Track car project - Season 2 - Page 7

Nutcase · 18-05-2009, 06:33

No piccies

vix · 18-05-2009, 07:12

Webspace will be down. They'll be back later.

vix · 04-10-2009, 18:38

4TH October –

We’ve had a hectic few months and I haven’t had much time for updates. One of the most important thing to note is that we haven’t really been doing much on the car, as we haven’t had time to do any of the bits we’d like to do, and nothing has gone tragically wrong that we NEED to do.

Phil is doing well in the Series, and we go into the final round in a few weeks time, with just a few points between his and the second place in our class, so it’s going to be an interesting one. I’m also doing ok, although no prizes for me.

Humphrey has now started living in a lock-up close to our home, as we have somehow aquired another car, and the neighbours are getting rather agitated! When Phil ‘visited’ Humphrey the other day, he noticed a small leak in the radiator, and decided it best to replace the rad before the two trackdays we have and the Sprint just after. Whilst he replaced the radiator, he put in the radiator for the chargecooler which is going in over the Winter.

As that had gone well, Phil decided to attack the roof!

The sunroof was additional weight so we had an alloy sheet to replace it.

The area around the sunroof needed grinding out,

Some spot welds needed drilling out:

But soon we were left with a delightful hole!

The ‘new’ roof is currently bolted on to check durability and waterproofing, but shall be riveted shortly. It will then be covered in red vinyl to look slightly prettier!

Zirax · 04-10-2009, 21:33

He's a bloody vandal with that angle grinder. Good work though, I'll have to see how this sheeting holds before I crack my grinder out

I've got some ideas for mine, one of which may result in me being burnt alive by the purists.

Zirax · 06-10-2009, 17:28

Just a thought, what are you doing about the trim and headlining? Will the TSS be ok with it?

vix · 06-10-2009, 18:00

I'm worried about TSS personally. But Phil says it will be ok! We never had the headlining in anyway.

vix · 20-10-2009, 17:21

Well I think this answers the question 'why do you own 4 cars?'

We went to a trackday weekender at Anglesey this weekend. Lovely track, shame it took 8 hours to get there!

On the way for fuel on the Saturday, after a full day on track, Humphrey threw a driveshaft off!! Fortunately we now have our tow car and trailer, but unfortunately we lost our Sunday on track!

Back home, Phil nicks a driveshaft off my car, so we fortunately have a working car for the Sprint Series finals this Saturday!

However I don't have a working car as my 'new car' failed her MOT

vix · 26-10-2009, 13:16

TSS 09 ROUND 6 – TEESSIDE AUTODROME – IN THE DARK

The final round is finally upon us, and it’s the longest journey away for us, up at Teesside Autodrome. We don’t mind though, we get a few nights in a hotel, with lots of our friends, and the track at the Autodrome is my favourite. It is another twisty one, and is also the most three-dimensional of all the TSS tracks, having a large hill between too corners. There is also the obligatory hell for leather straight, ending in a teeth clenching chicane, and the final corner is long and sweeping, and the additional challenge that this final round runs through the evening, in the dark!

So, for once we had a leisurely morning, as the track didn’t open until 2pm. We unpacked at the track, amid showers of rain. We had to make the difficult decision of what tyres to use. Phil had seen that the weather report had said the rain does clear throughout the evening and he was determined to stay on the Toyo R888’s for as long as he could. Other drivers opted for slightly more ‘treaded’ tyres.

Scrutineering went well, and we were soon briefed, signed on and waiting for our convoy runs to get an idea of the track.

The track was laid out just like the last two times we had been there, however I had only run it in the light, as I had my broken ankle for last year’s night race. The track was quite greasy however the rain had stopped so once everyone had done a few runs, you could see the ‘dry lines’ appearing.

Javelin, our track day organisers, wanted to run the untimed practice runs in the light, so that we got a few for the circuit before we were plunged into darkness.

The first few runs were taken very steady by all the drivers, and nothing untoward happened. I had a ‘tail happy’ moment on the hill, which stuffed me for the exit, and other drivers experienced this ‘waggy tail syndrome’ but no serious spins to report.

