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Just thought I would put this on your radar. Myself and 3 other guys are preparing a TR 6 for Chumpcar/Lemons racing. The project is just starting and can be followed at our blog, http://riffrafracing.blogspot.com/ We hope to debut at the Chumpcar event at Roebling Road at the end of August. Should be fun and who knows where the car will end up! How's that for Classic Motorsport!
Joe Downer Charlotte, N.C.
Sounds fantastic! Please post images of the build when you get a chance.
What's the "theme"?
We have just started "deconstruction" and the sale of parts to get under the $500 required limit (Car cost $600!). Photos are posted on blog. Next will be cage installation. Will post photos.
Our theme is, of course, the RAF! The car has been named Lacey after a RAF Spitfire pilot and also for all the rust holes we are finding!
Joe Downer
Just a quick update. We are picking up the car Friday from one of the other team members to have the cage installed. Will post pictures. Team has stabilized at 6 drivers.
Joe
jhd11 wrote: Our theme is, of course, the RAF! The car has been named Lacey after a RAF Spitfire pilot and also for all the rust holes we are finding!
James "Ginger" Lacey?
Good choice.
There ain't any Triumphs in my garage anymore, but that's my fault. You never forget your first girl, right? (1969 GT-6+)
Good luck! Go get em!!
Hey Fried Green, That's the one! The car should be in the cage shop next week. After that, reconstruction will start. Still aiming for Roebling Road event in August as our debut.
Joe Downer
In reply to jhd11:
Just an update...Lacey competed in her first competition yesterday. 3 team members were able to autocross her at a local SCCA event, until the rear end broke! Better now than at Roebling Road. As near as we can figure, this is the first time the car has moved under her own power in 15 years! Next stop, Roebling Road in 1 month!
Joe Downer
In reply to jhd11:
Great that you made it to the track already and have the entire summer to get her sorted. Have fun and best of luck!!
Are you running a welded diff? I kept breaking 1/2 shaft U-Joints with an open diff on my spit on the track until I put the welded diff back in. My spit has enough power to spin one tire with just about every up shift in anger. The u Joints would break when it suddenly got traction, like on the curbing. The welded diff spreads the load out more. I can still break the tire loose If I want to but I haven't broken any 1/2 shaft joints, from spin anyway, since then.
Your 6 cylinder motor has more torque than mine, expect problems. The stock Triumph drive train is barely able to work on the street. Racing is stress at an entirely different level.
mike
In reply to OFracing:
We are (were) using a welded diff. We are not sure if it was not done properly or what. I have not heard a final diagnosis of the problem. There was a loud bang and a complete loss of drive which we suspect was the rear end.
Joe Downer
Thought I would post an update after our first race at Roebling Road. Lacey completed all 7 hours Saturday and 7 hours Sunday with finishes of 14th and 17th out of 33 entrants! Only minor problems to contend with. We were all surprised and extremely happy at her performance. 14 hours at racing speeds! We will travel to Sebring in a month for an 11.5 hour race (Almost the 12 Hours of Sebring!).
Joe Downer RiffRAF Racing Charlotte, N.C.
In reply to jhd11: Congrats on finishing well both days. How beat up did you feel on Monday, that's a lot of work.
mike
In reply to OFracing:
We had 5 drivers so did 1 hour Saturday and 1.5 hours Sunday. Tired but not too beat up! The heat was rough! I am now considering a Cool Shirt. Never needed one for SCCA sprint races.
Joe Downer
This Friday RiffRAF Racing leaves for Sebring Florida to compete in the Not Quite 12 Hours of Sebring ChumpCar event. After fixing the problems that appeared at Roebling Road, we hope for another finish in this 11.5 hour event and hopefully move up in the finishing positions. Wish us luck!
Joe Downer RiffRAF Racing TR6 Charlotte, N.C.
We'll see you there!
Tim, David, Scott, Steve and I are planning to head down and watch the festivities and conduct some "research" since our project isn't ready yet.
There's a new update on our car over at the Grassroots site.
In reply to Tom Heath:
Tom, Please look us up! I think we will be the only TR6 there! After the festivities, we will have a frosty adult beverage waiting for you.
Joe Downer
P.S. Can't wait to see your car on track.
We'll definitely be looking for you guys. You know we have a soft spot for TR6s!
Just remember...this will not be the most pristine TR6 you have ever seen!
Joe
Good luck Joe. I'm impressed you guys could get a TR6 just drivable for $500, even with the number of parts you must have sold. I hope you don't have trouble with the rear hubs, diff pinion, or other TR6 weak points.
JoeTR6, Thanks. We have a lot of Triumph guys with a lot of experience AND parts. We did sell a lot of parts off Lacey (will try to post picture of our painted on tail lights!). I have learned to drive with my fingers crossed hoping nothing will break!
Joe
Sebring Race Report: Well, our good luck apparently ran out at Roebling. We spent much time in the pits diagnosing and attempting to fix problems w/ ignition and fuel. We kept plugging and finished 24th out of 35. We took the green and took the checkered at Sebring! Lacey is heading for the garage to get her ready for next year.
Joe Downer
Good luck, guys, if you need some long distance help, let me know - I race a 6.
We ran Lemons in a Honda SI WITH a coolsuit.
Jeff Baker Irishflute@juno.com
Would love to see the TR6 at Palm Beach for the last Lemons race of the year. We should have the Lincoln done by then.
In reply to Tim Suddard:
After a winter engine rebuild (with used parts!), Lacey is ready to take to the track beginning this weekend at Rockingham N.C. Twin 7 hour ChumpCar races. Ambitious schedule this year, hope to see many of you at the track!
Joe Downer RiffRAF Racing TR6 Charlotte, N.C.
Our next crapcan racing date is on April 23rd in Charlotte. That date is with ChumpCar instead of the LeMons folks; I'm curious how the different sanctioning bodies handle these events.
Any chance you'll be at that there in Charlotte as well?
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