MundoMotorizado.com

>>>As always, sorry for the English!<<<

2010 Season Update
For 2010 the Khajavi Motorsports BMW has been extensively modified after learning a bit about the car last year.

First and foremost is that the car is now a 323 not a 325 as we are running a new engine sourced from a European 323. The block is aluminum which saved nearly 80# lbs of weight off the nose of the car. The new engine is the same size as last year but great care was taken in the building of the engine and doing everything we could within the rules of the class. Due to the extreme age of the last engine we expect to see a large improvement in power.

Last year the suspension was very good but we found there was some opportunity to improve more so with the help of one of our sponsors, we changed the rear dampers and revised the mounting. We stiffened the car and revised the geometry to produce added frontal grip.

The brakes have also been changed. Last year we ran with M3 brake rotors with Porsche Turbo Brembo calipers but we used the original brake cylinder and had the option of using or turning off the ABS. The idea was that in the rain we could use the ABS if we wanted too. Unfortunately that just never worked right. So this year we removed the ABS and power booster system and are running a custom brake pedal assembly inside the car. The new system has independent cylinders for the front and rear brakes and a pilot controlled balance system to adjust the brakes during the race. We also moved the pedals back to allow the driver to also move back which helps to add move weight to the rear of the car where it needs it.

We also were very overweight last year so we looked into ways to reduce some weight. We found another 150# lbs of weight to remove, mostly from the engine block change. The driver (me) also lost a lot of weight too!

Another change is to a new sponsor, Control Uno, which is the best private security company in Costa Rica. If you need security guards they are the place to go, tell them you called them because of their support of ST Racing in Costa Rica!!

Pre-Race update
We tested on the track yesterday, Sunday the 25th with the motorcycles (it was great because it was like a secret session without any ST eyes ;)'. We had to break in the new engine which we did the 'Racing way'. The 'racing break in' is done on the track or dyno and is NOT what the owners manual says! We immediately rev the engine to 7000 RPM then decelerate in gear several times over a 30 min session on the track! We literally treat the engine rough from the first mins of its life! I know it sounds wrong but that is the way I have always done it with racing engines. After about 15 mins the engine stopped losing oil around the rings and was nice and tight!! Even before break-in the engine had only 2% leakdown!

The new engine is much more powerful than last years engine. In fact we now have a problem, the car is hitting the redline only 75% of the way down the front strait and before the end of the back strait! We need to go with a taller differential!! That is a huge improvement over last year!

The new brakes work but the recommended cylinders are too big which makes the brake pedal too hard. We are rushing to find some other options before the race. If we find them, my right leg will be happy, if not I will have a tired and very muscular right leg after the race!

We intend to arrive on Friday to do some additional testing and tuning so we are ready for the race.

The only other problem we have is that we still do not have the required number of drivers for the car as we are supposed to have three. We are working on that as our top priority right now. I hope this does not stop us from running.

Wish us luck!!

Nice. See you on Friday.

PH

Nice to hear so. The suggested driver sent you a text. He sounds very interested.

Oscar Avila

Thanks Oscar, I am in communication with him right now!

Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.... So good luck guys

Thanks for the report, is good to hear about the work in your car.

Good luck this weekend.

Disculpe que le responda en español pero hablar de conseptos tecnicos en ingles me es dificil.
Con respecto a su problema de freno y lo pronto que esta la competrencia lo mejor sería modificar el pedal del freno para mejorar la palanca, ya sea alargando el pedal o cambiando el apoyo del manguito de la bonba .

Saludos y suerte.

I am getting better with my Spanglish ability ;)

Thank you for your help. Yes we looked at changing the pedal ratio but the design is complicated and time consuming. We have found one smaller cylinder, we need one more now and we are set....or I get a big leg!!

Thanks again!

Bperez escribió:Disculpe que le responda en español pero hablar de conseptos tecnicos en ingles me es dificil.
Con respecto a su problema de freno y lo pronto que esta la competrencia lo mejor sería modificar el pedal del freno para mejorar la palanca, ya sea alargando el pedal o cambiando el apoyo del manguito de la bonba .

