Bring It On!

For those of you who have followed the saga of the #28 and #85 Challenge Series Cobras this year, we have some very, very good news: Both cars are ready to take on the 25 Hours!!!!

After a season of heating and overheating issues, both teams made the final push to get these "road warrior" Cobras ready to take on the longest and most demanding race in North America: The 25 Hours of Thunderhill.

Needless to say, it was with more than just a little intrepidation that Ed (#85) and I (#28) belted into our Cobras this morning and took to the track at California Speedway in what we both knew would be a "make it or break it" on-track, proving ground session. As both cars climbed the high banking onto the front straight, we rolled on the power, and from the time we crossed start-finish, it was "game on" for both drivers! Lap after lap, we kept one eye on the temp gauges, as we watched the tachometers and powered through the gears.

We ran nose to tail through the high banked oval, chasing each other and snaking into the infield, all the while darting through traffic and being predatored by a large group of Radicals as they prepped for their final race of the season. Outside air temps were in the high 80's, but not to worry, as engine temps ran a consistent 175 in both cars. At the end of the session, Ed and I pretty much jumped out of the cars and did the happy dance in the garage (Now that's a picture :>))

We'll be going out for a couple of back up sessions in the morning, but right now, we're thinking, "Bring it on!"Thanks to everyone for the good wishes.....The power of postive thinking (and good wrenching) lives on!

See you at the 25!

Karen and Ed
FFR #28 and #85
Intrepid 25 Hours Racers!

Update

Good News! Both cars are running! Yea!

#28
Took her out for a test drive (around the neighborhood) earlier today, and all went well. Ed and Andy R2'd the wiring harness Friday, and we fired her up yesterday. She's sitting in the garage with all body parts installed, and not puking water/oil from anywhere, so it's been a good day (I know my threshold of "good" is pretty low right now) :>)

#85
Engine has been rebuilt and re-installed, and started up fine. Now that the engine work is done, Ed is working on re-wiring the car (wire harness is out and laying on the floor right now). Also working on the lights, and a couple of dozen other projects.

Testing
We will take both cars to CA Speedway on Friday for test and tune with Speed Ventures.....We naturally believe the cars will work well, but will make final decisions about the 25 Hours on that day. Both cars are looking good right now.

Send happy thoughts our way guys!!!! No one wants these cars to run well more than the three of us out here right now....:>))

Karen

11.4.08 Update

25 Hours Team Members:

Well, it's less than 3 weeks until the race, and we have been very busy prepping the cars.....Thanks to team member Roman Vaisman, we now have a website, so be sure to check out: www.teamcobra25hours.com (the Blog has information too)

Here's a quick update on the cars:

#28 Cobra
Heating problems plagued the car a virtually all season. Four motors, countless radiator hoses, heads, thermostats, electrical parts, a bleeding checkbook, and advice from every "Pro from Dover" we could find, and we still overheated last weekend at Buttonwillow. Even with that, we managed to race Team Standridge down to the last race on Sunday afternoon, and in the end, we had to settle for 2nd place in the West coast Championship. GRRRR!

Sooooo.....We replaced the headgaskets (again) last evening and re-torqued everything to the latest specs we've been given from our most recent Pro from Dover....Replaced the radiator (again) too! The car should be fired up later this evening.....

#85 Cobra
Ed and John gave it a valiant effort at Thunderhill over the last few weeks, but it was decided last week that Ed would tow the whole rig down here to our home here in So. Cal for an engine re-freshening, which was accomplished over the last three days. The heads went back on yesterday, and it should be fired up this afternoon.

Testing
We plan to take both cars to California Speedway for a final test on November 21-22, at which time we will make determinations as to the viability for the 25 Hours. While I cannot speak for Ed, I can tell you that there's no way we'll be taking the #28 to TH to attempt the 25 if we have any doubts about the viability of the engine, so next week's testing will be crucial....

I'll keep you guys posted on the progress, and of course, any ideas are always welcome!!!

Karen