<VV> Iowa ICE VII - return to the Kart track

[Flat6Vair]

Rob Landers and I returned to the Iowa kart track to try to apply all the
lessons we learned back in June.  Thanks to Warren Leveque, Michael Leveque,
Jim Dallas and many others,  Rob and I both learned how to drive that fun
track a little better.  I'll let Rob tell you if he successfully applied
these lessons or not.  I'll stick to my lessons.

After BeaveRun,  the #3 car was hurting just a little bit.  The lost of oil
cause the #6 rod bearing to fail.  Since I'm not a good mechanic <some would
say i'm just not a mechanic>  I put on my parts replacer hat and decide all
I needed to do was replace a part or two.   I started by replacing the
engine with the old engine that Dan and I had run for 8 plus years.  Ready
for Iowa.

Now to apply my lessons.  First trip around the track -- downshift to second
for the middle of the course -- dang,  missed the shift, spin.  overheat the
brakes and come in <the pedal was travelling to the floor,  somehow, i
didn't feel safe running my second lap> .  After everything cooled, and the
brakes were working normal again, we hoped. I was off for my second attempt.
Being leary of the brakes,  I thought i was taking it easy.  As it tutned
out,  I was simply driving smoothly.  One of those lessons from June.
Downshift and go hard through the middle 180s.  back to third for the back 2
straights,  and another downshift for the middle.  time 80.825.  breaking 80
is now a goal,  and besting Michael Leveque's 80.743 best time of June is
definitely in reach.
But alas,  the downshift was less then smooth on the third attempt, so I
tried second all around for the second lap.  Ran out of rpms on the back
stretch.  third is needed with my transaxle set up.  on my final attempt,
the first lap seemed ok, running more agressive, trying to beat Michaels
time and the elusive sub 80 ,   then that dreadful downshift to second
reminded my harshly that I need more lessons, more practice, and to tighten
the shifting so it isn't so hard to hit second.  missed it badly.  Wasn't
going to best Michael this time anyway.   Next time.  I'm soooooo close.

My dad co-drove the #3 car.   I instruct him to stay in second and
concentrate on driving.  he improved to a 87.746 by the end of the day
going steadily down from a 99.8, 90.373, and a 88.171.   Next year I may
need to let him shift.  He isn't doing bad for a 69 year old who has done
this exactly twice.  once last year, and once this year.

Iowa is fun.  The Corvair club is great.

see you all there next year. <gas prices willing>

tim mahler
#3 Goodwrench car




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