fp280z

Here ya go. Enjoy! http://vimeo.com/38283015 Use 5k298gt for the pw.

I do. I've softened up the rear shocks in the past to try to address it but then my corner entry turn-in suffers. I'm running the 300ZX Turbo clutch diff. I rebuilt it with new friction plates about 7 years ago and I think it's a little on the tight side (compared to driving Tom's car) but seems to let me put power down fairly well out of slow corners (other than the push). Certainly something that could be tuned but not something I've tried to play around with yet.

Course videos! East Course West Course

Congrats to Henry, he threw down a flyer of a run on Friday that none of us could match! Great driving! As for me (and the car) we definitely had a chance at the win. I was a single driver and had to take advantage of every run as the tires heated up to temp. Unfortunately I made a couple of errors on each of my third runs and had to stand on my second runs. That's the difference between a champion and third place! The car was certainly not holding me back though. I'm very happy about my first podium finish at Nationals! Jon, shoot me some info on your power steering setup if you don't mind. And John C., let's talk shock valving. I have the SA race Konis.

I haven't forgot about you guys. I passed along the digital copy to DT's son last week and my understanding is that he still has a few legal issues to work out but he is planning to share the video once those are resolved. I promise, you will be the first to know!

58 minutes.

I got the new copy and have converted it over. The transfer came out pretty good and it's the whole thing. I'm working with DT's estate to determine the best and most legal way to share it. Stay tuned, a few of you should get a PM from me soon.

I've got a line on a fresh copy and a friend of mine does conversion work on the side. I'll keep you updated.

I have this on VHS. I'll look around for it next week...

Congrats once again John! Really cool to see so many different cars in the FP mix this year. Wish I coulda been there to see how the 275 A6's would've compared, there's something to be said for an autocross-specific compound for inconsistent conditions, IMHO... Hope I can return to the class next year! (Although XP is a possibility as well at this point.) -Rick

West course, my fastest run. Would have put me in third place for the day right behind Toby for the day but I coned it. Awesome course! http://www.vimeo.com/6573605 It looks like vimeo squeezed it to 4:3 but you can download the original file to see it in 16:9. -Rick

I'll be there too of course! As Tom said, on paper it's looking like a great year for FP. +1 on the weather cooperating!!! (Although my only National trophy in FP was helped out by first day drying conditions in 2007. Hmm.) Hey John, I may not be your best customer but I will be running the hood I bought from you this year! -Rick

Looks like my throwout bearing theory was incorrect. My best guess is that the rivet on the pressure plate spring failed and vibrated everything else loose, eventually throwing two of the clutch cover bolts and two of the dowel pins out of the tranny. http://www.typeischeap.com/clutch2008.html -Rick

Thanks. The video was taken with just my point-and-shoot Canon PowerShot SD450 on a rollbar mount. As for what broke, something wanted out of the tranny bellhousing and made its way out. My theory is that my clutch was not adjusted properly and the throwout bearing was dragging, finally giving up on my second run. With the stock hydraulics and stiff pressure plate it takes some time to get it adjusted just right. I adjusted it before Nats and still had plenty of freeplay at the actuator arm but I guess I was a little off and it started "pumping up", eventually enough to take up the slack I had adjusted in. Just a theory, I haven't pulled the trans yet. -Rick

Hmm. Since the hatch was not latched I could also see some side effects of the airflow through the windows of the car pushing the hatch up. This would skew your numbers down, no? -Rick