GTR in the Alps
Discussion
I have just come back from a trip down to the French Alps and I am pleased to report that I had no major problems on the way down. We crossed on Le Shuttle, then drove to Reims, Grenoble, Gap. We spent a couple of days blasting around the alps with some friends in Caterhams
http://olson.rdemail.com/albums/ALPS2003/Ultima_at_7000ft.jpg
The observant among you will spot the puddle of coolant by the rear wheel that it has just dumped thanks to a rather exuberant hill climb to 7000ft without enough forward speed to properly keep the temp down. (See other cooling posts)
Regular fuel stops were required (about three a day!), mostly because of the small fuel tank on the R400. For the same distance the fuel required was:
BMW 1100 bike : 14 euros
Caterham VHPD : 23 euros
Caterham R400 : 33 euros
Ultima GTR : 44 euros
Not scientific, but who cares?
http://olson.rdemail.com/albums/ALPS2003/More_fuel_vicar.jpg
The return journey was via the old Reims GP circuit. The bonus was that the start finish straight was closed to all but works traffic (which we ignored). Gave us plenty of opportunity for fly by video with no risk of other traffic (other than the odd lorry).
http://olson.rdemail.com/albums/ALPS2003/Ready_for_the_off_at_Reims.jpg
Reliability issues:
The Ultima didn't like sitting in traffic with 30C ambient, anything less than 30mph failed to bring temps down.
The wiper failed in a torrential down pour. Fortunately after handing a socket set to a friend on a bike, and a quick tighten of the bolt, it worked again. I didn't even get wet.
A strange noise developed at 3200 RPM, which matched the 85mph that the Caterhams liked to cruise at on the Auto Route. Discovered when I got home that the alternator fan was spinning freely as the AS alternator has no key through the pulley or the fan.
Low points:
Some French scrote stole two of my dust caps. He stole three from my mates R400, which happened to have identical caps.
Overheating in Epernay.
High points:
Tunnels.
Fantastic roads.
Not needing most of the comprehensive toolkit I carried.
The sound of my car down the start/finish straight of the Reims GP circuit
We chose to do this instead of Le Mans this year, as we all felt we didn't do enough driving last year.
http://olson.rdemail.com/albums/ALPS2003/Ultima_at_7000ft.jpg
The observant among you will spot the puddle of coolant by the rear wheel that it has just dumped thanks to a rather exuberant hill climb to 7000ft without enough forward speed to properly keep the temp down. (See other cooling posts)
Regular fuel stops were required (about three a day!), mostly because of the small fuel tank on the R400. For the same distance the fuel required was:
BMW 1100 bike : 14 euros
Caterham VHPD : 23 euros
Caterham R400 : 33 euros
Ultima GTR : 44 euros
Not scientific, but who cares?
http://olson.rdemail.com/albums/ALPS2003/More_fuel_vicar.jpg
The return journey was via the old Reims GP circuit. The bonus was that the start finish straight was closed to all but works traffic (which we ignored). Gave us plenty of opportunity for fly by video with no risk of other traffic (other than the odd lorry).
http://olson.rdemail.com/albums/ALPS2003/Ready_for_the_off_at_Reims.jpg
Reliability issues:
The Ultima didn't like sitting in traffic with 30C ambient, anything less than 30mph failed to bring temps down.
The wiper failed in a torrential down pour. Fortunately after handing a socket set to a friend on a bike, and a quick tighten of the bolt, it worked again. I didn't even get wet.
A strange noise developed at 3200 RPM, which matched the 85mph that the Caterhams liked to cruise at on the Auto Route. Discovered when I got home that the alternator fan was spinning freely as the AS alternator has no key through the pulley or the fan.
Low points:
Some French scrote stole two of my dust caps. He stole three from my mates R400, which happened to have identical caps.
Overheating in Epernay.
High points:
Tunnels.
Fantastic roads.
Not needing most of the comprehensive toolkit I carried.
The sound of my car down the start/finish straight of the Reims GP circuit
We chose to do this instead of Le Mans this year, as we all felt we didn't do enough driving last year.