Saludos y suerte.

Thanks!

Clio 2.0 escribió:Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.... So good luck guys

>>UPDATE<<

We have secured Driver #2, Please welcome Edgar Lizzano, he is no stranger to racing at La Guacima and is experienced in BMWs. He has been a great help in getting the car prepared and in helping with some much needed last min. parts needs, thanks Edgar!

We are still short one driver and are interviewing a couple. If you are a licensed driver, with experience, and are interested to drive please get in touch with me ASAP! Thanks!!

The car now has a 3.93 LSD differential so we can get more top end out of the car. We are changing one brake cylinder today and have one more if we need it. The car is being aligned today and will be loaded to go to the track in the morning. If we have time (I doubt it) we found some weight we can pull off to get a little lighter too but that might have to wait until next race. Sponsor stickers are going on today.

We will see you on the track Friday!

Dary Khajavi
Control Uno ST BMW #1

>>>>UPDATE<<<<
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY
We arrived late to the track Friday and secured our third driver, Don Carlos Rodriguez! Don Carlos is no stranger to anyone and an asset to have running with our team! Welcome Don Carlos!!

Saturday would be a busy day without having any time to test or give Edgar and Carlos any time in the car Friday. Edgar would start the testing and he quickly started to gain some comfort in the car. We had a significant push (understeer) in the car that was hurting out times. One thing however was for sure, the new engine was making good power which was a nice change from the old engine last season. Edgar was doing 1:22s in the car in his first session.

We made some adjustments to the car to try to kill the push and then I went out. The car was still pushing badly and the brakes were still much too stiff too. They worked but there was no feel which made precision braking difficult in the car as you just had to stand on the pedal to get the car to stop. I turned a 1:19 lap in the car.

We now got more aggressive with the changes, adding stiffer springs to the back and adding camber, toe-out in front and raising the rear ride height all in the pursuit of reducing the push. However when we were adjusting the rear shocks damping one of the adjustment buttons broke off the shock and it sprayed out all it's fluid. We were now in big trouble! We drove all the way to our shop in Pavas and got an old pair of dampers from last year that were too soft for the car this year with its heavy spring rates. By the time we got back and installed the dampers the day was done. We prepared the car Saturday night and got ready for Sunday as best we could.

Hi Dary:

Looking forward for your post race assesment, just wanted to share a couple of pics of the E36:

>>>>UPDATE<<<<
SUNDAY, RACE DAY!
Sunday morning started at 6:30AM with some basic prep-work on the car. We decided to have Don Carlos drive first to give him a chance to have some seat time before the race. Don Carlos was having problems with the brakes as we were before (too stiff) and the rears were locking up as well. However things were about to get much worse... While on the track something happened to the gearbox. Carlos brought the car in and I jumped in to evaluate the problems. Pulling out of the pits it was clear we had lost second gear. Third gear was slow to engage and we had some light clutch slippage. The brakes were locking a bit in the rear too. I adjusted the brakes a bit ad stopped the rear lock-up. The only good news was that the push was much less than on Saturday but for whatever that gave us, we were going to be fighting the gearbox for the race. I pulled off the track and into the garage. We had an hour to do what we could before the race.

We quickly got the car up in the air, changed the transmission fluid and found lots of metal in the gearbox oil. With no time to do anything else we prepped the car for the race and changed the team strategy.

The strategy for the race would be Edgar starting the race with team orders to drive clean and protect the gearbox as best he could. We wanted 1:21 laps average so we could let whatever crashes, failures and other racing issues to happen to the other teams with us staying safe at the back of the pack. Besides we were starting at the back due to us missing the qualifying on Saturday with the broken damper anyway. If Edgar did his job he would deliver the car to Don Carlos who would follow with the same strategy, good clean laps and to save the car for the end. For the last third I would get in. If the car was drivable I would then push for as many spots as possible to finish as best we could.

