AE86 Update: AE86 vs Jamwest *Part 2

The AE86 project which began when I acquired the machine in 2010, was loaded and locked on the target – Dover 2013. But, just to ensure that all the bolts were tightened and the machine was a sound, race-worthy missile, we took the decision to use the event at Jamwest, a few weeks before the season opener at Dover Raceway, as a Test and Tune session.

So, the machine went adrenalin-hunting, on track, for the first time, at Jamwest Speedway. While I was exploring AE’s H-pattern gears in the moon-rich hours of late evening and before the grin of approval met my face, a hurdle appeared.

Don’t know how many laps I did before I detected an intrusive scent while heading to corner 1. I continued, but the scent gained momentum. I decided to to stop. Headlights still on. When I raised the bonnet, the pale beam from my ‘flashlight phone’ told a sad tale – there was oil everywhere! The engine was silent (off) by this time. I had a single thought – the engine was damaged!

I eventually had to leave the car and return to the pits to get help. A Jamwest team member got a pick-up truck and we towed AE back to the pits. While I was in the pits, with the assistance of some ‘Black-top 20 valve’ enthusiasts I met earlier, I realized that an extended ‘nipple’ that we used to make an ‘oil line’ broke and that was where the oil was leaking from. We did further checks and confirmed that the engine was not damaged. The unbearable weight that was on my right shoulder disappeared! My world immediately returned to its former -  happy -  status!

I then conveyed what unfolded to my crew. They were still in Kingston. I did not know it then, but they made plans to leave Kingston about 3am, inorder to arrive early and see what could be done. I will say this a million times and it will still not be enough, – All that I have done and achieved re – AE -  could not be done without them!

I eventually called it a night – retired at a lovely guest house (dont remember the name) and had an unexpected, peaceful nap-session. Got up early and drove to the track. When they came (AE’s crew), they agreed that AE could not be repaired at the track. W adjusted our profile from competitor to spectator!

Misfortune knows no bias – Peter Rae’s machine called a time-out!

Fortunately, during the event, we actually got sound advice from several individuals who ‘passed through’ our pit area, re, what to do to prevent a recurrence. Advice that we eventually used! On its first, brief excursion, AE gained several fans!

We learnt from our own experience and that of others and we made preparations for the ‘big one’ – Dover Raceway was a month away!

Note to self – AE could have burnt to the ground during its first track-attack! I counted all of my lucky stars!!

Jamwest – 1     AE86 – 0

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer