WKA Daytona KartWeek Blog: Fry Racing

Jim Fry

Fry Racing caravanned from Atlanta yesterday (12/26) with the exception of Lance and his family which traveled today. Fortunately the trip was uneventful and we arrived at our condo at 4:30 pm. We have tried a new condo this year which is on the beach, across from a shopping center and has several pools and entertainment for the wives and kids. After unpacking we headed to Aunt Catfish’s for dinner. The food was excellent. Grandma and I babysat Lukas (Brandon's 1 yr. old son), while Brandon, Nadia, Kristin and Ryan went to the Ocean Deck for some beverages…..

Today we left for the track at 7:30 am. The load in was probably the best I can remember at Daytona. Kudos to WKA and DIS for this! The plan was to unload, break in engines and run the karts thru tech. A small problem with the clutches on Brandon and Lance’s karts kept Brandon and me at the track until 4:00 pm, but this means that we will only need to add fuel and check tire pressures prior to running in the morning.

As always it is nice to catch up with friends at the track. Tonight we are getting together with the Grindell family for dinner and drinks at our condo. Nate’s sister Carmen has a four month old son, Cooper, who along with Lance’s two girls will make for four kids under 4 at dinner. With Lance’s family arriving tonight’s dinner will be for 18. Barb is cooking Sloppy Joes.

The garages appear full. It looks like a good turnout. I will try to get numbers tomorrow. We could not have asked for better weather. Today was mid 80 degrees and sunny. Looking forward to hitting the track tomorrow. Last year was our first in the Controlled class after many years in Yamaha. We learned alot and hopefully that will show in the results column.

More tomorrow.... Jim, Brandon and Lance

Jeffory Mott · Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 2:23 am Post subject:

Jim. Good luck to you all this year. It kills me to have to miss Daytona but business comes first. Keep us posted on the laydowns. Hope to see you at Roebling Road in Feb.
Jeff

Rob Howden · Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 6:49 am Post subject:

Thanks for the update, Jim. Say 'hi' to Brandon for me.

Looking forward to reading your blog this week. Wish we could be there!
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Bill Wright · Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 5:09 pm Post subject:

Charlotte. NAKC. Fish frying, Molson beer drinking good times! Wink

Good luck to all the Fry family, who definitely know how to have "Serious Fun!", not matter where they are! Laughing

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Formula Kart Productions, Inc "SERIOUS FUN!"
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Jim Fry · Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 7:41 pm Post subject:

It is 9:00 PM and we just finished eating dinner at the Condo, what incredible weather today. 80 degrees and sunshine! Overall it was a good day of practice for Fry Racing. First of all it was safe, no red flags during our sessions. I think we ended up getting 7 rounds of practice for the 4 race groups. By the 3rd practice session I got down to the 2:12's (97 mph avg.) lap times which compared favorably to the fast times from last year. Brandon was running competitive also, but Lance was struggling, so after lunch I put my engine on Lance's kart and put a fresh engine on mine.

Lance and Brandon ran together in the last practice of the day and I broke in my engine to get ready for tomorrow's races. We are the second race of the day tomorrow. I think we have 20 + entries in the Controlled class. Rick Fulks last years winner is not here, but 2nd place Nate Grindell is and he's always tough. We are pitted next to Nate and I think he was sandbagging today! And then you have "Doc" Chrzan, Matt Mendenhall, Jenn Ferreira, Travis Miller, Brian Morse, Scott Grenier, Milo Schoonover along with fast newcomers Kevin Webb, Tim Jennings and Ritchie Warren among others to make up a strong field.

Got to get to sleep. I need my rest to keep up with these kids!

Jim, Brandon and Lance

Rick Fulks · Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 9:03 pm Post subject:

Good luck tomorrow Jim. Reggie called me today (twice) and said it looks like your the man to beat!
Enjoying the blog.
All you guys...........be safe and have a blast!

