A break from racing - Honda Prelude Forum

vwong · 05-22-2006, 05:41 PM

Yeah, I'm thinking about taking a break from all the racing. This has never crossed my mind until this past weekend. I blew my motor in Buttonwillow on Saturday. For the 2nd time in 3.5 years, I put the car in the wrong gear and over-revved it. My friend and I pulled the valve cover off after the motor had cooled off a bit. We found that an exhaust valve has dropped into the #3 cylinder. This really screwed up my plan on converting the Prelude into an H1 car. So rather than continuing, I'm really thinking about taking a break. I just don't know if I can do it since I'll continue helping my friend to instruct for Redline Track Events whenever possible. Anyways, I thought I share my frustration.

On the bright side, I did reach my goal this Saturday. My best lap time before was 2:12. My goal was to get the lap time down to 2:10 or quicker. Well, 2 laps before I blew the motor, I clocked my best lap time at 2:07.463. Here is the video of this lap.

**Please right click and save as**
http://www.vwong.org/videos/buttonwillow2006-05-20.mpg

edited:

Here is the clip of the mis-shift. WARNING: Not suitable for people with weak stomach.

**Please right click and save as**
http://www.vwong.org/videos/buttonwillow-misshift.mpg

71dsp · 05-22-2006, 06:04 PM

It happens. I went through it earlier this year after I had a bad off at MSR at the end of last season. Plus, I've been going through a budget crunch so progress has been slow to say the least. Now that NPM is upon us, I'm working pretty hard to get everything done in time!

If you decide to get rid of the engine, let me know. I'd be interested in some of the parts (rockers, crank, etc).

vwong · 05-22-2006, 07:18 PM

I don't think I'm gonna part anything out. I'm still keeping the car, but if I ever do change my mind, for sure I'll let you know.

paulyg · 05-22-2006, 07:25 PM

That's just horrible. Sorry Vince. I guess it's just part of the risk, blowing a motor. Sometimes you do have to take a step back. And sometimes your break will really make you miss racing.

Congrats on your fast lap though.

paulyg · 05-22-2006, 07:29 PM

By the way, what type of camera mount do you use?

vwong · 05-22-2006, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulyg

By the way, what type of camera mount do you use?

I use the headrest mount from http://www.chasecam.com. However, I just checked their site, the headrest mount is not listed anymore.

DR · 05-22-2006, 10:27 PM

Any of us that have been doing this for a while has been in your shoes. It is a hard pill to swallow when you blow an engine and you know it was your own fault. I over revved my original engine probably 10 times but the last one was the worst and it proved fatal. I then put another engine in and promptly over-revved it the second session out and thought I blew it. Luckily it only took out the clutch/flywheel and oil pump.
I have found that my problem is that if I get out of rhythm, like in traffic, it breaks my concentration enough to make a mistake. Anyway, you live and learn and hopefully you'll be back on the track soon. Cheers...

KB798 · 05-22-2006, 11:44 PM

Sorry to hear Vincent...I can understand why you'd want to take a break from it all. Personally, I'd probably do that for a season and return the next.

MRW · 05-23-2006, 07:43 AM

sorry to hear about your engine.

I have had a few miss shifts also, same exact thing you did 3rd to 2nd (doh!!), but been lucky so far not to of broken anything major.

Mugenlude · 05-23-2006, 08:48 AM

Sorry to hear this Vincent. Hopefully sooner than later you'll decide to get back into the game. I think you'll get the urge sooner than you think.

I know I haven't been on the track in almost 2 years since I've been building my STS cars. I don't want to risk ruining the car and having to start over. We've finally got the car done asside from some tuning, so I can start working on the track car again. I know at first I didn't think I would miss it, but it didn't take long to start missing it, it has taken some will power to not put a STS car on a track.

BTW- Anyone want to reconsider the sequential shifter? Fast or slow, it might save your engine, too bad it isn't legal in most clubs...

Darth Luder · 05-23-2006, 10:20 AM

Sorry to hear about your engine Vince. I know what you mean about taking a break and maybe a short break will be good, then you can come back like the rest of us better than ever.

mtbprelude · 05-23-2006, 11:21 AM

Damn sorry Vincent. I just got done replacing an engine myself.

Nothing wrong with a break to regroup, rebuild, and relax.

vwong · 05-23-2006, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DR

I have found that my problem is that if I get out of rhythm, like in traffic, it breaks my concentration enough to make a mistake.

I'm guessing that was what happend to me also. If you watched the mis-shift video, I went a little wide at the exit of the sweeper entering the esses. I might have lost concentration there already.

BTW, guys, thanks for all the kind words. I'm sure that I'll miss racing/driving my Prelude on tracks. It wasn't the quickest car, but it sure was quick enough to grab some attentions in the paddock during most track days I went to.

alvanderp · 05-23-2006, 05:53 PM

Damn that sux Vince - I can understand why you want a break from it, that bites

Phryxis · 05-24-2006, 02:25 AM

Vincent, get a kart!

i am retiring the lude from the track and saving for a kart. more fun, less money.

monk3y · 05-26-2006, 10:05 AM

^ you can get a kart, or buy a civic/teg and race h4!

DR · 05-26-2006, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phryxis

more fun, less money.

Until you wreck

Same reason why I don't do motorcycles anymore.

OldManLuder · 05-26-2006, 10:04 PM

Sorry to hear about your car man.

Honda318dx · 05-31-2006, 08:19 AM

You should just buy my car....

Longblocks can be had for less then 1,000$. So I wouldn't worry, make sure to replace your clutch as well..

vwong · 08-22-2006, 02:07 PM

My friend finally got off his lazy ass and emailed the pics to me. We pulled the head off the block a little over a month ago. And here are the pics of the damages.