After a late morning we arrive at NCMP to mid-40 degree temps C.O.L.D.. At least the sun was out!! The karts are unloaded and some minor track prep is done to get everything ready to drive. Chain and gear installed on the newly mounted never raced ROTAX. During tightening of the motor mount, I notice a small amount of water...strange, but I proceed with my prep work. OK everything is ready, tape on the radiators, air pressure set on the tires, suit and helmet on...lets start this Rotax and get on the track. As SOON as I hit the start button the motor fires, and water begins to SPRAY from the head of the cylinder....SHUT IT OFF! Well my worst thought that ran through my mind upon seeing the small amount of water on the bottom of the motor while tightening the motor mount was in fact the worst imaginable scenario...the motor has froze and cracked overnight during the freezing temps! There goes that motor...guess that's racing!
On to the shifters...(there are advantages to having more than one kart in the stable)...shifters start with no issues. I proceed to log several on-track sessions, making minor tuning, and chassis changes in-between. All with positive results and making lap time improvements along the way. We had the radar gun in use along the back straight, and monitored the MPH changes with the tuning changes. All good information to log. Top speed of the day on the 800' straight was 81MPH. Not bad for a 30HP motor....
The temps finally broke the 50 degree mark, just about time to load up and call it a day. All-in-all, a good spring day! Clear blue skies, fast karts, and if not for the ROTAX debacle...it would have been a perfect trip :)
....tomorrow I am off for training on the rebuild certification for the Rotax Service Center requirements. Bright side is, I have a motor that needs to be rebuilt!
