September 2009 Newsletter

Fall is in the air and there are only a few races and track days remaining this season!

In this newsletter, I will will tell you about how to gain speed and reliability from your track or race car. Jon Ament, our Service Center manager, will get you thinking about the upcoming enduro season. Finally, Taryn Sparacio, one of our Lead Driver Coaches, will share her view on how keeping notes can help improve your driving.

Plus, our special offer for September…receive FREE SHIPPING and 15% off installation of any StopTech big brake system! These brake systems are an effective and easy way to upgrade your car’s braking performance. Call or email us by September 30, 2009, for details and to take advantage of this special offer!

Drive smarter, not harder!

Sincerely,
Carlo Sparacio
TC Motorsports, LLC
(253) 887-0500

News from the Front
By Carlo Sparacio

Do you want to lower your lap times? Are you having reliability problems at the track?

If this is you or someone you know, TC Motorsports is your solution!

Speed and reliability and directly related to how well you maintain your car. Many track and race car owners simply drive or race a car on the weekends, load the car on the trailer, and park the car. Then, they take the car to the next event after with little or no upkeep and wonder why the car is unreliable and slow (and maybe even a little ugly) from years of use and no maintenance.

If you are contemplating a new car build or major rebuild for the 2010 racing season, now is the time to start planning. Give us a call today to discuss a complete new build or refurbish your existing car. Many cars we see at the track get run hard all season (sometimes many seasons) and only see basic maintenance. Rebuilding your shocks, installing new wheel bearings and brake calipers, going through the drivetrain, replacing or upgrading steering and suspension components and bushings, etc., can lead to lower lap times, and increased safety and reliability in the coming race season.

Start your project today by having us inspect your car. We can then discuss any necessary repairs or recommended upgrades, determine the budget, and schedule the work to meet all of your goals. Call or email us today!

Crew Chief’s Corner-Enduro Planning
By Jon Ament

The recent change in the weather can only mean one thing…enduro season is just around the corner! The last regular season Conference race is mere weeks before the 12 Hours of the Cascades enduro on October 17. Now is the time to start planning for success.

Success in an endurance race is not found only in pure speed on the track. Many endurance races have been won or lost in the pits. How quick can your fueling be performed? Are you using a stock fuel tank? Have you optimized the stock fuel system and fuel jugs to shorten your fuel delivery time?

If you have ever considered moving to a fuel cell/dry break system, we can design and install a custom system to meet any need. Whether you are using a stock fuel system or a fuel cell, we can help you get the most out of your set-up.

In addition to fueling, another important aspect of endurance racing is lighting. We design and fabricate mounts that can be permanently affixed to the car, as well as temporary systems that allow for quick installation during a pit stop/tire change. We can also install wiring that is guaranteed to work every time. We are PIAA lighting dealers and have numerous options to meet your lighting needs.

Contact us and let us know how we can set you up for success for the upcoming enduro season!

Driver’s Dictum-Keeping Notes
By Taryn Sparacio

Another way to become a better and faster driver on track is to keep notes. The kind of notes you write depend on what you are trying to accomplish as a driver.

If you are learning a new track, you’d want to write about the physical features of the track. A good way to do this is to start with an accurate track map and make notes on the map (you can also draw your own map for an extra challenge). Notes like gear selection; braking, turn in, and exit markers (preferably permanent markers, not movable objects); throttle position; pavement and camber changes; etc. Refine your notes after each session.

If you are an experienced racer trying to find those last few tenths of a second, you’d want to write about those specific corners you are working on (usually very long corners or corners that lead onto the longest straights) or other issues you are trying to chase down. What’s the car doing in those corners? How is the suspension working? What are you feeling? You can save these observations and look at them later to track if the changes you are making to the car are effective.

The key to keeping notes, no matter your experience level as a driver, is to complete them immediately after you get out of the car, and periodically review them. Having a written record of your experience at a track will save you time and effort, and make you a better and faster driver.

Be fast and be safe!