Landracing Forum

East Coast Timing Association => ECTA General Chat => Topic started by: 55chevr on September 23, 2010, 07:16:57 PM

Title: September 2010 Meet
Post by: 55chevr on September 23, 2010, 07:16:57 PM
My brother Tom and I are on the road from New York to Laurinburg ... we just stopped for gas in Rocky Mount North Carolina ... the temperature was 91 degrees with low humidy ... this will be a hot one ... should make the Comfort Inn by 10:00.

Joe
Title: Re: September 2010 Meet
Post by: White Monster on September 26, 2010, 08:59:22 AM
I'm home, sick as a dog in bed, missing all the starting line fun, feeling sorry for myself.
Keith called me yesterday and told me that they shut down at 5:30 because there were no more racers !!
Our junk broke in Loring.
What is going on with everyone else ?
 :?
Title: Re: September 2010 Meet
Post by: 55chevr on September 26, 2010, 11:36:23 AM
Charles went 154 mph on his shake down run ... a new E record ... his push off was picture perfect ...

(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd166/55chevr/IMG_0414.jpg)

The "Cajun Kid" unloading the Stude at Maxton

(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd166/55chevr/IMG_0418.jpg)

The view out of the front window of the push truck on the first Maxton run.
Title: Re: September 2010 Meet
Post by: theazoldcrow on September 26, 2010, 01:10:26 PM
 :cheers:  Conratulations Charles!   Was that "E" record your own?      Crow.
Title: Re: September 2010 Meet
Post by: Cajun Kid on September 26, 2010, 01:11:06 PM
Joe,  thanks for all your help this weekend.  Also great job staging me and pushing me at the start. That Chevy truck of yours got the Stude out of the hole good.

Tell Tom it was nice meeting him as well,

Oh for the RECORD... the shakedown run was 158.6xxx  and it did set the record 18mph over the previous record
(oh the Little "E" motor has more in it.)

On the next run after the lunch break it was much hotter, Joe your push was even better and between the 5/8 mile bump and the 3/4 mile mark, my GPS read 166 mph and charging,, then the throttle cable broke and whew !!! what a unexpected rush when the butterfly snapped closed like that,,, well the chute did it job and I pulled to the right out of the race groove and took short shutdown (I had no idea what happend till I got out of the car and looks things over)

I was pissed,, a $1 part cost me a 170+ run..  oh well that's racing.

Thanks to all the track crews and volunteers.  Also Thanks  John Shell, Hooley Huffman, Eric (racer X) Terry Russell and Lawson, and Joe and Tom Daly,

My crew was back at the RCR and Rod Crafters car show and open house, and all these guys above stepped up to help me,, Thanks.

See you all in October,,

Charles
Title: Re: September 2010 Meet
Post by: Cajun Kid on September 26, 2010, 01:15:45 PM
Crow,

Yes the previous Record was mine from 2008 with the Vicky.... it was 140.xxx  with the same E motor. the Vicky was and is still not able to make a full throttle pass, it gets "a bit" of a handfull on the bumps and patches.

The Stude has the 2008 "E" Motor from the Vicky (all we did was go from and automatic to a 4 speed and change the cam)  I guess the Studebaker is more aerodynamic and has much better suspension.. (ya think  :evil:)  Same motor put 18 mph on the record on a soft shake down pass,,, oh what a nice debut run for the Stude at Maxton.

Charles
Title: Re: September 2010 Meet
Post by: Glen on September 26, 2010, 01:17:09 PM
Charles you did good, sh*t happens, still a good run and you are getting the seat time and learning the new car.
 :cheers:
Title: Re: September 2010 Meet
Post by: Cajun Kid on September 26, 2010, 01:33:43 PM
Glen,  yes you are right Sh#t happens,,,, I was in such a rush packing the new trailer, I did not load any spare parts or nuts and bolts etc... just tools, compressor, fluids, tape, jack, jack stands, plugs and plug wires etc.. Oh well, now I have a month to pack the trailer properly. (why did I need all them tools if I forgot all my extra parts ??)  LOL

Seat time is good, all I can say is driving the Stude vs the Vicky is night and day.  The Vicky is very fun and has a cool factor off the charts,, but the Stude is a purpose built race car with modern chassis and suspension,, oh better aero does not hurt either.

