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was old and full of moisture.  And it happened while entering a sharp turn too! 
     We will be having a total of three opportunities for tech inspection.  There will be two locations in the bay area approximately one week prior to the event for a pre-tech.  Then, there will also be an opportunity in the parking lot of the Golden Pheasant on the night before the event, and for one hour at the track on the morning of the event.  I can't stress enough how much better it would be for you AND the tech inspectors to have the inspection done BEFORE the event.  As long as you are afforded the luxury of living close to the tech locations, please take advantage and get your car signed off early.  This will give you a chance to repair anything that needs attention should the inspection unearth something disturbing, and it will also allow you to be a little more relaxed at the track.  There will be people from out of town who will need tech when they arrive and we would prefer to be teching only those people that late.
     Okay, that's my pestering for this month, but be prepared for more.  Get to work on those cars and I'll see you at the next meeting! 

Scott

     Everyone has had a reprieve over the last few months because I've hardly said anything about the track day.  Well, the reprieve is over and  I'm about to start my pestering.  For those who don't know, the year is half over already and the track day is approaching quickly.  Considering the amount of work I have to do on the Seven, it's approaching much too quickly for my pleasure, but I'm excited none the less. 
     In the CR this month you'll find an entry form and a schedule.  Take note that the schedule may change a little based on how many drivers sign up and how much experience they have.  We have already sent out an invitation with a brief description of the event to the Bay Area Miata Association, and before the CR went to print this month, I had already received some responses from them.  That's supposed to be a subtle hint to you all not to lollygag with your registration forms!  Last year I spent several nights after work on the phone, bugging people to send in their forms because everyone had waited to the last minute.  I don't really want to have to do that again this year so I'm being a pest now to all the GGLC'ers and we're inviting other clubs like BAMA and the bay area Alfa folks as well.  My plea to send in the forms as early as possible also stems from the fact that I'd like to finalize the schedule as early as possible and turn it in to Thunderhill on time.  It would also allow us to organize the day more effectively.  It's our desire to provide as much track time as we can and to make the day as much fun as possible. 
     So here I go again, bugging everyone to start working on their cars now so they're ready on September 29th.  I can't stress enough for everyone to make sure that wheel bearings, U-joints, CV's, doughnuts, and brakes are in good condition.  Anyone who has a dry-sump or an Accusump with lots of plumbing should make sure that the system is leak tight.  The same goes for cooling systems, if you're starting to see some drips from radiators, water pumps, or swirl-pots, get it fixed now.  You don't want to go to the track and either fail tech 
there, or just squeak by on tech and then have a failure out on the track.  This is also a good time to think about tires too.  Remember that tech inspectors will be looking for cracks in tires as well as tread depth.  Last year I stressed catch tanks and the same goes for this year as well.  Make sure that you have something secure and adequate to catch the overflow of coolant and/or oil.  Also, I can't help but mention that it could be a little warm up there in Willows at that time of the year, so please make sure your coolant system is in good shape.  If you've been thinking about boiling that radiator out, now is a good time to do it.  And, as much fun as it is to do a water pump (especially on a T/C), you might start asking yourself if it's about time you put in a new one. 
     As a lot of you remember from last year, Thunderhill provides some good opportunities to get up to speed, so don't forget to do a thorough bleeding of your brake system.  You might want to wait until a couple of weeks before the track day to do that, but definitely do it!  Last year I remember talking to a Turbo S/E owner and listening to his tale of the brake pedal going to the floor at a previous track day because his brake fluid 
Blending Lotus and Healey, this must be Daren's favorite car ? NOT.


Photo by Daren Stone