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S197 FTWMS #50 S197 NASA Super Touring Racecar Build Thread Profile - S197 Mustangs

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captdistraction

GrumpyRacer
1,954
1,698
Phoenix, Az
I’m running the 13-14 GT500 13.8” rotor system. I’m actually selling it as part of my whole axle assembly in the tmo marketplace, but basically used the oem brackets to space out the caliper and then the larger rotor. Current disc weight is 16lbs (random, but I was weighing a lot of items recently)

Once I migrate to the cortex axle I’m going back to a custom girodisc rotor and oem caliper, but I believe it uses a smaller ring then what I have now.
 

captdistraction

GrumpyRacer
1,954
1,698
Phoenix, Az
RACE RECAP: Radford School Track with Looper 4/2/22


Well, this one will be short and sweet. One day event with NASA, didn't take the car off the trailer from the last event. Swapped two corded tires out with other tires I had used up (but not corded) as I wanted to burn them up for practice before going to a more fresh set. Running a new configuration on this track that had a "double chicane" feature in the front straight that really killed the momentum of this track provided some real challenge. Unfortunately on the fast backside I made an error (and one I've made a few times) and dropped a wheel over a curbing that's known as the track's "wheel killer". Hearing the signature clank, I thought to myself "well, that's going to come back to haunt me". Car was pushy and I thought I could just get it on the good side of the curb. 4 laps later the tire burst down the main straight in the braking zone. All in- damage was just the wheel (cracked) and tire. Apex wheels are super strong, but even super strong has little chance against the might of driver stupidity.
14DDF822-B81F-46E7-9C05-ECA43D47BFDC.jpeg0A5F3E35-46DC-46DE-8DAB-602643DE0ADD.jpeg
Swapped on a new wheel - and as I was getting ready to swap the rest a work call came in regarding an issue that had significant impact (banking IT systems). Unfortunately - that call lasted 7 hours and I had to pack up and head home just before the race started. The outcome there is I yielded my points lead in the championship and am bringing home not much more than resentment for my career and a broken wheel. As far as racing days go, could be much worse and I'll get over it.

I’ll likely look at the tie rod ends and balljoint from that side just to be safe.
 
Last edited:

Fabman

Dances with Racecars
6,518
8,154
Exp. Type
W2W Racing
Exp. Level
20+ Years
Pleasanton: 1/2 way between Sonoma and Laguna Seca
RACE RECAP: Radford School Track with Looper 4/2/22


Well, this one will be short and sweet. One day event with NASA, didn't take the car off the trailer from the last event. Swapped two corded tires out with other tires I had used up (but not corded) as I wanted to burn them up for practice before going to a more fresh set. Running a new configuration on this track that had a "double chicane" feature in the front straight that really killed the momentum of this track provided some real challenge. Unfortunately on the fast backside I made an error (and one I've made a few times) and dropped a wheel over a curbing that's known as the track's "wheel killer". Hearing the signature clank, I thought to myself "well, that's going to come back to haunt me". Car was pushy and I thought I could just get it on the good side of the curb. 4 laps later the tire burst down the main straight in the braking zone. All in- damage was just the wheel (cracked) and tire. Apex wheels are super strong, but even super strong has little chance against the might of driver stupidity.
View attachment 74150View attachment 74151
Swapped on a new wheel - and as I was getting ready to swap the rest a work call came in regarding an issue that had significant impact (banking IT systems). Unfortunately - that call lasted 7 hours and I had to pack up and head home just before the race started. The outcome there is I yielded my points lead in the championship and am bringing home not much more than resentment for my career and a broken wheel. As far as racing days go, could be much worse and I'll get over it.

I’ll likely look at the tie rod ends and balljoint from that side just to be safe.
Well that sucks. :(
 

Bill Pemberton

0ld Ford Automotive Racing Terror
8,420
8,346
Exp. Type
Time Attack
Exp. Level
20+ Years
Blair, Nebraska
I applaud you for posting the note and the pictures as it does bring a visual about why folks really should check out their wheels carefully each year. Regardless of whether someone is running a high quality wheel like Apex, Forgeline, Signature, etc. they do take a lot of abuse and one can get a hairline crack that can have consequences later. That wheel took a ton of damage from the curb and tire so it also is a confidence builder for those who purchased Apex wheels. I had a very similar issue happen to me with a Viper I had at the time running on Forgelines --- the damage was similar but it got me back to the pits. It was a driving force for folks to get on the Forgeline bandwagon as we were seeing the factory rims ( 1996 break ) and in fact they were later banned for track use. This is, in my mind , a positive for Apex and their durability.
 

captdistraction

GrumpyRacer
1,954
1,698
Phoenix, Az
I’m sure the damage was increased upon blowout - I had to slowly drive 3/4 of a lap to get back to paddock - but I’ll pull the video as the sound of my error was unmistakable. Even more so the following corner features curbing you literally take air over (gentle curbing but on a uphill) so I’m sure that didn’t help the damaged wheel for 4 laps.