Once our three practice runs were over, it was a case of waiting for the night to draw in. Some drivers were getting nervous about the dark clouds which were appearing in the horizon, but hoped it was just ‘The Dark’. Many were still pondering tyre changes. We were happy with the R888s.

At just after 6pm, the track was deemed dark enough to start. Part of the track (with the hill) was in total darkness, whilst the chicane and long final corner were floodlit. We hadn’t done much with Humphrey’s headlights, apart from the new Raybrig headlights which all our MR2’s get treated to, as they are a much more modern headlight. Many drivers (mainly Celicas) had interesting ‘pods’ of extra headlights on the front.

Phil had to pretty much win this round to guarantee first place in the championship, so he was trying very hard. His first lap was 57.24 seconds, making him the second fastest MR2 at that point. Unfortunately, He couldn’t beat the Starlet which he needed to, and got runner up with a time of 54.49 (still a very respectable time!)

This meant that Phil was runner up in the championship also, and 11th overall. Still a great acheivement (second fastest MR2 too!)

Roll on next year!

Feek · 26-10-2009, 13:42

I've not commented through this but it's been a fascinating read and I've always looked forward to the next instalment.

Very interesting Vix, looking forward to what next year brings.

vix · 26-10-2009, 13:52

Oh I forgot to put in my amazing bit.

I hadn't done Teesside int he dark as last year I had my broken ankle and couldn't drive. I really enjoyed the track though so was looking forward to it.

I aimed to get under a minute by the end of the day, and started with a 66. Then I had three annoying laps of 64 each, and then when I passed the board on the 5th lap, i noticed the number ended in 6 again so though, damn, back up this time to 66

Turns out it was a 56.

Not sure how I did it, but we also can't work out how it is a mistake!

I didn't get close again and ended up with a 60 on my last lap.

18-05-2009, 07:12	#62
vix Penelope Pitstop Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,426	Webspace will be down. They'll be back later. __________________

04-10-2009, 18:38	#63
vix Penelope Pitstop Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,426	4TH October – We’ve had a hectic few months and I haven’t had much time for updates. One of the most important thing to note is that we haven’t really been doing much on the car, as we haven’t had time to do any of the bits we’d like to do, and nothing has gone tragically wrong that we NEED to do. Phil is doing well in the Series, and we go into the final round in a few weeks time, with just a few points between his and the second place in our class, so it’s going to be an interesting one. I’m also doing ok, although no prizes for me. Humphrey has now started living in a lock-up close to our home, as we have somehow aquired another car, and the neighbours are getting rather agitated! When Phil ‘visited’ Humphrey the other day, he noticed a small leak in the radiator, and decided it best to replace the rad before the two trackdays we have and the Sprint just after. Whilst he replaced the radiator, he put in the radiator for the chargecooler which is going in over the Winter. As that had gone well, Phil decided to attack the roof! The sunroof was additional weight so we had an alloy sheet to replace it. The area around the sunroof needed grinding out, Some spot welds needed drilling out: But soon we were left with a delightful hole! The ‘new’ roof is currently bolted on to check durability and waterproofing, but shall be riveted shortly. It will then be covered in red vinyl to look slightly prettier! __________________

06-10-2009, 18:00	#66
vix Penelope Pitstop Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,426	I'm worried about TSS personally. But Phil says it will be ok! We never had the headlining in anyway. __________________

20-10-2009, 17:21	#67
vix Penelope Pitstop Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,426	Well I think this answers the question 'why do you own 4 cars?' We went to a trackday weekender at Anglesey this weekend. Lovely track, shame it took 8 hours to get there! On the way for fuel on the Saturday, after a full day on track, Humphrey threw a driveshaft off!! Fortunately we now have our tow car and trailer, but unfortunately we lost our Sunday on track! Back home, Phil nicks a driveshaft off my car, so we fortunately have a working car for the Sprint Series finals this Saturday! However I don't have a working car as my 'new car' failed her MOT __________________

26-10-2009, 13:16	#68
vix Penelope Pitstop Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,426	TSS 09 ROUND 6 – TEESSIDE AUTODROME – IN THE DARK The final round is finally upon us, and it’s the longest journey away for us, up at Teesside Autodrome. We don’t mind though, we get a few nights in a hotel, with lots of our friends, and the track at the Autodrome is my favourite. It is another twisty one, and is also the most three-dimensional of all the TSS tracks, having a large hill between too corners. There is also the obligatory hell for leather straight, ending in a teeth clenching chicane, and the final corner is long and sweeping, and the additional challenge that this final round runs through the evening, in the dark! So, for once we had a leisurely morning, as the track didn’t open until 2pm. We unpacked at the track, amid showers of rain. We had to make the difficult decision of what tyres to use. Phil had seen that the weather report had said the rain does clear throughout the evening and he was determined to stay on the Toyo R888’s for as long as he could. Other drivers opted for slightly more ‘treaded’ tyres. Scrutineering went well, and we were soon briefed, signed on and waiting for our convoy runs to get an idea of the track. The track was laid out just like the last two times we had been there, however I had only run it in the light, as I had my broken ankle for last year’s night race. The track was quite greasy however the rain had stopped so once everyone had done a few runs, you could see the ‘dry lines’ appearing. Javelin, our track day organisers, wanted to run the untimed practice runs in the light, so that we got a few for the circuit before we were plunged into darkness. The first few runs were taken very steady by all the drivers, and nothing untoward happened. I had a ‘tail happy’ moment on the hill, which stuffed me for the exit, and other drivers experienced this ‘waggy tail syndrome’ but no serious spins to report. Once our three practice runs were over, it was a case of waiting for the night to draw in. Some drivers were getting nervous about the dark clouds which were appearing in the horizon, but hoped it was just ‘The Dark’. Many were still pondering tyre changes. We were happy with the R888s. At just after 6pm, the track was deemed dark enough to start. Part of the track (with the hill) was in total darkness, whilst the chicane and long final corner were floodlit. We hadn’t done much with Humphrey’s headlights, apart from the new Raybrig headlights which all our MR2’s get treated to, as they are a much more modern headlight. Many drivers (mainly Celicas) had interesting ‘pods’ of extra headlights on the front. Phil had to pretty much win this round to guarantee first place in the championship, so he was trying very hard. His first lap was 57.24 seconds, making him the second fastest MR2 at that point. Unfortunately, He couldn’t beat the Starlet which he needed to, and got runner up with a time of 54.49 (still a very respectable time!) This meant that Phil was runner up in the championship also, and 11th overall. Still a great acheivement (second fastest MR2 too!) Roll on next year! __________________

18-05-2009, 06:33	#61
Nutcase Moonshine Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chelmsford, innit! Posts: 3,979	No piccies

04-10-2009, 21:33	#64
Zirax Goes up to 11! Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,577	He's a bloody vandal with that angle grinder. Good work though, I'll have to see how this sheeting holds before I crack my grinder out I've got some ideas for mine, one of which may result in me being burnt alive by the purists.

06-10-2009, 17:28	#65
Zirax Goes up to 11! Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,577	Just a thought, what are you doing about the trim and headlining? Will the TSS be ok with it?

26-10-2009, 13:42	#69
Feek ex SAS Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: JO01ou Posts: 10,062	I've not commented through this but it's been a fascinating read and I've always looked forward to the next instalment. Very interesting Vix, looking forward to what next year brings. __________________

26-10-2009, 13:52	#70
vix Penelope Pitstop Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,426	Oh I forgot to put in my amazing bit. I hadn't done Teesside int he dark as last year I had my broken ankle and couldn't drive. I really enjoyed the track though so was looking forward to it. I aimed to get under a minute by the end of the day, and started with a 66. Then I had three annoying laps of 64 each, and then when I passed the board on the 5th lap, i noticed the number ended in 6 again so though, damn, back up this time to 66 Turns out it was a 56. Not sure how I did it, but we also can't work out how it is a mistake! I didn't get close again and ended up with a 60 on my last lap. __________________

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