Team WetLeather - Endurance Race - September 18-19, 1999

Overview

On September 18, OMRRA held a 4 hour endurance race at PIR. Team WetLeather was there.

The bike, a modified Suzuki SV650, named Jessica Rabbit, owned by Michael Galassi.

The riders, Michael Galassi, Jeff Earls, Briggs Willoughby, and Kory Gill.

The pit assistants, Scott Larson, John Bowne (me), and JB (I didn't catch the real name)

I'll let Michael, or one of the other riders post a report about "The Incident" (Briggs?). But, it can be said that portions of Jessica Rabbit were scattered across portions of turn 3, some parts that didn't come loose got 'adjusted'.

Most of the damage was repairable with pieces out of the spares kit, but the gas tank had a small, 1/2", hole torn into the top of the steel tank. This ended the chance to re-enter the fray in the endurance race, but we thought that might be possible to weld up the tank and allow Michael to race on Sunday.

Snowcrest Design (me) decided that this was worth a try. As can be seen from the pictures on this page, the result was a rather ugly looking weld, but it allowed Michael to race on Sunday.

Pictures

(Click on the pictures to get a larger image)

A pre-race photo op, with Jessica Rabbit and Michael Galassi.

Michael is extracting the data from Friday's practice session from the on-board data acquisition system.

Another pre-race photo op, with the Team Weather in attendance. From the left: Jeff Earls, Michael Galassi, Briggs Willoughby, and Kory Gill.

Another view of Jessica Rabbit, with JB (what's his name?) looking on. JB acted as the timekeeper at the pits, keeping track of the lap times.

Michael flying by.

A lap later. (My camera needs a faster shutter speed).

After "The Incident" this is the main problem. About 2" in front of the filler, a 1/2" long tear has opened up the tank. Not good.

Michael works on the repairable/replaceable bits, while Briggs rests after "The Incident".

Michael helping at the home of Snowcrest Design to repair the tank. Don't worry, the dark stain on the ground under the tank is the water we were using to test for leaks.

I'm trying to build a duct tape equivalent of a dentist's rubber dam to trap water on top of the repair. This way we can pressurize the tank and look for air bubbles.

Here is the actual repair. In my defense, this was the thinnest metal that I've ever had to work on. But, it doesn't leak.

Michael spent most of Saturday evening putting Jessica Rabbit back together. A little bit of green metallic paint was used for rust preventation (and shock value).

Michael is trying to take a snooze in the shade. It would be lot easier if I didn't keep bothering him.

Another view of a race ready Jessica Rabbit.

Sunday, noon, and a bull session ^H^H^H^H^H^H^H racing related discussion occurs in the Team WetLeather pits, when Gene Brown of Dr. Brown Motorcycles wanders by.

Gene and Kory race in the same class and always seem to be in close proximity.

	A pre-race photo op, with Jessica Rabbit and Michael Galassi. Michael is extracting the data from Friday's practice session from the on-board data acquisition system.
	Another pre-race photo op, with the Team Weather in attendance. From the left: Jeff Earls, Michael Galassi, Briggs Willoughby, and Kory Gill.
	Another view of Jessica Rabbit, with JB (what's his name?) looking on. JB acted as the timekeeper at the pits, keeping track of the lap times.
	Michael flying by.
	A lap later. (My camera needs a faster shutter speed).
	After "The Incident" this is the main problem. About 2" in front of the filler, a 1/2" long tear has opened up the tank. Not good.
	Michael works on the repairable/replaceable bits, while Briggs rests after "The Incident".
	Michael helping at the home of Snowcrest Design to repair the tank. Don't worry, the dark stain on the ground under the tank is the water we were using to test for leaks.
	I'm trying to build a duct tape equivalent of a dentist's rubber dam to trap water on top of the repair. This way we can pressurize the tank and look for air bubbles.
	Here is the actual repair. In my defense, this was the thinnest metal that I've ever had to work on. But, it doesn't leak.
	Michael spent most of Saturday evening putting Jessica Rabbit back together. A little bit of green metallic paint was used for rust preventation (and shock value). Michael is trying to take a snooze in the shade. It would be lot easier if I didn't keep bothering him.
	Another view of a race ready Jessica Rabbit.
	Sunday, noon, and a bull session ^H^H^H^H^H^H^H racing related discussion occurs in the Team WetLeather pits, when Gene Brown of Dr. Brown Motorcycles wanders by. Gene and Kory race in the same class and always seem to be in close proximity.