Most racers understand that huge preparation goes into the racecar prior the race, and if racers are any kind of consistent, it is usually the week (or day) before the race. Two Larrys got a head start [this time] and the Booger has been apart in the barn since Father’s Day. Like a blown-up Herbie, parts are everywhere. We start with a full tear-down, meaning seats, firewall, engine, etc. comes out/off.
We are aware of our previous “issues” laid bare, usually during a race. These include electrical shorts, a new ignition switch, a different set-up for our e-brake (yes, it IS helpful in a race!), repairs to a couple bumper brackets, new fart fan, new muffler system, the poor front clip cancering apart and needing more welds, etc. Additionally, the normal things that need to be addressed/replaced/maintained like ball joints, CV axles regreased, torsions/springs inspected and greased, wheel bearings, brakes, drums turned, etc. On top of that, 500 mile race specific stuff such as additional KC lights, extra parts and tires accounted for and installed (if necessary), etc. On top of THAT tool bag and components check, rim and tire inspection and organization, rollcage wire brushing and weld inspection, fender sanding/welding/painting/clear-coating, touch-up paint on certain areas for protection, pit crew tool and part organization, etc. We do know that our engine is tired and in need of a “freshening up,” which was originally intended to be a completely new engine. Not that our engine doesn’t perform, we do not have complaints about that. We probably won’t be able to do that right now, so a freshening up on our old reliable it is. We did the math, and the Booger has nearly 3,000 race miles on her.
And THEN – inspection and maintenance of the Suburban Beast tow vehicle and Booger chariot trailer. Study of the course and timelines, developing race strategies, ordering race fuel, handling overnight accomidations, etc. We sent the spindles and stub axles out to be magnafluxed, and if you are someone or have someone that can do that, we highly recommend it. For the small price we paid for that, we learned both spindles were cracked 180 degrees around – we don’t know how long the Booger has been functioning like that, and knowing the Booger she held it together to make it enough in typical Booger flair. But we DO know that it would most likely have cost us a finish in the USA 500 this year had we not had those checked. There’s not very many more disappointing circumstances in a racer’s life than that.
There is so much that goes into race preparation for weeks, even months or more prior, and you know what? Two Larrys is nothing unique – we ALL suffer this self-inflicted abuse called racing. And we wouldn’t trade it for anything else.
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