Weather Better - Track Testing

Finally got through the construction in our house [mostly], so I can get back to racing. No better time, either, as it's warming up and finally comfortable enough to do stuff.

I'm going to basically treat this as the pre season, so I'll have some testing and tuning. First off, general shake-off to see what is needed for each car.

The Matra was pretty much the only car that I ran through the rough parts of the winter, getting it out a total of about a half dozen times for no more than about as many laps. I didn't do anything to it during that time, and it still runs as good as the day I got it. Verdict: Needs nothing.

The Porsche needs some work. It's a bit rough in the drive and makes a bit of noise. It's also a bit slippy around the corners, even though the track has been cleaned and dusted throughout the winter. Verdict: Needs lube/oil, tire help.

Another one of those cars that can do no wrong, the Mark II is totally awesome. Quiet, smooth, great traction. Verdict: Needs nothing.

I should have known that the cars that I've had for awhile would weather the winter well. And they did. The Gulf GT40 runs like it's ready to win NOW. I'm amazed at the comeback. Verdict: Needs nothing.

The #8 runs like the overachieving little brother to the Gulf car. Everything has to be a little harder, a little more difficult. Still, top-notch race car. Verdict: Needs nothing.

The Alfa pretty much has to be driven either first or last, because if it's run in the middle of the pack, it feels like there's something wrong with it. There isn't, outside of maybe a little tire love that needs to happen. Then again, if I give some of the cars a fresh tire job, I'm going to do it to all the cars for fairness reasons

So there you have it. The track stays in it's same form from previously, so none of that has changed. I need to look at it, though, and it'll be included in my testing and cleaning up. Then we'll get down to putting down some numbers.

I'm going to take the Porsche first, as it's probably the car that needs the most work. The others are mostly quick tire jobs.

I'm going to start the testing with timing to see how things progress. I'll dig out the spreadsheets as well to make it fun. I worked up a couple that should help out a little.

Another Cold Snap

Can't race when the temps in the attic are below freezing. It got to -2C the other day, and it was way too cold to do anything. It's sitting at about +4 right now, which is still too cold for me. I took the cars out of the attic the other night and brought them into a bit warmer of a room for the next few days.

I'm ready for the under support for the track. I think I need it now. I've gotten to the point where I am doing little tweaks here and there, but it's mostly set. In truth, the whole thing could have been done in about a week of resting and finally placing. I have just drawn it on way too long, kind of like I do with everything.

So it won't be long now. I can pretty much go down and get the wood when I'm ready, and almost did it the other day. There's time, though, as it's too freakin cold to do anything up there.

Oh, we've also been discussing insulation. That's something.