July 13th 2007
Total Performance called Tuesday morning and said the Kart was ready ($180). I decided to pick it up at 5:00 and then head over to the "tune-up" at Steve K.'s garage. The bill also included a #58 rear gear so once unloaded at Steve's I switched out the rear gear. We were going to scale the Kart and set the toe when Steve noticed that there was too much play in the steering. The Kart had a 1/4" tie rod on the left and the new replacement tie rod was 3/8" and because of the difference in heims we were getting play in the steering. A sleeve should have been inserted in the 3/8" heim to remove the play but wasn't. We scaled the Kart and found it was way off and we moved the right rear axle up and took the weight off the back bumper. Now I have to figure out a way to get the weight in front of the rear axle and find a sleeve and set the toe before Friday night. I'm new to all this and this does not set well for my current learning curve, at this point I'm getting stressed and a little hot from having to fix a repair that I have already paid for.
Wednesday morning and it is a new day! I call Jeff at Total Performance and he is aware of the situation already and offers to bring the parts to correct the mistake to the track on Friday or I can return the Kart and it will be taken care of. I decide to take the Kart back to the shop. After unloading the Kart I decide instead of just putting a sleeve in the larger 3/8" heim to just replace the 1/4" parts on the left side with new 3/8" parts and just drill the spindle out to fit ($27). Ryan performs the actual work and shows me how to set the toe-in - at least I'm starting to learn some of this stuff. Jeff gives me and the girls some shirts for our trouble and we will be wearing them at the track this week.
Wednesday night and I'm finishing the Kart up when our buddy Winchester calls and says he will stop over. Jamie and I clean the Kart up and change the oil and blow out the air filter and adjust the chain. I couldn't get the brake bleeder kit to work so just did it the old school way. Winchester figures a way to mount the weight behind the seat and we put the nose back on and load it into the trailer. I just have to lube everything up and it will be ready to go.
Friday and it's race day! Out on the Interstate we see the truck and trailer of Ryan (20t), we just follow them to the track (OK, I think Ryan's Dad, James, was doing a little blocking, he he he) We unload and check the tire pressures and get ready for the hot laps, wet track and Jaz picks up some mud but says the Kart is running faster. During the first heat race we notice that she is sliding thru turn 4 and make adjustment to the front toe for the 2nd heat race. During the break before the feature we finish making adjustments to her front end. Lots of Karts showed up and they ran 3 heats and 2 features. Jaz started in the back for her feature and there was some excitement out on the track, not sure where she finished but looks like she's running better. They announce that after the races they will run a trophy dash with Jaz and 3 other Karts. The final race of the night is the 6 lap dash with 4 Karts. Jaz ran a great race and takes 2nd place!