Wednesday - Targa dreams dashed

We get to the arena bleary-eyed and nauseous from fatigue and our only 2 hours of sleep.  We cross our fingers and try to start the car.  It turns over but doesn't catch,  then it doesn't want to even turn over.  We move the car outside and try to push start it.  After trying twice, we suddenly notice a fuel leak from under the car.  Gas is dripping out the exhaust pipe.  We quickly jack the car and examine underneath.  There is no leak from any fuel lines or from the engine, but is coming from the exhaust.  We remove the spark plugs and realize the cylinders are completely filled with fuel and that the engine is hydro-locked which is why it would not turn over.  We crank the engine with the spark plugs out to try and clear the cylinders and a geyser of gasoline shoots 25 feet in the air!  We manage to empty the cylinders but fuel has bypassed the valves and filled the oil pan, so we must also change the oil.   After putting in new spark plugs and new oil we boost the battery again and cross our fingers hoping that our problems are solved and that our car will start. Unfortunately now, although the engine turns over freely, it still will not start.  At this point we are resigned to the fact that we will not make the early stages for today and that we must get the car to the next town and work on it some more to maybe catch up to the race in the afternoon stages.  We get a u-Haul trailer and load the race car on it to take it to Clarenville which is about an hour south.

         The trip to Clarenville is a somber one as we try to figure out what could be causing our electrical gremlins.  It doesn't help that we are running on 2 hours sleep.  After getting to Clarenville we unload the car in the arena and Telmo goes back to work with the help of another crew member trying to find the cause of our dilemma.  After another 6 hours of testing and isolating almost every circuit in the car we arrive at 4 conclusions. 
There is a ground short in our engine wiring harness. 
There is a short in our relay and switch panel.
Our engine ECU computer is most likely damaged.
The Targa Newfoundland race for us has come to an end.

          As we let the disappointment sink in, we console ourselves with the following facts:
1) Our Targa demise was due to an electrical failure and not a crash. 
2) Our car is intact, as are ourselves.
3) When our car was running, it was spectacular.  The suspension was perfect, the body rigidity was exemplary, and the power was ample. 
4) For the first two days, we were actually competing at a competitive level in Targa Newfoundland's most difficult "Open" class, the class that places no restrictions on a car's modification level.  For a couple of rookies, this was our proudest achievement. 
5) I think our wives Jessie and Karen feel sorry for us...  maybe even enough to let us return next year for Targa Newfoundland's 10th Anniversary!

To all our friends and family who supported us and endured this last year of preparation, we give our heartfelt thanks.  To our sponsors and supporters we give our thanks and our apologies for not being able to finish.   Finally, to our wives Jessie and Karen, and our kids Loki, Nate, and Kaleb, we give all our love and thank you profusely for your patience, love, and unwavering support.  Thank you!

We shall return....