just wondering (no way I am even contemplating doing a 12 hour event; I've worked as a flagman during two 4 hour events, and they looked long enough!).

What items do you guys replace as a preventative measure before one of these races? seems to me like you would need to replace ALOT of stuff; here is my first list I could think of:

- engine oil/filter (gotta be some type of super synthetic!)
- tranny oil
- coolant
- water pump
- timing belt/tensioner
- all four wheel bearings/hubs
- fuel filter
- spark plugs/cap/rotor/wires
- brake pads
- brake fluid
- repack cv joints; maybe replace boots
- brand new tires (LOTS of them)
- possibly new rod bearings and rings
- valve adjustment to spec
- rebuild the alternator brushes/contacts (some night driving I assume)

that is what I came up with for a 12 hour battle... anyone confirm what usually goes on? CrackMonkey? Warren?

later and good luck you racers!!!

Todd

 

Heh, if only you knew. John's poor showroom stock car... I think all that was done between last year's 24 hour @ Moroso and 12 hour @ the Point was an oil change and brake bleed. I know they didn't change out the hubs. I guess for a more high strung car you could do more of those things, but our car is basically just a stock car. You really don't have to be super zippy, just consistent and reliable, with good stops.

Go look at the results for the past 3 years and see where the top SSC car has placed. Note how it's always the same car too Sure is high up there in the overalls!

Warren

 

I'm not sure about a 12 hour event, but a VW driver in our club was told by Stu at BSI Racing that after a 24 hour event he could pretty much throw away everything but the chasis due to wear.

 

Again, I'm gonna say it depends on the car and the parts. John's 200SX SE-R is pretty much just an enduro car. The car was a salvage vehicle costing less than $1000. That same motor has been in the car through 2 * 24 hours, 3 * 12 hours, and numerous 2-4 hour enduros. No rebuilds or anything. They even bought a parts car for the first 24 thinking it would keel over and die, but it just refuses. They're on the same pair of KYB ( I think) shocks, and while they may not be great anymore, they've compensated with creative things like rear tire pressures well above what a normal guage can read...

The 24 hour is the only one they really mess around on the car for. I think they do hubs/bearings, and just regular fluid maintenance. Williamson made the mistake of cracking open the valve cover for something or other, and he said it was down on power after that, so I think the new rule is "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

JonSE-R, who's also crewed for the same team, can attest to the hell this little car goes through. It takes it like a champ.

Warren

 

Yeah, Williamson's car has had the **** knocked out of it during at least 90 hours of endurance racing that I know of in the last few years. With *nothing* other than basic routine maintenance that I know of. Other than brakes/tires/fluids, if they have more than $5k in that car (including purchase and prep) I'd be amazed. I've been saying how reliable these SE-R's are for years, but maybe now some people will believe me.

As for outright speed... Warren mentions the shocks (actually they are the double adjustable GAB's from the trunk kit) not quite being up to snuff, and may have previously mentioned the tires (Toyo, Kumho, or BFG G-Force) which are mostly donated by or purchased from national-level Showroom Stock racers. They don't run Hoosiers, and they usually don't run new tires of any kind.

Yes, the car only does like 1:35-36 at Summit (against a 1:32? SSC lap record) but that is in endurance trim, and most likely short-shifted. I've seen it go no slower than 1:38 for an entire 12-hour race there!

Now, as for reliability... I'd say this car is an exception to the rule. The other SSC cars (Neons) always break in one way or another, and it's not uncommon to see difficulties from SSB & ITA Miatas. I don't think an IT-prepped Honda would be anywhere near that reliable/affordable either (gasp!)

BTW: This SE-R in particular is probably nearing the end of its useful life before it will start to cost some money. That's why, uh, I might be its new owner soon.

As for pro stuff (which applies to club stuff somewhat): it all comes down to cubic dollars. Whichever team has the resources to go thru the whole car after each race and test/replace everything for the next race... is the team that is going to do well. In pro endurance racing, if you don't start the race with a like-new motor & trans, a new clutch, rebuilt shocks, new bearings/bushings everywhere, and so on... you're greatly increasing the possibility of having problems later. That's not even talking about fast and competitive yet, just being reliable. "To finish first, you must first finish." Who said racing was cheap, anyway?

Jon

 

Yeah, pros w/ lotsa $$$ do have a much better shot, but they still lost SSC class at the last 24 hour. 1 or 2 factory backed Civics went down to Walsh and Williamson!

What's funny is crewing for them is very laid back, and they never yell at you or get all bitter. It's just a bunch of boys having fun.

I think the fastest I've ever seen that car run during a sprint race at Summit is 1:33, but that was before they started to run the 24 hour. Speaking of, the last 24 hour is where Walsh decided to try a 30 psi difference from front to back. Oh, and they were taking turns to see who was brave/dumb enough to run the tires down as low as they possibly could go. One of them managed to run it past the nylon cord, and ran it well into the metal cording.

Warren

 

Yeah I crewed for them at this year's Moroso 24. The Kuhmo civic was at times 3 seconds a lap faster but we were able to stay in front with pit speed and strategy. They ended up welding a caliper to itself and the rotor trying to catch us in the last couple hours. Every tire that went onto that car had less than 3/16 tread when it started, and negative tread when it got pulled off.

They had all the spare parts ready to put in but we didn't change anything but pads, rotors (once), and tires.

One thing to consider is if the car has been raced regularly all of the things that would fail have probably been replaced relatively recently, mileage wise, so its a matter of replacing those which fail more quickly under extreme usage.

I think most cars will be more high-strung than that particular Nissan, and preventative maintenance could save mucho time and frustration at the track. I would just do most of the consumeable rotating parts, being very thorough and clean, and have spares ready if there is trouble. The Miata team next to us did a motor swap in 1:58, track-to-track, at 5AM.

Matt

PS here's a pic, I'm standing behind the pit wall (green hat)

 

The blurry guy on the left is Walsh. Recognizable by the baby poo brown suit (which is actually quite good, just can't be dyed). The blurry guy next to the driver's door kinda sorta looks like a friend of mine that works at APR. Todd Williams. Is that him? I didn't think he crewed for them this year.

Warren

 

Which is part of what makes them so successful IMHO. Walsh & Williamson are two of the coolest racers I've ever known, hands-down. They are in it for the FUN, which means... success on another level altogether. No throwing wrenches and cursing and freaking out like the pro boys, just get the car back on the track as quickly as you can and let them continue to go fast reliably. Their attitude is an inspiration, I swear.

Jon

 

That's my future track bitch, if everything goes according to plan! Prepare to see this car continue to get the **** knocked out of it at all the worthwhile mid-atlantic sprint and enduro events, as soon as Williamson accepts my lowball offer for the POS.

Jon
who has always wanted an SSC SE-R beater

 

I don't recognise who the blurry guy is, but I dont' remember anyone named Todd.