We arrived at Virginia Motorsports Park for the second round of the 2024 PDRA Racing series, confident in our setup and opting to skip further testing. We completed our single qualifying run, and the car performed impressively, clocking a 4.32 at 166.03 MPH.
I was pleased with the results and geared up for further tuning in Q2, but that optimism was quickly dashed. After removing the front end, I discovered the catch pan brimming with oil—an unmistakable sign that our weekend, and potentially the season, was over.
We returned home early Sunday morning, and after a brief break, the team was back at it by Sunday evening. Jordan was already coordinating efforts to source the necessary parts. By Monday night, after work, we had the engine out and disassembled to evaluate the extent of the damage.
Fortunately, the engine wasn't completely ruined. Often, a broken connecting rod can cause extensive damage, but we seemed to have escaped the worst. Upon initial inspection, the piston had made contact with the head, bending some valves, slightly scratching the crank, and damaging the oil pan. Several other minor components will need thorough inspection and possible repair.
With a bit of luck and a lot of hard work, we’re hopeful to make it to Ohio with the Public Enemy Pro632 Camaro. Until then, our team will continue to push forward and keep grinding.
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