. The engine had 4 hours of dyno time and still had the break-in oil for the that session. All the parts passed magnaflux testing during assembly.
We chalk the failure up to bad luck. Better now than later in the month. We will tear it down in the next few days and see what happened.
Anyway . . . The real problem was the lost test time. We had an extensive agenda of items to sort out. We still got 90% of them done so we are very happy. The plan was to use the 197 as a driver and the 198 as a test platform.
We effectively lost 3 sessions in the 198 . . . session 1 = engine failure . . . session 2 = new engine install . . . session 3 = break in new engine . . . session 4-6 = actual testing.
The 197 performed flawlessly and ran about 500 miles at racing speed in the 3 days.
- We sorted out the high speed suspension setup.
- We successfully tested the new front grills after the Grand Am induced disaster at VIR.
- We verified the engine tuning.
- We made some valuable updates to the "AIM' dash data system.
- We tested and confirmed the updated JCW brake system.
- We all gained valuable seat time on the newly paved Daytona infield.
- We got an upclose and personal look at the 2008 competition.
- Both cars passed tech and were verified by Grand Am for 2008.
- We trained some new crew who will be with us in '08.
All in all, a good weekend. It was an expensive trip, but worth the effort. When we arrive at Daytona later this month, we will be be ready to go and can focus on racing!
Looking forward to seeing many of you again at the track. Please come out and show your support.
Randy
We were puzzled by the failure. It appears we had a part failure. We think a rod broke. There was nothing in the oil, no bearing material, no nothing!. Just a dent in the bottom of the pan. The Data showed full oil pressure, normal engine temps, no over-rev right up to the failure. The engine had 4 hours of dyno time and still had the break-in oil for the that session. All the parts passed magnaflux testing during assembly.
We chalk the failure up to bad luck. Better now than later in the month. We will tear it down in the next few days and see what happened.
Anyway . . . The real problem was the lost test time. We had an extensive agenda of items to sort out. We still got 90% of them done so we are very happy. The plan was to use the 197 as a driver and the 198 as a test platform.
We effectively lost 3 sessions in the 198 . . . session 1 = engine failure . . . session 2 = new engine install . . . session 3 = break in new engine . . . session 4-6 = actual testing.
The 197 performed flawlessly and ran about 500 miles at racing speed in the 3 days.
- We sorted out the high speed suspension setup.
- We successfully tested the new front grills after the Grand Am induced disaster at VIR.
- We verified the engine tuning.
- We made some valuable updates to the "AIM' dash data system.
- We tested and confirmed the updated JCW brake system.
- We all gained valuable seat time on the newly paved Daytona infield.
- We got an upclose and personal look at the 2008 competition.
- Both cars passed tech and were verified by Grand Am for 2008.
- We trained some new crew who will be with us in '08.
All in all, a good weekend. It was an expensive trip, but worth the effort. When we arrive at Daytona later this month, we will be be ready to go and can focus on racing!
Looking forward to seeing many of you again at the track. Please come out and show your support.
Randy
Good luck!
Steve
ps: what tires are using now that you have gone to 15's and what size?
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3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
Randy.... that is classic 
No wonder I couldn't get over 6,000 rpm in 6th.
I never even saw that thing flying back there. Now I understand the whispers and laughing during my 5 min. penalty.
Damn we are a funny bunch!!
Mark
No wonder I couldn't get over 6,000 rpm in 6th.I never even saw that thing flying back there. Now I understand the whispers and laughing during my 5 min. penalty.
Damn we are a funny bunch!!
Mark
Last edited by Rsstopper; Jan 8, 2008 at 06:08 PM.
Coordinator :: RSR Motorsports Forum
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 629
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
I'll tell you what, it certainly felt like we were dragging that chute!
It was great to run the car again and I have to say that this team as a whole is awesome! As posted already, there were a lot of challenges that came up on the #198 car, but the #197 was flawless once again! We could run that thing as hard as it would go and it never complained!
Randy, you have a great team once again this year and I look forward to being a part of it! We certainly do have fun!