Charles
Title: Re: September 2010 Meet
Post by: Rchop on September 26, 2010, 03:11:28 PM
The Stude is a better looking car in person than even those great pics, Charles  :cheers: Congrats on the new record, I can't wait to see it run at Loring. It was fun, see you in the spring.
Title: Re: September 2010 Meet
Post by: Glen on September 26, 2010, 03:30:18 PM
Charles that's where a white board in the trailer becomes a TOOL as well. None of us can remember everything. I have to leave notes to myself on the cell phone when on the road etc. Oh, and remember to look at it when I get to "B".
 :cheers:
Title: Re: September 2010 Meet
Post by: Cajun Kid on September 26, 2010, 04:02:59 PM
Glen, I have  Two   3ft x 4ft white boards in the shop.
I am normally very organized and structured, but this past week was to much going on at the last minute, I never went to shop 2 where the checklist is,,, I loaded what I could see  and took off,, ya know how that happens.

I will have a white board checklist in the shop, a redundant white board in the trailer and a printed checklist on a clip board and then a copy on my phone too.... This WILL NOT happen again ( I hope LOL)

I am not going to let a $1 fitting stop my racing again.... (it may be a $2 part next time,,,LOL)

Charles
Title: Re: September 2010 Meet
Post by: joea on September 26, 2010, 07:08:33 PM
any other results..?..
Title: Re: September 2010 Meet
Post by: Cajun Kid on September 26, 2010, 08:05:34 PM
any other results..?..

Nothing official yet, I do know that Randy Smith set the record a few times on his Turbo Push Rod 750 was 109.xxx now I think 129.xxx... The Eric (racer x) upped the 250 record I think to 121.xxx  then hit the juice agin and blew up.  Jarl on another 250 was hot lapping and set a few records.  Roy Brooks finally got in the 2 Club on his bike Saturday morning.

I am no SSS, Ray the Rat, or 55Chevr, not good at reporting, just a few runs I remember.

Deb and Donna normally have the run logs up pretty quick,

Charles
Title: Re: September 2010 Meet
Post by: sabat on September 26, 2010, 10:26:39 PM
It was hot and sticky, but also sparsely attended. The wet stuff stayed away until 1pm Sunday. By 11am , there was almost no one in line. Joe was calling for people, begging.

Congrats to Roy Brooks who got into the 200 club naked on motor, ZX14, sorry I missed the hat ceremony. You're racking up the hats these days  :cheers:

Eddie Powell also got in the ECTA 2-club with a turbo Busa SIDECAR - no small task. Big balls. Congrats, he's been running high 190s for a while.

Todd Dross secured the 2010 ECTA points championship for Scott Guthrie Racing with a 169 pass on the NA Busa sidecar. WTFG.

Eric RacerX toasted plugs (at least) spraying his Ninja 250 but looked happy with 121.

Jarl Walthe (sp) also sprayed for the first time, and went 125 on his single cylinder altered 250, congrats.

Josh Owen went 212 on Debbie Dross' stock motor nitrous Busa, faster than the bike has ever been at Maxton.

Debbie ran 119 on a new Triumph standard (1200?) faster than the bike (Ken Presson's) has ever been.

Don Haas went 236 on his beautiful turbo GSXR1000, the fastest 1000 on the mile anywhere, huge congrats. Ran 234 twice as well.

We struggled a little with chassis issues on the naked Guthrie H2 Busa, but made a bunch of passes between 225 and 235, with a best of 239, top speed of the meet. I had a great time, looking forward to trying again with a few changes and cooler weather next month.

Dean
Title: Re: September 2010 Meet
Post by: DahMurf on September 26, 2010, 11:33:12 PM
Results are finalized but I'm tired. I'll have them up on the web in the morning.
Sorry for the delay.  :-D

Debbie
Title: Re: September 2010 Meet
Post by: racer x on September 26, 2010, 11:39:55 PM
delay? you go get some sleep.Dang

Yes Charles the Stud looks better in person  Driving was a blast .Even at 3 mph .  :-D

I pushed it a little to much by adding to much timing advance. But it will be easy to fix. Just rebuild it all and try again with a new set up . Would not want to come back in October with same old thing.

I got to give a special thanks to Todd for schooling me on Nitrous handling . I am on a very steep learning curve. It helps to have friends .

As always the volunteers that stood the heat . You are the best. :cheers:
Title: Re: September 2010 Meet
Post by: redcatch on September 27, 2010, 07:33:00 AM
Had the pleasure of attending this week end and was very suprised!! Best secret around. ECTA. Think I found a neat place that isn't 3600 miles from home. What a great bunch of people. Special thanks to Keith Turk for a warm greeting. Will be back in April? with my "junk"

Bob Cox
Title: Re: September 2010 Meet
Post by: DahMurf on September 27, 2010, 12:38:55 PM
Results are up. Let us know if anything looks out of whack!
Title: Re: September 2010 Meet
Post by: 55chevr on September 27, 2010, 01:30:55 PM
Bob --- Keith was nice?  Are you sure it was Turk you talking to?

Joe
Title: Re: September 2010 Meet
Post by: redcatch on September 27, 2010, 01:43:38 PM
he's a retired Helicopter pilot and I didn't make him mad. Of course he was nice.
Title: Re: September 2010 Meet
Post by: RansomT on September 27, 2010, 01:59:52 PM
Results are up. Let us know if anything looks out of whack!

(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/9969165/cheezburgerbike.jpg)
Title: Re: September 2010 Meet
Post by: DahMurf on September 27, 2010, 03:58:00 PM
Results are up. Let us know if anything looks out of whack!

(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/9969165/cheezburgerbike.jpg)

BAAAAA HAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAA

Will you be there in October to collect your cheezzeburger bike fuel?  :-D

Debbie
Title: Re: September 2010 Meet
Post by: DahMurf on September 27, 2010, 07:36:16 PM
...

We struggled a little with chassis issues on the naked Guthrie H2 Busa, but made a bunch of passes between 225 and 235, with a best of 239, top speed of the meet. I had a great time, looking forward to trying again with a few changes and cooler weather next month.

Dean

Great summary Dean, thanks! Great job keeping up with it all while concentrating on your own ride!

Your Twin Jugs Racing support Crew would like to extend a hearty congratulations on your fastest pass ever at Maxton, naked no less, and obtaining the top speed of the meet! There were many witnesses to your demonstration of outstanding riding abilities!!! Way to go! You make us very proud to be on your team!  :cheers:

Debbie, Todd & Josh
Title: Re: September 2010 Meet
Post by: sabat on September 27, 2010, 09:03:50 PM
Awwww, thanks Debbie. I can't say enough about how well Twin Jugs Racing handles all the tasks thrown at them. Not only do they keep Scott Guthrie happy, but anyone and everyone else that needs anything is taken care of with patience and respect.

 :cheers:
Title: Re: September 2010 Meet
Post by: Livin1072 on September 27, 2010, 09:30:03 PM
Awwww, thanks Debbie. I can't say enough about how well Twin Jugs Racing handles all the tasks thrown at them. Not only do they keep Scott Guthrie happy, but anyone and everyone else that needs anything is taken care of with patience and respect.

