Hethel lotus test track retro event
Discussion
Arrrrrh a press,, very impressive for that money.
I found two front wishbones I replaced,, nothing wrong with em,, I might push the metalasic ones out and re powder coat them ready for,,,,,, something.
After driving your car Peter I decided the poly bushes are fine, better and not harsh as I'd imagined, is it still good on local roads etc.
I found two front wishbones I replaced,, nothing wrong with em,, I might push the metalasic ones out and re powder coat them ready for,,,,,, something.
After driving your car Peter I decided the poly bushes are fine, better and not harsh as I'd imagined, is it still good on local roads etc.
I dunno about the last year but I wish these next few days would rush by. 
It's a combination of good shocks and bushes coupled with good tyres,, bigger the better and that's exactly what you have Peter,, we'll do an experiment and I bet your car sits way higher than say Anthony's on17 in wheels but the extra foot print and compliance is well worth the effort to get 17/18' to fit.
I have 17's on 40's and I'd happily go to 50's all round to get higher gearing and more compliance,,, but only really because pot holes are a nightmare on the 40's on the fronts and flat spot the wheels!!
In running about 130 mm front ride height and 150 rear going by the corner measuring technique which never fills me with confidence and there's big gaps between tyre and arch so at that ride height I have room for bigger overall circumference tyres which can only give me a better ride and higher gearing which I'd like.
Extra mpg for those long lazy drives across the continent.
It's a combination of good shocks and bushes coupled with good tyres,, bigger the better and that's exactly what you have Peter,, we'll do an experiment and I bet your car sits way higher than say Anthony's on17 in wheels but the extra foot print and compliance is well worth the effort to get 17/18' to fit.
I have 17's on 40's and I'd happily go to 50's all round to get higher gearing and more compliance,,, but only really because pot holes are a nightmare on the 40's on the fronts and flat spot the wheels!!
In running about 130 mm front ride height and 150 rear going by the corner measuring technique which never fills me with confidence and there's big gaps between tyre and arch so at that ride height I have room for bigger overall circumference tyres which can only give me a better ride and higher gearing which I'd like.
Extra mpg for those long lazy drives across the continent.
Edited by ClassiChimi on Thursday 5th May 11:29
The old one used to point forwards, but got bent re-entering the Mountain at an angle of 45 degrees to the track at 40 mph Tuesday evening. It was a bit of a bump up from the well manicured grass. No doubt Mr Palmer will be sending me an invoice in due course.
At least the steering seems roughly straight, not pulling to the Corbyn or the Cameron.
At least the steering seems roughly straight, not pulling to the Corbyn or the Cameron.
Hahaha,, I find with old age I don't pick up braking points so well, I find it hard to be consistent, I wear glasses these days and I don't trust my vision so much.
I've just watched a video of the circuit,,, it's a beauty but there's little run off.
I'm going to be upset I didn't get harder shocks on for the day but I had a lovely drive out this evening with the dog,
I'm on nine clicks re bound and 7 clicks bumb and it's very relaxing to drive on quiet A roads and down the lanes,,
Over time the car had developed the odd rattle and shake,,, I've been homing in on them and tonight the car was solid and quiet over the bumpy stuff so I'm well chuffed.
I keep meaning to set my geo the old fashioned way with strings then test its accuracy with lazer equipment but I never seem to get round to it,, if I could get accurate figures I can then adjust at home for say a trackday then revert back to road settings.
I can't see any reason why I can't set cambers and mark the positions then adjust as necessary, thing is for track use it has to be very close but your not putting 10,000 miles on the car so tiny anomalies don't really matter.
We proved with the Mazda race car that toe settings using string and a flat floor at a circuit is very accurate and the car ran straight as an arrow.
Last year the second car had the o/s rear wheel ripped off at Silverstone, we got some wishbones etc,, put the car back together and set the rear toe etc with string, and the following week it was re set on lazer aligning equipment and the toe was almost perfect.
It's the way to go if you want a really fast car,, 2.5 degree camber fronts 3.5 rear,,,,, now you can go into corners fast but don't expect the brakes to work.
I enjoy testing,, be great to have a day at a circuit and try geo changes to feel the effects of the changes made etc,,
Lots of work as setting things on the Tvr takes awhile but if you could come up with some settings then you can use them time and again.
