Garage Heroes In Training - GHIT 0089: Top 10 List of Things We Learned From Racing

GHIT 0089: Top 10 List of Things We Learned From Racing

01/30/20 • 45 min

For this shorter episode of our podcast we thought it would be helpful and fun to go over our individual lists of the top ten things we have learned in our first two years of low budget endurance racing. We also had a few items added in from Kate as well as several thoughts from our Facebook and Instagram accounts. In addition to our top ten list, highlights include:

1) If its worth doing, it worth overdoing, again. 2) Bill’s math side is affecting his line and apex visualization and target, still 3) Jen needs to work on her subtlety 4) Vicki is confused with what racing means, but refers to it assuming she is addressing new drivers 5) We review our top choices for low cost endurance tires and brakes at this point 6) Square tires are not desirable 7) Vicki and Bill discuss tire pressure and its potential effects on traction and grip and car handling 8) Bill pretends to be Richard Dawson 9) Black flags are not atta boys or girls 10) Jen learns about blips and has homework for the morning 11) Jen’s cat makes an appearance by rubbing on the microphone and says hi 12) Alan apparently makes an appearance via Jen 13) We talk about the video Mental said not to talk about 14) Another discussion on the difference between front wheel drive and rear wheel drive cars 15) Jim makes another drop in appearance 16) Matt F, Randy B, Roger M, Jason H, and James M were kind enough to add a few items to our lists 17) Purple mist with sparkly pop rocks It seems like the only things we learned were from the Three Pedal Mafia. Hopefully, you can find a team willing to help mentor you early in your racing team’s growth to assist you. Best regards, Bill, Vicki, and Alan Hosts of the Garage Heroes In Training podcast and team members in the GHiT Immature Endurance Racing Team

Previous Episode

GHIT 0088: Jim Tramontano of No Money Motorsports

Jim Tramontano is a racing driver primarily in Spec Miata and the creative force behind the No Money Motorsports blog. He started racing and tries to balance a personal life and a racing hobby within the confines of a real-world budget and time availability. He has tried many things to save both time and money. Many have worked, but some, not so much. He shares our interest in spreading the word about how much fun can be had with our sport and how it can be accomplished by almost everyone while maintaining a low budget. We subscribed to his blog many months ago and hope you will too. He is also a fun follow on Instagram.

Highlights from this episode include:

1) His history and growth in the sport and his blog 2) Vicki relearns to not stop on track with the brakes applied 3) The differences in Spec Miata and Spec MX-5 (and a bit Spec Mazda/MX Cup) 4) We discuss some of the Planet Miata visit we recently had and Miata’s in general 5) How he broke his Dodge/Mopar addiction, almost 6) Some of the details of the Spec Miata series vehicles 7) Scrubbed tires/Scrubs are introduced to Vicki for the first time 8) Several top tips and tricks to use when racing and being fiscally responsible or at least be able to buy even more toys a bit more easily 9) Many budget saving bookmarks and methods he uses 10) Camel Camel Camel as a source of parts etc 11) Vicki hears about ice racing for the 6th time/first time, lol 12) Vicki has her priorities straight, brake pads first, hubby a distant second 13) A no fail approach to torqueing your lug nuts, well almost 14) Vicki learns of bump drafting for the first time and isn’t quite sure about it, yet 15) Vicki, ever so subtly, tries to get another female driver by luring his wife out to the track some day 16) We begin to make a very bad plan for his current daily driven Civic Si into a low budget endurance race car 17) Vicki denies an early drive experience and reminisces about here long lost Wrangler 18) A bit of trash talk amongst friends towards the end

You can follow Jim on his blog at: https://nomoneymotorsports.com/

Or on instagram at: @ no_money_motorsports_blog

Best regards,

Bill, Vicki, and Alan

Hosts of the Garage Heroes In Training podcast

and team members in the GHiT

Immature Endurance Racing Team

Next Episode

GHIT 0090: Improving Driver Comfort for Safety and Speed

A bit late on this episode, but we cover a ton of the various factors that can improve driver comfort. This will help with speed, lessen fatigue, and improve safety. We hope you enjoy this episode. Topics include:

Pre-race preparation

Seat position and size halo/containment seats
Seat angle and seat size
Seat Height and helmet height
Seat range and angle of sliders
- Additional padding, Foam pads/risers and Expanding foam
Air ducts, and helmet inlets
Exhaust flow and no leaks
- Sound and noise reduction and ear plugs, if needed
- Signs and labels within the car
Radios and Pit-to-car communication
Dead pedal
Surgical tubing for Harness release
- Verify harness is fitting for biggest and smallest drivers
- Verify everyone knows how to assist with tightening harnesses for drivers
- - Several styles of harness
- Hook/Latch Link vs Cam Lock
- Pull down vs Pull up vs Ratcheting
Steering wheel position, tilt, and removeable
Mirror choices, rear view and side mirrors
Ability to reach all controls, switches, pedals, etc. easily
Racing Suit sizing

Pre-Stint

Water/fluids, and Minerals especially potassium and magnesium
Ginger pills and/or Dramamine for motion sickness and queasiness
Rest/Sleep
Food
Camelback or Water bottle
Silk Glove liners if cold
Cool shirt and coolers if warm

Stints

Driver Order and its potential effect on harness and seat changing time
Windshield clean and methods to keep fog free
Helmet shield cleaned and not foggy
Eyeglasses
- Stints: Start short, we used 30 min at our first race and work up per driver. Some teams and drivers can go as long as 4+ hours
Drink as needed, stay ahead, once behind it is too late
- Critical if doing more than one stint per race weekend
When you think you are losing concentration, you already have been and its been too long