Spa 6 Hrs and RingTrip Blog

[bosscerbera]

thewave said:

Bit of a hijack of the thread, but who's is the big Healey? I'd love to know a bit more about the car, what's been done to it etc. (I have an MGC)

The Healey belongs to 5 times British Speed Hillclimb Champion David Grace. It's a 1960 Healey 3000 Mk.1 with FIA papers. The engine is by marque expert Denis Welch - steel crank, alloy head, 3 big twin-choke Webers, revs to 7500rpm. I believe it makes about 265bhp and the car is homologated at 1033kg. Gearbox is a 4-speed with overdrive on 3rd and 4th. Gracee shared the drive with me and together we set the fastest Healey times over the weekend in his car.

[thewave]

bosscerbera said:

thewave said:

Bit of a hijack of the thread, but who's is the big Healey? I'd love to know a bit more about the car, what's been done to it etc. (I have an MGC)

The Healey belongs to 5 times British Speed Hillclimb Champion David Grace. It's a 1960 Healey 3000 Mk.1 with FIA papers. The engine is by marque expert Denis Welch - steel crank, alloy head, 3 big twin-choke Webers, revs to 7500rpm. I believe it makes about 265bhp and the car is homologated at 1033kg. Gearbox is a 4-speed with overdrive on 3rd and 4th. Gracee shared the drive with me and together we set the fastest Healey times over the weekend in his car.

Cheers for that boss, does look nice, some interesting history too. Oh, and well done on the times.

I'm aware of Denis Welch, they do some work on 'C's too, I think the next expense on the MG is cosworth c/rods and pistons, steel crank and and then I can put the bigger needles in the 45's!, however, money is an object

PS 1033kg and 265bhp....must go like a train.

Such a lovely looking and sounding car

[bosscerbera]

thewave said:

1033kg and 265bhp....must go like a train.

Such a lovely looking and sounding car

It does go surprisingly well - I guess 'surprisingly' because I'd never previously thought of Big Healeys as quick cars. But accelerating up to around 100mph it had the legs on most things - that reddy-brown E-Type needed a long straight to outgun the Healey. Even more special though was just how much fun it is to drive! I'm a Healey fan now.

[Godzilla]

L100NYY said:

Godzilla said:

bosscerbera said:

Godzilla said:

I've been watching some of my HD footage from the track day and one of my laps in the Z06 was 2:54; what did the mega Cobra do in the dry.

2:54 is a good time, Cobra runs in the 2:40-somethings, best 2:42 IIRC.

Hmm. I reckon with slicks you could get my car to match that!

Not bad for a road car with heated leather seats, sat nav, climate control, HUD, airbags and cupholders...

2:54 is very good Mr 'Zilla, do you know what sort of speed you were touching on the straights?

An indicated 168mph at the end of the Kemmel Straight!

The Euro Vettes have deliberately optimistic speedos though and mine is wearing smaller rear wheels, but even so damned fast as the Murcielago owner found out...

[dinkel]

I experienced THAT Vette . . . and it's fast. You cannot compare it to a standard Z06 though.

David, when I could turn my head - G-force! - I saw 140 at the 'Ring and sometimes 120 in the bends. It doesn't really matter does it straights or bends.

Ben trust me, it's awesome I'll PM for details

[bosscerbera]

L100NYY said:

Phil,
I'll ask Giles when he comes back after lunch, he'll know!

Just checked my records... In 1998, Phil Hindley and Bobby Verdon-Roe both did 2:28's at Spa in Challenge Tuscans. My best was a 2:39.

1998 was my rookie year and I found Spa daunting (Pouhon and Blanchimont more so than Eau Rouge). I'd love to take a Challenge Tuscan back there now!

[L100NYY]

bosscerbera said:

L100NYY said:

Phil,
I'll ask Giles when he comes back after lunch, he'll know!

Just checked my records... In 1998, Phil Hindley and Bobby Verdon-Roe both did 2:28's at Spa in Challenge Tuscans. My best was a 2:39.

1998 was my rookie year and I found Spa daunting (Pouhon and Blanchimont more so than Eau Rouge). I'd love to take a Challenge Tuscan back there now!

You should buy an ex Challenge car and have it as your trackday toy! That's my plan anyhoo

We've still got one of Giles' old race car bodyshells here, I'm sure it smirks at me everytime I walk past it!

[touching cloth]

Think you will find the tool already has his old one

[L100NYY]

touching cloth said:

Think you will find the tool already has his old one

Oh yeah just checked his fleet on his profile!

[bosscerbera]

L100NYY said:

touching cloth said:

Think you will find the tool already has his old one

Oh yeah just checked his fleet on his profile!

...which is actually one of Giles' old cars. Say hello to him for me!

[dinkel]

Hey!

[L100NYY]

bosscerbera said:

L100NYY said:

touching cloth said:

Think you will find the tool already has his old one

Oh yeah just checked his fleet on his profile!

...which is actually one of Giles' old cars. Say hello to him for me!

Will do!! So is your Tusc' Challenge car still functioning as it were?

[bosscerbera]

It's complete, as last raced at Brand in 2003 - engine and 'box are out of it though. It will be back.

[dinkel]

Hey!

[FUBAR]

L100NYY said:

Phil Hindley and Bobby Verdon-Roe both did 2:28's at Spa in Challenge Tuscans. My best was a 2:39.

Phil drives like a girl

[dinkel]

Does he now?


Knight does a best 3:13 in his V6 Capri.

This must be near the cheapest way to have fun at a Spa 6 Hrs race.

[bosscerbera]

FUBAR said:

Phil drives like a girl

[dinkel]

Goldsmith braking hard (2:58). That car was all bold ally and jigsawwed together. Pretty quick though.

[L100NYY]

bosscerbera said:

It's complete, as last raced at Brand in 2003 - engine and 'box are out of it though. It will be back.

Keep me posted Phil, would love to see it in action again, as would Giles I'm sure.

[Klassiekerrally]

Not the 'usual suspect':

An 1965 MG 1100 Mk1. Nice car, almost as nice as my Morris

Edited by Klassiekerrally on Thursday 11th October 18:36