Another double header weekend down at Brands. I had fingers crossed for a mechanically trouble free weekend - my record here is not good for breakages and general cock ups, but I was feeling optimistic.
We had the biggest turn out I've ever experienced - 29 cars on the grid for RGB, and 11 in class A. Just to get my excuses in early, the class A field is now dominated by mid engined, purpose built race cars. Certainly the top 5, so my chances of a cup in this company are very limited. Mind you - my esteemed competitors do have a habit of taking each other off now and again so all is not lost yet!
Anyway, I can always have a good race with Austen, Paul R and the other class B/C front runners if i'm lucky.
Qualifying was a bit busy to say the least. I never really had a chance at a really quick lap, and I was finding clearways really understeery which was throwing me a bit. I ended up doing a 54.1, which in this company got me 20th on the grid. And the same position for the second race under the 2nd best time rule.
Saturday's race was eventful to say the least. I had an absolute stormer of a start, getting past at least 4 cars on the line. I had Colin in front of me and I was so tempted to sneak onto the grass to nip round him, but thought better of it given that grass tends not to have quite the same level of grip as the black stuff. So I was following Colin round Paddock only to witness a three car squeeze resulting in Colin spinning straight into the gravel and requiring avoiding action from me.
I go on to have a great battle with Austen and Matt Rowe. Further avoiding action required with Tony spinning, not to mention various other 'offs' that I didn't see happening, which got me thinking that my finishing position may not be too bad.
The last few laps were frustrating. I started to get fuel starvation coming out of Clearways, just where my power advantage would get me past Matt and Austen. Without that there was no way I was getting past them. So I finished 12th in the end. 4th in class. Shame not to end up in the top 10, but it wouldn't have made any difference to my class finish anyway.
My best time was a 53.3. Exactly the same as last year! That lap was obviously before the fuel problem so it is a fair comparison.
So despite my tweaking of the set up, I have not managed to improve at Brands. I need to do some testing here and play with the set up for this track really to get the best out of this car, although I still think I have scope to gain a few tenths at Paddock and at Clearways.
The grid is so competitive here. If I could get my times consistently 1 second a lap quicker I would be running in the top 3. But 1 second is a lot!
Anyway, I managed to trace the fuel problem to the venting valve which was sticking and causing a vacuum in the tank.
Sunday's race looked like it might be wet, but it dried up by the time we were out. Nicola and Kristin came to watch - no pressure!
My start was foiled this time by a stalled car in front which I had to avoid and let a few cars past. I managed to get past Ben in the other Westfield and was then chasing Paul Rickers. We had a good battle, but whilst I can just about match Paul's times, there was no way I was getting past him. Then he span on some oil and let me through. It was a lonely race from there as the gap to Colin was way too far. Mind you, Colin had a spin as well which allowed me to catch up a bit momentarily, but he found a quick line through what was a treacherously oily Clearways and easily pulled away from me.
So I finished a lonely 14th in Sunday's race, 5th in class.
No silverware this time.
Must try harder!
I'm going to go and see if I can find some money down the back of the sofa to go testing again!
By the way, this weekend will be on Motors TV and they are doing a special feature on us. I'll post the dates that it's on.
There's a big gap now until the next race a Brands in June (19th & 20th). I'm suffering withdrawl symptoms already!
Tuesday, 27 April 2010
Monday, 5 April 2010
A Slight Diversion - Palmer Sports Day 25th March
I'm writing this on Easter Monday having got back from Copenhagen on Saturday. Sadly missed the Mallory race - I simply did not have the time over the last couple of weeks to get myself organised for it having had the most stressful week at work ever and a minor matter of our passports needing renewing with 5 days to go! Anyway, that's another story.
Work in the week before my holiday was particularly hectic because I had a day out on a jolly. I was invited to a Palmer Sports day with some work colleagues (someone else was paying!). I have done this day before and it is a not-to-be-missed opportunity.
We get to drive (and I mean drive properly on the limit) 9 different cars on various different circuits. The cars were a BMW M3, Renault Clio Sport, Porsche 911, Caterham 7 (twice), off roading in a Land Rover defender and karts - and the main event - the Palmer Sport JP1 sports prototype and the Formula Jaguar single seater.
The was all timed so was competitive - really competitive as it happens. The problem was it was raining on and off all day so some of us got to drive in the dry and sometimes in the wet so an overall comparison was fairly meaningless. However, and I'm sorry to blow my own trumpet here but it doesn't happen very often, whenever i had a dry circuit, my times were the quickest of the day - except -rather ironically- with the Caterham pursuit- where you had to negotiate a tight circuit and do a power slide and a doughnut. I say ironically because this is the closest car to the Westy - but not the sort of driving I am used to.
Anyway - the Porsche was great fun. The instructor was getting very excited about my driving. It was a tremendous ego boost that he was shouting encouragement as we got quicker and quicker and ended up doing a time that he said was amongst the quickest they have ever had. (I'm sure he was just massaging my ego but it felt really good!). I really enjoyed the way you can throw the weight of that car around to set you up for a corner and then just drift through it on full power. It was truly addictive - I might have to get one!
I was also the quickest of the day with the Renault (again nothing like what I am used to) and the single seater which was much closer to the sort of power to weight that I am used to. Also it was dry when I started the session, and then it rained but the tyres were hot and the car had plently of aero so I hardly noticed any loss of grip. It was a great feeling to be nailing it in the wet - something I simply can't do in the Westy.
I realise that the company I was in was not quite as experienced as me but they were some pretty good drivers there and the competitive spirit was very strong. I came away with a very massaged ego and prizes (they would only let me have one even though I'd won three of the events just to be fair to everyone else - not at all fair if you ask me!)
Anyway, if you ever get a chance to do that event - especially if someone else is paying - it must not be missed I promise.
So- next time out is Brands on 24th April. Watch this space...
Work in the week before my holiday was particularly hectic because I had a day out on a jolly. I was invited to a Palmer Sports day with some work colleagues (someone else was paying!). I have done this day before and it is a not-to-be-missed opportunity.
We get to drive (and I mean drive properly on the limit) 9 different cars on various different circuits. The cars were a BMW M3, Renault Clio Sport, Porsche 911, Caterham 7 (twice), off roading in a Land Rover defender and karts - and the main event - the Palmer Sport JP1 sports prototype and the Formula Jaguar single seater.
The was all timed so was competitive - really competitive as it happens. The problem was it was raining on and off all day so some of us got to drive in the dry and sometimes in the wet so an overall comparison was fairly meaningless. However, and I'm sorry to blow my own trumpet here but it doesn't happen very often, whenever i had a dry circuit, my times were the quickest of the day - except -rather ironically- with the Caterham pursuit- where you had to negotiate a tight circuit and do a power slide and a doughnut. I say ironically because this is the closest car to the Westy - but not the sort of driving I am used to.
Anyway - the Porsche was great fun. The instructor was getting very excited about my driving. It was a tremendous ego boost that he was shouting encouragement as we got quicker and quicker and ended up doing a time that he said was amongst the quickest they have ever had. (I'm sure he was just massaging my ego but it felt really good!). I really enjoyed the way you can throw the weight of that car around to set you up for a corner and then just drift through it on full power. It was truly addictive - I might have to get one!
I was also the quickest of the day with the Renault (again nothing like what I am used to) and the single seater which was much closer to the sort of power to weight that I am used to. Also it was dry when I started the session, and then it rained but the tyres were hot and the car had plently of aero so I hardly noticed any loss of grip. It was a great feeling to be nailing it in the wet - something I simply can't do in the Westy.
I realise that the company I was in was not quite as experienced as me but they were some pretty good drivers there and the competitive spirit was very strong. I came away with a very massaged ego and prizes (they would only let me have one even though I'd won three of the events just to be fair to everyone else - not at all fair if you ask me!)
Anyway, if you ever get a chance to do that event - especially if someone else is paying - it must not be missed I promise.
So- next time out is Brands on 24th April. Watch this space...
Sunday, 14 March 2010
First race of 2010 - Snetterton 14th March.
Slightly disapointing performance today, but hey!, it's still the best fun ever! So glad to be back.
Qualifying was going ok, or so I thought, until after just 15 minutes I started to run out of fuel. Doh!
What a muppet!!
In my defence, this new power commander has gained my a bit of mid range power, but must be dramatically increasing my fuel consumption. That's my excuse anyway and I'm sticking to it.
I only did a 1:20, which put me 14th on the grid, and last of the class A cars. Very disappointing given my successful testing session the other day. Still, I thought, I didn't really get a quick lap without traffic in qualifying before my embarrasing early exit. I reckoned I could get in amongst the mid field in the race and have some fun.
So guess what. Rain, that's what. I hate the rain and this was bad in that it was only at one end of the track.
It was dry at first, and I got a pretty good start, and after an incident at corner 2 which took a few cars off, and a spectacularly brilliant overtaking manouvre on Bob (see below), I was already running in the top 10. (Forgive my modesty - I have much to be modest about!).
Then the rain came and all my good work was undone. Having got past the leading class C cars in the dry, they quickly loomed large in my mirrors in the rain. I don't know if my car suffers more than most in the wet, or if I am just spectacularly bad at driving in the wet, but it really shows how much slower I am when the rain comes and goes. (I suspect the latter of course, but I take the view that it is better to stay on the track,even slowly, than end up sliding into the scenery like several others did).
