"Hot" Manta

svopel · 11-01-2005

At the "Great Pumpkin Affair" racing event at Nelson Ledges Road Course this past weekend, a couple drivers told me about seeing a video clip from the internet of my Manta in flames (June 11). After much searching I found the link (see below). The engine exploding wasn't nearly as bad inside as it appears on the video ... (just a lot of smoke and $$$ signs flashing before me).

http://itforum.improvedtouring.com/f...lite=opel+fire (Note: click on "Opel goes BOOM")

I've had eight races on a new motor since then -- four at Nelson Ledges and four at MidOhio. Best finish was 5th (2-3 times) ... BUT ... Sunday, I was in 3rd place with two laps to go when I got into the "marbles" and spun while making a pass in turn 12 -- finished 5th. My lap times have improved with each outing (at Nelson's lap times have dropped from 1:31 to 1:22.253)which is more important than position -- as long as lap times improve "position" will come. ITB winner's fastest lap was 1:20.220 (VW Golf).

Anyway, it's fun and the Manta has a big following at Nelson's -- led by a young driver whose father used to drive a "showroom stock" Manta.

Ken

RallyBob · 11-01-2005

Damn! That thing let go in a big way.

What exactly happened? Tossed a rod, oil dumped on exhaust, oil caught fire?

Good thing you were not mid-turn when that happened!

opelgtguy · 11-01-2005

Hey Bob:
Your name pops up about 2 posts below the post with the link.
Rick

RallyBob · 11-01-2005

Hey Bob:
Your name pops up about 2 posts below the post with the link.
Rick

I just looked and two of my own posts also are shown, the 15th and 16th ones down. Not too many Opel guys on those forums! But I think those that are there are also all members here on OpelGT.com.

heimue · 11-01-2005

Nice fire... did you have the marshmallows ready?

svopel · 11-01-2005

What exactly happened?

The rod end cap (#1) went through the block behind the alternator -- broke the alternator mounting bracket and left almost a perfect circle hole in the block the size of a baseball. I found the rod end cap on the belly pan. Blew the front of the aluminum oil pan off ... in addition to putting several holes in it. I was running a sprint header at the time and both exhaust header pipes were broken away from the header -- even with the flange. The right motor mount caught on fire. There was no oil on the track -- I suspect it burned before it reached the track.

My new engine has a baffled oil pan done by "Canton."

Ken

2 Fast 4 U · 11-01-2005

Originally Posted by heimue

Nice fire... did you have the marshmallows ready?

I think he forgot to bring then along

RallyBob · 11-01-2005

BTW Ken, kudos to you for pulling off the track immediately after the engine blew, so as to not oil the racing line!

I'm amazed at how many racers dump fluids and then drive around the track at reduced speeds on the normal racing line, only to cause a 1/2 hour delay while the track is cleaned up!

Bob

simplemind7 · 11-01-2005

"Sorry, but we did not find any matches to display. Try again and broaden your search criteria. If you were searching for new posts since your last visit, it's possible that there are none to show."

svopel · 11-01-2005

Looks like that link went away ... try this one.

http://www.bildon.com/pub/Opel.wmv

Ken

Gary · 11-01-2005

A direct link to the video is Here.

*Ken "beat me by that much"*

BQS4 · 11-01-2005

Ken;
Just watched the video, all that comes to mind, and yes, I'm dating myself here, is the Ohio Players song "Fire" one of my favorites from the 70's

But, seriously though, glad you or no one else was injured, and a great job of driving.

saxybiker · 11-01-2005

Great job Ken. I remember seeing that car when it was a different color with no "accoutrements" (engine, trans, interior, etc.). Glad to see one of our club on the track!

Allen & Vickie

svopel · 11-02-2005

RallyBob: I'm amazed at how many racers dump fluids and then drive around the track at reduced speeds on the normal racing line, only to cause a 1/2 hour delay while the track is cleaned up!

Thanks Bob. The yellow flag was out only briefly ... I was able to coast (off the track, in the grass) to a safe place behind the barrier at pit-lane exit.

Allen & Vickie: I remember seeing that car when it was a different color with no "accoutrements" (engine, trans, interior, etc.).

The car is the original color, Rallye Gold -- you saw it when it was mostly in primer. BTW -- Thanks for the quick response with an engine block and crank, I got back sooner than I expected -- had to cancel only one scheduled race weekend.

Gene .... I can remember only Eagles' songs from the 70's.

Ken

11-01-2005	#1 (permalink)
svopel Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Westlake, OH (Cleveland) Posts: 137 Real Name: Ken Alderson	Unanswered: "Hot" Manta At the "Great Pumpkin Affair" racing event at Nelson Ledges Road Course this past weekend, a couple drivers told me about seeing a video clip from the internet of my Manta in flames (June 11). After much searching I found the link (see below). The engine exploding wasn't nearly as bad inside as it appears on the video ... (just a lot of smoke and $$$ signs flashing before me). http://itforum.improvedtouring.com/f...lite=opel+fire (Note: click on "Opel goes BOOM") I've had eight races on a new motor since then -- four at Nelson Ledges and four at MidOhio. Best finish was 5th (2-3 times) ... BUT ... Sunday, I was in 3rd place with two laps to go when I got into the "marbles" and spun while making a pass in turn 12 -- finished 5th. My lap times have improved with each outing (at Nelson's lap times have dropped from 1:31 to 1:22.253)which is more important than position -- as long as lap times improve "position" will come. ITB winner's fastest lap was 1:20.220 (VW Golf). Anyway, it's fun and the Manta has a big following at Nelson's -- led by a young driver whose father used to drive a "showroom stock" Manta. Ken

11-01-2005	#5 (permalink)
heimue "The Jägermeister" Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Newnan, GA - greater ATL area Posts: 1,515 Provided Answers: 3	Nice fire... did you have the marshmallows ready? __________________ One 2.0-16V Opel is not enough

11-01-2005	#9 (permalink)
simplemind7 Opel GT? Who makes that? Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Ayr, Ontario, Canada Posts: 632	"Sorry, but we did not find any matches to display. Try again and broaden your search criteria. If you were searching for new posts since your last visit, it's possible that there are none to show." __________________ Brendan: 72 Manta Rallye 69 GT 72 GT - parts car

11-01-2005	#10 (permalink)
svopel Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Westlake, OH (Cleveland) Posts: 137 Real Name: Ken Alderson	Link Refreshed Looks like that link went away ... try this one. http://www.bildon.com/pub/Opel.wmv Ken

11-01-2005	#12 (permalink)
BQS4 Southern Red Neck Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Snellville, GA Posts: 6,028 Real Name: Gene Provided Answers: 12	Ken; Just watched the video, all that comes to mind, and yes, I'm dating myself here, is the Ohio Players song "Fire" one of my favorites from the 70's But, seriously though, glad you or no one else was injured, and a great job of driving. __________________ "Yes, I do have a rifle rack in my Sportwagon" Last edited by BQS4; 11-02-2005 at 07:33 AM.

11-01-2005	#3 (permalink)
opelgtguy Opel-ing since '74 Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Hatboro, PA Posts: 810 Real Name: Rick	Hey Bob: Your name pops up about 2 posts below the post with the link. Rick

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