Lisa Devlin's Racing Diary

'Isn't That Car Done Yet?'

by Lisa Devlin

OK, everyone, this update is really for me. I keep feeling like we're getting no where on the DSR, so I needed to read where we were last month and then write where we are this month so I feel better.

So how have I kept out of trouble in the last month?

Bodywork... I finished painting the body white and, hopefully will be able to paint the spots on this weekend. The center section is mounted and the seemingly endless job of cutting, fitting drilling and riveting all the sheetmetal is finished.

OK, so I still have to do the sheetmetal on the nose, but that's nothing compared to what I've already been through. The tail is almost done. I cleaned up and painted the wing and we have the wing and wingplates mounted to the tail, but we still need to put on the cross bracing for the wing. The reinforcement under the tail worked really well, but it wreaked havoc on the fit over the tail frame, so that's what's holding up finishing the tail.

Brakes... Once the suspension was put together, we put on the rotors, bolted on the brake calipers and did a rough brake bleed.

Oh, and have I mentioned yet about putting the miles of safety wire through all the critical bolts? That's finished, too.

Power... We've been talking about putting Ted's stock engine in my car, but it was the one that he dumped all the oil out of last year. That's the bad news. The good news (sort of) is that he dumped all the oil onto his back tire causing him to spin and stall immediately which probably saved the engine. We opened it up and it looks really good, so it's going in the car.

Finally... Last Saturday, I wanted to go to Sears Point to get the log book. The Regional Season Opener was going on, and I didn't want to have to deal with a log book on my first race day with the car. It was actually a pretty painless process and now it's an official race car! #33-3275!

And this brings us to the present... I don't feel so bad now. Reading over this makes it look like we got a lot done over the past month. My next report should be in a few weeks. I'm planning on taking it to Thunderhill on April 10-11 for testing and I'm entered in the race at Laguna Seca on April 17-18... Another first race at Laguna... what a good omen.

Until next time!

To send a letter to Lisa, email to devlin@thunval.com

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