The rain cleared up for a while mid race and I gained some places back. I was doing ok until the last lap when the rain came down again with a vengence. I had a big moment at the end of the straight when my braking point in the dry didn't quite work in the wet! Fortunately there is plenty of room to run off at that point and I managed to get back on without losing too many places. However I had Phil and Austen right behind me through the 'bombhole' and lost it big time. I went sideways, and two cars went either side of me. Austen took a trip over the grass and was lucky to get back on without any damage. I slid to a gracefull halt in the middle of the track remarkably pointing vaguely in the right direction and managed to get going straight away, so that by the next corner, if you hadn't seen what happened, it just looked like I had been overtaken by two cars in one go. So that was how I finished. 11th overall. Not too bad by past standards I suppose, but it showed up my real weakness in the wet.
I'm not sure that I'm looking forward to seeing the TV coverage this time. It may be too embarrasing.
Here's a few pics from the day:
Oh, and the scutineers picked me up on an issue with my new mouting point for the exhaust which is not supposed to be attached to the roll bar. I'm not going to have time to sort that out before Mallory as we're off to Denmark, so I'll have to miss that race. I'm gutted, but there you go. Rules is rules as they say.
So next time out will be end of April at Brands. I'm counting the days.
There's a good bit of video of one of my heroic overtaking manouvres from Bob's car here: (hope you don't mind me nicking your link, Bob!): (go to about 2 mins in and watch in Bob's mirror).
Qualifying was going ok, or so I thought, until after just 15 minutes I started to run out of fuel. Doh!
What a muppet!!
In my defence, this new power commander has gained my a bit of mid range power, but must be dramatically increasing my fuel consumption. That's my excuse anyway and I'm sticking to it.
I only did a 1:20, which put me 14th on the grid, and last of the class A cars. Very disappointing given my successful testing session the other day. Still, I thought, I didn't really get a quick lap without traffic in qualifying before my embarrasing early exit. I reckoned I could get in amongst the mid field in the race and have some fun.
So guess what. Rain, that's what. I hate the rain and this was bad in that it was only at one end of the track.
It was dry at first, and I got a pretty good start, and after an incident at corner 2 which took a few cars off, and a spectacularly brilliant overtaking manouvre on Bob (see below), I was already running in the top 10. (Forgive my modesty - I have much to be modest about!).
Then the rain came and all my good work was undone. Having got past the leading class C cars in the dry, they quickly loomed large in my mirrors in the rain. I don't know if my car suffers more than most in the wet, or if I am just spectacularly bad at driving in the wet, but it really shows how much slower I am when the rain comes and goes. (I suspect the latter of course, but I take the view that it is better to stay on the track,even slowly, than end up sliding into the scenery like several others did).
The rain cleared up for a while mid race and I gained some places back. I was doing ok until the last lap when the rain came down again with a vengence. I had a big moment at the end of the straight when my braking point in the dry didn't quite work in the wet! Fortunately there is plenty of room to run off at that point and I managed to get back on without losing too many places. However I had Phil and Austen right behind me through the 'bombhole' and lost it big time. I went sideways, and two cars went either side of me. Austen took a trip over the grass and was lucky to get back on without any damage. I slid to a gracefull halt in the middle of the track remarkably pointing vaguely in the right direction and managed to get going straight away, so that by the next corner, if you hadn't seen what happened, it just looked like I had been overtaken by two cars in one go. So that was how I finished. 11th overall. Not too bad by past standards I suppose, but it showed up my real weakness in the wet.
I'm not sure that I'm looking forward to seeing the TV coverage this time. It may be too embarrasing.
Here's a few pics from the day:
Oh, and the scutineers picked me up on an issue with my new mouting point for the exhaust which is not supposed to be attached to the roll bar. I'm not going to have time to sort that out before Mallory as we're off to Denmark, so I'll have to miss that race. I'm gutted, but there you go. Rules is rules as they say.
So next time out will be end of April at Brands. I'm counting the days.
There's a good bit of video of one of my heroic overtaking manouvres from Bob's car here: (hope you don't mind me nicking your link, Bob!): (go to about 2 mins in and watch in Bob's mirror).
Tuesday, 9 March 2010
2010 Racing Dates
The dates are out for next season. These are the dates i'm likely to do:
14th March - Snetterton
4th April - Mallory Park
24th & 25th April - Brands Hatch
19th & 20th June - Brands Hatch
10th & 11th July - Cadwell Park
31st July & 1st August - Pembrey
28th Aug - Silverstone
19th September - Snetterton
2nd Oct - Oulton
30th Oct - Birkett 6hr at Silverstone.
If you want to come along, let me know - I may have some spare tickets.
14th March - Snetterton
4th April - Mallory Park
24th & 25th April - Brands Hatch
19th & 20th June - Brands Hatch
10th & 11th July - Cadwell Park
31st July & 1st August - Pembrey
28th Aug - Silverstone
19th September - Snetterton
2nd Oct - Oulton
30th Oct - Birkett 6hr at Silverstone.
If you want to come along, let me know - I may have some spare tickets.
Sunday, 7 March 2010
Snetterton test day 5th March
So, first time out since last October.
I arranged a day's testing with Tim Gray, last year's championship winner and all round motor racing expert.
Tim prepares and runs his own car as well as several others on behalf of other drivers. I asked him if he would help me get my car set up properly, or at least in a state from which I can start to make improvements.
An early start and a frosty but sunny morning in the Norfolk countryside. That wind doesn't half go straight through you!
Anyway, down to business.
Tim must think i'm some kind of muppet. On checking the current set up he was scratching his head wondering how I manage to drive this thing at all, the set up was so bad. I said it was down to pure driving skill! Yeah right!
Basically, all the wheels were pointing in different directions, every damper was on a different setting. I didn't even have the right spanners to adjust anything!
So having established that what I know about setting up a car could be written in very big type on the back of a stamp, Tim made a few adjustments and sent me out for a warm up.
It's amazing how quickly I forget how bloody quick this car is. Even if all the wheels are pointing in the wrong direction, it's accellerates like it's been dropped off a cliff! Mind you, it was so cold that I was struggling for straight line traction at first, wheelspinning in 4th!
So the day consisted mainly of Tim telling me how to go quicker, making a few adjustments and seeing how the car then felt, and then making some more adjustments and so on. I was also practicing some late braking which is where I lose most of my time at the moment. The chicane at Snett is a good example. A very fast approach, downhill, into a very slow corner. It's very heavy on the brakes and I always back off way too soon. So I practiced braking a bit later, then a bit more, then found myself in a big cloud of front tyre smoke and only just managing to turn in. Ok, that's it. Do that but just a tad earlier and i've cracked it!
We didn't really get any consistent times, but what times I did were getting back to my best race time which would have been on on a hot day so quicker anyway. So I am hopeful that I have made some real progress.
Ok, now I'm really excited about the new season.
First up, Snetterton on 14th March - same as the first F1 race - oh, and Mother's day! Oops!
It will be on the telly again!
I arranged a day's testing with Tim Gray, last year's championship winner and all round motor racing expert.
Tim prepares and runs his own car as well as several others on behalf of other drivers. I asked him if he would help me get my car set up properly, or at least in a state from which I can start to make improvements.
An early start and a frosty but sunny morning in the Norfolk countryside. That wind doesn't half go straight through you!
Anyway, down to business.
Tim must think i'm some kind of muppet. On checking the current set up he was scratching his head wondering how I manage to drive this thing at all, the set up was so bad. I said it was down to pure driving skill! Yeah right!
Basically, all the wheels were pointing in different directions, every damper was on a different setting. I didn't even have the right spanners to adjust anything!
So having established that what I know about setting up a car could be written in very big type on the back of a stamp, Tim made a few adjustments and sent me out for a warm up.
It's amazing how quickly I forget how bloody quick this car is. Even if all the wheels are pointing in the wrong direction, it's accellerates like it's been dropped off a cliff! Mind you, it was so cold that I was struggling for straight line traction at first, wheelspinning in 4th!
So the day consisted mainly of Tim telling me how to go quicker, making a few adjustments and seeing how the car then felt, and then making some more adjustments and so on. I was also practicing some late braking which is where I lose most of my time at the moment. The chicane at Snett is a good example. A very fast approach, downhill, into a very slow corner. It's very heavy on the brakes and I always back off way too soon. So I practiced braking a bit later, then a bit more, then found myself in a big cloud of front tyre smoke and only just managing to turn in. Ok, that's it. Do that but just a tad earlier and i've cracked it!
We didn't really get any consistent times, but what times I did were getting back to my best race time which would have been on on a hot day so quicker anyway. So I am hopeful that I have made some real progress.
Ok, now I'm really excited about the new season.
First up, Snetterton on 14th March - same as the first F1 race - oh, and Mother's day! Oops!
It will be on the telly again!
Wednesday, 6 January 2010
Off Season Update
I'm allowing myself to get a bit excited about the coming season now that it is very close.
The car has been at PDQ having various things done.
I asked Larry to check the engine to see if anything needs doing. Nothing but new valve clearences and some oil. Not bad after 2 seasons of racing!
I also needed a new manifold as it was cracked beyond repair. This turned into a bit of an ordeal since the new Westfield manifold didn't fit so a bit of adaptation was required. We also created a new mounting point for the exhaust so that it didn't shake itself to bits which was causing the cracking.
Also had a power commander fitted. Some mid range power improvements so we'll have to see whether that shows up as quicker times.
I was due a Snetterton for a test day on Friday, and I only picked the car up from PDQ on the Thurday evening. Talk about cutting it fine. I was going to sort out a few other bits like the new front wings, but that will have to wait.
Test day report coming up next.
