Torchmate Class 10 SNORE Mint 400 experience started in Barstow the Thursday before the Race. Fox Racing Shox was to meet us for some tuning, but a medical emergency changed that. The Team proceeded to tune using the experience gained from successfully setting up and racing Jeepspeeds for years.
Our increased speed during tuning in Barstow gave us hope we had it figured out. Mike felt we needed a few more runs, but our testing was cut a bit short due to an alternator issue. Never the less, we all felt good about the day’s tuning results.
On race day, Mike quickly discovered that the rock garden was way worse than we had been led to believe (or wanted to believe). 1066 kept kicking up its rear in holes that seem to literally swallow it … the shocks would need to be adjusted. To make things worse, a car hit us so hard that both rear wheels left the ground and they bent three of the four tubes that make up the rear cage. A quick check at Pit A, and the team continued.
As Mike reached the higher speed section, another problem became apparent, we had a power issue in the lower engine rpms and had to keep 1066 revving high. With the large gear ratio steps of a 4 speed, Mike often ended up below the necessary rpms to really get-it.
After two more pit stops for shock adjustments Mike was again in the rock garden but this time with almost double the speed. Our set-up had been too soft for the huge holes, so although the ride was now harsher it was predictable and fast.
That is when a new problem poked up, the transaxle was making excessive noise in the lower gears. It soon became evident that if we continued it would not survive. We took the tough decision to save the transaxle from disintegrating and called it a day.
We were hopeful to quickly get 1066 into competitive shape, but we now know we have more learning to do. It’ll be a busy month getting everything checked out and fixed for the Silver State.
Thank you to everyone that helped us get here. Sponsors, families, as well as the chase teams.
Torchmate
BFGoodrich Tires
Fox Racing Shox
PSC Steering
PRP steats
Ruff Stuff
Photo Credit: Mike Canter