"HOT" Racing

[Mark Larmour]

For those of you who live in colder climates you might like to consider what it is like to go racing in "hot" weather.<br>
Saturday the 15th November was the final race meeting of our local race series, which was held at Oran Park 1.9km "short circuit" approximately 50 km west of Sydney.<br>
This was our traditional Day/Night meeting with qualifying Saturday morning and 3 races (8 laps each) Saturday afternoon and 1 race in the dark after dinner.<br>
This was not the "hottest" day I have raced on, but I did have a infrared thermometer which I used to to take some temperature reading during the day.<br>
Just remember that during all races we were strapped into a race Sprint with nil insulation, multi layer race suit, gloves, boots etc, etc.<br>
Air temperature - 36c<br>
Road temperature - 60c<br>
Cabin temperature - 48c<br>
A check of the right front tyre temperature (which does the major work due to Oran park being a left hand circuit) approximately 5 minutes after returning to the car park - 76c.<br>
My brother's Landrover Discovery which was parked with windows up but the sunroof was open to help "cool" the interior had 58c inside.<br>
The motor on the race Sprint ran at between 95 and 105c, which was not bad under the circumstances. The motor used no water but the driver (me) did consume around 4 litres during the day trying to replace the loss of fluid.<br>
This type of weather is not the ideal conditions for motor racing.<br>


<p><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.sprintparts.triumphowners.com">SPRINTPARTS</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--></p><i></i>

[SMIFTER]

Sounds interesting! You weren't tempted to swap the a/c into the racecar then Mark!!<br>
<br>
How did you get on in the races?<br>
<br>
Any photos'?<br>
<br>
Graeme

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[Mark Larmour]

Yes, it is a tempting idea to fit A/C to the race car, I have thought about it but it is just not practical. I have a air blower system set up to supply outside air to the drivers face which does help, but I now race with the visor of my helmet closed, so the next step is to make a supply system that feeds to my helmet.<br>
Race results were mixed. Qualified 8th out of 21, finishing, 10th, 14th, 8th and 10th. Unfortunately I have a long standing problem, which I believe is EFI ECU problem, that sometimes make the engine shut down if you exceed 7000rpm, and not refire until it drops below 3000rpm. This problem appeared to worsen during the day, with the hot weather, as in the 2nd race I could not exceed 6000rpm without the motor shutting down. This **** problem caused me to loose several places during races, particularly the second race, and as we have progressive grids, I had to work hard to get from 14th back to 8th in a 8 lap race.<br>
I couldn't take any photo's myself, (bit hard when you are racing) but if any become available I will post them on our webpage.<br>
<br>
Mark

<p><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.sprintparts.triumphowners.com">SPRINTPARTS</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--></p><i></i>

[Carsreunited]

Mark,<br>
<br>
If I'd known, I would have shipped my old Sprint shell over to you. It had so many holes in the bulkhead and floorpan that it would definitely assist the free movement of air, plus when the engine cuts out you can just poke your feet out and add a little Fred Flintstone power.<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :rollin --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/roll.gif ALT=":rollin"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
<br>
Hope the problem is sorted out before next season (Cut out not the heat!). Be sure to let us know what it was.<br>
<br>
Scott<br>
<br>


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[Mark Larmour]

Well I finally may have sorted out the on going engine cutout problem. Without going into the long and complicated trouble shooting, the car has now been fitted with a new ECU, which runs the fuel injection and ignition timing.<br>
After much time programming the new ECU on the dyno it was found that the motor still cutout at approximately 6800rpm under full load. The "sync" sensor (optical pickup) fitted where the dissy normally is was replaced with a hall sensor from a Subaru WRX with no improvement. The coil driver (twin double output coils) was replaced and the problem still existed.<br>
The new ECU has the capability of logging the engine operation and it was found to be getting erratic engine speed readings at approx 6800rpm. (up to 12000rpm). Finally the crank sensor was replaced and guess what? Yes, I have been told that it has fixed the problem. The "tuning" man has told me that he has successfully run the motor to 8500rpm with no problems. I am thankfull that I was not there to hear or see it. My normal "safe" limit is 7500rpm.<br>
So after many $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ and 6 + hours on the dyno it may finally be sorted.<br>
This weekend is the start of our race season, so I will find out very sson if he was right.<br>
<br>
Mark.<br>
<br>
PS. I think that I can safely say the motor is well and truely run in now, I just hope that it is not worn out after all the dyno running.

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[Carsreunited]

Mark,<br>
<br>
You've set yourself up for a fall now. Without any mechanical gremlins to blame there will be no excuses for not finishing in the top 3!<br>
<br>
Good luck anyway, and keep us posted with your progress. I'll soon know what all the fuss is about!<br>
<br>
Scott

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