The dates are out for next season. These are the dates i'm likely to do:
14th March - Snetterton
4th April - Mallory Park
24th & 25th April - Brands Hatch
19th & 20th June - Brands Hatch
10th & 11th July - Cadwell Park
31st July & 1st August - Pembrey
28th Aug - Silverstone
19th September - Snetterton
2nd Oct - Oulton
30th Oct - Birkett 6hr at Silverstone.
The car has been at PDQ having various things done.
I asked Larry to check the engine to see if anything needs doing. Nothing but new valve clearences and some oil. Not bad after 2 seasons of racing!
I also needed a new manifold as it was cracked beyond repair. This turned into a bit of an ordeal since the new Westfield manifold didn't fit so a bit of adaptation was required. We also created a new mounting point for the exhaust so that it didn't shake itself to bits which was causing the cracking.
Also had a power commander fitted. Some mid range power improvements so we'll have to see whether that shows up as quicker times.
I was due a Snetterton for a test day on Friday, and I only picked the car up from PDQ on the Thurday evening. Talk about cutting it fine. I was going to sort out a few other bits like the new front wings, but that will have to wait.
Test day report coming up next.
The dates are out for next season. These are the dates i'm likely to do:
14th March - Snetterton
4th April - Mallory Park
24th & 25th April - Brands Hatch
19th & 20th June - Brands Hatch
10th & 11th July - Cadwell Park
31st July & 1st August - Pembrey
28th Aug - Silverstone
19th September - Snetterton
2nd Oct - Oulton
30th Oct - Birkett 6hr at Silverstone.
Saturday, 31 October 2009
Birkett 6hr Relay, Silverstone, 24th October
I decided this year that I would dip my toe in the water with the 6hr relay and join the 'RGB PUPS' being all the new boys in RBG this year.
This is a big event with about 55 teams of all sorts of different cars, both road and pure racecars and of course all differing speeds. It promised to be exciting racing because of the differentials in speed and, in theory at least, the RGB cars (of which there were 4 teams) should be amongst the quickest on the track.
Unfortunately for us, the theory was blown by the weather. The conditions were dreadful for almost the entire race with constant rain.
Ok, here goes racing driver excuse no.23 - RGB cars are too light, and the tyres too crap in the wet for us to get any grip at all. All the 'tin tops' could drive round us like we were standing still.
I must say it was quite an experience. The grip was almost non-existent. I managed to spin during each of my 3 sessions - each time at Copse. This earned me a few comments back in the pits! On at least two occassions my spins were compete 360s - I meant to do that of course - just to keep the crowds interested!
I know I have done a couple of other races in the wet, but this was a real challenge for me. For my readers who don't race, driving in the wet in a very light car with lots of power and very poorly adapted tyres is a bit like...well scary for one thing. You know how you can balance a broom handle, end on, on the end of your finger quite easily. Now try it with a pencil! That's a bit like the difference between driving in the dry - where you have a progressive loss of grip on the limit which allows you to correct with gentle steering corrections - and driving in the wet where a loss of grip usually means a sudden and complete loss of control and maybe a spin.
If you happen to be close to a barrier at the time you have no chance of avoiding damage.
Fortunately for me, the worst grip was either at Copse where there is loads of run off, so a spin is not catastophic, or at the Luffield hairpin where the track was very greasy but at least you are going very slowly anyway so a spin is usually quite gentle as was the case with quite a few cars in front of me on several occassions. The scariest corner was Woodcote which is normally where you are accelerating hard onto the straight in fifth. In the wet this was a very delicate point where a tad too much on the throttle sent you into oversteer and if you don't catch it you can spin straight into the pit wall at 70-80mph. I had a couple of sideways moments there but just managed to stay out of trouble.
One of the telling few laps that I did during one of my sessions was behind a Locost car. Normally these can't keep up with us because they don't have the power, but in the wet it was a great leveler. I spent a couple of laps following this Locost and we were clearly both having the same problem with lack of grip as we gracefully slid round the corners at the same time. As soon as I pulled off line slightly to try to power past, I simply could not get the power down. The car would wheelspin all the way up to 5th, and I had to be so sensitive on the throttle that I was no quicker than the Locost even on the straight. The track did dry a bit during that session allowing me to get past on the straight, only for me to go into Copse a tad too quickly and spin again. Doh!
Anyway, the good thing is, we all finished without any damage. We were well down the field, and I don't even know what my lap times where, but we can put that one down to experience and have another go next year.
Some pictures to follow.
Well that's it for this season. Catch up with me next year!
This is a big event with about 55 teams of all sorts of different cars, both road and pure racecars and of course all differing speeds. It promised to be exciting racing because of the differentials in speed and, in theory at least, the RGB cars (of which there were 4 teams) should be amongst the quickest on the track.
Unfortunately for us, the theory was blown by the weather. The conditions were dreadful for almost the entire race with constant rain.
Ok, here goes racing driver excuse no.23 - RGB cars are too light, and the tyres too crap in the wet for us to get any grip at all. All the 'tin tops' could drive round us like we were standing still.
I must say it was quite an experience. The grip was almost non-existent. I managed to spin during each of my 3 sessions - each time at Copse. This earned me a few comments back in the pits! On at least two occassions my spins were compete 360s - I meant to do that of course - just to keep the crowds interested!
I know I have done a couple of other races in the wet, but this was a real challenge for me. For my readers who don't race, driving in the wet in a very light car with lots of power and very poorly adapted tyres is a bit like...well scary for one thing. You know how you can balance a broom handle, end on, on the end of your finger quite easily. Now try it with a pencil! That's a bit like the difference between driving in the dry - where you have a progressive loss of grip on the limit which allows you to correct with gentle steering corrections - and driving in the wet where a loss of grip usually means a sudden and complete loss of control and maybe a spin.
If you happen to be close to a barrier at the time you have no chance of avoiding damage.
Fortunately for me, the worst grip was either at Copse where there is loads of run off, so a spin is not catastophic, or at the Luffield hairpin where the track was very greasy but at least you are going very slowly anyway so a spin is usually quite gentle as was the case with quite a few cars in front of me on several occassions. The scariest corner was Woodcote which is normally where you are accelerating hard onto the straight in fifth. In the wet this was a very delicate point where a tad too much on the throttle sent you into oversteer and if you don't catch it you can spin straight into the pit wall at 70-80mph. I had a couple of sideways moments there but just managed to stay out of trouble.
One of the telling few laps that I did during one of my sessions was behind a Locost car. Normally these can't keep up with us because they don't have the power, but in the wet it was a great leveler. I spent a couple of laps following this Locost and we were clearly both having the same problem with lack of grip as we gracefully slid round the corners at the same time. As soon as I pulled off line slightly to try to power past, I simply could not get the power down. The car would wheelspin all the way up to 5th, and I had to be so sensitive on the throttle that I was no quicker than the Locost even on the straight. The track did dry a bit during that session allowing me to get past on the straight, only for me to go into Copse a tad too quickly and spin again. Doh!
Anyway, the good thing is, we all finished without any damage. We were well down the field, and I don't even know what my lap times where, but we can put that one down to experience and have another go next year.
Some pictures to follow.
Well that's it for this season. Catch up with me next year!
Saturday, 17 October 2009
Mallory again - 11th October
Well that was an interesting day.
Lots of track time, but I'm not sure that I've really improved at all since last time.
I entered the allcomers race as well as RGB this time which meant an extra practice as well. The morning practice sessions and the allcomers race were wet. I have had very little experience in the wet..and it showed.
I had a 'memorable' moment in practice when I span exiting the essess. That is a very modest left hand kink where you would not even think of losing it. However there was oil on the track and it was exceptionally wet. I did a 180 degree spin straight down the middle of the track, fortunately without hitting the grass, and ended up facing the wrong way. There was nothing immediately behind me so a quick spin round and back up to speed without much drama, but on reflection I was very lucky not to do any damage.
Still, I managed to make the 5th row for the allcomers. I was expecting to get lots of practice overtaking slower cars. Rather embarrasingly it didn't quite work out like that. I was overtaken into the essess by an MR2 and then an MG Midget!! Racing driver excuse no.43 - heavier cars are better in the wet!!
Anyway, as the track dried a little bit I did at least catch them up, but failed to get past them. My lap times were quicker than them in the end but they beat me fair and square. Not a good boost to my ego!
Anyway, on to the RGB race which was dry by then. Not my greatest performance. I dropped back from the leading pack a bit on the first lap and then spent the rest of the race trying to catch up. Being mainly out on my own it was a bit of a dull race. That may reflect in my lap times. I did a 52.23. I've done 51s here in the summer. I think everyone's times were a bit slower, maybe something to do with the weather being cooler, but I think also that I wasn't in an immediate battle with anyone.
So in the end i was 14th on the track and 4th in class (a par performance given that Derek was a DNF).
So that's it for the RGB championship.
I've ended up 5th in class and 16th (or maybe 15th = if i'm being generous). That's out of 10 in class and about 30 odd regular competitors overall so exactly mid field really!
Not bad I reckon, given that I have done nothing in terms of set up on this car and am still learning. Oh yes, and I'm the highest placed front engined class A car! That's got to be worth something hasn't it!
Maybe next season I can step it up a bit. I'm going to have to come up with a plan over the winter to make some step changes in my performance.
Before that I have the Birkett relay which is a 6 hour event at Silvertone on the 24th October.
6 cars, 6 hours with all types of cars, both road legal and race only cars. There are a bunch of RGB teams so it should all be very close. Looking forward to that.
Lots of track time, but I'm not sure that I've really improved at all since last time.
I entered the allcomers race as well as RGB this time which meant an extra practice as well. The morning practice sessions and the allcomers race were wet. I have had very little experience in the wet..and it showed.
I had a 'memorable' moment in practice when I span exiting the essess. That is a very modest left hand kink where you would not even think of losing it. However there was oil on the track and it was exceptionally wet. I did a 180 degree spin straight down the middle of the track, fortunately without hitting the grass, and ended up facing the wrong way. There was nothing immediately behind me so a quick spin round and back up to speed without much drama, but on reflection I was very lucky not to do any damage.
Still, I managed to make the 5th row for the allcomers. I was expecting to get lots of practice overtaking slower cars. Rather embarrasingly it didn't quite work out like that. I was overtaken into the essess by an MR2 and then an MG Midget!! Racing driver excuse no.43 - heavier cars are better in the wet!!
Anyway, as the track dried a little bit I did at least catch them up, but failed to get past them. My lap times were quicker than them in the end but they beat me fair and square. Not a good boost to my ego!
Anyway, on to the RGB race which was dry by then. Not my greatest performance. I dropped back from the leading pack a bit on the first lap and then spent the rest of the race trying to catch up. Being mainly out on my own it was a bit of a dull race. That may reflect in my lap times. I did a 52.23. I've done 51s here in the summer. I think everyone's times were a bit slower, maybe something to do with the weather being cooler, but I think also that I wasn't in an immediate battle with anyone.
So in the end i was 14th on the track and 4th in class (a par performance given that Derek was a DNF).
So that's it for the RGB championship.
I've ended up 5th in class and 16th (or maybe 15th = if i'm being generous). That's out of 10 in class and about 30 odd regular competitors overall so exactly mid field really!
Not bad I reckon, given that I have done nothing in terms of set up on this car and am still learning. Oh yes, and I'm the highest placed front engined class A car! That's got to be worth something hasn't it!
Maybe next season I can step it up a bit. I'm going to have to come up with a plan over the winter to make some step changes in my performance.
Before that I have the Birkett relay which is a 6 hour event at Silvertone on the 24th October.
6 cars, 6 hours with all types of cars, both road legal and race only cars. There are a bunch of RGB teams so it should all be very close. Looking forward to that.
Thursday, 24 September 2009
Snetterton again, 20th September
Well this just gets better and better.
No trophy this time, but the best ever track position (8th) and the most exciting race ever.
Oh yes, and we are going to be on the telly.
I did the bikesport race again this time, mainly for the practice as it doesn't count in the championship, but I need all the practice I can get and it was pretty good value.
The race was 30 minutes - the longest race I have done so far, and it was quite interesting. Obviously all but the novice bikesports cars were much quicker than the RGB cars with their aero and slicks, but I had a great battle with Paul R. Our cars are very well matched although I reckon Paul has maybe half a second a lap on me when he is really on it. I was right behind him on the grid and stayed with him for about the first 6 laps. I even had a little go at getting past him into Russell at one point.
I then thought about what an immense strain I was putting on the car keeping up that pace and thought if I was going to get past him we might take each other off, and ruin my RGB race. So I backed off just a tad. I started to short shift, and brake a bit earlier. Once I had decided to back off, Paul disappeared ahead. I was then out on my own. I stuck with it to the end but actually it was very boring. I should have come in really but just couldn't bring myself to give up.
Interesting phycology going on there! A race for points and a trophy is far more exciting than one without. Go figure!
Anyway, on to the main gig.
Qualified in 10th position which means 5th row on the grid - equal to my best.
And oh what a race.
I found myself in a 4 way battle with Colin, Henry and Richard, all class C leaders. My power advantage kept me up there with them despite my lack of speed through some, but not all, of the corners.
I got past Richard who then did a mad lunge into Russell to get past me which ended in him collecting the tyres somewhat terminally.
No trophy this time, but the best ever track position (8th) and the most exciting race ever.
Oh yes, and we are going to be on the telly.
I did the bikesport race again this time, mainly for the practice as it doesn't count in the championship, but I need all the practice I can get and it was pretty good value.
The race was 30 minutes - the longest race I have done so far, and it was quite interesting. Obviously all but the novice bikesports cars were much quicker than the RGB cars with their aero and slicks, but I had a great battle with Paul R. Our cars are very well matched although I reckon Paul has maybe half a second a lap on me when he is really on it. I was right behind him on the grid and stayed with him for about the first 6 laps. I even had a little go at getting past him into Russell at one point.
I then thought about what an immense strain I was putting on the car keeping up that pace and thought if I was going to get past him we might take each other off, and ruin my RGB race. So I backed off just a tad. I started to short shift, and brake a bit earlier. Once I had decided to back off, Paul disappeared ahead. I was then out on my own. I stuck with it to the end but actually it was very boring. I should have come in really but just couldn't bring myself to give up.
Interesting phycology going on there! A race for points and a trophy is far more exciting than one without. Go figure!
Anyway, on to the main gig.
Qualified in 10th position which means 5th row on the grid - equal to my best.
And oh what a race.
I found myself in a 4 way battle with Colin, Henry and Richard, all class C leaders. My power advantage kept me up there with them despite my lack of speed through some, but not all, of the corners.
I got past Richard who then did a mad lunge into Russell to get past me which ended in him collecting the tyres somewhat terminally.
I was then following an epic battle between Colin and Henry. At one point, when Henry had got ahead of Colin, I managed to get a nose ahead of Colin down the straight only for him to outbrake me and drive round the outside of me into the essess. A humbling lesson in how to take that corner!
The rest of the race was a masterclass for me in how to drive Snetterton. I stayed with Colin and Henry as they swapped positions several times. I was thinking that I was unlikely to get past these two unless they take each other off.
Then on the last corner of the last lap Henry made another mad lunge and went off, long enough for me to get past and take 8th.
I was 4th in class A.
I can't tell you how good it felt to have been part of such a great race. It brought a lump to my throat! Not as exciting as Colin's race though who got his first class win. I hadn't realised at the time that the battle I was in the thick of was actually the class C front runners, but I felt quite honoured to have been part of it.
So, all in all, a good day.
Looking at the lap times I am still well off the leading pace (1.19s compared to 1.14s) but the 3 class A leaders (and normally 4 but Doug was not there) are mid engined cars so there is no way I could match that. There are some front engined class B cars doing 1:17s which is where I reckon I ought to be, but clearly I have much to learn to knock 2 seconds off my times. Maybe some of that is in the set up of the car, maybe not.
Anyway, one thing I can say is that I am currently the leading class A front engined car. That's got to be worth something hasn't it?
Maybe I should go mid engined next season. Actually I'm enjoying the challenge of pushing myself and my car as far as I can and I don't think I'm there yet. I'm enjoying the ride though.
Oh, p.s. - the day was televised by Motors TV (Sky). Haven't seen it yet. No doubt it will end up on Youtube somehow. I'll post a link when it does.
Mallory again next and then the Birkett.
Sunday, 23 August 2009
Silverstone 22nd August 2009
I got a trophy! Whoopee!!
Ok calm down. It was only a 3rd in class, and that was only because two of the class A leaders broke down. But hey! you know what they say, if you want to finish first, first you've got to finish! I know that cliche doesn't work for third but you know what I mean.
Quite a good day all in all. Although saying that I feel slightly disapointed that my lap times are stubbornly about the same as last time out here (1:07s). I could call on racing driver excuse number 37, oil on the track at a crucial point at Becketts, but actually the truth is I am just not getting it right yet in the crucial fast corners.
Anyway, some memorable moments.
In practice I had a interesting view from the back of Phil's car as it exploded in a cloud of white smoke. I have never seen an engine give way in quite such dramatic fashion. The car was completely engulfed in dense white smoke for a couple of hundered yards along the pit straight. So much so that Phil must have been blinded for most of it. Well done Phil for not losing it. I moved over to avoid him but still got covered in oil.
The race was quite eventful as well. Having had a frankly hopeless qualifying I was 22nd on the grid (out of 29) which means I was starting slightly on a bend at Woodcote. On the lights I got a blinder of a start (for me, that is) and gained at least 4 places. Then bunched up with the pack into Becketts only to see a whole lot of carnage going on in front. David Wale's car was very badly damaged and several others were losing bits left right and centre. I picked a line through the middle as best I could and remarkably I went through unscathed. Quite unbeleivable now that I think about it. Anyway I was thinking, great I must be at least in the top ten now. Sadly, an inevitably of course, it was not to be. The red flags came out and we reformed the grid as we had started. Back to 22nd (well about 20th of those that survived).
I had a great start again but found myself in a little battle with a couple of class c cars who were annoyingly quick. Actually I had a great dice with Damian. He was trying just a tad too hard though and span off a couple of times. I managed to remain slow but consistent and stayed ahead!
One point that I was annoyed with myself about was that I lost a lot of ground to the pack ahead of me under yellow flags. I thought you were supposed to back off a bit under yellows. It seems that if anyone else did it was undetectable. (sorry - there I go again - racing driver excuse number 38).
Anyway, bottom line is I finished 11th on the track having gained 11 places from my starting position, and 3rd in class. So I was chuffed with that.
My wife and daughter, and my mate Joe turned up to witness my moment of glory so that was good.
No damage or problems with the car so looking forward to Snetterton in September.
Oh by the way, a footnote that makes me feel rather sober. For much of the morning before practice I was watching a plane doing aerobatics in the skies directly above us which was facsinating and awe inspiring. After practice I didn't see it again.
I've just read in the Sunday papers that, at about the time we were out in practice, that plane crashed and the pilot died...
