08-10-02

Whiteland Raceway

This was the final race in the SIRA Mini-Series.  It was our second race of the day about a two hour drive.  Brooks had won the first 2 races so he only had to finish 3rd or better and he had it!

     Heat 1- We were down on power earlier in the day for no apparent reason.  Things didn't change any here either.  Brooks lead the first few laps and then Zack passed him and that was that 2nd!   Heat 2- Brooks beat the field off the standing start and lead the first couple laps and with 2 laps to go he never came back around.  We couldn't see all the way around the track.  I was worried big time but an official radioed back that he just broke down and had not crashed or anything.  Carb fell off again?  I can tell you that we suffered way more than our share of bad luck in this our first full year of racing!

During the breaks between the heats and feature I was cleaning out the carb and found a small hairline crack under the intake.  It was just small enough that it would run great until the temps built up and then it would expand and away 1000 rpm!  I borrowed a carb from a friend, cleaned it out and fired it up!

Feature- We are on the grid and it won't start now!  We did a quick plug change and got it going.  Brooks jumped out to the lead again and was gone.  About 3 laps later Zack passes him again and start leaving him.  Zack and Brooks lap the field but a separated.  Brooks keeps getting slower and slower and the field repasses him and and is pulling away quick.  By this time I am panicing and I can see Brooks look at me as he goes by wondering what is wrong.  Somehow it finished the race and limps in taking 2nd place.  Problem?  The choke on this carb was loose and it was slowly vibrating shut cutting the amount of air and fuel!   I can tell you that we suffered way more than our share of bad luck in this our first full year of racing! 

He won the first ever SIRA Mini-Series Championship so I guess it was a good day!