build diary

July 15, 2007: Westfield development time.
I've been trying to apply everything I learned with the Seven to the Westfield. And I think it's working. The car is really coming together well. I've been at the racetrack a couple of times sorting things out, and on my first session in the "normal" direction, I pulled a 1:04.6. That's 1.3 seconds slower than my outright record! In a car with a (basically) stock 1.8, unfamiliar ergonomics (I'm still getting used to the pedals), no recent track time on my part and some sorting left to do. Outstanding! The car feels really good and has endless brakes, modeled after mine. I need to get mine to the track with good tires so we can do a back-to-back comparison, but I think Bill should be very happy with his Westie. One problem his car has that mine never did is cooling, although we were torture testing the car on purpose.

We're loading the Westfield up on my poor trailer and dragging it to Michigan so both Automobile and Car and Driver can have their way with it. I'll be on the road for over a week and kicking back in Ann Arbor during that time. Once I return, it's time to get the Seven back into shape (I want my springs back!) and then we'll have a lightweight car showdown!

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