Ok calm down. It was only a 3rd in class, and that was only because two of the class A leaders broke down. But hey! you know what they say, if you want to finish first, first you've got to finish! I know that cliche doesn't work for third but you know what I mean.
Quite a good day all in all. Although saying that I feel slightly disapointed that my lap times are stubbornly about the same as last time out here (1:07s). I could call on racing driver excuse number 37, oil on the track at a crucial point at Becketts, but actually the truth is I am just not getting it right yet in the crucial fast corners.
Anyway, some memorable moments.
In practice I had a interesting view from the back of Phil's car as it exploded in a cloud of white smoke. I have never seen an engine give way in quite such dramatic fashion. The car was completely engulfed in dense white smoke for a couple of hundered yards along the pit straight. So much so that Phil must have been blinded for most of it. Well done Phil for not losing it. I moved over to avoid him but still got covered in oil.
The race was quite eventful as well. Having had a frankly hopeless qualifying I was 22nd on the grid (out of 29) which means I was starting slightly on a bend at Woodcote. On the lights I got a blinder of a start (for me, that is) and gained at least 4 places. Then bunched up with the pack into Becketts only to see a whole lot of carnage going on in front. David Wale's car was very badly damaged and several others were losing bits left right and centre. I picked a line through the middle as best I could and remarkably I went through unscathed. Quite unbeleivable now that I think about it. Anyway I was thinking, great I must be at least in the top ten now. Sadly, an inevitably of course, it was not to be. The red flags came out and we reformed the grid as we had started. Back to 22nd (well about 20th of those that survived).
I had a great start again but found myself in a little battle with a couple of class c cars who were annoyingly quick. Actually I had a great dice with Damian. He was trying just a tad too hard though and span off a couple of times. I managed to remain slow but consistent and stayed ahead!
One point that I was annoyed with myself about was that I lost a lot of ground to the pack ahead of me under yellow flags. I thought you were supposed to back off a bit under yellows. It seems that if anyone else did it was undetectable. (sorry - there I go again - racing driver excuse number 38).
Anyway, bottom line is I finished 11th on the track having gained 11 places from my starting position, and 3rd in class. So I was chuffed with that.
My wife and daughter, and my mate Joe turned up to witness my moment of glory so that was good.
No damage or problems with the car so looking forward to Snetterton in September.
Oh by the way, a footnote that makes me feel rather sober. For much of the morning before practice I was watching a plane doing aerobatics in the skies directly above us which was facsinating and awe inspiring. After practice I didn't see it again.
I've just read in the Sunday papers that, at about the time we were out in practice, that plane crashed and the pilot died...
Thursday, 13 August 2009
Mallory Park. 2nd August 09
I think this weekend qualifies as one of the best ever. Not so much in terms of absolute results, but in terms of some great, close battles on the track.
Just for the record, I had two races, with a 16th place (5th in class) and a 12th place (4th in class) with my best lap time of the day of 51.64 in the second race.
It was another example of a very close field. I noticed that I have knocked about a second off my time when I first raced here. If I knocked another second off my time I ought to be getting about 4 places up the grid, but I would still only be about the 4th quickest in class A. So I have a lot of work to do to be consistently getting even a regular 3rd in class.
Still, as I say, the absolute result is not what it's about. Both races were exceptionally close and the just the best fun. The second race was especially exciting as I was behind Andy Grant most of the time and I knew I was quicker on the track, but I just could not find a way past (even though Austen did which was rather depressing!). There's some good video of this from Austen's car at this link (health warning - watching in-car video is very boring unless you were there!!).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVXukh94pIs&feature=player_embedded
Sadly the video misses my major drifting moment into Gerrards. From where I was sitting it felt like I was on full opposite lock for half the corner, but it probably looks like a imperceptable twitch on film. Shame. That was my one failed attempt to dive up the inside in a heroic overtaking manouvre into Gerrards which sadly failed. Hey ho!
So areas for improvement as always - 1.race craft. Must learn to be a little braver and overtake now and then. 2. must learn about suspension set up.
I've now bought a book re point 2. Off to read up on it now.
Silverstone next. Can't wait.
Oh by the way, I was just giving that upstart Mr Hamilton a few tips the other day when he popped in to my Baker Street place...
Just for the record, I had two races, with a 16th place (5th in class) and a 12th place (4th in class) with my best lap time of the day of 51.64 in the second race.
It was another example of a very close field. I noticed that I have knocked about a second off my time when I first raced here. If I knocked another second off my time I ought to be getting about 4 places up the grid, but I would still only be about the 4th quickest in class A. So I have a lot of work to do to be consistently getting even a regular 3rd in class.
Still, as I say, the absolute result is not what it's about. Both races were exceptionally close and the just the best fun. The second race was especially exciting as I was behind Andy Grant most of the time and I knew I was quicker on the track, but I just could not find a way past (even though Austen did which was rather depressing!). There's some good video of this from Austen's car at this link (health warning - watching in-car video is very boring unless you were there!!).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVXukh94pIs&feature=player_embedded
Sadly the video misses my major drifting moment into Gerrards. From where I was sitting it felt like I was on full opposite lock for half the corner, but it probably looks like a imperceptable twitch on film. Shame. That was my one failed attempt to dive up the inside in a heroic overtaking manouvre into Gerrards which sadly failed. Hey ho!
So areas for improvement as always - 1.race craft. Must learn to be a little braver and overtake now and then. 2. must learn about suspension set up.
I've now bought a book re point 2. Off to read up on it now.
Silverstone next. Can't wait.
Oh by the way, I was just giving that upstart Mr Hamilton a few tips the other day when he popped in to my Baker Street place...
Monday, 22 June 2009
20th June - Brands again
Check out some pics at this link:
http://www.rgb-racing.org.uk/rgbbb/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=270#p1865
What a roller coaster ride this motor racing lark is. After the disaster with the diff last time I was pretty despondent about the whole thing, but this weekend has restored my faith!
I got a 10th place in the RGB race (equalling my best ever so far) and had a great race with the bikesports before that where I managed by best ever lap time (53.36s) knocking nearly 0.6s off my previous best time here.
I know that doesn't sound much, but if I could keep that pace up for a whole race I would be in the running for a top 5 finish. I know I've still got a lot to learn but I really feel that I'm getting better.
A quick update on the diff problem. It turned out to be entirely down to my own poor preparation. A prop shaft mounting worked loose, causing the diff casing to break. The prop shaft then damaged the chassis around it. So one new diff casing, a lot of re-welding of the chassis and a big cheque later the car is ready to go. I have strict instructions from Steve at Spirit Automotive to keep everything tight from now on!
So, despite feeling financially bruised, I see no point in spending the money to fix the car and then not using it, so I signed up for the additional 2 races in the bikesports series that were on offer. So that's going to be 2 qualifying sessions and 3 races in one day. There won't be much time for fixing anything if it goes wrong this time! Mind you, we have the luxury of using the garages and the scutineers come to us rather than us having to queue for hours to see them. I could get used to that! Like being a proper racing driver!
First up is the bikesports qualifying. Fairly luke warm performance. End up 11th on the grid. Not my best lap time by a long way. I had my excuses lined up. Tyres too cold, not been out for 6 weeks, new brake pads, blah, blah...
Quick check of the nuts and bolts aroung the diff. Mmm. Bit of a worry. All the mounting bolts are loose already! I only have about an hour at most, so a very quick spanner check all round and off to the RGB qualifying.
Slight improvement in the lap time this session, but only 14th on the grid. As I mentioned earlier, the 7 cars in front of me are all seperated by less than 3/4 of a second! This is going to be a tight race!
Spanner check again. This is a worry as the diff bolts are working loose after very session.
I'll have to find a way to fix that.
So, on to the first bikesports race.
Bikesports, by the way, are cars with similar engines to RGB, but are allowed modifications, wings and slicks. The quickest of them are doing under 47s laps. We have about 7 RGB cars doing this race though so I won't be on my own at the back.
Well the result sheet doesn't really tell the story this time. I only managed 11th but what an exciting race. I manage my usual trick of messing up the start and letting a slower car through which, somewhat ironically in this case was one of the bikesports cars. Anyway, after a heroic overtaking manouvre up the inside into Druids (ooh- sounds like a proper racing driver thing to say doesn't it!) I get past and then the race is on to catch Bob and Austen who have gained about the length of the straight ahead of me. To my surprise I can tell that I am indeed closing the gap and being out on my own I can take some clean lines rather than worrying about defending every corner. By the last lap I reckon I have a good chance of getting past Bob. Going into the last corner before the straight I am getting a bit over excited and lose some time with some rather wasteful oversteer (which Bob had captured rather well on his in car video here-http://www.rgb-racing.org.uk/rgbbb/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=270#p1850 -you have to go all the way to the end though!).
I gain a bit on the straight and we cross the line together. I honestly could not tell whether I had got past or not. As it happens, I was 0.04s behind him. I didn't mind too much - it was a superb feeling having such a close race.
Bob has since told me that he had a fuel problem on the last lap which is why I caught him so quickly at the end. And here's me thinking it was my skill. Doh! Nevertheless, my best lap was 53.36s which is a fantastic improvement for me. Dead chuffed with that.
http://www.rgb-racing.org.uk/rgbbb/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=270#p1865
What a roller coaster ride this motor racing lark is. After the disaster with the diff last time I was pretty despondent about the whole thing, but this weekend has restored my faith!
I got a 10th place in the RGB race (equalling my best ever so far) and had a great race with the bikesports before that where I managed by best ever lap time (53.36s) knocking nearly 0.6s off my previous best time here.
