008 for ’08
Athens, GA–G. Jezarian Racing took delivery of a new Formula Atlantic chassis for the 2008 season today. The Swift 008.a is a substantial improvement to the team’s DB-4 chassis which dominated the Formula Atlantic series for the first five years after it was produced. There were a total of 53 008.a race cars produced by Swift Engineering and the chassis has proven to be both reliable and cost effective in Formula Atlantic competition.
Among the many safety improvements over the DB-4, the 008.a possess a completely carbon fibre monocoque, an impact absorbing carbon nose and an improved dash structure to footbox area which can allow legs to be pulled back in the event of a disastrous frontal impact. The driver sits lower beneath the main roll hoop and the chassis is widened near the shoulder belt area to facilitate use of a HANS (head and neck restraint) device.
Performance improvements over last season’s chassis include an anhedral nose which improves airflow to the ground effects tunnels and 15″ inch wheels allow much larger and more powerful brakes. Jezarian adds, “Of all the differences between the DB-4 and 008.a, I’m most looking forward to having a sequential gearbox. The [DB-4] cockpit was so tight last year, we really only had a 4-speed box with the old “H” pattern because getting the shift lever left and back to reach first gear was nearly impossible while racing. With the new car, I can just bang first through fifth by pulling the lever back, and with the no-lift-shift, I can keep the throttle buried.”
The team have already begun preparations for 2008. Team Manager Monty Mathisen comments on the new chassis: “We’re taking the new car down to the tub over the winter to inspect and paint. We’ll add our radio system, transponder and familiarize everyone with the newer data acquisition system on this car as well. Our work load has pretty much doubled now that we’re a two-car team. The 008 will be run in SCCA and we’ll aim to hit as many vintage races as possible with the DB-4. I know Greg has wanted to run the Zippo Classic at Watkins Glen for years so I suspect we’ll be there in ’08″
Englishtown Test
Englishtown, NJ–G. Jezarian Racing participated in a test at the newly constructed road course at Englishtown Raceway Park in Old Bridge Township, NJ. The Race Car Club of America organized the day to test the efficacy of actually racing formula cars on the road course. Raceway Park has been a Mecca for drag racers from all across America since 1965. Jezarian was excited to be one of the first formula car racers to ever drive the new track: “I got my start racing with the RCCA in the late 80′s with my dad, if it weren’t for them neither my father nor I would have started racing formula cars. I was honored to help them out”
The morning of the test was not formula car friendly however. “We woke early in the morning to find the temperature hovering near 30 degrees in NY, so we were concerned about getting heat in the car” said Monika Mandok. “Even starting the engine in those conditions can blow it up so we began the preheating process before we even left the shop and towed the entire way with the generator running and the trailer heaters on full.”
There were six Formula Ford drivers and Jezarian as the lone FA participating in the test which ran 4 variations of the track’s 1.35 mile layout. The track was extremely cold and there were debris and puddles scattered throughout the track and mainly on the racing line.
Monty Mathisen: “I think I spent more time trying to get heat in engine and gearbox than he spent out on the track. We kept the car in the trailer and preheated everything then started it and got it to temp and shut it down several times to let the heat soak. I don’t like running a racing engine in these temps so we were extra vigilant. I walked the track with everyone and saw all the debris so Ramiro and I did our part in clean-up and it didn’t involve using a broom. I ran a few dozen laps in Ramiro’s Porsche 911t and it was more fun than Greg had in the racecar! All wheel drive drifts at full boost have a way of making me smile. I was out there with a street car, with street tires and all wheel drive and I still couldn’t make it stick at all. I came back and told him where there trouble spots were and he kept his nose clean the rest of the test. Regardless of conditions, it’s really nice to be at a race track this late in the year.”
Gregory Jezarian: “It was so cold and impossible to get any tire temps but I’m grateful I was invited. My main objective was to gently break in the new ring and pinion. If I had to wait until next season to do that we would have wasted a valuable test day. This worked out perfectly and I got to help out the RCCA so we weren’t concerned with speed. The 1,400 foot straightaway is 50ft wide and the only part of the track where I could really stretch her legs once or twice and the data showed we were hitting 124mph before throwing the anchor out early. The track had few passing zones and several safety issues that need to be addressed. Because of it’s proximity I wouldn’t hesitate to run the track again for testing laps. It’s got higher and low speed turns and beats running on the local airstrip but you won’t find me running a race there. I think the track is geared more for DE track days, racing schools or possibly motorcycles if they work on removing some of the obstacles in the runoff areas. I’d love to run the shifter-kart there or even the old supermoto bike but it’s just not a viable option for an Atlantic car.”
