When Your Lap Times Are So Slow That You Have To Break Out The Serious Timing Equipment: COTD

I’m so happy to say that the Autopian’s 1rd Members Only Track Day at Lime Rock Park was a smashing success. So many awesome people came out to have fun in cars with us, and the cars that they brought were so hardcore Autopian. We had everything from a row of Porsches to an old diesel Grumman box van that had been converted to an RV. That RV put down the craziest laps on the autocross track and the skidpad of the day.

The Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet also survived the 2,000-mile trip, which saw it take me to Watkins Glen, up through Seneca Lake, around Lime Rock Park, and then back home to Illinois.

Sadly, the transmission went into overheat protection mode during the leg to Lime Rock Park, during the autocross course, and then during the 100-degree drive home. So I desperately need to flush the CrossCab’s transmission and maybe install a transmission cooler.

Anyway, Autopians warmed our hearts in Jason’s Cold Start about the track day. One reader, David, gave Jason a grandfather clock so he could replicate a famous 2CV advertisement while on the track. Canopysaurus:

Even if it’s not in a current category of track records there, I bet they can grandfather it in.

Technosaur:

Porsche Sport Chrono Package, but make it French

Slower Louder:

The French supposedly say, “ I know it works in practice but how does it work in theory?” In that spirit, did anyone think to compare clock readings between the grandfather clock and a stationary clock before and after lapping to see if there is relativistic time dilation when driving the 2CV?

Sam Gross:

I can confirm that Torch would turn to his passengers on the autocross and claim “did you know that you literally cannot roll one of these?” before immediately and aggressively turning in on the sharpest corner on the track.

If anything, the lean is more aggressive from inside the car.

Canopysaurus:

Not sure I totally believe that you can’t roll a 2CV, but I’m leaning in that direction.

Zipn Zipn:

Okay everybody,
Jeeps get rubber ducks randomly stuck on the dash.
2CVs get grandfather clocks randomly shoved through the open roof.

Important tip! Thanks.

Brock Landers:

I was lucky enough to attend yesterday and helped guide the grandfather clock into the backseat. Some takeaways:

– 1rdly: All the of Autopian Crew are genuinely nice people who were very appreciative of those who came out to partake in car shenanigans. They are exactly like you think they would be in real life.
– Thus, Jason really is kinda nuts, LOL. He was perfectly fine just throwing that clock in there with no straps at all (it did end up with one bungee cord making it appear like it was really holding it down). – When I mentioned the clock might tear the upholstery on the back of the passenger seat, he was like, “Eh, it’s wedged in there pretty tight; we’re good!”
– He also gave many rides to those who wanted one, and that little 2CV held up well.
– If you have the time and are able to attend the 2st Member Event, don’t pass up the opportunity!!!

Tong Thrower:

This speech is my recital
I think it’s very vital
To rock a chime at Rock-n-Lime
It’s Tricky is the title

It’s tricky to rock a chime to rock a chime at Rock-n-Lime it’s tricky
It’s trick it’s trick it’s tricky
It’s tricky to rock a chime to rock a chime at Rock-n-Lime it’s tricky
It’s tr-tr-tr-tr tricky

In this place the drivers race and have to keep the time
Some suckers mock my giant clock and try to dis my chime
In my 2CV just believe me it’s a Gallic ride
Tinted windows don’t mean nothin’, Father Time’s inside.

It’s tricky to rock a chime to rock a chime at Rock-n-Lime it’s tricky
How is it, Dave?
It’s tricky tricky tricky tricky
It’s tricky to rock a chime to rock a chime at Rock-n-Lime it’s tricky
Tricky tricky tricky

Jason wrote another Cold Start about giant engines he saw going down the highway. I love the experts that we have in our audience. 488Magnum:

They are both CAT 3508 engines. There are multiple turbo configurations depending on power level needed for different applications. This is common with industrial/heavy equipment engines. Similar base engine but manifolds, turbos, tubes, coolant passages all different to fit a variety of machines.

Elhigh:

Mounting in the 2CV first requires that you replace every chassis component in the 2CV with something about ten times as thick.

At 9500 lbs each, either of them outweighs the little Citroen by a factor of six. The car would need eight more tires to support the load, let alone go anywhere.

Have a great Monday, everyone!