 :cheers:


I second, third, and fouth That!!  :cheers:
Title: Re: September 2010 Meet
Post by: roadracer on September 28, 2010, 09:23:56 AM
Congrays Dean.  Your success is well deserved.  You have always been there willing to answer questions for me.  I could call you my ZX-10 R&D.  Looking forward to more success for you.  Thanks for all the help and advice. 
Title: Re: September 2010 Meet
Post by: Richard 2 on September 28, 2010, 09:59:39 AM
How long of a distance do you have to push your car there.
Thanks Rick
Title: Re: September 2010 Meet
Post by: sabat on September 28, 2010, 10:32:21 AM
Congrays Dean.  Your success is well deserved.  You have always been there willing to answer questions for me.  I could call you my ZX-10 R&D.  Looking forward to more success for you.  Thanks for all the help and advice. 

Greg, congrats on your three records, seems like you walk away from every meet with multiple records  :cheers:

199 all motor on a 1000 is fantastic, especially considering the heat and humidity, WTG. The 3rd gen ZX10s don't look to be the best for aero either, congrats.

See you in October, 200 then I bet  :-D

Rick, I'm not sure exactly what the push distance is, but close to 1/8 mile I would guess before the first turnout.
Title: Re: September 2010 Meet
Post by: Rchop on September 28, 2010, 12:03:03 PM
Pics from Maxton...

(http://WWW.FRSENGINEERING.COM/maxton01.JPG)

setting up the pits...

(http://WWW.FRSENGINEERING.COM/maxton02.JPG)

Joe Daly's 1350 Buell powered bike...

(http://WWW.FRSENGINEERING.COM/maxton03.JPG)

Air conditioned work space at the track...

(http://WWW.FRSENGINEERING.COM/maxton04.JPG)

Tom Daly on his Buell XB9...

(http://WWW.FRSENGINEERING.COM/maxton05.JPG)

Joe and Tom Daly...

(http://WWW.FRSENGINEERING.COM/maxton06.JPG)
Title: Re: September 2010 Meet
Post by: Cajun Kid on September 28, 2010, 01:02:34 PM
How long of a distance do you have to push your car there.
Thanks Rick

Rick,  the Start to Finish is exactly One mile.

Most cars that need or use a push have the push vehicle go to the first turn out (approx 1000 feet) I am not sure,,, I pull away from the push at around 20 to 25 mph and they still have a ways before the turn out.

If you need a push to the second turn out , I guess that would be OK ? (about 1/4 mile or so)

Charles
Title: Re: September 2010 Meet
Post by: Dan Stokes on September 28, 2010, 06:02:29 PM
That's for cars.  Bikes often get a one mile push, but just on the return road.

Which begs the question - why don't bikes ever get a push start?  Seems like they could use more sprocket if they didn't have to leave from a dead stop.  I'm seeing a quick ATV with the rider's boot on a peg on the race bike.  You often hear the bike REALLY bog at the start then take off like crazy.  I know I'm showing my bike ignorance here........

Dan

How long of a distance do you have to push your car there.
Thanks Rick

Rick,  the Start to Finish is exactly One mile.

Most cars that need or use a push have the push vehicle go to the first turn out (approx 1000 feet) I am not sure,,, I pull away from the push at around 20 to 25 mph and they still have a ways before the turn out.

If you need a push to the second turn out , I guess that would be OK ? (about 1/4 mile or so)

Charles
Title: Re: September 2010 Meet
Post by: relaxedphit on September 28, 2010, 08:41:05 PM
I could use a good push up to the, oh, 7/8 mile. I got down to the track in 120 minutes from 120 miles away. I considered leaving the bike on the trailer to make a pass, but knew the truck wouldm't pass tech.
Title: Re: September 2010 Meet
Post by: RansomT on October 01, 2010, 03:30:05 PM
Results are up. Let us know if anything looks out of whack!

