Dan Crouch Blog

Guest Blog entry by: Paul

The Rabbit has been neglected, there is no denying it. Besides a couple of track day appearances and a respectable showing at Larison Rock 2007 with Dan and Ed sharing the driver’s seat the Bunny has spent the majority of it’s life sitting, clearly this is wrong.

The primary reasons for the cobwebs on the 16V are the usual suspects, time and money, or more accurately, lack thereof. I am committed to making a serious effort this year to be more involved with the resurrection, maintenance, and use (flogging) of the Rabbit. When Dan returns from Germany, (and he better be on the lookout for cool VW stuff while he’s there), this project should get fully back on track.

There are several reasons why 2008 is destined to be the year of the Rabbit. First, I am fortunate to work at a shop where race days are considered holidays. Both my employers are avid and skilled racers themselves and I have access to both their knowledge and equipment . One of my co-workers is a veteran crew chief with experience and winning seasons with both Porsche and Honda’s factory race teams on his extensive resume. It would be a wasted opportunity not to take advantage of the support and skills of these men. The second reason why this year is special is that Portland International Raceway has finally been given the attention it so needed with a complete repaving and renovation! Reports from the track so far have been outstanding, several turns were modified and surface quality is tremendously improved, I can’t wait to try it out for myself. Lastly I am lucky to live in Eugene Oregon, home of the Emerald Empire Sports Car Club. This club is one of the oldest and most active autocross clubs in the Northwest. Their events have always been safe, well-managed, efficient, and above all fun! We must try to make it to as many autocrosses as we can this year.

So this is it, the beginning of another motorsports season. The first step down this long road begins here, in Dan’s driveway, where the Rabbit has spent the winter. Dan was good enough to remove the moss from the exterior and the mold from the interior prior to my drive to Eugene. (is that Febreze I smell?)

The first order of business is diagnostic. Ed complained of an intermittent running problem that left him stranded a time of two. I experienced a minor, possibly related, issue while drag racing at Woodburn last June. There is now a noticeable miss under acceleration and I suspect it is ignition related however the fuel system is suspect as well. A full tune-up and fuel pressure testing is on the schedule for this Sunday, hopefully the cause can be found and repaired.

An unexpected bonus last week was a set of new shoes for the Bunny. My boss Joe has upgraded his Duetto to 15” wheels for 2008 which meant he had a set of almost-new 14” Hoosier R6 take-offs, these were heat-cycled by the Tire Rack prior to install then used for the final weekend of the 2007 season, basically brand new tires just broken in. This is a big deal for us since neither Dan nor I have ever driven on race slicks. Everyone we’ve spoken to swears they change the entire dynamic of the car and should turn the Rabbit into a true track machine. Looks like it’s time to say Auf Wiedersehen to our venerable Falkin Azenis and Hello to these bad boys!

Well that's it for now. I will add updates as progress continues. Check back often for write-ups by both Dan and myself of the various events we visit this season. This is going to be a good year!

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