JPR AutoSports

Some news – The cage build for the car is nearly complete. I’ll post a full writeup on this in a bit, including some pictures, but trust me on this one, it was a big deal. Complex – and so the car took more time then hoped.

The net result is we will miss the first NASA NE competition on the 16-17th of this month at NJMP. Disappointing, but we want to make sure we get the build, cage and otherwise, just right. The car is scheduled to move to EFI Logics this week and will spend several days on the final stages of race prep. With some luck all will go according to plan and we’ll get to Lime Rock on April 25th, then Watkins Glen on May 2-3rd. Cross those fingers, people!

Ok, I was wrong. I posted up about a Ford Expedition as the new vehicle. I just couldn’t do it. I didn’t like the way it drove or felt. Too soft, too harsh, too truck like, too boxy, too whatever. At the last minute I backed out, leaving a deposit and the fully prepped and ready to go vehicle on the lot. It was an extremely difficult decision process and one I would choose to never repeat. Lot’s of angst, soul searching, whatever. All over a car…so to speak. Since the vehicle change was only due to towing needs it was had to justify any change, much less to one giant boat of a vehicle I didn’t even like. That said, I did buy a vehicle. I found a black Toyota Sequoia with a 5.7 motor and 10k towing capacity with very low mile. A little more expensive then the Expedition but, in my opinion, better looking, a little smaller (at least looking) and it drives MUCH better. It will tow extremely well with 410 lbs of torque, which, by the way, is about 55 lbs more torque than the similarly weighted Expedition. It get’s better gas mileage too (by 1 mpg!). It’s a nice vehicle and I’m happy with the choice. Let’s close this issue, there’s work to do.

Well, I did some thinking about the towing situation and determined that the Jeep wasn’t going to cut it. In fact, if you want to tow with an SUV there are really only a few that are rated to tow a loaded car trailer. I ended up with a 2009 Expedition Eddie Bauer. It’s big as hell and will tow 9000 lbs, which is plenty. Nice enough too, inside. I would have loved a Toyota Land Cruiser, rated at 8000 lbs or so, and good looking. They are VERY expensive though and I just couldn’t justify the spend. I do a fair bit of driving so am concerned about the mpg and carbon footprint and all. I’m not sure yet how to adjust for the impact of the big Ford. I’ll miss the Jeep too, as it was a good size and nice inside. I think the Jeep is nicer then the Ford, but I didn’t feel good about spending any more on the Ford and the one I found had the tow package, leveling suspension, and so it seemed a good solution. It’s dark red w/ tan and tan leather. I hope I (and the family) get used to it…

Found this. Which is, I suppose, the best we could hope for.

NJMP Chapter 11

The owner of New Jersey Motorsports Park, a Millville circuit that hosts AMA Pro Racing, filed for bankruptcy Monday in order to restructure some debt.
According to papers filed in Camden court, NJMP representatives say the 700-acre facility needs $2 million to open the track this Saturday for the 2011 race season.
The track’s owner, Lee Brahin, said Monday the Chapter 11 filing will allow the circuit to renegotiate debt with its primary lender (Merril Lynch Mortgage Capital of New York is filed as a lender of $30.4 million).
The filings report that investor group NEI Motorsports, which includes some of NJMP’s owners, will provide $2 million in exchange for “equity interests” at NJMP.
The Chapter 11 filing says: “The debtors anticipate that these bankruptcy cases will also have the effect of allowing them to continue operations seamlessly through the racing season and focus management’s efforts in managing their businesses. The debtors and lender anticipate the bankruptcy cases can be resolved very quickly and cooperatively.”

I heard the NJMP is or has filed for bankruptcy. Is this true? That’s extremely unfortunate. Two of the best tracks around and a really nice facility. I can only hope it is Chapter 11 and they’ll keep operating. Chapter 7 will be a bummer as it will really change the season if we don’t have that track available. If anyone has more scoop, post it up.

It’s here! Well, almost. I picked it up in VA yesterday and drove it back to Highland NY. I left it with Havaspeed, so Andrew can use it for storage of the car parts as he preps it for the Cage. The trailer is very nice, looks good and rolls very well. I will say it is BIG, at least compared to the open trailer with which I am familiar. It’s not really that much heavier but the wind resistance has a profound impact on my tow vehicle. I haven’t towed the trailer yet with the car inside, so we’ll have to wait and see how we do. I might have to think about a more robust tow vehicle. Nonetheless, the trailer will be very nice. Here are some pictures from this morning, at Havaspeed.

This weekend is currently slated for picking up the new enclosed trailer. This is an important step as it will, ultimately, allow me to store all the stuff in the trailer when not at an event. Also the car should load and unload more easily (famous last words) and will stay a bit cleaner then when pulled on an open deck. It turns out that the South is some sort of mecca for these enclosed trailers, with companies all over the place. I didn’t imagine there was such a market for enclosed car trailers to justify the number of manufacturers, I was wrong, there is a hotbed of trailer activity! Nonetheless, mine is coming up from SC on Saturday by way of my father, as he’ll meet me in PA or so, half way, for an exchange. With some luck we’ll get this done safely.

Here’s a pic.

I know, the shot is none too pretty. Funny, trailer companies don’t have the same photography aesthetic as many do (mind you, I have no skill, just the aesthetic). It will look better with EFI Logics and related stickers…