Now, we just have to find some cars to tuck up under and let them tow us around the oval for some even faster lap times!
Owen is also very happy - he told me that you guys do it right - you have a great crew, great team, and that we are all working towards the same goal - better, faster, and placing higher!
Should be another great season with some great strides!
It was great to run the car again and I have to say that this team as a whole is awesome! As posted already, there were a lot of challenges that came up on the #198 car, but the #197 was flawless once again! We could run that thing as hard as it would go and it never complained!
Randy, you have a great team once again this year and I look forward to being a part of it! We certainly do have fun!
Now, we just have to find some cars to tuck up under and let them tow us around the oval for some even faster lap times!
Owen is also very happy - he told me that you guys do it right - you have a great crew, great team, and that we are all working towards the same goal - better, faster, and placing higher!
Should be another great season with some great strides!
Coordinator :: RSR Motorsports Forum
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 629
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From: Arizona
Daytona Engine
The verdict is in . . . the #4 piston broke. The rod and wrist pin, now free, went through the block. The lower end is junk.
This is really just bad luck. You can't check the integrity of an aluminum piston with Magnaflux. Sometimes you get a bad one and I guess this was our time.
This may sound a little bizarre, but we were pleased to find out it was a simple, albeit expensive, part failure. It means the engineering and design are valid . . . whew !
Let's hope this uses up our 'bad luck quotient' for the season.
This is really just bad luck. You can't check the integrity of an aluminum piston with Magnaflux. Sometimes you get a bad one and I guess this was our time.
This may sound a little bizarre, but we were pleased to find out it was a simple, albeit expensive, part failure. It means the engineering and design are valid . . . whew !
Let's hope this uses up our 'bad luck quotient' for the season.
Coordinator :: RSR Motorsports Forum
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 629
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
RicK . . .
That must be your . . . Zen . . . Yoga . . . contemplating your navel . . . prepping for the 'bus stop' . . . relaxation . . . focus on the task at hand . . . pre-race . . . GET' ER DONE mode. Right?
Or were you just taking a nap?
6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,731
Likes: 0
From: Anaheim, CA
Its great to hear you are happy with the nature of the failure.
The chute image is classic, if its OK I'm gonna make it a wallpaper!
Odd about the JCW wing, when you can use the JCW brakes and a different factory grill. They must be afraid of the wings craptastic aero benefits. Your CD may go from 0.60 to 0.59!
Can't wait to see you guys tear up the competition this year.
The chute image is classic, if its OK I'm gonna make it a wallpaper!
Odd about the JCW wing, when you can use the JCW brakes and a different factory grill. They must be afraid of the wings craptastic aero benefits. Your CD may go from 0.60 to 0.59!
Can't wait to see you guys tear up the competition this year.
Coordinator :: RSR Motorsports Forum
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 629
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From: Arizona
They want the cars to look as much like street cars as possible. They want the fans to identify with the cars. Therefore, some items like body trim, spoilers, fender flares MUST be exactly as you can buy them from your dealer. I have been unsuccessful getting them to understand that the JCW body parts are optional and can be purchased from any dealer.
They are just as tough on the other teams. Some teams have it easier because of the way the factory builds them, As an example, the Cobalt SS comes with all the trick parts, spoilers, IC's, brakes, etc. You don't need to fight for something that's already on the car.
In all fairness, Grand Am has been pretty fair with us. It's just taken a long time to get there.
Randy
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
hey I was just at Daytona last month running a street mini and I ran the high banks without any issues.
Hey Randy - I've got a few hours on that track now and time on my hands thanks to some cut backs at my old job, in case anyone needs to back out I would be glad to help you log some laps in the Koni race if needed!
seriously, glad to hear most of the testing went well and that the failure does not leave you wondering what went wrong.
Looking forward to seeing you guys in two weeks at the races, good luck in your prep for the track.
Coordinator :: RSR Motorsports Forum
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 629
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
hey I was just at Daytona last month running a street mini and I ran the high banks without any issues.
