Switching to RS-3s

It was now time to switch to the tires were actually going to compete with. Dan had his wheels with RS-3s on them from 2010 and we slapped those on Bumblestook to start doing some dialing in. I don't actually remember if we changed much. I think mostly it was tire pressure changes (running a bit more pressure than the Z1s). We didn't do as well as the previous weekend but these tires were most definitely on their last leg so it wasn't too concerning for us (http://www.autox4u.com/results/2011/492011_fin.htm). The car felt good though on the RS3s. There was definitely a bit more slip angle going on with these tires so they felt more forgiving. The temps were still fairly chilly during these early April events so it was good that we had two drivers to get some heat in them. Oddly my fast run this day included missing 2nd gear altogether but I was pretty happy about slowly closing the gap to Dan.

NNJR SCCA Event #1 - 4/9/2011

Meadowlands, NJ

Accumulating Track Mods

In the meantime, I was starting to accumulate mods that would be installed later in the year for track use. Mostly they were safety or reliability mods. First off were AP2 intake side retainers and keepers. It's a very common reliability mod as the AP1 retainers are weaker and are prone to cracking if you over rev a bit. Also the newer style oil banjo bolt for better oil distribution.

AP2 intake side valve spring retainers and keepers
3/31/2011

Harnesses and reinforcement plates for the eyebolts to hold me in.

Sparco 6-pt Harnesses - 3/18/2011

Reinforcement plates for eyebolts - 4/1/2011

Needed a baffled pan to keep the oil in the right place during cornering

Mmmmm.....Mugen - 3/29/2011

Mugen baffled oil pan - 3/29/2011

Picked up Dhariel's old J's racing front tow hook in case I need to get pulled out of a tough spot.

J's Racing front tow hook -  4/19/2011

Also received the Works Bell Rapfix II quick release, aluminum short boss, flipper and Personal Neo Grinta 330mm steering wheel so I can get out of the car quickly in case something goes doodoo and the door won't open.

Personal Neo Grinta 330mm Steering Wheel - 4/25/2011

Works Bell Rapfix II quick release - 4/25/2011

2011 NNJR SCCA Test 'N Tune

Back on our home turf a week later despite a freak late snow storm just 3 days before the event. Luckily it warmed quickly and all the snow melted in 24 hours. Dan was able to come along on this one and we were able to get some valuable testing done. We were still running my Dunlop Z1 Star Specs from 2010 though trying to preserve the RS3s until later. It was a stupid cold day, I think ambient temperature was 40 degrees and during that week I had managed to hurt my foot and could barely operate the clutch, let alone walk (the beginning of some weight related health problems here).

Freak late season snow storm - 3/24/2011

What really got me excited were the results that day. Dan was able to place her 2nd in PAX and even with some lack luster driving on my part, I still managed to get 14th (http://www.autox4u.com/results/2011/3272011_pax.htm) . I started hearing about this "Jon guy" from the Philly region who had also prepped a STR S2000 over the winter and was excited to have some solid competition in the upcoming months. AP1 vs AP2...it would be an interesting match up for sure. I knew I wasn't quite up to the driving task yet but I was hopeful Dan would soon kick some STR butt and give Bumblestook her first big event trophy.

NNJR SCCA Test 'N Tune - 3/27/2011
Meadowlands, NJ

We also combined our GoPros for the first time and would start my GoPro camera insanity. No fewer than 3 GoPros on the car at any given time. It probably isn't very useful at all but looking back I'm glad I recorded what I could.

GoPro insanity - 3/27/2011

I really love codriving with Dan. He says the most awesome things on camera and while he's driving. You really want to watch this video. He's got Winchester in the passenger seat and they have some funny conversations that I left in the video. They also almost had an "O Shit" moment by the finish but I was having such a great time, I was laughing along with them.

NNJR SCCA Test 'N Tune - 3/27/2011

Meadowlands, NJ

STR shake down

It was still a cold day in March but with a new setup on the car and the ProSolo less than 2 months away, I had to start test right away. Philly was hosting an event in Dover, DE where the National Tour would be held in a few months so this not only gave me an opportunity to test out Bumblestook but also check out the venue. It was a long drive but it had to be done.

Philly SCCA - Dover, DE - 3/20/2011

To get some solid feedback I had Perry codrive with me. He had driven the same setup on Dan's car so he'd be able to give me some feedback on how things were feeling.

Philly SCCA - Dover, DE - 3/20/2011
Photo By: Christine Warren

She felt really good with the winter changes. Perry took the win in STR and I was a whole 2 seconds behind him which really highlighted how much further I had to improve on my driving. It was ok though since he was showing that the car had pace. Looking back at the results (http://phillyscca.com/results/2011/SO032011.shtml) I guess this was the first time I went up against James and Noel but I don't think we spoke yet at this event. It was a solid start to the season and I was excited for what was to come.

Philly SCCA - 3/20/2011

Dover, DE 

Final STR Prep

Only a week left before the start of the 2011 racing season and I had one last part left to get on the car...a high flow cat. It's definitely an improvement over the stock cat but realistically I'm not sure how much difference it made since at this time there were no STR legal tuning options available (only reflashes and piggy back systems allowed).

Berk High Flow Cat - 3/17/2011

Berk High Flow Cat - 3/17/2011

Either way, the high flow cat didn't cost too much and it meant being able to put my nice low mileage cat aside in case I ever went back to stock (yea right!)

Berk High Flow Cat - 3/17/2011

Pre-2011 Racing Season Photoshoot

Knowing full well the car would never be any cleaner than after a detail, I took her to one of the many graffiti covered parking lots in Long Island City for a proper photoshoot early Sunday morning.

Bumblestook - 3/13/2011

Bumblestook Side View - 3/13/2011

This was more of her "street trim" since I was reserving the TSWs with the RS3s for competition use only. I was too worried about potentially getting a flat from the awful NYC roads to risk driving around on my competition tires (oh the irony of "street tire" class).

Bumblestook Front - 3/13/2011

Bumblestook Rear - 3/13/2011

Bumblestook - 3/13/2011

Bumblestook "Ricer" Exhuast - 3/13/2011

Bumblestook Interior - 3/13/2011

Moton Club Sport - 3/13/2011

I think it also shows what a great job Andrew did on the car. I'm fairly certain the previous owner never got her detailed since she was delivered in 2002 so it was great to see her in all her yellow glory again.

First Detail

With the beginning of the 2011 racing season around the corner, it was time for Bumblestook to get cleaned up for her real STR debut. I took her to Andrew at Big "A" Auto Detailing in Whitestone and he put in the much needed TLC she deserved removing all the cone marks and given her a nice double coat of wax. 

Bumblestook First Detail - 3/12/2011

The big upside to having a car detailed is not only that it looks great but the wax makes it really easy to rub of future cone marks (at least for several months). The major downside is that I almost didn't want to race anymore since she looked so minty mint!

Mirror finish - 3/12/2011