Our 2020 Content is on YouTube!

With the oddities of COVID-19 impacting everyone this year, we started a YouTube channel so you can track our builds for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. We’ve build a new BP05 1.8L motor for a charity car raffle, we’ve finished preparing other’s cars for the limited racing season, and we also have some useful tips and tricks. Check us out and consider subscribing for more DIY content.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIj1kXB9Op7DzGJWX8NHlrQ

2020 Season Mazda Miata Mx5 Racecar Build

We volunteered our time to complete the finishing work on a 2020 season Mazda Miata NA 1.8 VVT track build. We’ve been documenting the work via video, so check out our YouTube stream for several tips and tricks that will take this Miata from running to racing!

Extended off-season build updates

We have been delayed by at least two months for racing with the COVID19 outbreak. In the interim, we are working on a charity car build with MidwestMiataParts.com by providing our services on an engine rebuild.

We tore the engine down from above to check the cams, and from below to check the crank and connecting rod bearings. Both were looking like they had done 145k miles, so we ordered new bearings and are waiting on them to arrive. The engine looked like it was deprived of oil changes, as evidence by the spark plugs, so it’s currently sitting in a kerosene bath until all the parts are delivered.

We also did a quick paint video for a control arm set with poly bushings:

Stay tune as we move on to the head build next!

Off-Season Education and Build

We are starting our off-season education program with a rebuild on a 2009 Audi TT donated to the cause for our first in-shop rebuild. We’ll be starting with an engine replacement, as the donor motor has unfortunately had it’s timing slip and the head needs rebuilt.

Thus far we’ve got the front end tore down with our student learning how all the fasteners and electronics are routed. Our harnesses are labeled to make installation even easier when the replacement motor goes in. Now, all we need is a motor and the 2020 HPDE training car can begin getting suspension and brakes serviced.

Stay tuned for our YouTube build videos (once it’s all complete)!

Mid Ohio with NASA Great Lakes – May

We had another killer time at Mid Ohio this weekend. Took home back to back 1st place trophies on Saturday and Sunday. We spent some time adjusting the brake bias for the new Hawk compounds we are using – and the results were quite nice!

Major thanks to Brian for his photos!

The best part of the weekend was some off-track activity. On Sunday, we were getting hammered by rain…

A majestic rain front approaching Mid Ohio Racecar Course

… that rain gave us a great opportunity to catch up with fellow instructors, spectators, and drivers alike. We inspired a great youngster named CJ. He asked to sit in the car, play with the gear and pretend he was driving. At just 15 he is the perfect age to influence and we were happy to get him interested in cars and racing.

Mid Ohio with NASA Great Lakes – April 13 – 14

Man what a weekend! Finally got to take the car out after all winter of working on it. We had amazing weather and Saturday and some scary rain on Sunday. We managed to snag two first place finishes and two track records for the TT6 class of NASA Pro Racing. Our times were fast, but there is time left on the track!

The new livery looked great, and it feels amazing to have a RacecarCamp asset out there in full view! We have a lot of work to do with understanding the data of the track in the wet conditions on Hoosier H2Os, more to come soon!

Major thanks to Brian Doenges for the photos!

CHEAP MIATA WHEEL BEARING AND HUB REPLACEMENT

Front wheel bearings on the Mazda Miata are the weakest part of the vehicle. Unfortunately, they are critical to allowing you to race but fortunately the Miata gives a warning before they fail completely. Competition grade bearings exist, but for the price you can purchase 2.5 cheap bearings. This write up will show you some very quick tips to on how to replace bearings cheap and easy!

If your car sounds like the pads are dragging on one wheel, you are likely hearing the first warning signs of a bad wheel bearing. When you go around a hard turn, the sound will typically amplify in one direction, and soften when turning the other direction. You may not have the typical slop in the wheel when you shake the car, but you will hear the grinding sounds if your bearing is beginning to fail. Typically after a race in the rain the bearings need repacked with grease, otherwise you will be ordering replacements.

Local auto suppliers have bearing and hub assemblies that range in price from $22 to $100. Blueprinted competition bearings will cost you $200 dollars. Mathematically you can replace several economy bearings for the price of one premium bearing. Racing isn’t completely cheap, so a common bearing to opt for among frugal racers is a $70 Raybestos option (RAYBESTOS 713155 R-Line). The trick is to order the one for cars with ABS, regardless if your car has ABS or not, and you want to order the axle nut. Also, order longer wheel studs from a HUMMER H3 2006-2010. Verify they are M12 x 1.5 diameter and thread pitch. The Hummer studs are nice and long to fit your competition wheels lugs. The whole assembly should cost you around $80. The axle nut size is 29mm and the only special tool you’ll really need is a torque wrench that can read 120-150 ftlbs.


Removal is very straightforward. Simply impact the front axle nut off and discard the axle nut. You can keep it on hand as a spare, but absolutely use a new axle nut when we reassemble.


ABS bearings are cheaper than non-abs bearings. I have no idea why, but since we want to reduce weight you’ll want to tap the ABS ring off with a small hammer and punch. Be patient and hit it around the perimeter of the toothed ring in a few spots. You’ll take it off mm by mm, rather than with an aggressive blunt force.

