Subj: Larry's first track event!
Date: 7/10/00

Hi All!
A lot of things have taken place in a short time so I've gotten behind in my writing. The first of four stories involves my first track event.
The real story is not the event, but all the support I received to make the event. Because of my job, I have been reluctant to sign up early for track events. I have lost literarily hundreds of dollars from nonrefundable events (not just racing events). I talked with Car Guys and seemed to get favorable support, so at the last minute, I sign up for a driving course at Summit Point (Friday, 30 June). Car Guys faxed the medical/tech inspection forms on Saturday, 24 June, and I proceeded to get the car ready on Sunday (i.e., drain brake fluid, measure brake pads/tire wear, etc.). My NSX was within the state inspection time frame so I asked my neighbor (Max, who owns an auto repair shop) if he would inspect my car while it was on my lift. He came over Sunday night and during the inspection, he noticed my LF shock was leaking (Ahhhh , it was fine 2 weeks ago). "Well, that's the end of the inspection," he said. "Ah, come on Max, it's just damp looking. It's not like there's fluid all over the place!" "Nope, you need shocks, and besides, they won't let you on the track; it's not safe." (Grumble; I had the feeling that comes when you know someone is right, but you want something bad enough to try to justify bad judgement on your part) OK, I'll call for parts in the morning and see if I can get some shocks here quick. Max called some of his suppliers, but didn't have or make anything for the NSX. I called the local Acura dealer. They didn't have any shocks in stock; it would take a couple days to get them; and they were close to $200 @ piece (wholesale). (Damn), Here it is Monday, I can't get shocks, I have to leave on Thursday to get to the track. This is my hair pulling time. I hate doing things at the last minute, for it usually turns into the "hurrier I go, the behinder I get" syndrome. The car has 50K on it, so if I have to change shocks, should I go with aftermarket? I go to NSX prime, do my homework, and decide to try Bilsteins. Now to recap my situation as the usual light of exasperation shines on me. The Challenges are:
1. My left front strut just started to leak.
2. OEM Struts are about $200 @ piece + none in stock. Have to special order + overnight ship
3. Think I will go with Bilstein struts, I will find out Tuesday if they are in stock.
4. Can't take work off (Sikorsky people are coming).
5. If they arrive (struts), Have one night and part of the day to get them installed before departure.
6. Will I loose the $195 I just sent Car Guys if I can't attend? (my problem, not military problem)
7. Advised not to use leaking strut (if they let me on the track). Blow out could be hazardous.
8. Car Guys' info paper states they won't allow 4pt belts. (just OEM or 5/6pt)
9. Set of used Bilsteins show up on the net for a good price. (does lifetime warranty apply to used shocks, can seller get them to me on time, no product support, is this a blessing or.....?)
Decisions, decisions; One step forward, two steps back.

Tuesday (T - 2.75 days and counting)
With a lot of timely E-mails from the seller, I learn his impressions of the shocks, reason for selling, and decide to go with new shocks for warrenty/tech support due to the timeliness of my situation. I call Fred Crow, explain my harness situation, and he will next day UPS my "Y" belt. I talk with Phil at CGI, learn more about the Bilsteins, and he will next day UPS my shocks.
Things are starting to fall into place. I'm winding down and will now focus on removing the shocks. Peter Mills has E-mailed a check list of what to take to the track, so I will work on that. With service manual in hand, I proceed to remove the shocks.

(Note: I don't fully understand my willingness to work on the NSX. I do routine maintenance on my Accord, but when it comes to doing something new, I tend not to want to tackle a project unless I've seen it done once. For some reason, I haven't experienced this reluctance when working on the NSX.)

Things are going well until I get to the part that says, "Remove shock." The shock doesn't remove. The manual doesn't instruct me to remove anything else; I didn't recall seeing anything on NSX Prime; But when I push down on the lower A-arm, it binds on other components. I sigh and think, "I don't need this," look at my watch to see if it is to late to call someone, and decide to call Larry B.
Larry is home and tells me the "rest of the story" of shock removal. I take the cordless phone out to the car and Larry describes what to look for as I look at the car. This was very helpful. I ask how late I can call if I should hit another show stopper, then proceed with the removal. The front shocks come out and before it's too late, I call Larry to confirm removal of the rear shocks, which come out easier with a little "Yankee ingenuity." With the shocks out, I work on filling Peter's track prep list, have a snack then go to bed. (It has been a long day)