Truth is if you stray away from OE settings to far the car will be dangerous so it's wether doing any of this would make much difference or not,, going by the tyres, I need more camber that much is obvious.
I don't know what I'm talking about but it's good fun trying.
I've just watched a video of the circuit,,, it's a beauty but there's little run off.
I'm going to be upset I didn't get harder shocks on for the day but I had a lovely drive out this evening with the dog,
I'm on nine clicks re bound and 7 clicks bumb and it's very relaxing to drive on quiet A roads and down the lanes,,
Over time the car had developed the odd rattle and shake,,, I've been homing in on them and tonight the car was solid and quiet over the bumpy stuff so I'm well chuffed.
I keep meaning to set my geo the old fashioned way with strings then test its accuracy with lazer equipment but I never seem to get round to it,, if I could get accurate figures I can then adjust at home for say a trackday then revert back to road settings.
I can't see any reason why I can't set cambers and mark the positions then adjust as necessary, thing is for track use it has to be very close but your not putting 10,000 miles on the car so tiny anomalies don't really matter.
We proved with the Mazda race car that toe settings using string and a flat floor at a circuit is very accurate and the car ran straight as an arrow.
Last year the second car had the o/s rear wheel ripped off at Silverstone, we got some wishbones etc,, put the car back together and set the rear toe etc with string, and the following week it was re set on lazer aligning equipment and the toe was almost perfect.
It's the way to go if you want a really fast car,, 2.5 degree camber fronts 3.5 rear,,,,, now you can go into corners fast but don't expect the brakes to work.
I enjoy testing,, be great to have a day at a circuit and try geo changes to feel the effects of the changes made etc,,
Lots of work as setting things on the Tvr takes awhile but if you could come up with some settings then you can use them time and again.
Truth is if you stray away from OE settings to far the car will be dangerous so it's wether doing any of this would make much difference or not,, going by the tyres, I need more camber that much is obvious.
I don't know what I'm talking about but it's good fun trying.
Looks like my Lotus Plus2 won't be there after all, too many fueling problems at the moment so the Twink is running like a dog. If it runs at all. So, the choice is either a Rover P6 3500, or the Cerbera.....was very temped by the Rover, as it would be an absolute giggle - even took it to Bespoke to have them check it over and make sure it's up for it. But having driven my Cerb back from there I decided I loved driving it too much so went straight onto ACT's website to buy some cans, expensive but hopefully they will arrive tomorrow....The Cerbie is a very early 1996 4.2 so just scrapes in for the pre-98 ruling but I'll check it's ok with the organisers tomorrow and will hopefully see you on Sunday. And then I'll just keep my fingers crossed that the cans reduce the noise enough, she's quite a raucous beast.
Cheers
Joe
Cheers
Joe
Pity about the Lotus but replacing it with a Cerb,, I think they'd allow that 
I'm also very close to the noise level but hopefully we will know where the noise monitors are so can be a bit steady through that section,, wind direction makes a big difference to drive by levels so hopefully it's a clear calm day and the noise can disipate.
I notice other track days that are advertised for £199 have a stipulation,, only two seat sports cars
That would be a good experience too.
I'm also very close to the noise level but hopefully we will know where the noise monitors are so can be a bit steady through that section,, wind direction makes a big difference to drive by levels so hopefully it's a clear calm day and the noise can disipate.
I notice other track days that are advertised for £199 have a stipulation,, only two seat sports cars
That would be a good experience too.
Just spoke to Alex, the organiser.
I asked the direct question, are there any spaces left if another TVR person wanted to come along?
He said yes, there is just one available, even though his website says "fully booked".
If anyone wants it, they need to go to the Magnitude Events website and book it today.
As said before, don't worry about being newer than 1997, so long as it's not a T car.
I'll give Daz a call.....
I asked the direct question, are there any spaces left if another TVR person wanted to come along?
He said yes, there is just one available, even though his website says "fully booked".
If anyone wants it, they need to go to the Magnitude Events website and book it today.
As said before, don't worry about being newer than 1997, so long as it's not a T car.
I'll give Daz a call.....
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