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In search for speed
The drivers in the bandolero field have been searching for speed to surpass the stalling effect of
the restrictor plates. The plates have made the engines run very rough, and little fixes have made the field very uneven between
those that have found a fix, and those searching for a better running machine.
Kyle besides still getting used to the track, has been plaqued by a slow car, that is starting to
act up in protest of the restrictor plates.
The first INEX race he had to pull out because his car lost all power on the second lap, this loss
of power happened at full throttle, We changed the fuel filter and fuel pump. We tried to drive at partial throttle which
seemed to fix the problem. Kyle is driving faster laps shortening the time from 26 seconds to 23.6 this weekend (march 30th).
On Saturday in the heat he seem to be to a fast start passing Bear Resznowiecky, but then his car
overheated and he pulled into the in field.
I reminded him to drive half Throttle if it started to heat up of hesitate and he was able to finish
the main, however a lap down. Yet he pulled his fastest lap on the track so far.
So little by little, getting more comfortable and figuring out the problems with the restrictor plate.Suggestions
included a remote Oil filter to keep from overheating. Or a vent in the side of the car cooling the engine.
Just learning and learning..
Like a bull at the Bullring.
put your fingers to your lower lip, and let them strum up and down while you
say "Uhhhhh"? When confusion sets in due to being overwhelmed and stupified by rules, changes and just TECH stuff.
We are all aware I am no technical genius, the fact that my son races forces me to look at an engine
and learn. But the BEST race on March 9th was more of a TEST for INEX and 600 Racing to improve on the safety or concern thereoff
on the Bandoleros. There was a desperate attempt to slow the cars down, and in the end it only partially helped. Speeds
have been excesive on the Bandos, and on the ovals where the cars drive full out around the track it has provided some wrecks
that INEX is trying to put a stop to. One of the first changes was changing the bodies from plastic to fiberglass. The plastic
proved very brittle , especially in the sunny climates.
Another addition that came with this race was a restrictor plate, yes people we have something in
common with the big boys. The plate added two seconds to the lap speed, it mattered where the restrictor plate was placed
as two cars had it in the wrong spot and the restrictor plate did absolutely nothing to them.
Another addition that was short lived was tried before the restrictor plates were placed on the car,
and that was a Rev. limiter. This however proved cumbersome and irritating to the drivers, as their cars hit the limiter on
the front and back stretch. The Limiters were taken out, and the Restrictor plates came in. We also were teched on Gears after
the race.
Kyle drove a slow, careful and exploring race.
Road course at the LVMS february 2nd and 3rd 2002.
Hallalujah for those that know. Don Gross was our saviour as Kyle bend a heim and a spindle in a little off road excursion.
The wheel sort off sagging at an angle would have discouraged me from going on, as I had no clue where to start. Don father
of Josh gross driver of the #8 quickly assesed the problem and dismantled the problem area, removed the damaged parts and
proceeded to put on new ones from 600 racing. Within 15-20 minutes the problem was fixed and Kyle was able to drive in the
Heat.It is wonderful to see the co-operation between the drivers and families. I hope I will learn from this and help some
rookie out in the future. Thanks Don.
Road races of January 19th and 20th.
Josh Gross and Kyle are best
buddies, but what Josh did for Kyle this weekend was offering up much of his own testing and practice to help Kyle become
a better driver. He pushed Kyle to new heights, and showed him the way around the track, how to pass,and find the faster way
around the track.
Although the day started out slow, by the end Kyle had picked up a lot of speed, and was enjoying himself
tremendously. This weekend was the absolute learning experience for Kyle. Again thanks to Josh, but also his Dad Don gross,
for all the help, and Mike Mogar for tips and help.
The next race will be in two weeks.
(posted on January
21st 2002)
A new year, and certainly one that will be a challenge. A complete novice to the actual owning and racing a car let alone
the mechanics of an engine. Thank goodness that theBandolero is a speck engine which cuts down the initial shock. None the
less there will be tons of things to learn about setting up a car. The winter has been quiet, especially since 600 racing
cancelled most of the races for the remainder of 2001. But here we are in 2002 and the season is at our doorstep. Exciting
and scared at the same time. INot knowing how to adjust things the car is much as we bought it, I changed gears as suggested
by the parents of some of my sons race mates, and we will attempt to race the road races first before making our Bullring
debut.
Wish us good luck, we need it.
posted 1/14 2002
So I guess I have switched from racing fan to car owner and mechanic this year. My son Kyle never has asked for much in his
young life, but when he did it was a whopping request that my wife and I tried to consider the best way we could. We waited
it out for some time, but the request kept coming his grades were good, and we felt we had to stand behind his decision to
drive a car. We took our precautions and had him do a test drive, and he had to take a class before the track official would
allow him to drive in an event. We purchased a used Bandolero car from Dean and Pattie waters, their son Justin drove it last
year. We have noticed that racing is an expensive sport, this of course is common knowledge, we just hope our son realizes
it as well.
on september 30 Kyle drove his first race, luckily it was a very small field of cars, the important factor
here was that he would get seat time, get used to the car and the track. He finished last, which was expected, but he never
gave up as he spun several times he just kept on going. we played with different gears, and had trouble with the drive chain
in practice and heat races. I am learning with him, as I have no knowledge of cars other than that they get me from point
A to point B. Kyle did great, and I could not have done it without the help of Mike mogar. Also thanks to Craig Johnson, Justin
Johnson, Don Gross,and all who gave us advice and support. And to my wife for standing behind the decision for us to race.
posted 10/2/01
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