924Board.org

[John Brown]

We, my son LJ and I, borrowed #55 'back' from the current owner specially to participate in the NASA Hyperfest to earn 'Laps for Charity' funds going to the John's Hopkins cancer research. Had a great time and the little car and LJ did a commendable job representing the 924 in the 44Cup. It is, however, the last outing in the current configuration!

LJ did an outstanding job and pedaling the little car around laps in the 1:35 range. In the process finishing ahead of several 944 and 924S each day. Watching from turn 10 it was very fun as the little car would such up on the competition through the turn and the next time around be in front!

LJ took several hits during the last race Sunday. He had been battling a 924S which was faster on the straights but slower in the twisties. At some point the 924S thought to make a pass through the inside of a turn but in so doing got completely sideways. (Why after all those laps passing on the straight and falling behind in turns he would think it possible to out corner LJ ...???) LJ went completely off to avoid, through a gravel trap and was just back on the track where upon a SuperCup (944Turbo) smacked the left rear corner sending 55 across to the other side of the track. A separate incident red flagged the race just then. So, most importantly, LJ did finish ahead of the 924S!!

Damage is ugly but appears to be only cosmetic the chassis still being straight (we think). So 55 will live on as a DE car.

#55 has been kept in the light weight configuration with 14 inch wheels and rear drums. It weighed 2325 this weekend. In so far as the theory was to take advantage of the light weight the experiment was a success. After changing compounds, installing cooling ducts and having rear brake shoes made with race compound, and using new drums ... etc etc etc. Yes the brakes are adequate, still. But no, they are way too much trouble and not easy to use. Constant adjustment AND we still destroyed a rear shoe! We've had an excellent object lesson in what occurs as you push the weak link on a race car. Moving from 1:40 to 1:35 laps really demonstrated where that link was (at).

With upgraded suspension the car could move into the low 30s still with the drum brakes. However, the brakes would be a complete maintenance headache and remain 'twitchy' to use.
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John
80 931 - #931 44Cup
99 Escalade - tows track cars
gone but not forgotten: original 924.org car - 82

[924RACR]

Argh... nothing like being the brakes for someone else's car! Well, good showing!!
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Vaughan Scott
Webmeister
'79 924 #77 SCCA H Prod racecar
'82 931 Plat. Silver
#25 Hidari Firefly P2 sports prototype