Cars, code, and carousing...

So, I returned from San Diego last Tuesday... we had to go through a number of software test cycles and bug fixes for the remainder of the week, but it appears that as of yesterday, all of the code has stabilized and is now solid enough for a real release. I'm pretty happy about this development.

Before I returned from San Diego, though, apparently, someone stole some things out of my car while it was parked at Manchester Subaru (where I was having them inspect a possibly failed wheel bearing). Only the ham radio rig and the BoostMonkey were stolen. Odd things to take, but too inexpensive to be worth an insurance claim.

Sabrina helped me put the new downpipe into the WRX, and, well... damn... the car is really fast now. I replaced the BoostMonkey, and we put camber bolts in the rear (to bring the camber back out after the rear subframe locking bolts). I put a smaller (read: less attention-grabbing) tip on the straight pipe, as now, with the downpipe, it's way too loud. I'm looking for a Magnaflow or similar muffler from Summit or Jegs to get welded up there to take the noise level down a notch. The tire/wheel swapping is almost complete, but I have two more snow tires to get mounted up before the rallycross next weekend.

On Saturday, Sean and I went over to Racer's Depot (I think) in Marlboro, MA with Sabrina and John. We tried on some Sparco suits and picked up other miscellaneous gear. I purchased a Sparco Sprint 5 2-layer FIA nomex suit, nomex balaclava, socks, neck brace, and some gel-filled harness pads. The suits should be showing up sometime around the 8th or 9th of October (my size 64 is shipping on October 4). Expensive, but it's safety, right?

So, at this point, we need to pick up a rally computer and intercom, get the rally tires ready to go, spill kit, first aid kit, logbook and inspection... pay our entry fee, and Sean and I will be rallying. Our first event looks like it's going to be the Great North Woods ClubRally near Berlin, NH. Yay!

I'm so freakin' excited. =)