Rim color Samples - Forgeline Motorsports!

Which to choose?  I've been working with David of Forgeline Motorsports since late last year on a custom set of rims.  I went to Forgeline after I had a fatal crack at my last event of 2009 on a cast-type rim.  David immediately stepped up and agreed to work with me to custom build whatever size, offset, design, color - basically whatever I wanted!  I know Forgeline makes some helli-strong and helli-light forged 3-piece rims that are used throughout the higher rungs of professional motorsports.  Forgeline does not have a bronze as one of their standard colors, so I had David send me out some samples (above).

To the right is a pic of my old rim that cracked - notice both cracks! It's a cast-type rim made by 5Zigen and I used off-and-on throughout 2009. I have another older set - same brand/size/offset but different color - that I've had for years with no issues. But you tend to get faster over the years and put a LOT more stress on parts and it's definitely time to step up to a stronger product like a forged rim.

Finally into the mid 60's! Time to attack the Fluids!

Warmer weather makes it so much more comfortable to work in the garage! 
So far I've changed out the Tranny fluid, Transaxle fluid, Engine Oil (pic below), bled the ACD, drained the Rear Diff.  Still need to completely flush the brake fluid and switch out the radiator mix when it decides to stay warm!

Going WIDE - Proper Tire/Rim offsets

Wow, what a PITA researching proper offsets on tires & rims!  I have been testfitting my new setup of 18x9.5" +28 Volk CE28's currently wearing old 275/35-18 Hoosier R6's.  These babies are WIDE!  And the push out pretty wide too!

I know I wanted some stronger forged rims after cracking a cast rim at my last event of 2009.  I struggled through a choices with size, fitment, offset & brands.  I came down to Volk Racing, Forgeline and CCW.  Knowing I want 2-3 sets to rotate different tires through I started roaming the for sale forums looking for a deal to get started.  That is how I came across my first set.  These are a non-staggered setup that mount up w/o the use of spacers - but I wasn't sure how wide a tire they would allow under the fenders w/o 'massaging'.  Looks to me like a 275 is too wide to tuck in the rear fender well!

2010 Maintanance - ever ongoing!

Less than 2 months to my first scheduled 2010 NASA event!
So I'm making my list (and checking it twice...haha) of things that need done to the car.  Maintenance on any car that is tracked hard is paramount and a lot to keep up with itself in terms of fluids, pads, rotors, etc.  All of these need checked regularly and also need flushed/replaced a few times a year.
Currently awaiting my season order of AMSoil for the car and the tow truck this year.  I have already stocked up on Redline driveline fluids.
Also on the list are figuring out the tire/rim situation for 2010 which includes fitting wider tires and getting at least 1 new set of 18x9.5" rims.  I also need to break in the new Exedy Twin Clutch that AMS installed for me!

Maintenance trip to AMS!

Made the trip to AMS in Chicago for some maintenance.  Had them install a new Exedy HD clutch to safely handle more powa, wire my Oil Pressure guage and roll my rear fenders to help allow me to run larger treads!  Everything went extemely smoothly - no surprise as AMS is a helli-good shop!