Van Diemen Single Seater - Sprint time!

[MagicalTrevor]

I agree, I do think single seaters 'age' more because we see constant iterations through F1.

However, the single seater bodywork has a lot more aero downforce than the sport racer bodywork, which just has single wing at the back. However, a mate of mine is keen on aerodynamics and CFD so we'd like to model it and see about front and read diffusers as there is plenty of scope (and space) to add something under the front

[MagicalTrevor]

LordGrover said:

MagicalTrevor said:

Great Western Sprint at Castle Combe on Saturday. First event in the calendar and normally a good one

A good range of interesting cars!

You're only round the corner, you should pop down and have a look!

I didn't even know there is owt on. I'm going for the first 'official' meet, Howard's Day on 6 April.
Pretty sure I can make this Saturday fro an hour or two though - at what o'clock?

Events like this don't tend to appear on the circuit's website as they're run and publicised by the individual clubs. In this case Bristol Motor Club.
The morning sessions are practice so I'd advise heading down just after lunch for the proper timed runs. You have freely wander around the paddock so come and say 'hi' and have a poke around the car if you want

[MagicalTrevor]

Red Firecracker said:

I really do need one of these in my life.

That's what I thought

I used to have an Elise 111S and basically got fed up not being able to legally exploit the performance of the car so I sold it and put the money into this.
I'll admit that, when trundling around in a 1.6D Volvo, I sometimes miss having the performance but that's all forgotten when I'm revving the nuts off a proper racing car I do also occasionally query whether it would be easier with a car I can drive to the track, take to a normal garage and at least drive on the road to make sure it all works... But again... I soon remember why!

[MagicalTrevor]

Red Firecracker said:

That's the quandary, can't ever see me selling the Elise (or Landy) so to grow I'm going to have to look at larger storage facilities! Bother!

Good luck this season.

Easy answer, go Sprinting in the Elise. Nobody else on track to hit/hit you and you've got an ideal car (the Elise is very competitive). So less likely to sustain damage than on a track day.

[MagicalTrevor]

Best make some room then as you'll also need a trailer

[MagicalTrevor]

One set of Avon Slicks (cut as wets)


Total cost £30.... and £30 of that was beer money for the chap who cut them! You gotta love the F3 hand-me-downs!

[MagicalTrevor]

Cheers, you can come and do our marketing

[MagicalTrevor]

That's right. I'm afraid my car refused to start. I spent the first practice session removing spark plugs from my car.

I was pretty fed up, I'd done a lot of prep on the car and it worked just fine last time.

As said above, Motorsport at its most frustrating! I'll be taking it to a specialist to give it some TLC.

I went home around midday and got drunk that evening. Sorry I missed you

[MagicalTrevor]

Well the car worked beautifully today when I took it to Llandow for a Test Day. Had the track to ourselves (me and a few mates) in the glorious sunshine.

Anyway, recorded some video... I'm getting better!
https://youtu.be/1gcB3WDtoV0

[MagicalTrevor]

confucuis said:

Booo! Need more videos/pictures than that!

Working on it This was to whet your appetite

[MagicalTrevor]

I was braking a bit later than usual... the 'bus stop' section was a little compromised from there on in... hence the subtle fade

It's actually really stable on the brakes

[MagicalTrevor]

Podie said:

Cool

When's the next outing?

Not until May now where there are Llandow and Hullavington Sprints.

[MagicalTrevor]

Thanks

Well the car is going up for sale very soon, I have an opportunity to share a Formula Ford Ecoboost like this:


My VD is fantastic but it makes a lot of sense to share a car with more tuning potential and shared running costs.

[MagicalTrevor]

Now in the Classifieds, I'll be sorry to see it go.

[MagicalTrevor]

That'll be me! We've not lived there long.
I'll start waving at all the V70s

[MagicalTrevor]

Slightly disastrous situation... the replacement car requires a National A licence and I only have a Nat B! I've also not been collecting signatures because I hadn't expected to need an upgrade any time soon! Oops!

So I've not got to collect 8 signatures to upgrade

Action stations! There's a Sprint this weekend at Clay Pigeon (kart circuit) but I can't use the Van Diemen because, well, it's sold and that wouldn't be fair on the next owner if I did some damage to it.

What else can I use... my Volvo? Someone else's car? ...

I'm pinching my Wife's car. Mainly because it's much lower value and if I crash it then it'll be cheaper to repair, but also because it'll be mildly amusing to enter it into a Sprint. Excluding the motorbike engines, I'll be the lowest capacity entrant in a Fiat 500 TwinAir in Lounge spec
I'm also keen to show that you can indeed Sprint in ANY car!



Fortunately, I've been offered a double-drive in an MX5 for a few events.

Edited by MagicalTrevor on Saturday 18th April 10:22

[MagicalTrevor]

Whilst I appreciate that owning a racing car isn't for everyone, it's a lot of hassle but worth it once you drive it, it's like nothing else!

The funny thing is, talking about that with most people, they just don't get it! Mates think I'm mad and can't understand why I just don't buy a Porsche or something like that. I just have very little interest in sports cars now. I've switched from browsing Autotrader ( ) for Lotus', TVRs and Porsches to estate cars suitable for towing

If you ever get the chance to drive a single seater, no matter what power it has, then do it...!

[MagicalTrevor]

I love the fact that you CAN enter anything and there's a class to suit. Beats a track day IMO

[MagicalTrevor]

And I can't afford racing! That's a whole new ball game

[MagicalTrevor]

And here is the 'Not-Van Diemen' in its race livery! Including the pit crew getting it, I me lab herself, ready!