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Race Day: Aug 2nd 2008(4 reads) |
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 writes "Jeff / Driver
The car has been horrible for long enough!! We’ve been looking for the problem, we know its there. Somewhere hiding is a bent ball joint, or a bent bolt or a loose something. We’ve replace with new almost everything component. We just can’t find it, we’re sick of looking and driving a crap setup. We decided to make drastic changes, in bulk. Yes, we know, the best thing to do is make minor changes and see how each one works out. I can hear some old veteran, in my head, telling me to make one change at a time…So now that we got out of the way, we’ll get right to what we would be doing, making a lot of major changes. Front springs, rear springs, upper A arms, Upper ball joints, just about everything that has anything to do with setup. Basically if we’ve ever learned of a change that will reduce the push on exit, we are changing it.
Half way threw the repairs we ran into trouble. The upper ball joint on the drivers side is frozen and will not come off. The bad news was that Jennifer, Nick and Jeff are all going to be out of town when the replacement will arrive… Enter Stephen. Stephen and Dottie are able to show up and make all the final changes to get us to the track.
Game day arrives: As is the tradition, something is very wrong right off the bat. Two laps into the first hot lap session the car starts jumping all over the place. It changes lanes without any steering input. This is a flashback of when the car climbed over Lehey #5 a few races back. Jennifer and Stephen took a look and everything looks right, but then…. Stephen notices the idler arm is moving and not in a good way. It should move left and right, this one is also moving up and down. Is this the smoking gun that has made us crazy? It’s hidden from a top view by the radiator hose. We could have easily looked past this in every inspection. This needs changed and fast, the team jumps into action. This is where we need to put out some big props to John Witthaur. He was able to get us a new one, so quickly, we were able to install it and make the happy hour.
Happy hour: Things are a lot better than last week. But not perfect
B-Main: I won’t spend much time on this, but this was the dumbest line-up I’ve seen in a very long time. The first B-main had only one car in it that was in the top ten in points. Our team and all the other top ten teams where in the second b-main. The good news is the car is doing even better. The push is getter lighter after every adjustment. We finished somewhere near 7th.
A surprise: The long lost bear makes an appearance. We thought we would never see the bear again. We are surprised to get a guest appearance from the original bear. We take to time strapping him in and getting him ready to race.
A-Main: Since the theme of the week has been throw hazard to the wind, we make more changes in bulk. Move the tire from the back to the front, change the shocks, drop the sway bar (a lot) and change the tire pressures, take some a few turns out of the diagonal, and remove some of the break bias that was put in last week. Not much left untouched.
On the first lap…… SMASH. Yup, the first lap. The officials said on the radio that 98, Lee Kimmit, ran threw 46, Eric Blackard. The entire front end is smashed. The crew inspects the damage from the stands, the temps looked good on the engine. Together we determine we may be able to stay on the track. The major issue for the driver, is the big bent hood blocking 85 percent of the view, but that’s what spotters are for, right?
Some GREAT, side by side, hard racing. Both car 84 and 8 gave us lap after lap of really enjoyable racing. The kind of racing you get once a season. Bruce in 84 had a loose condition. We thought about going high right off the bat, but he would have had a really difficult time holding the car low and not getting us both tangled. Giving him his high line ended up making about 8 laps a really fun racing. The best part was hearing the tone change in Stephen’s voice when, midway into our battle, I decide not to break off and took it three wide. That was my way of saying welcome back to the headset. My hat is off to Bruce for keeping his car, as loose as it was, in check. This ended with one of the slow cars coming up into us. I dove low and I don’t think Bruce made. The slow traffic collected him. What possesses the slow cars to jump up like that is beyond my comprehension.
Immediately following the race with Bruce (car 84) car 8 came in. This time we were up high and again, what a great time. Walbraum would get a jump and then we would get a jump. This traded back and forth for what seemed like forever. Stephen is running the mic, calling the race, watching the slow traffic and our battle. This is the type of racing you have in a dream. This is the type of racing they put in the movies. The intensity is crazy. Slow traffic is everywhere. One mistake and you loose ground, hit your marks perfectly and a little gain. At the checkered flag, it’s us, by a length and a fifth place finish. What a great race.
This week ends in a weird place. We haven’t had a good race in weeks. Then the bear shows up, were back on top. I’m not into superstition, but that’s freakin me out.
"
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Posted by Div on Tuesday, August 05 @ 23:10:51 MDT
(comments? | Score: 0) |
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Racing Update(8 reads) |
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writes "Jennifer / Crew Member
Sat June 28th - The return of the pesky push
After melting a front tire during hot laps, it was evident that the push from
the previous race had returned. Even though the tires resisted bursting into
flames, the car still was attracted towards the wall during the B-main. The
A-main was a challenge and difficult to complete with an ill performing car,
and yet we were able to navigate through a few difficult situations and
finished in one piece. It is a sad state of affairs when the highest goal for
our race team is to complete a race.
