Finished!

Photos and videos to come later - Miguel reports the team finished 9th overall (in field of 14) and 5th in class!

Qualifed with a time of 1'10" - so the car is getting faster!

Nicely done guys!

Qualification results

We got 8th on grid of 13! 2nd in class. Dan is first out in the race.
Go Dan!

Last minute prep....

For tomorrow's practice run at Ebisu - as the team challenges the circuit one more time on Monday - Alex, Simon, Tom, and Sumi-san joined me in getting the car ready.

Other than the 8 used tires we have to take off, and replace with 8 fresh Dunlop Direzza StarSpecs - which timely arrived due from TireRack (thanks!), we re-installed the rebuilt Aragostas with stiffer springs, changed out the brake fluid twice (just to make sure), and did an oil change.

Photos from the day:
8 new tires!


Sumi-san does his inspection:


Simon conducts a suspension seminar:


"Ah, so this is a coilover?"


In place!


"Vroom, vroom, vroom!!" Wow this is fun!!!


"Tom, will you please stop goofing off and help us?"


Done!!


So my impressions of the rebuilt suspension - very nice! The car certainly tracks better, with stiffer springs in the back, the front stays planted. Ride is actually quite supple, but precise. Of course, didn't drive at high speed, so might be different on the track...

When we get updates, will post them! Wish us luck!

A drag on the carpet.

TG Racing set out for some smaller mods today. The first one was the rear drag reduction project. But not all went as planned. Initial designs for the rear bumper taped up.

Restrictions for size of mesh resulted in only the folowing becomming possible.

But as we revealed the under layer... some issues occurred with the original fitting so we put that stopped that project.

The other guys continued on with their interior trim removal and stripped some more non vitals.

Another kilo or two saved.

TGRacing BB6 Prelude Current Spec

TG-Racing Honda Prelude

1998, September
BB6-1200016
JDM Spec S.


Engine
H22A 2.2L VTEC  producing approx. 235hp.

Engine Ancilliaries
Mugen Muffler
K&N wet type air filter.
Fluidyne Alloy Radiator
25 row Setrab upgraded oil cooler
CUSCO 1-way LSD (Recently added)

Suspension and Brakes.
Non ATTS model.
Aragosta Kit. Rebuilt with F14Kgmm springs.
Tein Monoflex. (Spare)
RunMax Stainless Brainded Brake Lines
Dixcel Brake Rotors
Endless Endurance pads. Endless M84N compound
Ducted hoses.

Wheels and Tyres
RAYS Volk Racing CE28N's of 16" under 5.0 kg each.
Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R's of sizes 215/45R16 f 205/50R16 r
OR
Direzza Star Spec 215/45R16 f 205/50R16
Honda Integra  16" Type R Wheels (Spare)

Exterior
Pearl White Paint
TG-Racing Graphics by RE-Xtreme
Vented Bonnet FRP with bonnet pins
Mugen front lip spoiler
Front bumper NACA ducts
Spec S rear spoiler.
Honda Spec S side skirts and rear skirt
4200K HID headlights + Fogs.
Rear Bumper modification for drag reduction.

Interior
Autopower Roll Cage
Sparco Race seat
Takata race harness
Momo Race steering wheel.
Defi 60mm gauges, water temp, oil temp, oil pressure in Centre Guage Pod.
TRAQMATE with chase cam and data logger.
Motorola 2way radios.
Mugen shift knob.
un-necessary trim removed.

Continued Thanks to the team and guests for time invested.

Race on!

ps. A little video http://vimeo.com/7464481 ( Russ driving :p )

TGRacing - now we're getting serious!

Another day in the shop for Sumi-san, Miguel and Alex, except this time they managed to convince these two guys to make the drive down and help out: Mike and Tom!



On today's menu - replacing our transmission from one sourced from a BB4 (with stronger 5th and reverse gears), which ALSO came with a CUSCO 1-way LSD!

First, locate where the transmission is...


Second, even Miguel has to check the service manual once in a while...


Here goes...


"Hey, you dropped it!"


Now that wasn't too hard:


The clutch side:


Here is the LSD. Note the rebuilt driveshafts in the back, those went in too.


As Miguel holds the frypan, Mike adds some spice:


Meanwhile, Sumi-san was busy with replacing the driveshafts:


Taking the LSD apart:


We decided that the LSD needed more initial bite, so adding shims was key:




The inside of the transmission casing:


The guys finished in time - from what Miguel told me, the initial torque has improved, but is not excessive - we'll worry about fine tuning it when we change out the final gear in the future.

Next week - lightening the car, installing the rebuilt suspension, and wheel alignment...

Ebisu 6Hr- Hiroshi's Perspective

Our other guest driver Hiroshi (above) sent me a message earlier today, with his thoughts.

"A big thank you to the Team Gaijin Racing team for inviting me to drive in this event. As it was my first real car race, I didn't know what to expect, but my teammates (and new friends) welcomed me and gave me suggestions and advice, which was nice to have. The Prelude is certainly a much different driving experience than my 993, but in other ways, they are the same. Obviously, the Prelude has more understeering, but both cars require smooth driver input to get the most out of the car.

I have been told that the guys are working on improving the car's suspension and tractive abilities, which should really make for a fast car. Although I have other commitments so I can't make the next race, I am hoping the guys will be kind enought to invite me back to race with them next year - I certainly would love another go at the wheel!

Thanks guys -

Hiroshi"

Hiroshi also arrived with his own very attractive photographer friend who took many pictures for us, including the following:

The car in action, Miguel driving (click on this photo for a great wallpaper):

Some in the pit action:

Alex doing some calculating.


Juan making sure the car has enough gas! (while the others were, ehem, discussing strategy I'm sure...)


Tom letting some air out.


Having a meeting.


Hiroshi and Sumi-san, ready to refuel!!


The Safety Car - the view from the front (at the race start)


Half the team... I think we were watching Tom drive...