(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/9969165/cheezburgerbike.jpg)

BAAAAA HAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAA

Will you be there in October to collect your cheezzeburger bike fuel?  :-D

Debbie

Nope, I've got to save my $$$ for the next upgrades and to replace a missing nitrous bottle or two.   :-D
Title: Re: September 2010 Meet
Post by: don on October 02, 2010, 06:55:00 PM
Which begs the question - why don't bikes ever get a push start?  Seems like they could use more sprocket if they didn't have to leave from a dead stop.  I'm seeing a quick ATV with the rider's boot on a peg on the race bike.  You often hear the bike REALLY bog at the start then take off like crazy.
Dan


I think that pushing starting a bike is not allowed. It seems I heard that many years ago. I have a very good memory it is just not very long.  :-)

Title: Re: September 2010 Meet
Post by: Seldom Seen Slim on October 18, 2010, 01:57:39 PM
Jarl Wathne sent this (long) article about racing at Maxton in September, and it's worth pasting into the Forum.  Because it's as long as it is -- I'll put it up on a couple of separate posts.  Also -- I'm at work right now and don't have the photos -- will add those later when I'm using the bigger machine at the house.  In the meantime -- enjoy this:


Maxton Mile September to Remember
I have enjoyed reading so many other teams' race and build stories on this forum that when my friends and I had a "September to Remember" at the Maxton Mile I thought we should contribute also.
Doug "Tekebird" Wotring is BDU Racing, and I (Jarl "Dr J" Wathne) am Moto Madcap.  We met while racing Radio Control Sailboats in regattas everywhere from Vermont to Florida including National Championships but we often found ourselves talking motorcycles instead of sailing.  Then I found Maxton and convinced him to come down as my pit crew.  Once was all it took.  On the trip home he was looking at the records in the back of the rulebook and deciding what bike to get.  He cruised the internet and quickly became the proud owner of an Aprilia RS125 road racer.  Good thing too because I was borrowing his trailer.  Now all we have to decide is whose truck to connect to it.
His Aprilia is powered by a 125cc 2-stroke single cylinder.  He changed pipes, carb, jetting, tail, and gearing and already holds multiple Altered Partially Streamlined records.

(http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/7291/34209051.jpg)

Now Doug stands about 6'6" so getting in a tight tuck on that bike is tough.  So he decided to also get a bigger bike (boy, I really hooked him didn't I?).  So he finds a '98 Buell S1W.  But not just any Buell.  This one is a 1200cc V Twin of course but it was one of thirteen S1W's pulled from the factory production line and factory race-prepped for a Harley factory rider spec race at the 15th HOG Rally.  This particular bike was ridden by Canadian road racer Pascal Picotte to win the race.  Doug already converted it to chain-drive and rode it to a Pushrod record earlier this Spring.
Now like all of us, Doug was not satisfied, so for this meet he entered the Aprilia in another class but the Buell was what really kept him busy over the summer break.  He installed a much smaller gas tank which then allowed for clipon bars.  This combo really helped his tuck position.  Then he put in a new ECM to help with ignition.

(http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/9587/94774758.jpg)

So he was ready.
I designed and built my initial Honda assault on Maxton back in 2008.  I took a 1994 Honda RS125 roadracer, pulled out the 2-stroke engine, and wedged in a 2005 Honda CRF250R 250cc 4-stroke single cylinder engine from a motocrosser.  I have changed it somehow for every meet since then.  As I add and alter pieces it has slowly become as my wife calls it a "Science Fair Project."  Since it is a road racer chassis it is automatically in the Altered class.  So to take advantage of the class rules  this past winter I designed and built a new seat/tail to try to improve the airflow behind me.  It has definitely helped.
Two years ago I met Eric (Racer X) Roehrle.  He is Dark Horse Racing with his Kawasaki Ninja 250.  It is hard to resist his enthusiasm for this sport and we quickly became friends since we both lived in Maryland and we both raced a 250cc 4-stroke.  The even better part is that since his is a streetbike it is in the Modified class so we don't compete directly.  However his rules are more restrictive than mine. Eric's bike was once all black and he wears all black thus the team name.  But this year he has really escalated the speed modifications to even include yellow paint as well as the new rear fairing.
Well as we were having dinner in June at McDuff's Eric and I were both whining about the fastest 250/4 (stroke) ever at Maxton which was 119mph by a Kawasaki on nitrous.  It made one run.  We both decided to quit whining and get busy and try to both run nitrous at the September meet.  We both wanted to be the 1st 250/4 to break 120mph at Maxton.  So we went our separate ways to do our research on the "scary NOS", "liquid horsepower", and "engine-killer".  Eric decided on the Boss-Noss system and I chose the Wizards of NOS system from England.  I don't think either system had been used before at Maxton.  Eric also did major aerodynamic improvements with his handlebars and fairing as well as adding a steering damper and Innovate LM2 Air/Fuel monitor.

