Brake Problems Hinder Stafford Run
On Friday night, of the Memorial Day holiday weekend, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour returned for the second of four events to be held at Stafford Motor Speedway (Stafford Springs, CT).
The event began with a mid-afternoon 90-minute practice session. The No. 90 UNION Insurance Group Chevrolet ran respectable times amongst an incredible competitive field (a tenth of a second was the difference between 10 spots).
Qualifying was slated for 6 PM. The team drew a dreaded early position for time – going out 7th of the 33 cars to attempt to qualify for the 31-car field. As predicted, Renee qualified poorly in the 26th spot.
After qualifying, Renee participated in an autograph session on Stafford’s midway.
The125-lap feature eventually rolled off at about 10 PM. The race went green for 32 laps. When the next caution waved about 10 laps later, Renee brought the car to pit road for chassis adjustments and fresh rubber. When the car returned to the track, the brake problems that have plagued the team all season reared their ugly head.
“This has been a frustrating season – to say the least,” explained Renee. “The brake situation has had us completely stumped. Obviously, we went to the track thinking we had the problem solved. But, we didn’t – and we didn’t know that until race time. It’s just impossible to drive the car with major brake issues. It makes the car unpredictable and incredibly inconsistent.”
“Regardless, with Martinsville next week, we unloaded the car on Saturday morning and went to work. We borrowed some brake pressure gauges and immediately confirmed a serious problem. Eventually we found a clearance issue with the bias adjuster and pedal assembly. Some machine work on the Bridgeport solved the problem. But, to be certain we changed all the steel lines on the car too. Now, between the last three races, we have swapped out every brake component on the car.”
Whatever the case, the team was credited with an 18th place finish and is now ranked 13th in the season-long points battle.
“On an interesting side note, on Saturday night I got a call from Waterford,” explained Renee. “One of our crew guys was down there and was talking with Rob Summers (a fellow WMT racer) about our problem. They called me and Robbie and I talked. He said they chased the same exact problem for four races last season. We commiserated over the frustration, because – from the outside looking in – it appears like the driver just isn’t getting the job done. He went out of his way to call to make sure we had the problem properly addressed. He didn’t have to do that, but I’m very appreciative that he did.”
As Renee mentioned, the team is headed to Martinsville (VA) this weekend for a 200 lap race – which is scheduled to go off at 1 PM on Sunday, June 6. The race will air on SPEED at a date and time yet to be announced.
Learning Lime Rock
With the July 3 Whelen Modified Tour race date at Lime Rock Park (Lakeville, CT) quickly approaching, Renee has been busy working to learn the intricacies of road course racing.
To that end, she has been out at Lime Rock’s 1.53-mile track twice in recent weeks. First, Renee ran the course with BMW Instructor Bob Rivard at a club event. Then, most recently, she had the opportunity to work with Simon Kirkby and Peter Argetsinger – both highly accomplished and respected racers and instructors.
“I’ve been racing for a long time, but I have virtually no road course experience,” confessed Renee. “Actually, the experience I do have is an embarrassment. Back when we did Setup
[a racing themed reality TV show that aired on SPEED in 2007], we excelled at everything until we went to the first road course – then we got sent home,” she continued. “Now the stakes are much higher and I want to know what I’m doing when we get to Lime Rock.”During her time at the track, Renee focused primarily on learning the line, and braking and shifting points. But, was also able to get a feel for what she wants out of her Modified.
“Even though I was in BMWs – not a Modified, I was able to feel what the car was doing and related the differences to my guys,” she explained. “It’s not just turning right, it’s a totally different feel in the seat of your pants. My first impression – and I mean like the first 30 seconds I was on the track – was I need big brakes and a really well balanced car. How we achieve that balance, in cars that were designed only to turn left, is something we’re already hard at work on.”
“From what’s been explained to me, from a technical standpoint, Lime Rock is as complicated as it gets. It was an unbelievable opportunity to work with Simon and Peter. They got me to concentrate on my line, working to erase early and late apexes. Obviously there is no way to conquer Lime Rock in just a few sessions, but at the end of the day, I think I left having both a better feel and understanding for where the car needs to be and why it needs to be there.”
In related news, NASCAR and Hoosier held a test last week with four teams (see the YouTube clip below) at Lime Rock. Additionally, an open test has been scheduled for June 29 at Lime Rock. At that point, Renee will be given an opportunity to see what she can do with her new-found knowledge. For more information on additional Lime Rock track time, please click here.
Twitter Post Results in Molyslip Product Sponsorship
“I’ve been racing for many years and – during that time – I’ve developed sponsorship relationships through several different avenues, offered Renee.” However, recently an old friend – Charli Brown – shared a Twitter post with me that eventually developed into a product sponsorship deal for our team. It’s like social-networking sponsorship – that’s a first!”
Regardless of how the relationship materialized, the No. 90 Whelen Modified Tour team is pleased to announce Molyslip as their newest supporter. For over 40 years, Molyslip has offered a line of superior lubricating products for the automotive, industrial, marine, home and recreational markets.
In the high performance/extreme stress Whelen Modified Tour environment in which Renee competes, Molyslip promises to deliver increased performance and durability. All while helping to keep her equipment running longer, smoother, and at lower operating costs.
No stranger to the Modified world, Finish Line Racing School’s Mike Loescher has been a long-time believer in Molyslip, offering: “We not only achieve superior performance but I know we have saved on maintenance and longevity.
Like Mike, the No. 90 team intends on utilizing many of the products from Molyslip’s line. The team will focus on the Engine and Gear Oil Supplements; Anti-Seize Compound; Penetrating/Lubricating Oil; High Temp Bearing Grease; and Multi Purpose Grease with Molybdenum. In the meantime, team engine builder – Performance Engines – will be provided with Assembly Compound; Break-In and Engine Oil Supplement.
Furthermore, the team’s Freightliner tow vehicle requires the same reliability as their racecars and, as a result, it too will benefit from the Moylslip treatment with their Diesel Fuel Conditioner.
“With ten of our next 12 events being televised, we’re excited to be able to provide Molyslip with some national publicity and brand recognition.”
For more information, please visit Molyslip’s website.