Willy Wankel Cruise Lines

[N.RotaryTech]

Originally Posted by magpiemini

Car ran beautiful, ran cool, handled very well considering it's age and no leaks. Leaks? Yes I am used to racing British cars so this was a nice surprise for me.

And, you got this thing up to 100mph!?

[magpiemini]

Originally Posted by N.RotaryTech

And, you got this thing up to 100mph!?

Actually 115mph once when I pushed it. Yeah it looks rough, that is why I took it to a track day, now I trust it and it will be worth turning it in to a race car. The only money I can really spend is on safety, tires, brakes, roll cage, etc. I can also spend a bit of money on the theme but not a lot, cheap paint, home made plastic parts, dolls, etc. I will spend about $75 on some oompa loompa dolls, two for the paddle wheel on the back and one mounted on the front (bow) as the mermaid. In theory you are not suppose to spend a bunch of money on the engine, porting and such. I was told this one was ported already but I have no idea what was actually done.

[Force13b]

Originally Posted by magpiemini

Actually 115mph once when I pushed it. Yeah it looks rough, that is why I took it to a track day, now I trust it and it will be worth turning it in to a race car. The only money I can really spend is on safety, tires, brakes, roll cage, etc. I can also spend a bit of money on the theme but not a lot, cheap paint, home made plastic parts, dolls, etc. I will spend about $75 on some oompa loompa dolls, two for the paddle wheel on the back and one mounted on the front (bow) as the mermaid. In theory you are not suppose to spend a bunch of money on the engine, porting and such. I was told this one was ported already but I have no idea what was actually done.

I think you need to budget in the rental of a few midgets for race day.

[magpiemini]

Originally Posted by Force13b

I think you need to budget in the rental of a few midgets for race day.

Our drivers have small kids that are willing to become as foolish as we are. We will also have an over stuffed blueberry girl and I will be dressed as Willy. the hood will have a picture of a Wonka bar but will be Wankle bar.

[Force13b]

Originally Posted by magpiemini

Our drivers have small kids that are willing to become as foolish as we are. We will also have an over stuffed blueberry girl and I will be dressed as Willy. the hood will have a picture of a Wonka bar but will be Wankle bar.

Perfect

[magpiemini]

Finally getting around to updating this build with some of the latest pics...

[magpiemini]

The team has been renamed to Wankel Grumpy Nerds. In one of these pics, that is Willy (me) on the left, Jay Lamb organizer of the 24 Hours of LeMons, Oompa and Veruca. Loompa forgot his costume and is not in the photo.

[GySgtFrank]

[magpiemini]

Sorry I have not posted in a while, this one is an update to the Chuckwalla race in December. Not a great day, car completed 5 laps at the start and then was towed in. To make a long story short, the gas tank fuel pickup filter came apart and all the old crap in the fuel tank got jammed into the fuel pump. Replace the pump and external filter several times that weekend, even drained the tank but only completed about 35 laps all weekend.

Tank has been cleaned, new pickup sock, new pump and external filter. Tested great at the Streets of Willow.

[magpiemini]

I had great expectations for the Sears Pointless race in Sonoma. Since we were not even close to being the fastest car in our class, goal was no black flags and top half of Class A. The car was running great but rear brakes were locking up easily on Saturday. There were 90 cars in Class A and 170 cars in total. Came in Saturday evening in 46th place. Put the old stock rotors on the rear to reduce the braking power, nope no brake bias valve installed yet.

AAARG, went to replace the front disc pads and found out I had rear pads in the brand new sealed box of fronts. Yep, rear pads in the rear box too. Put some used pads on the front that had more meat on them then the pads we took off.

Bled the brakes, checked the fluids and told the drivers to take it easy on Sunday, just finish and have fun.

First stint went well, we were in 40th place, second driver got in and the brakes went to the floor before he got far. Master cylinder was leaking out the tank rubber gasket. Nope, no spare. Took it apart and the tank was not cracked but the front piston for the rear brakes was jammed. Cleaned it up, put it back together and finished the race in 50th place.

Oh, had a close call when a rookie driver turned in on me, a bit too early for turn one. Every one was fine but I had to keep her on my right so we would not bash the cars into the wall that were on my left.

Yep, I have ordered a whole bunch of brake parts and spares.

Crash Video and my son's picture and blog links below, you can also follow us on Facebook, search for Wankle Grumpy Nerds, yes we spelled Wankel wrong on purpose.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qgYBXg3Z68

http://socalcolin.blogspot.com/2013/...ankel-rx7.html

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http...=KAQEdVZkw&s=1

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http...WlZ&s=1http://

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http...=nAQFa0cXB&s=1

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http...=6AQEV0OHA&s=1

[magpiemini]

Oh yeah, the team has been renamed to Wankle Grumpy Nerds

[WE3RX7]

You stayed really cool during that little incident... well played. Could have been a lot worse. Glad it looks like the car shook it off and was able to keep on trucking..

[magpiemini]

Yes it ran all day Sunday, except for the stop to rebuild the brake master cylinder. Babied the brakes the rest of the day. New parts coming in every day.