Sat June 21st - The beginning of the persistent push
Although an abundance of time and effort was put into repairing the car, she
returned to the track slower and displayed mannerisms difficult to counter.
During hot laps it became clear that the car was pushing towards the wall.
Although the team attempted to correct the problem, the B-main showed little
improvement in the car's handling. Again, we continued to make changes to
improve her performance, and again she continued to push through the A-main.
Mid-race in the A-main event a brake check went through the line on a restart
and we received damage to the rear bumper from the #5, one area we had not
had to repair in a few weeks. However, at this point, we were just happy to
finish the race.
Sat June 14th - Fathers Day
The driver's birthday and Father's day have never been lucky for our driver
and this was no exception. During the A-main race the number 40
unintentionally pushed our car into the wall causing damage to the upper
control arm, thus, rendering the car basically non-steerable. Regretfully
this malfunction resulted in a collision with the #5 car. The #5 car was on
the inside of turn 3 while we occupied the outside lane. Mid-turn between 3 &
4, as the #5 car drifted up the track the #58 turned inward impacting the
side of the car in such a manner that our car actually climbed the side of
the #5 car. This encounter sent us spinning and ended with a side impact with
the wall. Happy Fathers day Jeff."
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Posted by Div on Saturday, July 19 @ 10:41:10 MDT
(comments? | Score: 0) |
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May 31st Race 2008(27 reads) |
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writes "Jennifer / Crew Member
It has been a very long hard week as the crew endeavored to restore the car to its former state. This was quit the challenge, considering that the entire front of the car had been destroyed the previous race. Furthermore, she was fast and her set-up was perfect before she was unjustly left in ruins. May 31st arrived and it was time to go racing. Repairs were still taking place minutes before hot laps. It appeared as if she was actually going to stay together. Time to celebrate!
Before the B-main qualifiers, the crew cruised over to the hospitality area and enjoyed the festivities with Big West Racing and friends. Colorado Nation Speedway’s VIPs receive red carpet treatment with all you can eat food, drink and a great view of the races. Time flies when you’re having fun, and we almost missed our B-main race.
With a mad dash back to the pits, we threw the driver into the car and rushed to inspection. The B-main race revealed that not only was the car going to stay together but she was fast. Time to celebrate (Again)! Although this time we would resist returning to the hospitality area.
The A-main confirmed that the car was fast and proving to be a contending for the checkered. Moreover, the driver and spotter were in the zone and partnered to navigate the car through traffic and a nasty wreck between turn 2 and 3. We were in 6th place when side-by-side racing eventually bent the steering tie-rod and the night ended as we were forced to exit the track. This was a blessing in disguise. Moments after we left the race, an accident destroyed multiple cars that we were racing door to door with. Luckily, this week we only have one thing to fix, it could have been much worse.
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Posted by Div on Sunday, June 01 @ 12:59:39 MDT
(comments? | Score: 0) |
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Race Day May 24th 2008 - The Poem(23 reads) |
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writes "Shylah / Crew Member
Another race day begins passing the roaring engines and pit crews,
the smell of heavy fuel promises entertaining races for Big West news.
Our search for the Big Blue Beauty is the first challenge of the day,
her radiant sparkling webs soon tell us the way.
With our newly synchronized threads and all of our gear so nicely in their spot,
we start the day optimistically thinking we might finally have our shot!
Over the loud speaker we hear in a cracking mumbling voice,
Sportsman; bring ‘em down, gentleman you don’t have a choice.
After a few glances at the book and a quick run to the potty,
word of running the bad tire has Jennifer screaming “over my dead body”.
A few bolts here, a quick change there
we salute the good call and are glad we didn’t take a dare.
18.3’s, 18.2’s we are getting faster with each lap,
with this car’s set up, we could shoot any gap.
Confidently we enjoy happy hour on our tushes,
ready for another ½ turn adjustment if the car feels like it still pushes.
As we eat endless muffins and yummy boneless wings,
we all wait in anticipation to see what the B Main lineup brings.
Green Flag, door to door, 10 intense laps,
we finish 4th with souvenir marks from Meyer’s love taps.
Getting ready for the big race always brings butterflies and jitters,
we get her ready with a coat of wax to make sure she glitters.
Excited to start 6th in the fast line were behind,
Dottie’s got the lineup taped for when she needs to remind.
Radio check, gut check, lets roll to the scales,
we yet again explain our crate engine to the clueless smoking male.
