Our track project - including diary of a Sprint N00b... - Page 3

Zirax · 09-02-2008, 19:05

Lol, I don't need tempting trust me

The number of times I've nearly just gone and brought one recently is just plain nuts.

You and Phil know just how long i've been banging on about getting something sporty. The house is sucking up funds at an alarming rate, but once the windows & guttering are done it'll start quieting down. The overtime is rolling in from work but I just have to wait

vix · 12-02-2008, 17:47

12th Feb

Just over a month to go. Although I’m confident we’ll get the work done on the car, I’m getting a little nervous about the track.

Just found this video of a Noble doing the same track:

http://www.pistonheads.tv/clip447

There are trees to hit!! However there is lots of track to sail about on too, although it looks in terrible condition!

After the first Sprint, I’m going on a novice trackday at Snetterton, so hopefully will be a bit more confident by the second one.

Or I might just be a natural

Del Lardo · 13-02-2008, 12:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by vix

12th Feb

Just over a month to go. Although I’m confident we’ll get the work done on the car, I’m getting a little nervous about the track.

Just found this video of a Noble doing the same track:

http://www.pistonheads.tv/clip447

There are trees to hit!! However there is lots of track to sail about on too, although it looks in terrible condition!

After the first Sprint, I’m going on a novice trackday at Snetterton, so hopefully will be a bit more confident by the second one.

Or I might just be a natural

Would that be Waterbeach in Cambridgeshire?

vix · 13-02-2008, 13:31

Yup! Want to come and see us?

Del Lardo · 13-02-2008, 13:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by vix

Yup! Want to come and see us?

Well it's only 5 miles as the crow flies (or 13 miles as the Mundano drives) so I could certainly be very tempted.

Mini meet anyone?

I posted a very good (IMO) summary of my first sprint on OcUK a couple of years back but it seems to have disappeared

IIRC I compared it to losing my virginity, the red mist decented, there was 60 seconds of high intensity action and as I crossed the line I couldn't remember a thing about it

vix · 13-02-2008, 13:40

Woo, I'm going to post about it nearer the time, even though it's just over a month now!!

Anyone is welcome, however spectators have to pay £7

vix · 16-02-2008, 18:11

16th Feb

The plan for this weekend was to change the gearbox. As already discovered, Humphrey popped out of 5th gear, which wouldn’t be so bad for the actual sprints but might get rather annoying on the long drives to and from the tracks.

As you can see, we had plenty to choose from:

The two in the picture were the most easily accessible, although if the worst came to it, we also had one in Mister-Two. One of the ones in the picture were out of The Red One, and the other was an absolute bargain. Phil got it on eBay for 99p, although ended up paying a fiver for it in the end as the guy he bought it off gave him loads of other MR2 bits too. Obviously it’s a bit of a risk as it’s a complete unknown. Watch this space…

The plan to get the gearboxes changed was to raise and lower one side of the engine, using a rather lovely engine hoist.

This plan worked rather well, although it was difficult to get the bolt back in to the engine mount at the end of the day. It took ages! Phil tried all kinds of methods including getting into the engine bay himself:

However, in the end, perseverance and hammers did the trick.

I caught a sly pic of Phil working under the car:

Whilst Phil was doing the gearbox, I was stripping the interior. I’ve got a bad back again today for a change so took quite a long break, but I’ve got to the point where there is just carpets left in there:

It is just a case of unscrewing every screw you can see, and then finding a few you can’t!! Tomorrow, the carpets will come out and then the seats and centre console will go back in. We aren’t sure which seats yet as we think we have someone interested in Humphrey’s, but we do have two other sets to choose from! There is also the option to put in a proper race seat, although we are currently trying to think of a way to make one adjustable as my legs are slightly shorter than Phil’s!!!

The exhaust will be going on tomorrow so I thought I’d attack those tailpipes with Autosol.

It’s a bit battered anyway but much shinier now!

