Formula Ford - Page 13 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

t walgamuth · #**181** 06-01-2014, 08:55 PM

I got in two runs before discovering my on board battery is dying. The car was handling good and I was enjoying the circuit.

Anybody know of a good lightweight battery that is similar to the Ballistic but lasts longer?

t walgamuth · #**182** 06-22-2014, 06:04 AM

After much dithering I bought another Ballistic, the next bigger size. A little minor stuff yesterday and I am loaded and ready to head out to Grissom this morning at 7 am. Wish me luck!

t walgamuth · #**183** 06-22-2014, 06:09 PM

Got in one run. Starter loose and acting up again, could not shut off once the car was running so the car got hotter and hotter. After my run it was still rising so I put it on the trailer. Too bad there was a full field today of seven drivers in five cars.

It was sunny hot and humid.....mid eighties and very bright sun.

Chris W. · #**184** 06-22-2014, 09:21 PM

Tom, I think you have to figure out a way to do some "load testing" in a parking lot or something to shake the car down before you haul to another race. Give it a torture test or three.

Rgds,
Chris W.
'95 E300D, 422K

t walgamuth · #**185** 06-22-2014, 11:08 PM

Good idea.

I have a friend who has a subdivision he said I could shake the car down in. It has roads but only a few lots have houses on them. I should go have a look at it one of these days. Getting the car on and off the trailer is not a one man job though so there is that.

OTOH, the car started right up sitting at my house....naturally.

t walgamuth · #**186** 10-19-2014, 08:24 PM

Ran the last event (likely) of the year today at South Bend. The car had no issues and I drove well in two runs and not so well in the other four. The course was fantastic. It had a section though that was straight skid pad 3/4 of the circle. I had to go to third gear and at the end of it back to second. This much shifting on the fly is something I am not very skilled at and fluffed it as often as I hit it right. The skid pad I took in a lovely four wheel drift. After my first session I had fastest raw time but the second group included a fellow who is very skilled and has a much modified subi with enormous tires who nipped me by about a half second. It was fun while it lasted (leading on raw time).

t walgamuth · #**187** 10-20-2014, 11:03 AM

I happened to park next to a fellow with a much modified Datsun 2000 based roadster. It had some sort of a v8 engine from a 370Z(?) and appeared to be basically a tube framed silhouette car. this fellow has never failed to be rude to me in the three times I have spoken to him over the years.

Yesterday I arrived pretty early and had my choice of places to park. I chose to park next to an enclosed trailer which had no tow vehicle next to it. I assumed it was just parked there more or less permanently, not thinking of it as a potential participant. Later I was told by one of the local guys that this fellow could not get his car out so I went over there.

His car was out but it was tight so I went over and apologized for parking him in. He did not accept my apology gracefully instead aggressively asking me why I would do such a thing.

So I went away feeling a bit shat upon. I thought about offering him a side bet of $100 if he could beat my raw time....but resisted. Wish I had bet him since I beat his time by a second.

...maybe next time.

t walgamuth · #**188** 10-22-2014, 08:10 PM

Today I had a nice conversation with a fellow from Arizona who is pretty hot to buy the FF. He said he would put a deposit in the mail today and we can work the details out within a month for some sort of delivery arrangement.

So I am back looking at Miatas, s2000s and MR2 spyders.

t walgamuth · #**189** 10-25-2014, 04:11 PM

I put a deposit on a 99 Miata sport today and am planning to deliver the FF November 10/ 11.

It felt good driving the Miata today!

t walgamuth · #**190** 02-03-2015, 07:05 PM

I took another deposit yesterday on the FF.

t walgamuth · #**191** 02-11-2015, 06:34 PM

its sold and gone.

I am looking at a Lotus seven clone which has a 250 hp s2000 motor and weighs 1300#.

Can you see my cheezy grin!?

Chris W. · #**192** 02-11-2015, 09:27 PM

Wouldn't mind something like that myself. Go for it!

Rgds,
Chris W.
'95 E300D, 436K

t walgamuth · #**193** 08-14-2019, 06:21 AM

I took time to review this thread and found the reasons for selling off my ff were nearly all related to the engine.

So a FF with a Honda engine, an on board alternator and starter sounds pretty good. I am considering selling off the earth shaking cobra and buying a lovely 98 Van Dieman Formula F.

I will have to see about getting in and out though before sealing the deal. Also if there is enough room to operate all the controls once in. The seller says I should fit but my arms and shoulders are muscular enough to make it questionable.

my83300cd · #**194** 08-15-2019, 06:19 PM

Sounds like you are having a good time!

oldsinner111 · #**195** 08-16-2019, 07:24 AM

reading on classic Lotus cars,they were amazing,so light. Read to about the V4 engines, amazing power,and compact.