I agree- this speaks to the strength of the apex wheels as I’ve seen far worse from that curb for other folk. Plus their replacement program softens the impact
 
675
253
Sorry to hear you had such a rough day! But yes thankfully it wasn't worse and you live to fight another day. Always enjoy reading about your exploits.
 

cholmes1

400lb Gorilla
350
216
Denver, CO
lol yes everything is fine. I think most just expect me to be onto the next by now. this one is running strong. I'm changing the plugs on it this weekend and peaking under the cam covers but otherwise will continue to run it another season before refreshing chains and other valvetrain components.

Curious how your blueprinted engine is holding up? Yours is certainly a great testament to its reliability given the high rpm life it sustains week after week.

Also, anything/any parts you believe you would change if you were starting such a build today?

Happy your wheel tire event did not result in significant damage or worse. At speed those can go badly really quickly.
 

captdistraction

GrumpyRacer
1,954
1,698
Phoenix, Az
Its been great, I hadn't touched the racecar since the last post, its been lamenting in the garage but I wouldn't change anything on the motor build outside dealing with whatever is going on with parts availability. Assuming I get back into this at some point, I'll look at refreshing the springs and retainers, then in another two-ish seasons do the rod and main bearings with a minor teardown inspection.
 

captdistraction

GrumpyRacer
1,954
1,698
Phoenix, Az
In signing up for Nationals - I'm getting the car prepped as best I can with the time left for Laguna - changed out a FTR bumpsteer kit for a cortex one. I liked the FTR kit more, but I'm not sure you can get parts for them anymore or a replacement kit - and getting setup/support and service parts in racing is half the battle. I might at some point drill out a set of spindles for a through bolt and make a better spacer solution.
IMG_5183(1).jpgIMG_5179(1).jpgIMG_5181(1).jpgIMG_5178(1).jpg


Still no cambered axle yet, however we're hopefully closing in with just enough time to get it delivered here and on the car before the championships. If not, I'll have to just run the car as-is and hope for the best. I'm still at my wit's end with racing (just tough with career and health issues), but I'm hopeful I can pull this off and have some fun along the way.
 
I had reach out to FTR about the shimless version they have but got no response. There's a bunch of comments on their IG about accepting orders but not delivering. Not sure what is going on, but looks like they are not in business...
 

Fabman

Dances with Racecars
6,518
8,154
Exp. Type
W2W Racing
Exp. Level
20+ Years
Pleasanton: 1/2 way between Sonoma and Laguna Seca
I had reach out to FTR about the shimless version they have but got no response. There's a bunch of comments on their IG about accepting orders but not delivering. Not sure what is going on, but looks like they are not in business...
I called and left messages about a year ago and got no response....no idea what's up with that.
 

Fabman

Dances with Racecars
6,518
8,154
Exp. Type
W2W Racing
Exp. Level
20+ Years
Pleasanton: 1/2 way between Sonoma and Laguna Seca
Another TMO Racer makes the funny papers:

 
152
167
In signing up for Nationals - I'm getting the car prepped as best I can with the time left for Laguna - changed out a FTR bumpsteer kit for a cortex one. I liked the FTR kit more, but I'm not sure you can get parts for them anymore or a replacement kit - and getting setup/support and service parts in racing is half the battle. I might at some point drill out a set of spindles for a through bolt and make a better spacer solution.
View attachment 77975View attachment 77976View attachment 77977View attachment 77978


Still no cambered axle yet, however we're hopefully closing in with just enough time to get it delivered here and on the car before the championships. If not, I'll have to just run the car as-is and hope for the best. I'm still at my wit's end with racing (just tough with career and health issues), but I'm hopeful I can pull this off and have some fun along the way.
I may have a FTR set in the shed - would you like me to check?
 

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