(http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/4383/46501748.jpg)

I built a new gas tank to add a dual tap high flow petcock and also to lower my head in the tuck.

(http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/6942/39886287.jpg)



Jarl Wathne
Moto Madcap


More to come - in the next post.
Title: Re: September 2010 Meet
Post by: Seldom Seen Slim on October 18, 2010, 01:59:12 PM
Here's the second (of three) parts of Jarl Wathne's saga of the September 2010 event at Maxton.  It's a fun read and a good review of the efforts of just a few racers.  I'll remind you that for right now - the photos are NOT attached.  I'll add them later, when I'm at the house.

  We were emailing back and forth and when we both had our NOS systems finally installed we both made a silly video of our bike with a music soundtrack.  Eric used "Under Pressure" by Queen with David Bowie,  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4sQWCgg-6E
and I used "We're Ready" by Boston.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLXcv34mSBA
 
Both of us were like kids with a new toy under the Christmas tree.
Now it was finally time for the meet.  Doug drove down from Pennsylvania to my place and we loaded up his Lucky Trailer (for three years it has never left a meet without at least one new record).  My wife Betty had put up with so much shop time this summer that she had to come with us to watch our Nitrous Debut.  She even brought our Pyrenean Shepherd "Django"

(http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/6213/95334987.jpg)


since he was the dog inspiration for her artwork for my Moto Madcap logo.


(http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/5616/80225780.jpg)

After 8 hrs of driving we are at the freeway exit.  I still get a big smile on my face when I see the yellow ECTA sign.  Thanks guys.  The next smile is when we see Kim at the entrance.  What a greeter!!  Then we park the trailer next to Eric's van,  unload the bikes, and roll them over to the Tech line.  All 4 bikes pass Tech so we breathe easier.  But as I prepare my Honda for tomorrow my first wiring glitch shows up- nothing electrical is powering up.  I fear that it's a bad omen but I track it down to just the main battery lead sliding off the spade connector.  Everything else seems fine again.
Saturday morning is beautiful but warming up fast.  Small tailwind too!  Eric and I both delay our Nitrous event a little longer.  I need to first secure the last Altered 250/4 class record (A/G-250/4) which is naked and only Gas.  So the fairing is off, the tank is sealed with track gas inside, and the Nitrous bottle is sitting forlornly in the trailer.  I make my first pass down the track reaching 113.3mph on a 104.7 record.  Eric wanted to delay the Nitrous for one run so he could first be sure of all the other aerodynamic changes he had made on the bike.  They seemed to help as he went through at 112.2 on a 107.4 record for MPS/BF-250/4.  Then I go to the trailer to get my bike ready for a NOS run by raising the gearing way up, adding the fairing, and then the bottle is slid into the holder hidden in the tail behind my right leg.  Pressure looks good.
Now Doug gets into the mix with his Aprilia 125 running one of its fastest speeds with him as the pilot at 98.0mph on an open record.

