It's time to get my shift together

Today all of the parts needed to overhaul the top-loader transmission arrived from DAN WILLIAMS including the new NASCAR style shifter and linkage. Now all I have to do is tear down the one I have and install all the new goodies and I'll be standing around with a transmission and no place to stick it. But as soon as the engine arrives it won't take long to find a place. The LAKEWOOD Scattershiled is detailed and ready to go.

What me nervous? Naaaa.

As of today it is exactly 30 days until the day I had hoped to test on. There's not much left but it sure would be nice to have another two months to do it in. Yes, I have a safety margin for other test days so it's not like the end of the world however it would be very rewarding to hear Lucky all fired up on the day that I actually wrote in the time-line that I wrote out some time ago.

Besides installing the rest of the navigation equipment (which could be done even after the testing.) I still have some dash work to take care of and test. The overhaul kit will be here in a few days so I can rebuild the toploader transmission. Today I spoke to the engine builder and he is waiting for the carb and the rocker arms so hopefully the engine may be ready in a week or two. (On hands and knees praying.) Then I will bolt in the seats, seat belts and window nets. In the next week or so I plan on installing the redundant fuel pump system and lines to and from the engine and fuel cell. I should be receiving the brake mounting brackets and the new rear end in the next week or so as well. At that time I can install the front brake cooling ducts. Then all I have to do is install the front windshield and take the car back to IMPACT ENGINEERING to have some things addressed and welded. A couple of new sets of wheels should be here this week and the tires can be ordered in another week or so.

After the testing is completed any issues found will be addressed and then the car can be taken to have the racing stripes painted on and the side GT stripes can also be installed. Then I will install the fire system, some horns, navigator's foot rest plate and so on. So as you can see, there's nothing to worry about. Rightttttt.

Meet Lucky the mascot

Anyone crazy enough to enter a race that starts at the border of Guatemala, then drive as fast as you can along public highways with no guard rails, dangerous cliffs, sharp curves, roaming livestock, barren desert, overgrown jungle and washed out roads and then party each night, then get up early and do it all over again for 7 days straight needs someone who is up to the challenge. All this will require members who are quick on their feet, intelligent, and good looking. That is why we decided to invite Lucky himself along to get things off to a good start. Here is Lucky with his demonstration on how he intends to drive the La Carrera Panamericana.

Who said it won't rain?

Today I accomplished two what most would call minor projects but when you are involved in a race (any race) let alone one that starts at the border of Guatemala and last until you get back to the United States some 7 days later NOTHING is minor.

One such task was finishing up the electrical system for the heater. Now before anyone starts asking questions like, "What kind of a race car has a heater?" let me tell you that I attribute lots of good reasons why a race car, especially a car designed for endurance racing should have not only a heater but defrosters to boot. God willing this will not be the only endurance race that Lucky will star in and there are several races TEAM CALIFORNIA'S BEST utilizes a heater/defroster. Besides the obvious reasons of needing a defroster in the humid and rainy jungles found in the southern parts of Mexico near the Guatemalan border and other races like the 25 HOURS OF THUNDERHILL which takes place in December during what some call the monsoon season, there are other factors. One such reason is that a heater helps an engine hold a larger amount of water which helps keep the engine running cooler especially since over-heating is a common problem at the altitude which cars run during the La Carrera Panamericana. Any winning endurance team will always give high priority to visibility and ways to help an engine run cooler.

Another "small" project I dealt with today was building a better mouse trap so to speak with regards to the power steering hoses. As I mentioned in an earlier post over the years I have removed power steering from many of my Mustangs but for such a long race with so many turns MAIERS RACING has advised me to run a custom power steering setup. Since Mustangs are not known for having reliable power steering hoses I designed and then had some hoses built that will not fail. The good thing about power steering on a mustang is that should it ever fail you can just keep on driving. Sort of like a built in back up plan.

Lucky has a new friend (Can Lucky come out and play?)

I sure hope we don't get in trouble. The other day I placed an ad in the paper to sell Lucky's rear end and boy did that ad get a lot of response! Check out Lucky's cute new little friend that dropped by to check out Lucky.

I finally finished wiring up the fuel sender to the FUEL SAFE Racing cell. While I was at it I installed the spare tire mounting bracket which was designed and built by IMPACT ENGINEERING that is required to race in the La Carrera Panamericana. Most spare tires found in GT350's were located in the back seat shelve area however due to the complex full roll cage which another IMPACT ENGINEERING design found in Lucky it will be a lot faster to get the spare out should we need it. Besides, I don't think Jon or I will be keeping our luggage in the trunk anyway.

Taking time out to smell the roses

I can't help but laugh at times when I realize this whole adventure is on about the same time-line as my grandson Tyler Gene considering both are just a little over 1 year old. Between all the excitement of the build of Lucky and the excitement of watching Tyler grow both of which seems to be at lightning speed I can honestly say each is an awesome experience. Needless to say of the two Tyler is our highest priority but what's even better is that Tyler loves race cars and he has literally grown up around Lucky. We all enjoy Tyler Gene and he has made our lives rich and even Tyler makes gramps take time out to smell the roses. (And a weed or two.)

But Lucky has even more friends to make yet since my navigator Jon Emerson and his wife also has a new bundle of joy at his household of about the same age and she is destine to make a lot of fellas hearts throb.

What good would an exciting life be without someone special to share the experience with? Yes, we are blessed men.

You can never read too much

One of the ways I relax is by enjoying other blogs and God knows there are a bunch however I have found what I consider my favorites. There are too many to list however there are a couple that stand out in my mind. One such blog is HEMMINGS AUTO BLOGS. I would find it hard to believe there is a single auto aficionado who is not familiar with the Hemmings reputation. While some teenagers were sneaking a peek at their ole man's Playboy I was getting yelled at for not returning my dad's Hemmings back to his favorite recliner. If you needed anything auto related, Hemmings was the place to look and still is. Click here for a sample LUCKY REPORT which mentions Lucky's progress.

Another favorite blog of mine is THE GARAGE BLOG. Not only is this a great place to read about everything that goes somewheres between slow and fast but this blog is based out of Canada which seems to offer some awesome "up north" viewpoints and personalities as well. You can also keep up with Lucky's status at THE GARAGE BLOG as well by clicking here; LUCKY REPORT.

While it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to see feature articles about Lucky and the adventure that is unfolding for TEAM CALIFORNIA'S BEST, there is so much more to be found in these great blogs so be sure and check them out.