BMW 502 Race Preperation

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The Results---Ever Improving

Early in 2002 we started test-driving the car more seriously. Our first experiments with performance driving were at a local parking lot and met with immediate failure. The very first corner we turned at speed led to an immediate loss of all oil pressure. Back to the drawing board to fix the oil pump and install the Accusump for assured oil pressure under all conditions.

With that fixed, we took the car to Texas World Speedway during a vintage race to run exhibition laps and make sure the suspension and brakes were in the right ballpark. A few weeks later we returned with the car more complete to run it in one of the Corinthian Vintage Auto Racing old car classes, making certain the cars handling was acceptable. Each of these drives to the racetrack was a few hundred miles and the car was performing better each time. Never the less, we still had the original worn engine in place and it wasn't getting better---and we still needed to do a long test drive.

That opportunity came with our drive to the BMW CCA Octoberfest in Colorado. It was a miserable trip in 100 plus degree temperatures in which the car ran hotter and hotter while the driver was slowly par-boiled inside. We barely got back to Austin on that old engine. And then we put in the new engine and everything got better. We went from maybe 100 horsepower to a rated 160 horse and an engine that ran cool---what a great change. Now every drive gave us reason to celebrate. On the final Saturday before leaving for the race, we did a 600-mile test drive with literally hours spent at 90-95mph and the car never ran over the thermostatically controlled 180 degrees. We finally seem to be ready.

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