I know that doesn't sound much, but if I could keep that pace up for a whole race I would be in the running for a top 5 finish. I know I've still got a lot to learn but I really feel that I'm getting better.
A quick update on the diff problem. It turned out to be entirely down to my own poor preparation. A prop shaft mounting worked loose, causing the diff casing to break. The prop shaft then damaged the chassis around it. So one new diff casing, a lot of re-welding of the chassis and a big cheque later the car is ready to go. I have strict instructions from Steve at Spirit Automotive to keep everything tight from now on!
So, despite feeling financially bruised, I see no point in spending the money to fix the car and then not using it, so I signed up for the additional 2 races in the bikesports series that were on offer. So that's going to be 2 qualifying sessions and 3 races in one day. There won't be much time for fixing anything if it goes wrong this time! Mind you, we have the luxury of using the garages and the scutineers come to us rather than us having to queue for hours to see them. I could get used to that! Like being a proper racing driver!
First up is the bikesports qualifying. Fairly luke warm performance. End up 11th on the grid. Not my best lap time by a long way. I had my excuses lined up. Tyres too cold, not been out for 6 weeks, new brake pads, blah, blah...
Quick check of the nuts and bolts aroung the diff. Mmm. Bit of a worry. All the mounting bolts are loose already! I only have about an hour at most, so a very quick spanner check all round and off to the RGB qualifying.
Slight improvement in the lap time this session, but only 14th on the grid. As I mentioned earlier, the 7 cars in front of me are all seperated by less than 3/4 of a second! This is going to be a tight race!
Spanner check again. This is a worry as the diff bolts are working loose after very session.
I'll have to find a way to fix that.
So, on to the first bikesports race.
Bikesports, by the way, are cars with similar engines to RGB, but are allowed modifications, wings and slicks. The quickest of them are doing under 47s laps. We have about 7 RGB cars doing this race though so I won't be on my own at the back.
Well the result sheet doesn't really tell the story this time. I only managed 11th but what an exciting race. I manage my usual trick of messing up the start and letting a slower car through which, somewhat ironically in this case was one of the bikesports cars. Anyway, after a heroic overtaking manouvre up the inside into Druids (ooh- sounds like a proper racing driver thing to say doesn't it!) I get past and then the race is on to catch Bob and Austen who have gained about the length of the straight ahead of me. To my surprise I can tell that I am indeed closing the gap and being out on my own I can take some clean lines rather than worrying about defending every corner. By the last lap I reckon I have a good chance of getting past Bob. Going into the last corner before the straight I am getting a bit over excited and lose some time with some rather wasteful oversteer (which Bob had captured rather well on his in car video here-http://www.rgb-racing.org.uk/rgbbb/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=270#p1850 -you have to go all the way to the end though!).
I gain a bit on the straight and we cross the line together. I honestly could not tell whether I had got past or not. As it happens, I was 0.04s behind him. I didn't mind too much - it was a superb feeling having such a close race.
Bob has since told me that he had a fuel problem on the last lap which is why I caught him so quickly at the end. And here's me thinking it was my skill. Doh! Nevertheless, my best lap was 53.36s which is a fantastic improvement for me. Dead chuffed with that.
My RBG race next. I was pleased with my start this time. I think I gained at least 2 places into the first corner. I knew this was going to be close racing but it has been a while since I've been in the thick of it like this. Great stuff!
I got an extra boost when Al Boulton and Colin Chapman span in front of me. So I'm thinking that's 4 places gained! Fantastic! Trouble is, Al went and spoiled my fun by catching me up rather too quickly for my liking. So two steps forward and one step back! Then Steve Robinson has a problem. Colin Chapman was looming in my mirrors so the last lap was a defensive game but I did indeed hold him off.
So, 10th on the track. Best ever result. Ok, only 5th in class but there are a lot of class A cars these days! Pleased with that.
I only have about half an hour before the last bikesports race. I am worried about the diff mountings so another quick spanner check. Sadly one of the bolts appears to have threaded and I can't tighten it. There is no way I'm going to risk running like that, and there is no time to fix it so that's that for the day.
I was thinking, whilst trying to stay awake watching the Grand Prix. Who's the better driver, Button or Hamilton? Obviously the car makes up 80% of the result so we will probably never know. The best driver is probably the one squeezing half a second a lap more out of a bad car than the car really ought to be capable of at the back of the field.
So, and humour me here, where does that put me in the RGB league? Obviously we all know Derek is the best driver, no question, but below that? I reckon the usual suspects in the top 5 are genuinely in the top league and are not there just because they have the quickest cars. But could it be that I am actually not a bad driver, I am just struggling with a badly set up car?
Well probably not, but I can dream can't I? Being a good racing driver is about knowing what the car is doing wrong and being able to at least communicate that to someone who can fix it if not doing it oneself. Sadly that aspect of racing is like a whole chapter I haven't got to yet. But I reckon I am at least getting to the point where I think those last 2 seconds a lap could be gained as much by setting up the car properly rather than just my driving.
Anyway, I will get the car ready for Mallory with renewed vigour and see if I can at least finish some more races. Can't wait!
Tuesday, 28 April 2009
Brands Hatch April 09
Well that weekend was good while it lasted.
Cruelly cut short by a broken diff.
Still, looking on the bright side, I had a good qualifying session and half an exciting race.
Having had a rain shower early on Saturday I thought we might be in for a wet qualifying, but for once the forecast was right and it was sunny by 9am. I got out on track about mid field and got stuck behind some slightly slower cars, but managed to get past (under a blue flag as it happens which doesn't happen to me often!)
I was really pushing on through Clearways which is an area where I reckon I can improve my time (the other one being paddock). I can get lots of oversteer through there which means I can get on the power early for the straight. It works, and it's great fun. I did have one major sideways moment on one lap-definitely not the fastest way round a corner, but it gets the adrenaline flowing!
Anyway, I end up with a best lap of 53.9 which is half a second quicker than I've ever done before round here. I am within a few tenths now of my nephew, Oliver's time when he drove this car here. But then he's a natural, and he probably wasn't trying very hard!
More importantly I was 12th on the grid for the race - row 6 - which is my best qualifying position ever (so far!). I was dead chuffed with that.
Back in the paddock I found an oil leak which was, thankfully, easily fixed, and a quick spanner check revealed some very loose nuts and bolts in the drive shaft which was a bit of a worry, but again, easily fixed.
On to the race then. It was quite a novelty to be sitting on the grid with only five rows of cars in front. I could almost plan my trajectory off the line stright up the outside of 5 cars at once to a heroic win. Sorry, daydreaming there. The reality was more like, when the lights went out I went backwards 3 places (relatively speaking of course although I woudn't put it past me to select reverse on the grid!). Too much wheelspin. I really need to practice those starts!
So now I'm chasing the same cars I was qualifying with. A good dice but frustrating because the first few laps are under a yellow flag at clearways which is where I'm most likely to be able to overtake, so the leaders pull away.
Then, on lap 8, I'm approaching paddock at full chat and suddenly it sounds like someone's shaking a bag of spanners behind my head. I have visions of the drive shafts coming loose and bashing me on the head. I then realise that that is not happening so it must be the diff. I find out later that at this point I am spraying oil all over the guy behind, but I didn't know that at the time, but I did know it sounded terminal. So I pulled off as soon as I could.
Sure enough the diff has sprayed oil all over the place and is clearly broken.
What is great about the RGB lot is their enthusiasm to help. Unfortunately no one had a spare diff so that was that for my weekend. Doubly dissapointing since I missed the second RGB race on the Sunday and the 2 bikesports races that I entered (for the experience).
So back home with my broken toy. I'm not out again until June so I've got time to get it fixed.
I'll be back!
I've since found out about Paul Rogers' story of his weekend with his new car. He totally rebuilt has engine on Friday night after testing on Friday - had problems on Saturday with a mechanical fault, and then went on to win on Sunday. Makes my efforts sound rather pathetic!
Once again, I am in awe of the RGB guys (and girl). All the more pleasing that I'm even in the game.
Cruelly cut short by a broken diff.
Still, looking on the bright side, I had a good qualifying session and half an exciting race.
Having had a rain shower early on Saturday I thought we might be in for a wet qualifying, but for once the forecast was right and it was sunny by 9am. I got out on track about mid field and got stuck behind some slightly slower cars, but managed to get past (under a blue flag as it happens which doesn't happen to me often!)
I was really pushing on through Clearways which is an area where I reckon I can improve my time (the other one being paddock). I can get lots of oversteer through there which means I can get on the power early for the straight. It works, and it's great fun. I did have one major sideways moment on one lap-definitely not the fastest way round a corner, but it gets the adrenaline flowing!
Anyway, I end up with a best lap of 53.9 which is half a second quicker than I've ever done before round here. I am within a few tenths now of my nephew, Oliver's time when he drove this car here. But then he's a natural, and he probably wasn't trying very hard!
More importantly I was 12th on the grid for the race - row 6 - which is my best qualifying position ever (so far!). I was dead chuffed with that.
Back in the paddock I found an oil leak which was, thankfully, easily fixed, and a quick spanner check revealed some very loose nuts and bolts in the drive shaft which was a bit of a worry, but again, easily fixed.
On to the race then. It was quite a novelty to be sitting on the grid with only five rows of cars in front. I could almost plan my trajectory off the line stright up the outside of 5 cars at once to a heroic win. Sorry, daydreaming there. The reality was more like, when the lights went out I went backwards 3 places (relatively speaking of course although I woudn't put it past me to select reverse on the grid!). Too much wheelspin. I really need to practice those starts!