All strapped in we wave and wish good luck,
then head to our spot in the stands; heads running amuck.
Another caution adds to the prolonging wait for our race,
please tell me we’re next so I no longer have to pace.
The award ceremony ends as Jeff announces “good temp level”,
the most exciting sound of the day is here, the intro to “runnin’ with the devil”.
Pace car is off, two more turns and a start hopefully clean,
Nick promptly yells over the radio Green, Green, Green.
A chaotic mass of cars scream into turns one and two,
no time to pick a line right now anything will do.
Gaining power through the straight away and ripping through the turns,
we pass again anticipating what a few more laps will earn.
Door to door clean racing oh what fun,
wait what was that? A hit from behind, we were spun.
Guess Who? It’s 8, who would have thought?
The guy who has to push instead of earn his spot.
An amazing recovery and we are back in the race,
another intentional blow this time ruins Carter’s face.
Out of the race and pissed as hell,
a round of applause works since we can’t yell.
Wrapped up in the drama and forgetting why we are there,
hundreds of fans appear showing how much they truly care.
Ring Pop, Push Pop, take a muffin please, please,
In fact take an extra one to throw at the #8 sleaze.
Every night for a week we will work so we can again meet
Rubbin’ may be racin’, but revenge is freakin’ sweet.
"
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Posted by Div on Saturday, May 31 @ 01:52:45 MDT
(comments? | Score: 0) |
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First Race of 2008(42 reads) |
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writes "
Nick Webb
Spotter/Crew member
5 Years!
That's right; this is the 5th anniversary of Webb Auto Racing (WAR). A lot has changed since the days when we first put a car on the track. One could say we went from a rag tag group of good for nothings, to a highly respectable race team. Of course, those who say that likely were not with us on Saturday.
First rule, in order to race well you have to make it to the track. While the car was in tow, the truck towing the trailer mysteriously shut down. I was sitting at home calmly preparing for an intense day of racing when I got the call, "Truck is dead, bring Oil". Although best efforts were made, we were unable to get the truck running. Fortunately for us, WAR has a great friend in Stephen Archer. Without hesitation, Stephen showed up with his truck and volunteered his day to help us make it to the track.
Due to the truck emergency, the team did not show up to the track until 1:00. The car began to show signs of oil leaks the moment it went on the track. When the car was off we identified some locations that needed to be tightened, by the time we had the car "race ready" we had only turned about 8 laps of practice.
Second rule, preparation is futile with finicky scales and tech officials with microscopes.
Left Side at garage: 56.0%
Left side first time on scales at track: 56.2%
Left side after removing 5 pounds from the left: 56.2%
Left Side after removing 20 pounds from left: 56.1%
So, after making the changes required to pass tech, the car was a completely different beast. The B-Main was looking to be disastrous. I no longer cared how we finished, I just hoped to finish. While watching Jeff navigate the car on the track, it was clear it was pushing, hard. With the tough setup Jeff still managed to finish.
Jeff confirmed what I saw, "I was heading straight for the wall the whole time." With no practice sessions, we were looking at an A-Main with a bad car. It was time for some drastic changes to be made, the lottery of stock car racing. It was decided to increase our cross-weight, dramatically. If we were right, it could pay off huge. If we are wrong, Jeff could end up looping the car on every turn.
When the car rolled onto the track for the A-Main, the hairs stood up on my arms. We were here, back to A Main racing. The air becomes harder to breathe and anticipation begins to fill the gut. Just as I get a calming sensation, that only seeing a pack of stock cars can give, I get a call over the radio. "There is something not right, I'm getting a vibration in the car." Back to reality, Stephen and I quickly make our way to the fence to give the car a close inspection. We were unable to see anything wrong with the car. Feeling confident the car wasn't going to fall apart, I gave Jeff the OK to take the green flag. The start of the race seemed good enough, until a minor fender bender caused an early caution. Jeff came back over the radio to let us know the vibration had not gone away. As the race went green, we lost a couple of spots as Jeff tried to manage the car. It wasn't until the race was half way over that we got a miracle. Slow traffic appeared as the car exited turn 4, with no where to go, Jeff swerved to avoid a huge collision. At the same time, Leahy, who was behind Jeff, impacted our rear fender. Although this unfortunately sent Leahy spinning, it corrected the unknown vibration in our car. The racing Gods can be so cruel.
With the vibration gone, Jeff was able to make up 4 of the positions we had lost to finish in 12th overall. It was an eventful homecoming but hopefully the rest of the "Race Days" for 2008 will go a little more smoothly.
"
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Posted by Div on Friday, April 18 @ 15:20:30 MDT
(comments? | Score: 0) |
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