Hey Randy - I've got a few hours on that track now and time on my hands thanks to some cut backs at my old job, in case anyone needs to back out I would be glad to help you log some laps in the Koni race if needed!
seriously, glad to hear most of the testing went well and that the failure does not leave you wondering what went wrong.
Looking forward to seeing you guys in two weeks at the races, good luck in your prep for the track.
Hey Randy - I've got a few hours on that track now and time on my hands thanks to some cut backs at my old job, in case anyone needs to back out I would be glad to help you log some laps in the Koni race if needed!
seriously, glad to hear most of the testing went well and that the failure does not leave you wondering what went wrong.
Looking forward to seeing you guys in two weeks at the races, good luck in your prep for the track.
What was your car's terminal velocity?
Daytona is a blast!
Randy
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,362
Likes: 1
From: Winston-Salem, NC
It seems a little ridiculous doesn't it? Here's the theory . . .
They want the cars to look as much like street cars as possible. They want the fans to identify with the cars. Therefore, some items like body trim, spoilers, fender flares MUST be exactly as you can buy them from your dealer. I have been unsuccessful getting them to understand that the JCW body parts are optional and can be purchased from any dealer.
They are just as tough on the other teams. Some teams have it easier because of the way the factory builds them, As an example, the Cobalt SS comes with all the trick parts, spoilers, IC's, brakes, etc. You don't need to fight for something that's already on the car.
In all fairness, Grand Am has been pretty fair with us. It's just taken a long time to get there.
Randy
They want the cars to look as much like street cars as possible. They want the fans to identify with the cars. Therefore, some items like body trim, spoilers, fender flares MUST be exactly as you can buy them from your dealer. I have been unsuccessful getting them to understand that the JCW body parts are optional and can be purchased from any dealer.
They are just as tough on the other teams. Some teams have it easier because of the way the factory builds them, As an example, the Cobalt SS comes with all the trick parts, spoilers, IC's, brakes, etc. You don't need to fight for something that's already on the car.
In all fairness, Grand Am has been pretty fair with us. It's just taken a long time to get there.
Randy
Good luck!
1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
- Founder of the "Fat Guy in a Little Car" Racing Team
The good news is, as I am eating my bowl of fruit for breakfast, I have already dropped 4 lbs. from last weekend and have gotten my workouts in every day since coming back from Daytona, so I am working on the navel!!
In all honesty, I am pretty sure I was visualizing the track in this picture, I do that a lot. If I can drive the track in my mind, it makes it all that much easier to hit my marks and find a lower lap time. The funny thing is when I am on airplanes, I watch video of the tracks and pretend I am driving - I hold my hands up and "control" the steering wheel, along with replicating the shifts and pedal positions. I get some strange looks from people on the plane, but then they want to talk about racing, so it's all good!
Last edited by SCORPIO; Jan 10, 2008 at 07:04 AM.
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
What were your lap times? between 26's and 30 depending on traffic, this was not a free passing, rather a HPDE
What was your car's terminal velocity? 137 / 139
Daytona is a blast! - yes it is, and both cars that participated in the Audi Club HPDE are going back again this December to do it again and we hope to have more Minis join us this time.
both cars are set up similar
BC Coilovers
19mm Rear Sway bar
M7 USS
upgraded brake pads
15% pulley
CAI
Cat back exhaust
both run R comp tires
Neither of us are Pro drivers, but Mr Pobst did take out my buddy's car with him in it for a few hot laps, and he was turning 22's in it
but they are both full street cars, with full interiors, stock motors, lots of excess weight.
What was your car's terminal velocity? 137 / 139
Daytona is a blast! - yes it is, and both cars that participated in the Audi Club HPDE are going back again this December to do it again and we hope to have more Minis join us this time.
both cars are set up similar
BC Coilovers
19mm Rear Sway bar
M7 USS
upgraded brake pads
15% pulley
CAI
Cat back exhaust
both run R comp tires
Neither of us are Pro drivers, but Mr Pobst did take out my buddy's car with him in it for a few hot laps, and he was turning 22's in it
but they are both full street cars, with full interiors, stock motors, lots of excess weight.
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R56 :: Hatch Talk (2007+)
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