Rebuild for 2008 Season Commences
Abbottstown, PA–G. Jezarian Racing are getting a jump on the 2008 season freshening key components on the car and updating trackside support equipment for next season. A catastrophic ring & pinion failure was responsible for a DNF at the last race. The gearbox was removed from the car and completely disassmbled and then magnafluxed. It took two weeks to get a new ring & pinion shipped from England which, upon arrival, was then boxed and shipped with the other components to have the REM isotropic finishing process applied which will greatly improve mileage between rebuilds.
The gearbox itself was placed in a jig and the shift forks were aligned and shimmed properly for maximum performance. K-Hill Motorsports completed the assembly and the new unit was then mated back with the race car. “This rebuild should’ve been taken care of last season” team mechanic Monty Mathisen said, “our decision to try and stretch another few races out of it are directly responsible for the failure we’d experienced. 2008 will prove to be our year, we’re going through every aspect of the car during this off-season and will leave no stone unturned.”
Among the other areas needed attention on the race car, a new and quieter exhaust were fitted, the car has been completely rewired and all spherical bearings and suspension rod ends were replaced. At the track support equipment has also been upgraded with new jacks, tools and sundries to make races go smoother. The crew have modified Yamaha golf cart for use as a paddock support vehicle. Mathisen adds, “The cart will be great for bringing tires to and from the mounter and towing the car through the paddock. We’ll have everything organized and loaded so that there’s no more return trips to the transporter while Greg’s on track.”
2/10ths Off Pole Position
Summit Point (September 1 2007) Arriving early Saturday morning to find his Swift Formula Atlantic racer nearly back together, driver Gregory Jezarian was excited for the day’s qualifying sessions, “I’m stoked! Everything is back in order, I’m still amazed K-Hill Motorsports were able to get the car fixed in time. Last night I did a track walk with Kris Kaiser who holds the lap record here. He showed me a bunch of secrets and I know I can lose time. Between that and the new tires I’m ready to go.”
Jezarian was gridded second to take to the track for qualifying behind a new 014 Swift ensuring at least a lap or two of clear track before hitting traffic from lapped cars: “The traffic was definitely an issue, it came down to who could go the fastest quickest before running up on slower cars. The closing speeds between an Atlantic car and one of the lower formulae is ridiculous.”
By lap 3, Jezarian and two other Atlantic drivers were nose to tail dealing with each other and traffic all trying to get the fastest lap. Like follow the leader they threaded through the tail end of the field: “Joe [Swift 014] and I drafted past each the Ralt on lap 6 then he pretty much checked out. I was able to get a good run out of [turn]10 and pass him for some open track only to get held up. I pulled into the pits, Gib found me a nice gap and I ran out for my flyer.”
Jezarian’s final lap earned him third on the grid for the start of the race just two tenths of a second behind the Ralt RT41 and 014 Swift, “I’m happy with the car and my performance. I think two tenths off pole for a DB-4 is great. Traffic will be the deciding factor in this race. Whoever gets through it quickest will have a huge advantage. I think I’m in a good position no matter what and I’m looking forward to the race!”
Jezarian Runs With K-Hill Motorsports for Remainder of ’07
August 31, 2007–The G. JEZARIAN Fine Jewelry team arrived early to Summit Point Raceway for their private test and tune session on Friday. Kris Kaiser and K-Hill Motorsports had the car prepped and ready for the test with ace engineer Gib Gibson working closely with driver Gregory Jezarian throughout the day. The first session out, the track was slippery as the FBI were conducting high performance pursuit simulation sessions on the race course the previous day. By session two, the track got faster and the times dropped. “We found a good balance with the car and I felt ready to try some hot laps. We finally put on our fresh set of sticker tires and did a good scrub-in before noon” said Jezarian.
For the last session of the day, Gibby had massaged a little more from the setup and the car rolled back out for a few flyers before tomorrow’s qualifying. “I got out there and felt great with the new rubber, we picked up a full second and I know there was more time out there to be lost. Then on lap 7 I came through turn three faster than I had before and felt a thud so I backed out of it and limped into the pits.”
Under the canopy, Kaiser disassembled the gearbox to find the input and layshaft bearings both destroyed. Kaiser went to work removing the gearbox from a Ralt RT41 in order to remove and re-press the close tolerance bearings in Jezarian’s Swift. “I’m gonna cross my fingers and hope for the best, I think if anyone can get it done it will be Kris,” said Jezarian before leaving the track for the evening, “this kind of stuff is usually done back at a machine shop not in the back of an 18 wheeler but I have confidence in my guys.”
Qualifying for races 1 & 2 will begin tomorrow at 11am.
