"Hot" Manta

[svopel]

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]

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]

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

[RallyBob]

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]

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

[svopel]

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]

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

I think he forgot to bring then along

[RallyBob]

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]

"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]

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

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

Ken

[Gary]

A direct link to the video is Here.

*Ken "beat me by that much"*

[BQS4]

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]

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]

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