The end of the year! (This is a hint for the Tune of the Month!)
Projects are completed and handed in, goals are set for 2000/2001, yearbooks are signed and
the school settles down to a quiet relaxed atmosphere.
I've started planning next year's curriculum - Yes, I'm still developing it as I go (the joys
of being somewhat obsessive-compulsive/perfectionist - nothing is ever good enough). I'm not
happy with the Electronics 11 and 12 curriculum yet. I intend to do more numerous smaller assignments.
I want to have the 11's do the basic theory and the FM Transmitter as usual, followed by a more
advanced and creative 555 unit, followed by an Op-Amp unit, a Digital Logic unit (as we did this
year, but perhaps via software instead of breadboard. Then Power Supplies, with the final project
being a Power Supply, with optional displays (Digital Voltmeter, Bar Graph, etc...).
The 12's will get into Robotics, and (if I get my act together) Computer Control. These two
will be fairly intensive units, and will probably take a lot of the year, yet still allow some
time for student projects.
For the grade 8's, I want to assemble a booklet of assignments much like I did with the
Electronics 9 students. Students can see what will be coming up next, plus have more detailed
information at their fingertips. This is mostly just compiling all the booklets and handouts
I've done over the years.
May 07 I ran Regional #1 out at Boundary Bay. It was a pretty good event, I got four runs in,
and only kissed away one because something came loose on the car (I bailed and drove back to the
pits - I didn't want anything to sail off into the crowd, or send me into the toolies). I placed
first in my class, which made me feel really good about myself, even though there were only two
other people in the class (I had a 66% chance of screwing up).
May 14 I ran the Novice #2 Event, and although I ran well in my first run, I screwed up
royally on all the following runs. I may have placed second or third (or probably worse). I ran a
52.2 + one cone (2 seconds), but was beaten by a Mazda 626 that pulled in a 53.3 with no cones.
I did discover something interesting about tire pressures:
I ran my 52.2 while losing it nastily on three corners (30 psi rears - back end hanging out
all over the place) - which means I could have gone faster!! Man, this is addictive.
VCMC (Vancouver Chinese Motorsport Club) was there taking
pictures for their excellent web page, and shot a picture
of my car going through one of the few corners I actually made. How flattering!
Since I am now running in H/Stock, the allowable modifications are minimal. Some things,
however, are "free" modifications such as plugs, wires, and coil. Since I do not believe fancy
spark plugs serve any performance-enhancing purpose (feel free to argue), I run my favourite NGK
V-Groove plugs. I recently took the tinted window film off. It's a bugger to put the stuff on, and to get it
off is almost as much fun. First, you pick up an edge of the film, and gently, slowly peel it
back off the window. The slower you peel it, the less glue you have to remove, and the less
likely you will rip the defroster wires off. Use plenty of Ammonia or Windex to help disolve
everything, and a safety razor to scrape it all clean.
I'm also finally building up the courage to paint the Civic. I hope it comes to fruition. I
have new rocker panels made, but I need new quarters too, unfortunately nobody makes them,
although I have a line on rust repair panels for 84-85 civics (I have no idea what the difference
is!), which I may just get anyways and make them fit.
It's disheartening in that no matter what I do, the car will continue to rust and rust. I can
patch it, but it will come. I will try the "Rust Mort" technique, along with whatever nasty
sealers I can get to stop it, and then just enjoy it until I can find another body.
HONDA INSIGHT pictures!!
(from a dinner meeting with the Society of Automotive Engineers)
Of course, we have to include the Heinous Honda....
I upgraded to Jacob's 8.5mm wires a
while ago, and this month I cashed in my 5-years' collection of Canadian Tire money and bought an
Accel Super Coil, which in street driving, offers basically no advantage whatsoever. Perhaps on
the track at 6500 rpm it will be more useful.