We’ll need to remove those short OEM studs and press in your longer Hummer studs. A vise is your friend here as you do NOT want to hammer on the studs because you’ll wreck the threads. Then, a stud is going to break off on you during a tire change and your final event of the year will be saved by a kind racer who caries a spare. Don’t hammer the studs! The trick here is a deep well socket and your vise. Simply put the socket behind the stud you want to take off, and press your vise in on the other side. You won’t have to push far as the studs only have a 3/8 inch knurled base pressed into the hub. To press the new stud in, simply put the socket on the other side of of the bearing and push on the back side of the stud.


The length difference between the two studs is significant. You can really see the difference, and that extra length is critical for aftermarket wheels. Wheel changes become easier because the wheel doesn’t slide off the longer stud, lugs have more threads to “bite” on, and it’as easier hand tighten your lug nuts.

Assembly is very easy. Simply slide the completed hub assembly back on and tighten the axle nut to torque specs. On our car, the torque is 123-159 lbs-ft. You’ve got to punch the axle nut collar into the key way before you put your hub cap and wheel back on. That’s it – you’ve saved about $120.

Instructing with Auto Interests – Nelson’s Ledges OH

What a great weekend! Instructing with AutoInterests was a wonderful experience to wrap up their 2018 season at Nelson Ledges Road Course. The new track surface is quick! It was an oddly nice experience NOT driving my racecar and getting to relax and socialize a little more (don’t tell my racecar).

On Saturday, I had a student with amazing natural talent on Saturday who had never been on a track before, didn’t own a car, didn’t regularly drive a manual trans but that just absorbed, corrected, and impressed the entire day. I tried to convince her to come back on Sunday but schedules just didn’t permit it. Hopefully she keeps up with it in the future!

On Sunday, I had an eager to learn student who was excited to push his new supercharger build. He was another first timer novice that built good speed by the end of the day. We built a great dialogue on how to communicate with hand signals, audio through our chatterbox, and listening to the car’s feedback while we worked. He was self-aware about needing to work on some on-track awareness and I commended him for recognizing his need to work there. He was in a fast car for the first time on a very fast track. He made great progress and I look forward to seeing him grow next year!

It was great to run in Eric‘s car and watch him go just as fast on street tires as he did on slicks. I’m excited to see him in HPDE4 with NASA Great Lakes very soon. His car was a blast to drive, and I appreciate him giving me the opportunity to wheel around in it for a session.

I had the opportunity to stretch my daily 335xi’s turbos, which was a blast and very scary! I only did a few laps since I didn’t want to push my daily too much. It’s 2,000 pounds heavier than my race car, had OEM suspension, wheels, brakes, and tires. The 335 is in great shape, but the difference between light and race prepped vs. a heavy and well maintained street car was eye opening. I was still able to turn 1:25 lap times, which I was more than happy with. 132mph in the back stretch was very fun!

We also did some data logging on a fresh turbo NC build. The car was super well sorted and we didn’t have to do much other than check tire pressures. I was able to give the driver some coaching, which was pretty rewarding. I really enjoyed getting to help multiple people over the weekend!

Pittsburgh International Raceway Recap – July 21-22 2018

Had another exciting weekend with NASA Great Lakes at Pittsburgh International Race Complex! On Saturday we managed to take second while jocking for position with Neuman in an 8 car field. I ran my personal best at Pitt with a 2:04.1 Neuman squeaked by with a 2:03. Big thanks to Adam Roberts in a Spec Miata, who unknowingly gave me some great visual cues on my last Saturday session. It wasn’t enough to take Neuman, but it set me up with a great mental course map that I carried into Sunday.

On Sunday temps were a bit higher and we had a bit more sun, but I managed to push down to a 2:03.8 and set my fastest time of the weekend. I had found another 1/3 of a second near the end of the day by braking less and rolling more speed into turn 1. Practice makes perfect!

 

 

I’m incredibly happy with two second place finishes at a track that I’ve only driven once before in dry conditions.

 

Moster Mega Thanks go out to my supportive wife and Midwest Miata Parts LLC MWMP. She brought me some last minute tires so that I could break in my 9” wheels.  Darren provided his usual car mastery and chef skills to keep 10 or so guys fat and happy all weekend. Special thanks to Rick  and his bloody Mary skills on Saturday!

Congrats goes out to my student and teammate Jordan, who also made some big improvements through the esses to drop into 2:10 laps. Looking forward to StewartEric, and Jordan testing into HPDE4 at Mid Ohio in August. The whole crew pushed themselves very hard over the course of the weekend.

See you all at Mid Ohio in August!  

Gingerman Raceway Recap – June 23-24, 2018

What a great weekend June 23-24, 2018!! Weather could not have been more perfect for racing.

On Saturday I managed to take 2nd place from a very fast Corolla! We were bumper to bumper the whole weekend except when his extra 35 hp let him pull me in the straights. I managed to whip the car around the corners to pickup extra time and keep him behind me. Separated by only .1 seconds with a respectable 1:46.7 lap time.

On Sunday I kept pushing the faster corners trying to eek out a stronger lead. I managed to keep the Corolla behind me but only .03 seconds leading into the final session. Finally I stitched the track together a little smoother, managed to run a  1:46.1 which is now my new personal best at Gingerman Raceway.

I still need to fix my diff. The spare from Midwest Miata Parts LLC MWMP isn’t going in just yet! One more cleaning to do with my current torsen before I throw in the towel.

Much love to all my NASA Great Lakes crew for a killer event. Instructing in HPDE3 was an awesome experience and I hope to keep it up in the future!