Race Prep

[ptimmerm@mashtun.JPL.NASA.GOV]

This coming weekend, the SCCA ProRally circus comes to the southwest.
Prescott Arizona hosts the Prescott Forest Rally, starting on Friday,
and running through sundays awards.  Attending with be the champion
Hyndia's of Choinere, run by rally boss John Buffum,  Carl Merrill's
400 + HP Escort Cosworth,  a couple of teams from Jamaica, running
Mitsu Evo III and a Team Toyota europe celica, a team from Japan with 
a Subaru WRX, plus a local teams with a Sierra Cosworths, Toyota Twin
Turbo Supras, Rx-7's, etc., etc.  

I will be running my ex-Groupe A Mazda 323 GTX against this field!
There is a ton of competition in the open class national field as
seen above.  I will be running divisional, where a couple of Audi
Quattros will be the cars to beat.  The mitsu's are all staying home
it appears.  A long drive, and an expensive weekend, too.

I just got my car back together and running.  Friday I picked up the
head and short block from the machine shop (Hollywood MC in Pasadena CA)
Saturday I installed the motor.  Sunday I primed the systems and got
it going.  Today I finnaly got it running right.  I had mis-installed
the distributor, causing a timing issue.  I didn't know it could go in
two ways!  %-o

It seems to run pretty well now, even though it is not yet broken in.
I put Total Seal rings, a centerforce clutch, and a new throwout bearing
into it.  the TOB had a broken ear on one side.  Anyone seen that before?

By racing this weekend when many are staying home, we have an outside chance
to steal the lead in the California Rally series seasons points chase.
there should be lots of stories to tell when I return!

TO DO:

Run in Motor
Adjust Mixture using HKS boxes
Change to Race Oil
Adjust Boost
install IC sprayer system
Pack spares
Load car
Double check tow vehicle (scarey 1980 chevy pickup)

Paul Timmerman
Car #323
Road Race Engineering, King Dragon Racing, Craftsman Brewery, Rivera R&D