So now I'm chasing the same cars I was qualifying with. A good dice but frustrating because the first few laps are under a yellow flag at clearways which is where I'm most likely to be able to overtake, so the leaders pull away.
Then, on lap 8, I'm approaching paddock at full chat and suddenly it sounds like someone's shaking a bag of spanners behind my head. I have visions of the drive shafts coming loose and bashing me on the head. I then realise that that is not happening so it must be the diff. I find out later that at this point I am spraying oil all over the guy behind, but I didn't know that at the time, but I did know it sounded terminal. So I pulled off as soon as I could.
Sure enough the diff has sprayed oil all over the place and is clearly broken.
What is great about the RGB lot is their enthusiasm to help. Unfortunately no one had a spare diff so that was that for my weekend. Doubly dissapointing since I missed the second RGB race on the Sunday and the 2 bikesports races that I entered (for the experience).
So back home with my broken toy. I'm not out again until June so I've got time to get it fixed.
I'll be back!
I've since found out about Paul Rogers' story of his weekend with his new car. He totally rebuilt has engine on Friday night after testing on Friday - had problems on Saturday with a mechanical fault, and then went on to win on Sunday. Makes my efforts sound rather pathetic!
Once again, I am in awe of the RGB guys (and girl). All the more pleasing that I'm even in the game.
Monday, 16 March 2009
Snetterton 14th & 15th March 2009
What a fantastic weekend that was.
I managed to finish both races, improve my lap times from last time I was here, and get a top 10 position in a race for the first time ever - oh yes, and I have now completed 6 races which means I can ditch my novice badge!
In a way the problem with the bonnet did me a favour because I was half a lap down on everyone else for the session which meant I was well out of the way when a few cars had a big off at the bomb hole and dumped a load of oil on the track. It got a bit slippy so that was the end of that as far as getting a good time was concerned.
So I qualified fairly consistently on 16th and 15th (out of 26) on the grid (1:21:93 and 1:22:06).
In the first race we had a red flag on lap one. I didn't mind too much - I got a terrible start anyway! Second time round was a bit better. I forget how bloody quick this car is. If I get the start right I can easily keep up with the pack. Trouble is it all gets very messy at the first corner and my survival instinct means I tend to back off a bit which just lets people through. I suppose it has allowed me to avoid any damage so far, but I spend the next few laps getting past slower cars and letting the rest of the pack get away.
Race 1 was a long one - 23 mins plus a lap (it should have been 28mins but for the restart). It was a great race for me but at least four cars went off for one reason or another. Anyway I managed to finish 10th which is my best finish ever (out of 17 finishers). I was 4th in class which I was very pleased with (although someone will no doubt kindly point out that of the cars that finished I was last in class!). My best lap was 1:19:56, so I achieved my aim of beating my best time of 1:19.7.
Sunday's race was equally exciting for me. I end up 11th (4th in class again) and did a 1:19:41 so that time is creaping down. Another second off that and I'll be up with Mr Carter (fat chance!).
I managed to finish both races, improve my lap times from last time I was here, and get a top 10 position in a race for the first time ever - oh yes, and I have now completed 6 races which means I can ditch my novice badge!
I know how boring these blogs can be so I'll keep it short (I mainly write them for my own benefit anyway so I won't be offended if you skip the rest!).
Qualifying went reasonably well, apart from the minor issue of not pinning my bonnet down and having to fix it in the pit lane. Anyway, that fixed I was reasonably tentative being the first time out this year but the car felt pretty good. I couldn't detect any loss of power due to the cat, and everything was holding together.
In a way the problem with the bonnet did me a favour because I was half a lap down on everyone else for the session which meant I was well out of the way when a few cars had a big off at the bomb hole and dumped a load of oil on the track. It got a bit slippy so that was the end of that as far as getting a good time was concerned.
So I qualified fairly consistently on 16th and 15th (out of 26) on the grid (1:21:93 and 1:22:06).
In the first race we had a red flag on lap one. I didn't mind too much - I got a terrible start anyway! Second time round was a bit better. I forget how bloody quick this car is. If I get the start right I can easily keep up with the pack. Trouble is it all gets very messy at the first corner and my survival instinct means I tend to back off a bit which just lets people through. I suppose it has allowed me to avoid any damage so far, but I spend the next few laps getting past slower cars and letting the rest of the pack get away.
Race 1 was a long one - 23 mins plus a lap (it should have been 28mins but for the restart). It was a great race for me but at least four cars went off for one reason or another. Anyway I managed to finish 10th which is my best finish ever (out of 17 finishers). I was 4th in class which I was very pleased with (although someone will no doubt kindly point out that of the cars that finished I was last in class!). My best lap was 1:19:56, so I achieved my aim of beating my best time of 1:19.7.
Sunday's race was equally exciting for me. I end up 11th (4th in class again) and did a 1:19:41 so that time is creaping down. Another second off that and I'll be up with Mr Carter (fat chance!).
Anyway, I'm starting to feel as though I'm getting the hang of this. I can still see where I could gain some time. I could carry more speed into Corner 1 for instance, and it understeers like my Fiat 500 on a wet roundabout round Corum, so maybe I can work on that. But on the whole, I'm chuffed to bits.
It was good to have an evening out with the guys on Saturday. How about £2.99 for a full roast dinner? It's cheaper than not going out.
Also, first time I've camped out in the car. That went well. No really - it was very cosy! Who need a motorhome eh?
Anyway, looking forward to Brands.
Check out this video from race1 (that's me on the left most of the time in the picture):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqXS9SbV0d4&feature=player_embedded
Tuesday, 10 March 2009
Car's ready - all set to go!
Just picked up the Westy from PDQ. My seat is now fixed. I have suffered from a very wobbly seat up until now. I was picked up on it by scrutineering at Mallory and I have been told by people who know about these things that fixing it will make me quicker.
The problem is it is difficult to support the shoulders as they are above the level of the rear bulkhead so there is nothing to fix it to at the top of the seat. Anyway, Larry has reinforced the seat itself and then fixed some aluminium braces at shoulder level. It is now more rigid than..well, insert your own joke here.. but I am very pleased with it.
I'll post some pictures when I get round to it.
So, all ready for Snetterton this weekend (14th + 15th March). My aim is to improve last year's lap time (assuming it's dry of course) and get a good race. Let's hope this season goes better than last year. Here goes...
The problem is it is difficult to support the shoulders as they are above the level of the rear bulkhead so there is nothing to fix it to at the top of the seat. Anyway, Larry has reinforced the seat itself and then fixed some aluminium braces at shoulder level. It is now more rigid than..well, insert your own joke here.. but I am very pleased with it.
I'll post some pictures when I get round to it.
So, all ready for Snetterton this weekend (14th + 15th March). My aim is to improve last year's lap time (assuming it's dry of course) and get a good race. Let's hope this season goes better than last year. Here goes...
Sunday, 25 January 2009
Pre 2009 Season update
Jan 24th 2009.
Well if you read my Mallory blog at the end of last season (see below), you might not be too surprised if I'd packed it all in by now. But I still have my job, and I have had some professional help (with the car I mean, mind you..there's a thought). Anyway, I did what I should have done last summer and took the Westy to Larry at PDQ to try to find the electrical fault. He has a rolling road so could easily test if the car was fixed.
Well, as if to show me what an muppet I am, the problem was fixed easily. Traced to a bad earth connection which was hidden under the scuttle. Simple as that. Fixed for a few hours worth of labour! I'll know next time.
Time to think about the things I need to do for the 2009 season.
The main regs change is the need for a cat. Larry suggests a second hand one off a new bike. Lots of bikers ditch their cats on new bikes (apparently a pointless excercise as it makes no difference whatsoever but it's a biker thing).
So a second hand cat is acquired and fitted very neatly into the existing system. (see pic).
I also need to fix my seat so it's more rigid. Larry is sorting out some additional reinforcement for my current fibreglass seat, and I will probably pack it out behind with some foam behind the seat.
Still need to sort out the front tow eye and some foam protection on the roll bar and we're nearly there.
I reckon I can get to Snetterton in March which is a double header so that's the plan.
I reckon there are going to be more class A cars this year so my chances of getting a class place are going to be slimmer this year but you never know. Let's hope I actually get to finish a few races before I worry about that.
Monday, 13 October 2008
Mallory Park, 12th October
I've been a bit lax in keeping up with my blog since Donington. Too depressed I think!
To catch up briefly - I replaced my masterswitch for Silverstone and hoped for the best. Frustratingly, that was not the solution and I managed only about 4 laps in practice. Despite plenty of better brains than mine having a quick look I could find no obvious answer and had the same problem after about 3 laps in the race. After the race Andy Bates had a quick look and found a 'clicking' relay which he suggested I changed for a new one.
Having changed the relay I booked a test day at Sliverstone and went to test if that had done the trick. Sadly not. I noticed another 'clicking' relay which was in fact the fuel pump relay. I couldn;t get a new one on the test day so I replaced it in time for Mallory and hoped for the best.
So at Mallory I am reasonably confident that I have found the problem. But no. Same thing happened. After about 3 laps the car shuts down, and the fuel pump relay is clicking away again. Also the starter doesn't work, but the instruments still work so it is not a complete electical shut down.
Andy suggest I hard wire the relay temporarily for the race. So with this done I can start the race.
I'm on the back row having only done 3 warm up laps. I get a reasonable start and avoid some spins on the first lap. I manage to get in front of one other car within the first lap. On the second lap, half way round Gerrards, the dam thing pack in again!
I'm too frustrated for words now.
This car needs some serious surgery! I'm not sure where to start but I know it will involve parting with some cash!