The race started well and our strategy was working. Edgar was driving clean and safe, keeping the gearbox together and doing 1:20-1:21 laps consistently. Great job Edgar! As Edgar kept the car together, several teams dropped out due to crashes and mechanical failures. We were gaining positions due to attrition and Edgar was able to pass for positions as well. Edgar did great and being out of a race car for five years shows it is like driving a bike a guess!

Don Carlos got in after a slow but safe pit stop with the only problem being that we did not get enough fuel in the car. Don Carlos kept the strategy, following Edgar with good lap times and keeping the car together but the car was getting worse. The clutch was slipping more and more as the race progressed and there was some fuel starvation occurring toward the end of Carlos's session. Carlos brought the car in for the pit stop in 11th place. Obviously Carlos's years of experience and talent were put to good use as he brought in the ailing car with a great run on the track! Thanks Carlos!

We had a long pitstop for me getting into the car because we had to take on extra fuel to compensate for the low fuel condition from the first stop. Carlos told me getting into the car that the clutch was very bad. When I pulled away I had to go from 1st to 3rd since 2nd was completely gone. Well 3rd was basically 90% dead as well. The car was handling well and the brakes were working well but still stiff. The clutch was slipping very very badly and took several seconds between shifts to stop slipping. The engine was pulling hard and I went looking for opportunities. The first came quickly and was an easy pass but the next turned out to be a good battle.

I came up on Pedro driving the Tuscon. He was obviously having some braking issues and the car was slow in the high speed corners, but the car was making good power and the handling was still good in the tight sections. We were very deep on the brakes compared to Pedro but the power was still very close so it was not going to be an easy pass.

We were in a battle with Pedro to pass him for position. Pedro's Tuscon seemed to be slowing, he was doing his best to keep us from getting around. In order to hold us off Pedro was driving a defensive line (perfectly fine and 100% expected in their situation at the time). A defensive line is slower than the normal racing line but makes it much harder for the car behind to get around.

Due to the defensive line we were both going slower than we were with open track and the Padrino CRX was catching up to the two of us from behind slowly. A blue flag was shown in front of Pedro and Me with the CRX significantly behind us, 200 mtrs or more. This flag must have been for Pedro to know I was behind him. This was a little confusing as it just as easily could have been assumed it was for either Pedro or the CRX. Despite the confusion from a blue flag so far in advance, I kept an eye on the CRX. The next lap the blue flag was shown again this time I assumed it was for me because the CRX was catching up and was 50 or so meters back now. As the CRX approached I maintained my racing line as I am supposed to, but saw him start to enter the inside before the right hander heading toward the lake, I could have simpyl closed the door by continuing to turn in but I stayed wide to let him go by.

So now the CRX is between me and the Tuscon but was not able to go around him. This went on for some time and it became apparent that the CRX was unable to pass the Tuscon despite several opportunities given by Pedro who was now driving a standard racing line to open the door for the CRX. I was now being slowed by the CRX and not able to get to the Tuscon to make that pass. At the end of the front strait I was able to easily outbrake the CRX and simply passed him again to resume my battle.

Again I was looking for my opportunity to go around the Tuscon with the CRX back behind me again. Pedro again started to drive a defensive line so we all slowed and the CRX stayed close but was unable to pass me and I was unable to pass Pedro. On the faster sections the Tuscon and my BMW pulled away from the CRX where there was no slowing due to the defensive line. A key element here is that my line was a fast racing line which by direct instruction from the officials, is the correct line to drive when being given the blue flag. You are NOT supposed to alter the racing line to either let the car by or to block. It is the responsibility of the overtaking car to make the pass both safely and cleanly. I was following the rules and in this case the 'overtaking car' was not able to overtake and in racing that means they are not in contention for the pass.

What happened next I will say little about, exiting the braking zone at the end of the 'S's I was given a hard impact from behind by the CRX. The location that this happened on the track was both curious and puzzling. At the time I was right on the back of the Tuscon to keep close for any opportunity to pass without hitting the Tuscon. Thankfully the damage to the BMW is limited to a bumper and some light metal work, the CRX did not end up as well having hit me. This should not have happened and I am sure it will be reviewed....

There have been comments that I hit the Tuscon here or there on the track and those are false, we had some very very close racing me and Pedro but we never once traded paint. I think that is testament that you can race hard and still drive clean and professionally.

With the CRX out of the race Pedro and I continued to battle. With 5 mins or so remaining in the race Pedro and I came up behind a slower car. Pedro made his pass at the end of the strait under braking and left just a bit of space for me on the inside. I took the opportunity and dove inside. The car slowed well and made the pass and was able to go around turn one but when I went to add power through the turn I could not get the car to engage 3rd gear. I finally switched to 4th and added power but with the slipping clutch and delay in the gear change the car was well off the racing line and in the marbles and was rotating very fast (off throttle oversteer). The the car left the track and entered the gravel. I kept the power on but was unable to exit again and my race was done.

Though I am not happy with ending up in the gravel I am proud of the team and our efforts despite our difficulties. We actually turned our fastest lap of the weekend at the end of the race with the failing gearbox and clutch! We will be back for race two with a car that can compete with the best in the class and look forward to our next meeting with the Tuscon . We will also keep that tough rear bumper on the car for any CRXs that want to test it out.

Thanks for the great pics!! Race assessment posted!


[quote="cyrmanj"]Hi Dary:

Looking forward for your post race assesment, just wanted to share a couple of pics of the E36:

As always one hell of a report. You have a great memory, cause I dont' remember the CRX being behind me nor us passing a slower car on the straight before your move on me... but maybe it's because I was concentrating on that BMW badge on your engine cover which basically was kissing the girl on the back of my car for like 5-6 laps

PorscheRacer escribió:I came up on Pedro driving the Tuscon. He was obviously having some braking issues and the car was slow in the high speed corners, but the car was making good power and the handling was still good in the tight sections. We were very deep on the brakes compared to Pedro but the power was still very close so it was not going to be an easy pass.

Nah... I just suck on the brakes and the high speed corners :) By the way it's a Tuscani

Due to the defensive line we were both going slower than we were with open track and the Padrino CRX was catching up to the two of us from behind slowly. A blue flag was shown in front of Pedro and Me with the CRX significantly behind us, 200 mtrs or more. This flag must have been for Pedro to know I was behind him. This was a little confusing as it just as easily could have been assumed it was for either Pedro or the CRX. Despite the confusion from a blue flag so far in advance, I kept an eye on the CRX.

I was also very confused, they shouldn't have waved the blue flag for me to let you pass since we wer battling for position, but the only official waving the blue flag started waving the flag when I still had a 4-5 car length lead on you guys. And we were not shown any other blue flags around the track to add to the confusion. So I was constantly on the radio asking my team who the f... I needed to let go, since nobody knew I just continued my race.

There have been comments that I hit the Tuscon here or there on the track and those are false, we had some very very close racing me and Pedro but we never once traded paint. I think that is testament that you can race hard and still drive clean and professionally.

Hell yeah!!!

Though I am not happy with ending up in the gravel I am proud of the team and our efforts despite our difficulties. We actually turned our fastest lap of the weekend at the end of the race with the failing gearbox and clutch! We will be back for race two with a car that can compete with the best in the class and look forward to our next meeting with the Tuscon . We will also keep that tough rear bumper on the car for any CRXs that want to test it out.

We were actually very worried when you guys posted a 1.19 during the practice runs, the BMW is looking good. We know need to go hunting for some Hondas... and leave Primeras for dessert.

QUOTE>>
We were actually very worried when you guys posted a 1.19 during the practice runs, the BMW is looking good. We know need to go hunting for some Hondas... and leave Primeras for dessert.
QUOTE<<

I love it!