Rick Fulks

Bill Wright · Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 9:13 pm Post subject:

Hey Jim,

Pass along a "hello" from me to Nate. Ealier this year he tuned me to a 5 for 5 in the OGP Rotax Max Challenge. My "return" to kart racing was going pefectly right up until I ran out of talent and ended my kart racing career in a very nasty way! Shocked

Many would say it was "overdue" anyway, but at least I went out with a bang!! Laughing

Safe racing for all of you, and may the best man win! "Age and treachery over youth and enthusiasm!" "Old guys RULE!"
_________________
Bill Wright
Formula Kart Productions, Inc "SERIOUS FUN!"
Exclusive Promoter / Owner of the Florida Winter Tour
www.floridawintertour.com
Lo Rider Casual Kart Apparel

Bill Wright · Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 9:15 pm Post subject:

Hey again,

BTW, is Freber racing?
_________________
Bill Wright
Formula Kart Productions, Inc "SERIOUS FUN!"
Exclusive Promoter / Owner of the Florida Winter Tour
www.floridawintertour.com
Lo Rider Casual Kart Apparel

craig,s keller · Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 10:08 pm Post subject:

Goodluck to you, Lance and Brandon as you will need it I can see a Fry/Grindell freight train... Be safe have fun and let the old one win.....ha ha kick some butt guys.

Craig

Jim Fry · Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 4:29 am Post subject:

Bill,

Great to hear from you. It is interesting Brandon came down a few days before Christmas to finish up his kart a few days before Christmas and he brought up the fish frys at Charlotte. Good times! Freber is here running w/Randy in Yammy. So you have experienced Nasty Nate?!?

Rick/Craig,

We miss you guys! Do not let it happen again.

I hear Darryl calling, "Let's go racing boys!!"

Jim, Brandon & Lance

Clark Gaynor Jr · Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 7:15 pm Post subject:

Jim,

Any results from today?

Thanks
Jr.

Jim Fry · Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 7:15 pm Post subject:

Today was a good day for Fry Racing. Brandon and Lance were both quicker in practice after making adjustments overnight.

Our first race was race two, Controlled. There were about 20 entries for this race which is a little down from what I remember for last year. Turn one brought the usual chaos but all three Fry karts continued with only a few scrapes and close calls. The first few laps were pretty exciting as a pack of nearly 10 karts ran together. Over the race this pack dwindled to Kevin Webb, Tim Jennings and I. A few seconds behind Brandon and Lance ran in 4th and 5th. The final few laps my kart started to sputter as fuel was not transfering to my sump. Webb and Jennings both passed and left me. Brandon also caught and passed me just before the finish. Lance had a small problem that required him to pit and dropped him down the order.

Our second race was the 6th race of the day, Formula 100. We all ran the same engines / pipes for this race so our prep generally consisted of adding fuel, entering and changing race numbers. This class also had nearly 20 entries. The start was a little less chaotic and Pierre Haung quickly ran off and left everyone. Don Chrzan, Travis Miller, Richie Warren, Lance, Brandon and I ran in a group fighting for 2nd. As the race progressed everyone fell off with the exception of Lance and I with Brandon dropping back a few seconds. With two laps to go my fuel issue surfaced again and Lance passed me. Brandon caught and passed me as well within sight of the finish line. Haung fell out after about 2/3 of the race. This made for a 1,2,3 Fry finish with Lance winning, Brandon 2nd and I finished 3rd. This is our first all Fry podium and was a pretty neat experience.

Again the weather was nearly prefect! Tomorrow we race Controlled Spec and possibly Controlled Limited if everything holds together. With my reengineered fuel system I am looking forward to better results tomorrow. Tonight we are off to the awards banquet.

Steve Frank · Joined: 06 Dec 2002 Posts: 626

Jim,

Glad to see your name on the blog list. Please pass my greetings on to Brandon ahd good luck to all of you! May the motor gods be with you this week!

Steve Frank
www.apexdesigns.net

Bill Boyce · Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 11:40 pm Post subject:

Jim:
If you are using a check valve to transfer fuel to the sump, you might inspect the check valve for foreign material in the valve part, preventing it from sealing. Had a friend who had problems like that, as the kart would run like a rocket for 3/4 of the race, then struggle to the finishline. It was a piece of plastic from a new fuel jug.

Bill
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Jeffory Mott · Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2008 7:28 am Post subject:

Jim. Congrats to the entire Fry Gang. Good luck fixing the fuel problem.