Track Ready.

I know I haven't finished up where I left off with the brake upgrades. The last week has been a little crazy with work and such. And up until yesterday I didn't plan on going to this Friday's season opener track day. Now that a track day is in the line up all the little projects I'd been meaning to get to got put into fast forward.
-Lower temp thermostat
-Oil change with heavier weight oil
-Finish up some one the yet to be seen changes to the braking setup.

(excuse the blur, it's late and I'm tired.)

General maintenance to make sure that everything is buttoned up and ready to roll tomorrow. It's been over a week since I drove the car, with the weather getting nicer, and my want to save money, and hopefully a little of the environment I've been riding the bike every day. Switching back to the Miata is odd, its probably the first time the car has felt fast, I don't remember the spacing of the gears, and it rides so much lower than my little Honda commuter bike. It's time to remember how to do all this before I hit the track Saturday. Last stop before that is a family friend's local shop for new transmission and differential fluid. Its hard to believe I've put 25 thousand miles on my car since this time last year, but I have.

The most important thing is I'm joining my friend Bart, and instead of spending the day instructing, PJ. They're both bringing their S2000's out for the day. Its sad to think that it may be one of the last track days I have with them both.

We know a place where no planes go.

One of my favorite parts of Nevada is that if you head to the desert, take a road that appears rarely travelled you'll come across signs like these, a place where you're not wanted.

Signs, military, large aerospace corporations, security cameras, and mystery. This site was supposedly a Saturn rocket test site and was used as far back as the Gemini project. Bob and I were nearly overcome by our curiosity to hop the gate and have a look.

Bil Baldwin

I don't make a point of going out of my way to disagree, or be difficult, but most of the time when I see an individual being hyped up, especially by a group with the name of "Beard Life," I don't expect much. The whole idol worship, fifteen minutes of fame thing has never caught me. Charlie Sheen cheetah blood references? Chuck Norris jokes? All seemingly stupid for the sake of others knowing what you're talking about.

This guy is the genuine article though, my skepticism was replaced with admiration as I watched and realized he wasn't a wannabe badass, a beard fanboy, or any other nonsense. Just a fan of motorsports, and dedicated to what he's doing.

Two shots from Bart

I've always liked Bart's style of photography, so I was excited to have him take some photos of my car, and now I respect the effort he puts into his work, even if its a goofy little shoot with a friend on a Sunday night.

http://www.wix.com/2423photos/2423
http://www.flickr.com/photos/renocafe/

Brakes pt:1

In the middle of last summer, in the desert outside of Fernley, I experienced my first PDX event in the Miata. Towards the end of the 20 minute sessions my brakes were getting noticeably hot.

Something had to be done. The idea of upgrading the brakes grew out of control until it was a complete system rethink.

Part 1 is a Trackspeed duct kit to get some fresh air in where the mesh wheels weren't. The well designed pieces also provide a heat shield for the lower ball joint and tie rod ends.

More to follow, and I have to give credit and thanks to my friend Bob, an excellent wrench turner and all around good time for sacrificing his Saturday to help me.