We need to pay the final part of our entry fees this week and have also been told that we can buy spectator tickets at £3.50 rather than the £7 they will be on the day. Does anyone want to come? The first sprint is at Waterbeach (Cambs) on the 16th March. It would be great to have some support!

Zirax · 16-02-2008, 21:52

I'd be up for heading along.

Before the new (old) gearbox goes on is there any way to have a good look to see if its knackered?

vix · 16-02-2008, 22:37

No, it's a complete unknown! Fortunately we have better ones if this proves to be a complete donkey!

You are welcome to stay over if the journey is going to be too far for a day too

Might help me take my mind off it the night before too

vix · 17-02-2008, 18:31

Sun 17th Feb…

Phil started fitting the exhaust manifold and I carried on stripping the interior. Once the carpets were out, I also removed the glovebox and radio! It all adds to the weight saving! Once this was done, Phil gave me the bad news.

Where there is a funny red bit on the side of the fuel tank, the floors and also the back wall, is covered in a soundproofing material that needs to be removed in order to save weight. This is horrible stuff, like glued foam, which chips off in small amounts. I protested loudly as I wasn’t getting anywhere, and eventually with Phil’s help, we discovered I was using the wrong tools. If anyone is thinking of doing this, you need a small sharp screwdriver and a small hammer, unlike the blunt screwdriver and large hammer I was originally using! Once I had the correct tools, I was well away, and it’s a rather therapeutic activity.

Here is the result of todays chippings, and next week I have just the floors to do!

Whilst I was doing this, Phil had finished fitting the exhaust. The cat can do the next one for us as she expressed great interest in the whole thing.

Phil also managed to sort out the rats nest of wires discovered upon removal of the carpets. The car had two alarms fitted, both of which were coming out. It was a slight worry that they may immobilise the car, but we managed to sort that, despite a worrying moment when the engine turned over but then died. We realised that we had no fuel, as we’d been running him about on the fuel light more or less since we got him, and coupled with the fact that he was on ramps at the back when we tried to start him, no fuel was getting through. Once he was wheeled off the ramps, he started, although fuel is now needed!

Total costs so far amount as follows:

Getting Humphrey through MOT £500 approx – includes welding and windscreen.

Uprated suspension £160

Entry fees £200 (£100 each driver)

We have also gained about £3 from what we have found in Humphrey when stripping the interior! I found another 56 pence today.!

Plans for next week are: suspension, stripping floor of soundproofing, and hopefully a bit of time for polishing and fitting nice race parts like steering wheels!

12-02-2008, 17:47	#22
vix Penelope Pitstop Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,426	12th Feb Just over a month to go. Although I’m confident we’ll get the work done on the car, I’m getting a little nervous about the track. Just found this video of a Noble doing the same track: http://www.pistonheads.tv/clip447 There are trees to hit!! However there is lots of track to sail about on too, although it looks in terrible condition! After the first Sprint, I’m going on a novice trackday at Snetterton, so hopefully will be a bit more confident by the second one. Or I might just be a natural __________________

13-02-2008, 13:31	#24
vix Penelope Pitstop Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,426	Yup! Want to come and see us? __________________

13-02-2008, 13:40	#26
vix Penelope Pitstop Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,426	Woo, I'm going to post about it nearer the time, even though it's just over a month now!! Anyone is welcome, however spectators have to pay £7 __________________

16-02-2008, 18:11	#27
vix Penelope Pitstop Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,426	16th Feb The plan for this weekend was to change the gearbox. As already discovered, Humphrey popped out of 5th gear, which wouldn’t be so bad for the actual sprints but might get rather annoying on the long drives to and from the tracks. As you can see, we had plenty to choose from: The two in the picture were the most easily accessible, although if the worst came to it, we also had one in Mister-Two. One of the ones in the picture were out of The Red One, and the other was an absolute bargain. Phil got it on eBay for 99p, although ended up paying a fiver for it in the end as the guy he bought it off gave him loads of other MR2 bits too. Obviously it’s a bit of a risk as it’s a complete unknown. Watch this space… The plan to get the gearboxes changed was to raise and lower one side of the engine, using a rather lovely engine hoist. This plan worked rather well, although it was difficult to get the bolt back in to the engine mount at the end of the day. It took ages! Phil tried all kinds of methods including getting into the engine bay himself: However, in the end, perseverance and hammers did the trick. I caught a sly pic of Phil working under the car: Whilst Phil was doing the gearbox, I was stripping the interior. I’ve got a bad back again today for a change so took quite a long break, but I’ve got to the point where there is just carpets left in there: It is just a case of unscrewing every screw you can see, and then finding a few you can’t!! Tomorrow, the carpets will come out and then the seats and centre console will go back in. We aren’t sure which seats yet as we think we have someone interested in Humphrey’s, but we do have two other sets to choose from! There is also the option to put in a proper race seat, although we are currently trying to think of a way to make one adjustable as my legs are slightly shorter than Phil’s!!! The exhaust will be going on tomorrow so I thought I’d attack those tailpipes with Autosol. It’s a bit battered anyway but much shinier now! We need to pay the final part of our entry fees this week and have also been told that we can buy spectator tickets at £3.50 rather than the £7 they will be on the day. Does anyone want to come? The first sprint is at Waterbeach (Cambs) on the 16th March. It would be great to have some support! __________________

16-02-2008, 22:37	#29
vix Penelope Pitstop Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,426	No, it's a complete unknown! Fortunately we have better ones if this proves to be a complete donkey! You are welcome to stay over if the journey is going to be too far for a day too Might help me take my mind off it the night before too __________________

09-02-2008, 19:05	#21
Zirax Goes up to 11! Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,577	Lol, I don't need tempting trust me The number of times I've nearly just gone and brought one recently is just plain nuts. You and Phil know just how long i've been banging on about getting something sporty. The house is sucking up funds at an alarming rate, but once the windows & guttering are done it'll start quieting down. The overtime is rolling in from work but I just have to wait

16-02-2008, 21:52	#28
Zirax Goes up to 11! Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,577	I'd be up for heading along. Before the new (old) gearbox goes on is there any way to have a good look to see if its knackered?

17-02-2008, 18:31	#30
vix Penelope Pitstop Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,426	Sun 17th Feb… Phil started fitting the exhaust manifold and I carried on stripping the interior. Once the carpets were out, I also removed the glovebox and radio! It all adds to the weight saving! Once this was done, Phil gave me the bad news. Where there is a funny red bit on the side of the fuel tank, the floors and also the back wall, is covered in a soundproofing material that needs to be removed in order to save weight. This is horrible stuff, like glued foam, which chips off in small amounts. I protested loudly as I wasn’t getting anywhere, and eventually with Phil’s help, we discovered I was using the wrong tools. If anyone is thinking of doing this, you need a small sharp screwdriver and a small hammer, unlike the blunt screwdriver and large hammer I was originally using! Once I had the correct tools, I was well away, and it’s a rather therapeutic activity. Here is the result of todays chippings, and next week I have just the floors to do! Whilst I was doing this, Phil had finished fitting the exhaust. The cat can do the next one for us as she expressed great interest in the whole thing. Phil also managed to sort out the rats nest of wires discovered upon removal of the carpets. The car had two alarms fitted, both of which were coming out. It was a slight worry that they may immobilise the car, but we managed to sort that, despite a worrying moment when the engine turned over but then died. We realised that we had no fuel, as we’d been running him about on the fuel light more or less since we got him, and coupled with the fact that he was on ramps at the back when we tried to start him, no fuel was getting through. Once he was wheeled off the ramps, he started, although fuel is now needed! Total costs so far amount as follows: Getting Humphrey through MOT £500 approx – includes welding and windscreen. Uprated suspension £160 Entry fees £200 (£100 each driver) We have also gained about £3 from what we have found in Humphrey when stripping the interior! I found another 56 pence today.! Plans for next week are: suspension, stripping floor of soundproofing, and hopefully a bit of time for polishing and fitting nice race parts like steering wheels! __________________