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/1194/46278327.jpg[/img]


Finally Eric is the first to fire his Nitrous waiting until topped out in 6th gear at the 3/4 mile mark.  His speed jumps 5mph to 117.4 making it the second fastest 250/4 run ever at Maxton.  But he says it doesn't sound right.  He quickly goes down and does another run but only goes 115.1 saying it still sounds off.  Now I'm finally ready so we all three go down to the staging area together.  Doug is first to get to the line, now having jumped on his Buell so he can stretch his legs.  His modifications over the summer have made a difference on his "Paint Mixer" as he calls the Buell and so he goes 137.7mph on his record of 133.7!  He's smiling.
Then I am next.  As I look down the almost 2 miles of open track I shake my head with disbelief knowing that we in LSR get to do what every driver like us wants to do when you are first in line and the traffic light turns green.  I get the "Visor Down" followed by the "Track Is Yours" sign.  The engine roars to life through the straight pipe exhaust as I make a smooth run up through the five speed tranny.  Then at the 3/4 mile, with my heart racing,  I push the little red button with my left thumb.  Nothing changes.  I push again.  Again nothing.  Noooooo!  So I make sure my tuck is optimized and go through the trap without NOS at 116.0 on my APS/F-250/4 record of 108.4.  My second fastest run ever, a new record, and yet I'm disappointed.  No nitrous firing.  But as I'm at the registration trailer getting my new record certified and wondering why the NOS didn't fire, Eric makes his next start.  He is determined to make something happen this time so he fires the Nitrous sooner, blazes down the white line on his "Angry Bumble Bee", and I can't believe my ears when the radio announces his speed of 121.8mph!!!  Eric has done it!  He is the first 250/4 to break the 120 mark at Maxton!  Dark Horse Racing rules all other Ninja 250s!

(http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/8507/42474808.jpg)


Jarl Wathne
Moto Madcap
Title: Re: September 2010 Meet
Post by: Seldom Seen Slim on October 18, 2010, 02:01:12 PM
And here's the third and final part of Jarl Wathne's saga of his adventures at the September 2010 Maxton event.  One more time I'll remind you -- I don't have the photos here at the store, but will add them once I'm back at the house -- probably later tonight (I hope, depending on how late we get home).

Meanwhile I go back to the pits and find a NOS controller glitch in my rpm safety window setting, rectify that, and once again I go down the track but again no reaction to the red button.  But again the engine sounds very happy and I get a new Personal best of 117.1 without NOS!  But again it is weirdly disappointing.  All because of the Laughing Gas.  I feel it is laughing at me, not with me...
Eric huge smile has not faded as he backs up his run with a 121.6.  It is in the mid 90 degrees now so he parks his bike for the day.  But then Doug goes out again and finally breaks into the triple digits as the Aprilia rider with a Personal Best of 100.2mph!
Now once again I am in the pits sorting out what I am convinced is a wiring disconnect.  Then I stumble onto the problem.  Since mine is originally a motocross engine, I have to run a battery as a total loss system to power the data logger, dash, cooling fan, and NOS system.  The battery was fine for everything visible but was drained enough by the controller switch being left on overnight to not be able to fire the solenoids to release the nitrous and fuel.  So Eric to the rescue with a power convertor (which someone else had just given to him earlier this meet) to charge the battery off my roller-starter battery.  Wait 1 hour.  Then riding gear back on, unplug the bike,  and head back down to the staging.  Almost no one there anymore due to the heat.  Suddenly I'm at the line.  Here we go again.  I notice one of the ECTA volunteer staff using a Flip video.  That must be a good sign I think.  So off we go.  Slip the clutch forever in 1st.  Accelerate to 12,500rpm at 60mph, shift, repeat, shift, repeat, keep the tuck good, head down, toes in, knees in, elbows in.  Then I'm in 5th gear...I think...forgot to count again....try to shift again...no, already in 5th.  Here comes the 3/4 mile mark.  Speedometer reads 117.  Take a relaxing breath.  Push the red button.  Yeah baby!  It feels like I just smoothly rolled on the throttle another 1/4 turn as the controller adds the Nitrous and fuel from 20%-100% in 5 steps over 2 seconds.  Speedo climbs steadily and engine sounds happy and I have a huge grin on my face as I fly through the trap at 126.6mph!!!  What a feeling!  Then at the registration trailer Eric reminds me that my speed is fast enough to earn my D License!!