Wednesday (T - 1.75 days and counting)
While at work I call home and ask Craig if UPS has delivered my parts. Guess what, after conferring with my suppliers, I learn that the UPS drivers did not stop at either location (Cal. or Conn.) They apologize, (but it's out of their hands; I hold no remorse) They say they will try again tomorrow. I call UPS and have then send a message to the terminal to hold my stuff at the counter and not put it on the truck. (I figure I can pick it up faster than the can deliver it) I learn the parts will arrive at different times to the UPS terminal, so I send a request to cancel my "hold at the counter request." After I hang up I realize that I have just set myself up for failure. I am not sure if the terminal will get the cancellation message in time. The dilemma: Do I go to the terminal in case they didn't get the message (don't want the part to set there all day waiting for me to pick it up) or did they get the message and if I go, the part will be on the truck and I will waist valuable time in needless travel? (Note: UPS won't give me the terminal's phone number). I call Car Guys to let them know of my situation, and that I would try to make it, but is was looking bleak. Depression and resignation are setting in. I will have just part of the day to get the old shocks out of the springs, reassemble them, install the shocks, and then try to get someone to align the car before I head out. With everything coming down to the last minute, I see chances for errors, and consider canceling the event. I would rather do the job right, than half-ass it, and cause damage to the car or have failure at the track. (a longer day emotionally)

Thursday (T - .75 day and counting)
I've taken an extra day of leave in order to have mission accomplishment. I am up early to take care of loose ends while waiting for the UPS truck. I receive a phone call; it's the UPS driver. He said he has two messages and wants to know what to do. I tell him to deliver both packages when they come in. One package is to be delivered by 0830 and the other will be relayed and should arrive by 1030. (Things are looking up) I think off all the pit crews I've seen on TV. They may have a blown engine to replace between runs, they work fast and steady, and the car becomes race ready. I say to myself, "I can do this, don't give up, people have done their best to insure I get to the track, don't let them down! They didn't you." At 0830 the UPS truck pulls into the yard. I have my tools and removed shock assemblies already loaded in my Civic WGN. I put the new shocks in the car and head for my friends garage to use his spring compressor. When I get to the garage, he gets me set up, and I open the box to compare the new Bilsteins to the OEM shocks........they aren't the same length. The mechanic questions if the shocks were designed for different springs, plus the assembly diagram shows parts different from what we have. (I let another sigh but stay focused) I return home to call Phil and we do a 3-way conference with his technician. My questions are answered, I gather all phone numbers, and return to the garage. The Bilstein package has wire ties and no instructions on there use. This time I call Bilstein direct. I figure the wire tie is to hold the dust boot on......but does it hold the top from coming off the metal grommet or does it hold the bottom from riding up on the housing. To make matters worse, on the front shocks, the dust boot fits tight on the bottom, but on the rears; they are too large and would buckle if I tried to secure the bottoms. Bilstein directs me to their tech department. The Tech doesn't understand what I'm trying to tell him, so he gets a pair to look at. He can't figure it out either. I am instructed to call the California tech dept. They look at a set and are bewildered also. (precious time is passing) I get connected to the big boss; he pulls a slide up on his computer and discovers that:
1. The wire tie is used only on the bottom of the front shock (because there are vent holes in the rubber to let moisture out)
2. The rear dust boot is larger so that it will freely ride up/down the shock case; it has no vent holes; therefore it is not secured on the bottom.

(T - .5 day and counting)
I have become proficient in using the spring compressor and have replaced the OEMs with the Bilsteins. I return home to install the shock assemblies. To make the story shorter, I use a come-along, jack, and other aids in the installation process. The Bilstein assembly is shorter than the OEM assembly so I have to use mechanical help. It is now 1700 and I call the garage and the alignment man has agreed to stay after work to align my car. We work together. I read the specs to him, he makes the adjustments, and I verify. They alignment is complete, I finish packing the NSX and head for Summit Point, WV.
As some of you know, I am a sucker when people want to know about my NSX. At the gas station, a "I've never seen one before, may I look at your car" person comes over. I start gabbing about the car and decide it's a good time to get a sandwich at the store while he looks, and I talk with my mouth full. A half-hour later, I am on the road. I arrive at the motel at midnight and turn the lights out at 0100 Friday morning.
The rest of the story will come tomorrow.

Before I go, I must once again thank all the afore mentioned people. For without their "Refuse to loose" attitudes. I would not have made Summit Point. Thanks Guys!!!
Larry G.