So what a disasterous season. I've only finished 2 races. I've made some stupid mistakes and had some appalling luck with reliability. Actually it probably has nothing to do with luck. It's bad preparation by an amatuer with no expert knowledge.
I am seriously questioning whether an individual with a very limited budget and no expertese can expect to take part in this sport.
Well we'll see. I'm not giving up yet. Watch this space. As long as I still have a job next season I'll be out there again...somehow!
To catch up briefly - I replaced my masterswitch for Silverstone and hoped for the best. Frustratingly, that was not the solution and I managed only about 4 laps in practice. Despite plenty of better brains than mine having a quick look I could find no obvious answer and had the same problem after about 3 laps in the race. After the race Andy Bates had a quick look and found a 'clicking' relay which he suggested I changed for a new one.
Having changed the relay I booked a test day at Sliverstone and went to test if that had done the trick. Sadly not. I noticed another 'clicking' relay which was in fact the fuel pump relay. I couldn;t get a new one on the test day so I replaced it in time for Mallory and hoped for the best.
So at Mallory I am reasonably confident that I have found the problem. But no. Same thing happened. After about 3 laps the car shuts down, and the fuel pump relay is clicking away again. Also the starter doesn't work, but the instruments still work so it is not a complete electical shut down.
Andy suggest I hard wire the relay temporarily for the race. So with this done I can start the race.
I'm on the back row having only done 3 warm up laps. I get a reasonable start and avoid some spins on the first lap. I manage to get in front of one other car within the first lap. On the second lap, half way round Gerrards, the dam thing pack in again!
I'm too frustrated for words now.
This car needs some serious surgery! I'm not sure where to start but I know it will involve parting with some cash!
So what a disasterous season. I've only finished 2 races. I've made some stupid mistakes and had some appalling luck with reliability. Actually it probably has nothing to do with luck. It's bad preparation by an amatuer with no expert knowledge.
I am seriously questioning whether an individual with a very limited budget and no expertese can expect to take part in this sport.
Well we'll see. I'm not giving up yet. Watch this space. As long as I still have a job next season I'll be out there again...somehow!
Sunday, 27 July 2008
Donington July 20th
Early start on Sunday. Donington is about as far as I can cope with going without staying over the night before. It's a 2 1/2 hour drive. I don't go that far for my holidays!
Having replaced the clutch (just in case!) I was feeling quite confident that I would get a result this time. I have never raced here before, although I did do a track day here in my old Integrale. Not that that counts for much except that I know which direction to go.
Oh yes, one bizarre thing in scrutineering. I was told that the mesh on the bonnet was too coarse. The holes need to be less than 1mm wide. This is what, my 7th race...and they have only just noticed? I reckon they make it up as they go along! I know, I know, they're only doing their job..to keep us all safe... So I humbly promise to sort it out for next time (when they will no doubt find something else!).
Anyway, as it turns out, that was the least of my problems.
Practice time. I'm very tentative, finding my way round gradually. But what's this? The return of the dodgy electics on a left hander... and there are a few hard left handers here.
I manage to do almost a full practice session, but on the last lap the cutting out gets the better of the car and the electics pack in completely. So my trip back to the paddock is on the end of a tow rope (I think that is the first time that's happened).
No surprise that I'm almost at the back of the grid. I did a 1:25s. The lead cars are doing 1:19s.
Still, not too bad for a dodgy car and a new track, but I have a lot of catching up to do.
First problem though is to fix the car. Fortunately for me, Andy Bates is on hand. He immediately identifies a dodgy ignition switch. Even I can replace that, so that's that sorted.
So with renewed optimism I am back in the running. I actually do a not too bad start this time. I'm right in there fighting at the first corner with the pack. I manage to avoid Tim spinning in front of me and am feeling good. I had a bit of a moment at the end of the straight which turns into a tight 'essess'. I brake very late and get all locked up, then get lots of oversteer into the corner. I'm sure the crowd appreciated it. Not very quick though.
A couple of laps and I'm really getting the hang of this. I'm actually catching a pack of class C cars up front. Not a trace of the cut out problem. I can tell where I'm getting it right, and perhaps more importantly, I know that I can gain time in the 'Craner Curves' if I can be a bit braver on the brakes. This is great.
I should know by now not to enjoy this too much. Lap 6 - Redgate corner - complete electrics failure. Bugger!!!
I can do nothing other than cruise to a stop on the grass. I'm gutted. I frantically try to fiddle with the ignition switch thinking that might fix it. Fat chance.
So another tow back to the paddock.
Then guess what. As soon as I'm off the tow rope I try the ignition again and it starts. Aaaaaah.
Now I have no idea what the problem is.
Anyway, looking on the bright side, I managed a 1:21.6. The winner did a 1:19.6 so I'm 2 seconds off the pace of the leaders. Not too bad for a novice I reckon. The good thing is I can see where some of that 2 seconds could come from. Also, had I finished where I went out I would have got another 3rd in class, and I'm getting close to a top ten finish on the track. Well, you've got to have a goal haven't you!
So back to the drawing board with the electrics. Hopefully I'll be able to get to Silverstone in August.
Having replaced the clutch (just in case!) I was feeling quite confident that I would get a result this time. I have never raced here before, although I did do a track day here in my old Integrale. Not that that counts for much except that I know which direction to go.
Oh yes, one bizarre thing in scrutineering. I was told that the mesh on the bonnet was too coarse. The holes need to be less than 1mm wide. This is what, my 7th race...and they have only just noticed? I reckon they make it up as they go along! I know, I know, they're only doing their job..to keep us all safe... So I humbly promise to sort it out for next time (when they will no doubt find something else!).
Anyway, as it turns out, that was the least of my problems.
Practice time. I'm very tentative, finding my way round gradually. But what's this? The return of the dodgy electics on a left hander... and there are a few hard left handers here.
I manage to do almost a full practice session, but on the last lap the cutting out gets the better of the car and the electics pack in completely. So my trip back to the paddock is on the end of a tow rope (I think that is the first time that's happened).
No surprise that I'm almost at the back of the grid. I did a 1:25s. The lead cars are doing 1:19s.
Still, not too bad for a dodgy car and a new track, but I have a lot of catching up to do.
First problem though is to fix the car. Fortunately for me, Andy Bates is on hand. He immediately identifies a dodgy ignition switch. Even I can replace that, so that's that sorted.
So with renewed optimism I am back in the running. I actually do a not too bad start this time. I'm right in there fighting at the first corner with the pack. I manage to avoid Tim spinning in front of me and am feeling good. I had a bit of a moment at the end of the straight which turns into a tight 'essess'. I brake very late and get all locked up, then get lots of oversteer into the corner. I'm sure the crowd appreciated it. Not very quick though.
A couple of laps and I'm really getting the hang of this. I'm actually catching a pack of class C cars up front. Not a trace of the cut out problem. I can tell where I'm getting it right, and perhaps more importantly, I know that I can gain time in the 'Craner Curves' if I can be a bit braver on the brakes. This is great.
I should know by now not to enjoy this too much. Lap 6 - Redgate corner - complete electrics failure. Bugger!!!
I can do nothing other than cruise to a stop on the grass. I'm gutted. I frantically try to fiddle with the ignition switch thinking that might fix it. Fat chance.
So another tow back to the paddock.
Then guess what. As soon as I'm off the tow rope I try the ignition again and it starts. Aaaaaah.
Now I have no idea what the problem is.
Anyway, looking on the bright side, I managed a 1:21.6. The winner did a 1:19.6 so I'm 2 seconds off the pace of the leaders. Not too bad for a novice I reckon. The good thing is I can see where some of that 2 seconds could come from. Also, had I finished where I went out I would have got another 3rd in class, and I'm getting close to a top ten finish on the track. Well, you've got to have a goal haven't you!
So back to the drawing board with the electrics. Hopefully I'll be able to get to Silverstone in August.
After Brands
If you read my entry for Brands and got a sense of my dissapointment - it gets worse.
I took the car in to PDQ. They rang a couple of days later and said there was nothing wrong with the clutch, although the transfer box was out of gear (that's the special reverse gear box - the original gear box on the bike doesn't have a reverse).
So basically the car didn't have drive because it wasn't in gear!!!
How stupid did I feel. There are no words...
Now I'm having a real crisis of confidence that I can do this at all. Is it possible for a muppet like me to expect to compete in motor racing with experienced people who really know what they are doing.
Well, I'm not giving up so I might as well grin and bear the ridicule. Donington here I come!
I took the car in to PDQ. They rang a couple of days later and said there was nothing wrong with the clutch, although the transfer box was out of gear (that's the special reverse gear box - the original gear box on the bike doesn't have a reverse).
So basically the car didn't have drive because it wasn't in gear!!!
How stupid did I feel. There are no words...
Now I'm having a real crisis of confidence that I can do this at all. Is it possible for a muppet like me to expect to compete in motor racing with experienced people who really know what they are doing.
Well, I'm not giving up so I might as well grin and bear the ridicule. Donington here I come!
Wednesday, 25 June 2008
July 22nd Brands Hatch
I think the less said about this weekend the better.
I turn up, get the car off the trailer - realise there is no clutch!
Doh!
No one had a spare - so back on the trailer and off I go home again.
Another one down to experience I guess.
Looking forward to Donington. Or maybe i'll just take up fishing or something!
I turn up, get the car off the trailer - realise there is no clutch!
Doh!
No one had a spare - so back on the trailer and off I go home again.
Another one down to experience I guess.
Looking forward to Donington. Or maybe i'll just take up fishing or something!
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