(http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/8197/74104167.jpg)

I made one more run ten minutes later just before they closed the track for the evening and did a 126.5.  Then Sunday morning I did one run but the exhaust note changed slightly and I found the pipe was broken.  Eric did 2 Sunday runs.  His 1st was almost a match for his record at 121.4.  But on his last run as he applied the nitrous in 5th and again in 6th at the 1/2 mile his clutch was slipping and allowed the engine to hit 14,500 rpm losing power at the 3/4 mile mark and coasting all the way to the normal turnout.  His # 1 piston had rings pinched  in the groove and #2 piston was holed.  But no oil leaked.  I remember when I told Todd Dross that I was going to be running Nitrous on my Honda he asked "How much oil does it have?"  I told him "Less than 1 quart."  He said "Good."  Then he grinned.  When Eric got back to the pits he had another huge smile on his face as he held up his sparkplug with no electrodes left and said "Look Jarl, my first Nitrous trophy!"
So for the weekend:
1. Doug brought 2 bikes, set 2 Personal Bests, and got 2 records!
2. I am the first person to ever earn an LSR  D License  on a 250/4 and my Honda CRSF250 is now the World's Fastest 250/4 in Land Speed Racing.
3. Eric was the 1st 250/4 to break 120mph at Maxton Mile and is now the World's Fastest Ninja 250!
What a "September to Remember" at the Maxton Mile!
Thank You, Thank you, Thank you!!! to Joe and Donna Timney and Keith and Tonya Turk and all the fabulous volunteer staff that make it possible for us to safely have this much fun with these bikes that don't go 200mph.


Jarl Wathne
Moto Madcap

Title: Re: September 2010 Meet
Post by: racer x on October 19, 2010, 07:40:12 AM
What a story
The Power converter that saved the day was given to me by Joe Daly.

I got to 121mph  3 times but the engine felt funny .Like it was misfiring. I did not realize I was over powering the clutch. The engine was just sitting on the 14000 rpm rev limit . I raised the limiter to 14500 and pushed harder .But that made the clutch slip more. I then added timing trying to get more power . That is when I started collecting souvenirs.

Everything is fixed and we will be back at it for October.

And yes  THANK YOU THANK YOU .To Joe and Donna ,Keith and Tonya. And all the Volunteers. Ths last three years has been the best time of my life. The friends and memories are something to cherish . :cheers:
Title: Re: September 2010 Meet
Post by: 55chevr on October 19, 2010, 08:49:09 PM
Eric ... must have been providence ... I have had that inverter in the truck since Loring and thought you had a good use for it ... just didnt think it would be that soon.
Joe
Title: Re: September 2010 Meet
Post by: racer x on October 20, 2010, 06:55:45 AM
Ya Joe It was at the right place at the right time.  :cheers:

One more thing.... I was not whining. I wasn't I wasn't I wasn't  :-P
Title: Re: September 2010 Meet
Post by: relaxedphit on October 20, 2010, 07:48:31 AM
Eric--It sounds like you engine was, but I've never heard you do it.
Title: Re: September 2010 Meet
Post by: MiltonP on October 20, 2010, 10:29:19 PM
Great weekend and even greater write-up.  Congrats to all of you.  For some reason I thought Eric had done enough mods that he was now in APS but I guess the front fairing is still the production design.  I fondly remember the joy of licensing up on my production class Ninja 500.  I also remember the guilty pleasure in knowing that my record in Maxton it meant the next challenger would at least have the challenge I did of fitting a steering stabilizer.  If I can bump it just a few more mph then at least they will have to upgrade the tires too!  I don't mind someone taking the record.  I just don't want them going directly from the showroom to Maxton and doing it.  Of course they will need to make a chain guard and install a tether kill so at least they had some work to do anyways.  :evil: