Annual OneLapCamaro OLOA need HELP thread!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[James OLC]

0100 H Tuesday May something... We are 20 miles north of the Florida / Georgia border. I think we just broke the drivers side axle. OK... I am pretty sure that we just broke the drivers side axle.

We are waiting on a flat deck to tow us to Daytona.

Does anybody know a Florida source that can turn an axle around in a hurry? Nothing fancy, 31 spline anything will do at this point.

Four oh three eight three seven five five five five
Or
Eight three one nine oh five eight six six eight

Thanks

James and Mary

[David Pozzi]

I found Gator Racing axles in Orlando. They do road racing axles it says on their web site, but they only show CV axles: http://www.gatorracingaxles.com/gatorracingaxles-products.php
Looking for more.

[David Pozzi]

This place is into racing & does transmission and axle repair, in Holly hill, which is 2 or 3 miles from Daytona Speedway. If they can't make an axle in-house, they can get one done and install it quickly.
http://www.precisiontransmissioninc.com/Racing_Transmissions_Clutches.html
There are a a whole bunch of hotels there too, but you are probably booked into one near there anyway.

[Damn True]

Fwd'd your post over on CC.com

That's the best I can do. Good luck.

[David Pozzi]

They are on a flat bed headed to Gainesville, just under 100 miles. Any help or suggestions for there is welcome.

[SicMonte]

Prodigy Customs is in Orlando....maybe they could help?

[parsonsj]

Both Frank and I are on the phone with James and Mary. They are in Gainesville FL right now, about 2 hours north of Prodigy, and 2.5 hours from me. It seems more likely at this point they've had a bearing failure, or possibly lost their differential, as they can drive the car around the parking lot.

James is pulling the wheel now, so we'll have a better diagnosis soon.

[SicMonte]

Both Frank and I are on the phone with James and Mary. They are in Gainesville FL right now, about 2 hours north of Prodigy, and 2.5 hours from me. It seems more likely at this point they've had a bearing failure, or possibly lost their differential, as they can drive the car around the parking lot.

James is pulling the wheel now, so we'll have a better diagnosis soon.

Thanks for the update! I know that James has a spare diff in the trailer as I saw a big blue box saying Currie on it. I hope he gets every thing fixed!!

This site really comes together when there is a memeber in need...just amazing.

[parsonsj]

I know that James has a spare diff in the trailer as I saw a big blue box saying Currie on it.James told me the same thing. If the problem is a wheel bearing, then they need machine shop services to R&R the bearing. We'll know more soon.

[James OLC]

We're lining up a tow truck now and hope to be at Prodigy by lunch time (optimistic but I did say hope)... More heads are better than one and Frank graciously offered to help. At this point it's sounding like bearing or diff... Fingers crossed, we'll know more in a few hours.

[GrabberGT]

Subscribed for instant updates. Good luck team.

[mpozzi]

Waiting for a carrier to transport the Camaro and tow our little storage trailer. We haven't given it up just yet and while our situation royally sucks, our Pro-Touring community is just incredible. Between FaceBook, this site, and my NastyZ friends, the tech and help brought to the table can't be measured. Both James and I thank everyone.

We look for solutions and try to even find something laughable no matter what's thrown at us. Perseverance is a huge part of the One Lap event and we're not throwing in the towel without a good, long fight. And we're both still talking to each other ...

Definitely wont be driving at Daytona nor Gainesville today as originally scheduled but will use tonight to capture much needed sleep and head out for Barber in Alabama tomorrow (460 miles or so) for Thursday's event there.

James is heading down to wipe off the rest of the raccoon I split in half at 75 mph last night. They don't call that front air damn a splitter for nothing.
Mary Pozzi

[James OLC]

Sounds like the flat deck should be here soon. I guess I should go wipe the raccoon off the door.

[parsonsj]

Yes, I think Prodigy Customs is a racoon-free site, lol.

[killer69]

i guess your lucky the raccoon didn't go through the rad!!! all those parts on that list and no spare axle!!! note to self keep up the fight!!!

[srh3trinity]

Pulling for you guys. The Barbers track is about 20 minutes from my house and it is a great venue. I wish I was off Thursday.

[Bryce]

Good luck, Im hoping for a quick fix.

[James OLC]

i guess your lucky the raccoon didn't go through the rad!!! all those parts on that list and no spare axle!!! note to self keep up the fight!!!

It was close... I don't quite know how but we hit the '**** on the passenger side solid enough to break one of the splitter struts... Yet the guts wound up on the drivers door.

We're hoping that it's not an axle but should know soon, we're in the flat deck on the way to Orlando now, down, but not out.

And for what it's worth axles were on my original spares list, we (I) talked myself out of it, thinking that if we broke an axle we would be finished... I guess (hope) not.

We will finish this thing.

[Steve1968LS2]

It would be odd to break a 31-spline axle when not drag racing and it would typically snap on track, not later.

I think the bearing issue or maybe third member deal sounds more likely.. especially since the car still moves around under power.

If anyone can fix it the Prodigy crew can.. then back into the fight with you.. :)

[SicMonte]

Keep your heads high...you will get through this thing!!!! I know that everyone on the OLOA is missing that camaro today at Daytona!

Focus your energy on getting the beast back on the road...get some rest...then destroy the competition tomorrow! Alot of people have got your back on this race. Your car repressents us well.

[James OLC]

We agree... The clunking was just so rythmic that it was our first guess. Plus it was 1 in the morning and we haven't slept for a day. We talked about it while we were waiting for the tow yesterday and came to the same conclusion. When it went it felt and sounded like a flat tire but the car didn't pull or shake. One minute we're doing 70 the next...

We hope it's a bearing or the center section. We should get to Prodigy in about an hour and hopefully will know shortly after that.

[mpozzi]

Keep your heads high...you will get through this thing!!!! I know that everyone on the OLOA is missing that camaro today at Daytona!

Focus your energy on getting the beast back on the road...get some rest...then destroy the competition tomorrow! Alot of people have got your back on this race. Your car repressents us well.

Thanks, Doug. That car keeps getting better and better on the track and we were rockin' the house yesterday. James and I are disappointed to not be able to run Daytona but It's the big picture that matters. And just when I was pulling us out of that pit I planted Team OLC in with my textbook awful skidpad and 40th place in my specialty, the autocross.

James gave me "the talk" and it really helped boost confidence in the Camaro. Right now, the only thing I'd change would be a rear axle bearing and seal ( if that's the culprit) and the diff from the metal contamination. The OLC is just being it's usual awesome self.

We will get back in the fray.

Mary Pozzi

[Nessumsar]

:fingersx: for a quick fix!!

[mpozzi]

Thanks, Jon.

Mary

[David Pozzi]

You are lucky you broke relatively close to frank's shop. Sorry you missed Daytona, but that would have been a bad track to have a mechanical problem like this at those speeds.

[buickfunnycar.com]

James is heading down to wipe off the rest of the raccoon I split in half at 75 mph last night. They don't call that front air damn a splitter for nothing.
Mary Pozzi

I'm sorry Mary...but that was damn funny!

[ProdigyCustoms]

So we tore it down, looks like it lost a axle seal, lost enough fluid to run the bearing dry and burned up the bearing badly. My good friend Patrick happpened by and is making a run to Orlando for a pair of new bearings while Michael cleans the differential of metal particals. We will give it a quick nut and bolt once over and send them on their way probably by 5PM

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[BonzoHansen]

ouch! what is that 2nd pic?

that sucks, sorry to hear that James & Mary.

[Payton King]

Hate to hear the bad news. At least it is repairable and they will have you on your way. I thought you were running a floater in that thing...guess not.

Have a safe trip to New Orleans....roads suck in La, make sure you pick up a mouth piece so it does not rattle your teeth out.

[Nessumsar]

I thought you were running a floater in that thing...guess not.

Looks like maybe its time!

Glad to hear it is fixable, now go get 'em!!

[CamaroAJ]

ouch! what is that 2nd pic?

that sucks, sorry to hear that James & Mary.

looks like the magnetic drain bolt in a 12 point socket.

[SicMonte]

I just want to say.........

CAN I GET A HELL YEAH FOR PRODIGY CUSTOMS??????

[Ron.in.SoCal]

Hell Yeah! Team Prodigy to the rescue...!

[David Pozzi]

That's a special bearing due to the o ring groove. But you can usually get one without the groove & use silicone sealer. I think a ford Granada bearing fits.

[MrQuick]

way to go guys,

it scared me a bit, i thought mary posted a picture rocky raccoon when i rolled on them pictures too fast.



Go go prodigy!!

[killer69]

Giter dun!!!!

yea you F'ed that bearing up somthing good!! if ur gonna do it do it right!!

[CarlC]

Are you doing/checking both sides? If one goes due lack of lubrication, the other is not far behind.

But, time is the enemy.

[James OLC]

Leaving Prodigy now (820 PM) - we are going to try for new Orleans tomorrow morning.

Changed both axle bearings, the center section, brake pads, and front rotors.

Fingers are crossed and we are off...

[rrunner68]

Good luck guys.

[SicMonte]

glad that you got it all fixed!!!!! time to get some red bull and kick this pig!!!!!!!!

[mplecha]

talk about going the extra mile. Way to go prodigy!! Now go win some races!

[Damn True]

Westbound and down......

[Rod]

Leaving Prodigy now (820 PM) - we are going to try for new Orleans tomorrow morning.

Changed both axle bearings, the center section, brake pads, and front rotors.

Fingers are crossed and we are off...

wahoo! that's a Prodigy pit stop!

[ProdigyCustoms]

Pretty cool action shot. One Lap was in pretty good company. The new shop is not set up yet, in fact the lfts have not even been installed yet. We are still building shelves and shelving parts. paintng, running the air system, etc. Stuff is still scattered everywhere. We will have some "official" Open house shots soon as we are all set up, but I thought this was such a cool shot I should post it!

On another note, James and Mary are such nice people, it makes it easy to want to help and reminds me why we do this.

Good luck guys, all we want is you in the winners column!

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[Rod]

Frank! at Least I wear safety flipflops in the shop with my shortS!!!




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[Steve1968LS2]

Good deal.. happy to hear it wasn't an axle and kudos to Prodigy for stepping up and getting team OLC back on the road.. don't hit any gators on the way to the big easy.

Sorry you missed Daytona.. how bad does that screw you for the overall points?

[Larry Callahan]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

Way to go! Every time my iphone makes a sound I grab it right away to see if it's the OneLapCamaro gang with an update. Thanks for keeping us in the loop and I love the way you covered up the florescent light damage on the quarter panel.

Be safe, have fun and thank you Prodigy Customs!

[David Pozzi]

I figure they will arrive around 4 to 5 am if they don't stop & sleep for a while.

[CarlC]

Me thinks those are not Frank's legs.

Thank you to Frank and Prodigy.

Like Larry, I'm tracking their every move (no, I'm not the creepy neighbor.)

[BuddyP]

Holy mokes, I'd probably bail at that point... why to go guys and gal!

[James OLC]

We're in Mobile, Alabama right now... Should arrive at the track by 8 AM. Car feels great, drivers feel so so.

[ProdigyCustoms]

Frank! at Least I wear safety flipflops in the shop with my shortS!!!

Even Rich (barefoot wonder) who is my contractor painting the building got involved!

[ProdigyCustoms]

We're in Mobile, Alabama right now... Should arrive at the track by 8 AM. Car feels great, drivers feel so so.

Awesome, I was hoping you would make the track today just was not sure if the energy would be there with only 2 hours sleep Monday night / Tuesday morning. Determination at it's purest.

[James OLC]

We're driving through New Orleans now... We were able to grab an hour sleep at a rest stop around Pensicola in the wee hours. Traffic not withstanding we are on schedule to be at the track when the bell rings for the first time trial.

We could not have done this without Frank, Michael, Rich, and Lisa's help yesterday.

We debated our plan for today and decided that we needed to go big or go home so we made the 800 mile run overnight and will do our best to finish this race with style.

[SicMonte]

wow...is it weird that I feel bad for going to sleep last night knowing that you all are driving all night? Hang in there guys!!! Like Larry...I am glued to my phone/computer looking for updates and tracking your routes.

This site just never stops making me proud to be a member...

Good luck today.

[jy211]

ephederine is your friend..truck stop has the wafers LOL

[Bryce]

Frank! at Least I wear safety flipflops in the shop with my shortS!!!

HAHA, x2. You need some steel toed sandles.

[CarlC]

You two are hardcore. Go get 'em.

[Nessumsar]

Yeah!!! :cheers:

[Gandalf]

Just found this thread - wow! Way to go James and Mary! Give 'em Hell today!

Awesome of Frank & the crew at Prodigy to jump in, esp in the midst of a shop-move. Just awesome guys - brilliant community support!

G.

[barraza]

Pretty cool action shot. One Lap was in pretty good company. The new shop is not set up yet, in fact the lfts have not even been installed yet. We are still building shelves and shelving parts. paintng, running the air system, etc. Stuff is still scattered everywhere. We will have some "official" Open house shots soon as we are all set up, but I thought this was such a cool shot I should post it!

On another note, James and Mary are such nice people, it makes it easy to want to help and reminds me why we do this.

Good luck guys, all we want is you in the winners column!



Great job Frank, this kind of effort is why Prodigy Customs has my business.

[James OLC]

Leaving No Problem with No Problems... Car is as good as it ever has been on the track. Mary gave them he'll this afternoon while I had a short off track experience in the morning - nothing serious just had to make the decision between grass and going into a turn to fast. I chose the grass and I believe that I chose poorly.

Short run to Birmingham this afternoon then (hopefully) some sleep.

[SicMonte]

Leaving No Problem with No Problems... Car is as good as it ever has been on the track. Mary gave them he'll this afternoon while I had a short off track experience in the morning - nothing serious just had to make the decision between grass and going into a turn to fast. I chose the grass and I believe that I chose poorly.

Short run to Birmingham this afternoon then (hopefully) some sleep.

good news good news good news!!!! You all deserve some sleep!

[parsonsj]

James/Mary: how are the brakes holding up? After my highly accurate measurements with a drywall square yesterday, I'm hoping for good news....

[CarlC]

Hopefully with the off-track grass excursion the racoon splitter did not become the turf shovel.

[James OLC]

John.. Brakes are better but the pulsation is still there. We're driving through it and it is much less than it was yesterday. Makes sense if it's a bracket issue.

Carl... No shoveling but the grass definitely had less traction than the surrounding track. I got in too hot, figured I want going to make the turn, saw a straight chute that I thought would save me and realized part way through that it was not. Fortunately when the car came back on track (slightly sideways) it bit and I was able to continue. I probably lost 7 seconds all told which allowed the 'vette behind me to catch up on the third and final lap. Unfortunately he chose to try a pass in an early apex of a 180 degree sweeper that I had gone wide for... It got us closer than most people found prudent.

[James OLC]

Oh... And Carl... When the little gauge says "E" it wants 17.5 gallons. :)
We ran the car down to that point yesterday... Twice... No issues, no hesitation, no stumbles.
This VaporWorx / Ricks combination is awesome!!!!

[GrabberGT]

Glad you're back on the road again. How far out of the hunt are you?

[James OLC]

We're sitting first in our class but 58th overall. We missed 4 events - two of which weould have been huge points swings for us. If we would have made Gainesville we would be sitting somewhere around 40th and Daytona would have .... You know...

I think when I looked this morning there are 15 cars out at this point... It's been a tough year on equipment.

[Damn True]

Looooong way to go yet. Stay safe and consistent and let the race come to you.

[406 Q-ship]

Praise to Frank and the Prodigy Crew.....:worship:

Keep plugging away at it Jame and Mary, the OLOA Camaro will hold but it might wear your a$$es out. Good Luck

CarlC....Turf Shovel....:lmao:

[Chad-1stGen]

Love the camaraderie in this hobby.

And I love living vicariously through James and Mary. Thank you to Frank for ensuring it continues.

[mpozzi]

Holy mokes, I'd probably bail at that point... why to go guys and gal!

Bailing wasn't an option for this type of catastrophe but looking for solutions was. Even with two hours of sleep, both James and I wanted to continue and originally thought that Gainesville, having a track, would be better than some small town waiting for another tow company to finish up the transport the next day. I called AAA Road Service and requested a carrier with a wheel lift to also transport the small trailer and gave our end destination as Daytona. The driver wouldn't take us there as there are two weigh stations and he didn't have his logbook!! Gainesville was it and from there, to Prodigy Customs where the OLC got world class attention and quick repairs.

As the final wheel lug torque was being done, James and I looked at each other and said "I'm game if you are." We originally were going back to Gainesville, sleep for that night and then leave for Birmingham, AL for tomorrow's event at Barber Motorsports Park. Pulling an (almost) allnighter, we pulled into Circuit Grand Bayou this morning with time to spare and lots of clapping from folks from the event.

That alone exemplifies a lot of what One Lap's all about and made that midnight drive worth every minute. James and I work well together with the Team being the first priority. One Lap is about huge perseverance in face of adversity and keeping focus on the big picture ... finishing!

We both can't thank Prodigy Customs for getting what appeared to be a no-hoper

[mpozzi]

(Damn iPad ...)

Thread continuation ...

situation and turn a sour lemon into lemonade. James and I traded driving with sleeping with the OLC merrily loafing at 70+ mph on 6th gear for about 14 hours or so. We are feeling it today.

Cheers,
Mary Pozzi

[srh3trinity]

Glad you guys are back up and running. How did you like the Barbers track? It is very nice. Staying in B'ham tonight? Let me know if you want a restaurant suggestion.

[mpozzi]

Yeppers for dinner suggestions as the GPS has us around 9:15pm or so. We will have time for a real meal that doesn't have two golden arches on the packaging AND get well rested.

Cheers,
Mary

[David Pozzi]

Get some rest tonight, -long day tomorrow.

[srh3trinity]

I had my days mixed up. Barbers is tomorrow. Let me know what part of town you are staying in Birmingham and I will try to come up with a place that will still be open. If you are staying out near the track, it may be the Golden Arches.

[Flash68]

What a great story of trials and tribulations.... keep on truckin and best of luck.

Nice work Frank and Prodigy crew. Top notch.

[CarlC]

17.5 gallons? Holy you-know-what, it was running on fumes.

New theme song for OLC: Running On Empty. It has more than one meaning.

Stay safe you two.

[Nessumsar]

I am really glad to hear things are back on track. Hope you guys got a good night's rest, and a belly full of real food.

Good luck today!

[James OLC]

Midway through the day at Barber before what is going to be a long night... Yesterday went ok, times were really close amongst the run groups and momentum was a bit of an advantage at no problem. I had a trip through the grass and missed a shift on my first lap which hurt a bit. Mary got around really well, finishing ahead of the FM3 vette again. The trip to birmingham was not too bad but traffic really held us up - none the less we were able to catch some much needed sleep last night. We've got an intermittent problem with the trailer lights again, I found a loosish groung so maybe that is it.

Barber is a phenomenal facility... I left a lot on the table but there is so much to take in on a lap, it's tough to run flat out blind. Looking at times right now it was about how it felt - too slow. There are a couple of spots where you need to shift to 4th to be really fast but for reasons I don't understand, I didn't shift, keeping it in 3rd and running up the limiter.

Mary runs in an hour or so, hopefully she redeems us.

Barber

[srh3trinity]

I wish I was off, it is such a nice day and I certainly would have gone out to cheer you andMary on.