Running with FRCCA at NJ

Last weekend was our Lola's very first outing and the culmination of our rebuild. Finally after 3.5 years of a fun, ground-up nut and bolt build the car was loaded on the trailer and run for the first time at speed.

The first day at Lightning was basically one fix after the other. We had an oil leak (forgot to tighten oil pressure line at gauge), dealt with air starvation at carburator (fixed by removing too dense air filter), managed cooling issues (by purging airlock) and fixed brake lock up (by bleeding the brakes..) So all in all the first day was spent with sorting.

The second day at Thunderbolt was much better and we ran the car in mid pack which was surprising if you account for our car being the only one with non slick 3 year old vintage threads. I felt the car handled beautifully and was sticky in the turns. She also had great power, smooth delivery and acceleration.

This weekend was finally the summit of this nut and bolt rebuild and I learned a ton about the Lola and open wheeled race cars in general.

Thanks to the FRCCA who made me feel very welcomed, Mark Wehrman from Wehrman Engineering who rebuilt the gearbox, fabricated most parts and did an expert job on the cars alignment and set up, Peter McCarthy of Midnight Auto who rebuilt the engine and sorted most of the car and my two sons Philippe and Victor who helped in the rebuild. At last thanks to Flo, my wife who endured my obsession.

Now its time to race my other cars again...My Porsche 914 seems neglected...

THE END