Videos:
http://olson.rdemail.com/albums/ALPS2003/Fly_by.mpg
The Ultima and two caterhams passing the start finish at Reims (3.6MB)
http://olson.rdemail.com/albums/ALPS2003/Ultima_flyby.mpg
Just the Ultima passing (1.7MB)
http://olson.rdemail.com/albums/ALPS2003/Start.mpg
Le Mans style start, you can hear my tyres squeel as I change into second (2.7MB)
http://olson.rdemail.com/albums/ALPS2003/Fly_by.mpg
The Ultima and two caterhams passing the start finish at Reims (3.6MB)
http://olson.rdemail.com/albums/ALPS2003/Ultima_flyby.mpg
Just the Ultima passing (1.7MB)
http://olson.rdemail.com/albums/ALPS2003/Start.mpg
Le Mans style start, you can hear my tyres squeel as I change into second (2.7MB)
Good to hear another owner is frightening the Alps with a bit of thunder.
l too suffered the loose alternator fan which simply sat in place and rattled for a while then broke up and chewed up the fan belt. l have not replaced the fan and no problems have occurred.
Having spent time in Southern Europe, l enhanced my cooling slightly, the final item being a bottle of water wetter. Now, whilst in traffic, the fans come on, cool the engine and go off again. As l said to my passenger on the way to Le Mans, l am quietly confident. That was 30 minutes before the distributor drive got wrecked.
l too suffered the loose alternator fan which simply sat in place and rattled for a while then broke up and chewed up the fan belt. l have not replaced the fan and no problems have occurred.
Having spent time in Southern Europe, l enhanced my cooling slightly, the final item being a bottle of water wetter. Now, whilst in traffic, the fans come on, cool the engine and go off again. As l said to my passenger on the way to Le Mans, l am quietly confident. That was 30 minutes before the distributor drive got wrecked.
ultiman said:
Good to hear another owner is frightening the Alps with a bit of thunder.
l too suffered the loose alternator fan which simply sat in place and rattled for a while then broke up and chewed up the fan belt. l have not replaced the fan and no problems have occurred.
Having spent time in Southern Europe, l enhanced my cooling slightly, the final item being a bottle of water wetter. Now, whilst in traffic, the fans come on, cool the engine and go off again. As l said to my passenger on the way to Le Mans, l am quietly confident. That was 30 minutes before the distributor drive got wrecked.
This happened on my Sports on the way back from Le Mans on Monday - alternator fan got loose and snapped the belt. Obviously not an uncommon problem. Fortunately I noticed it and stopped before the engine cooked itself.
BTW - Guess it was you that I spoke to outside the main entrance after the race (Purple Sports), as you mentioned a stripped distributor drive then.
tjb
Indeed it was me. Sorry to hear of your problem. l now keep a spare belt in the side pod and another under the battery tray, just in case. The other problem l and others have had is the alternator bracket set up. the original one of pressed plate snapped so was replaced by the billet aluminium version. Much better but the eccentric load can lead to bolts snapping or coming out. I keep the belt loose now so the load is much less but it still charges.
I just have to sort out why the distributor drive lost half its teeth at 5000 revs. l wonder where they are? bet l wont get anything from the tooth fairy
BTW how long did you say you have had the car as it is very similar to one that we saw on our camp site at Le Mans 2002.
Indeed it was me. Sorry to hear of your problem. l now keep a spare belt in the side pod and another under the battery tray, just in case. The other problem l and others have had is the alternator bracket set up. the original one of pressed plate snapped so was replaced by the billet aluminium version. Much better but the eccentric load can lead to bolts snapping or coming out. I keep the belt loose now so the load is much less but it still charges.
I just have to sort out why the distributor drive lost half its teeth at 5000 revs. l wonder where they are? bet l wont get anything from the tooth fairy
BTW how long did you say you have had the car as it is very similar to one that we saw on our camp site at Le Mans 2002.
Best of luck with the distributor drive problem.
Got the Ultima just before 2002 Le Mans, and we were in Beausejour campsite.
Have got the aluminium billet alternator mountings. I am going to check them, and will always carry a spare belt in future (ain't hindsite a wonderful thing).
On the original topic of this thread, don't think I could miss Le Mans for a trip to the Alps, though it would be great to do both.
Got the Ultima just before 2002 Le Mans, and we were in Beausejour campsite.
Have got the aluminium billet alternator mountings. I am going to check them, and will always carry a spare belt in future (ain't hindsite a wonderful thing).
On the original topic of this thread, don't think I could miss Le Mans for a trip to the Alps, though it would be great to do both.
Gassing Station | Ultima | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff