1970 Alfa Romeo GT Junior Racer
Discussion
Well we're now just over a week from the season opener. I'm getting a tuition session on the 1st and then racing on the 3rd.
Jobs to do on the car are;
Fix tacho.
Had an issue with the Stack tacho. Spoke to them and they gave me a reset process which appears to have it reading ok again but the dial sweep at the start is gone and the needle tries to go the wrong way. Quite odd. Anyway it's working it seems so I'm happy it'll do for the moment.
Wire up remote camera switch.
I was getting tired of having to remember to charge camera batteries and then remember to switch the camera on and off each race before fitting my harnesses.
Well I was told of a good system. Basically it's a knockoff GoPro called an SJ4000 (I think) which has a dash cam operating system. That means we can set the camera up to begin recording the moment it is powered. This way it is hard wired to the car and powered by the car systems. All I need to do is flick the switch on my dash. However before that all I need to do is wire the damn thing!
Refit my vinyls and new bootlid badge.
I had some paint done on the car so stripped the badges and vinyls off. They all need redone. In the interests of lightness I've chosen to have a chrome vinyl made of the GT 1600 Junior badge. I'm rather pleased with the finished article. Will post pics once done.
Bleed brakes.
Pedal felt long after last driving. I had new rear lines made for the car when the new rear axle went in so I suspect the guys bled the brakes with the handbrake on and as its part of the hydraulic system too when it's off it means the pedal feels long.
Fit door check straps and replace door hinge bolts.
Pretty much what it says. Doors are annoying as they're quite light which means I can't get out of the car without the driver's door trying to swing closed on me. I want to get these fitted!!!
So that's about it. Well almost. I know some will have certain feelings on polishing a race car but it was looking so clean that I wanted to protect it. I also had my detailer chap seal the paint with a ceramic coating and get the swirls out of the poly Windows as they were getting annoying. I think it's looking pretty decent!!
And here's a shot showing the before and after for the rear window. Right is before, left is after.
Jobs to do on the car are;
Fix tacho.
Had an issue with the Stack tacho. Spoke to them and they gave me a reset process which appears to have it reading ok again but the dial sweep at the start is gone and the needle tries to go the wrong way. Quite odd. Anyway it's working it seems so I'm happy it'll do for the moment.
Wire up remote camera switch.
I was getting tired of having to remember to charge camera batteries and then remember to switch the camera on and off each race before fitting my harnesses.
Well I was told of a good system. Basically it's a knockoff GoPro called an SJ4000 (I think) which has a dash cam operating system. That means we can set the camera up to begin recording the moment it is powered. This way it is hard wired to the car and powered by the car systems. All I need to do is flick the switch on my dash. However before that all I need to do is wire the damn thing!
Refit my vinyls and new bootlid badge.
I had some paint done on the car so stripped the badges and vinyls off. They all need redone. In the interests of lightness I've chosen to have a chrome vinyl made of the GT 1600 Junior badge. I'm rather pleased with the finished article. Will post pics once done.
Bleed brakes.
Pedal felt long after last driving. I had new rear lines made for the car when the new rear axle went in so I suspect the guys bled the brakes with the handbrake on and as its part of the hydraulic system too when it's off it means the pedal feels long.
Fit door check straps and replace door hinge bolts.
Pretty much what it says. Doors are annoying as they're quite light which means I can't get out of the car without the driver's door trying to swing closed on me. I want to get these fitted!!!
So that's about it. Well almost. I know some will have certain feelings on polishing a race car but it was looking so clean that I wanted to protect it. I also had my detailer chap seal the paint with a ceramic coating and get the swirls out of the poly Windows as they were getting annoying. I think it's looking pretty decent!!
And here's a shot showing the before and after for the rear window. Right is before, left is after.
James B said:
Thanks for the kind words! I see no reason not to keep a clean car even if it is raced. 
I won't be at Silverstone but I am racing at the Donington Masters weekend on the 2nd/3rd July. If you were there on the 1st July then I'm doing a trackday and would gladly do some pax laps.
I'll defiantly try and make it on the 1st, that's one very generous offer! I won't be at Silverstone but I am racing at the Donington Masters weekend on the 2nd/3rd July. If you were there on the 1st July then I'm doing a trackday and would gladly do some pax laps.
I'll be in the rusty old 90 if you fancy a laugh
EVO LINK
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wfe0oCSpQJA
Just came across this thread after watching the ecoty video above....
What a machine! Totally gobsmacked watching this lovely piece of kit dancing around the track....
And the noise.....
James - you are a lucky man! I'm seriously thinking about one of these now, could be a long road to find one but from reading your superb write up on here, it's pretty much persuaded me to go for it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wfe0oCSpQJA
Just came across this thread after watching the ecoty video above....
What a machine! Totally gobsmacked watching this lovely piece of kit dancing around the track....
And the noise.....
James - you are a lucky man! I'm seriously thinking about one of these now, could be a long road to find one but from reading your superb write up on here, it's pretty much persuaded me to go for it
e21Mark said:
You may already have seen it, but Evo's video for 'track day car of the year' includes the Alfaholics car. Just another reminder sof how great these cars are.
Yes I'm well versed in all things Alfaholics these days. If I had the cash sitting then I'd have a scratch build from them as a road toy too. The work on them is exquisite. MrVert said:
EVO LINK
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wfe0oCSpQJA
Just came across this thread after watching the ecoty video above....
What a machine! Totally gobsmacked watching this lovely piece of kit dancing around the track....
And the noise.....
James - you are a lucky man! I'm seriously thinking about one of these now, could be a long road to find one but from reading your superb write up on here, it's pretty much persuaded me to go for it
Well I am delighted to hear that. They have taken a decent rise in value of late but there are still wonderful examples out there available. If you're a little better heeled than the average buyer then Alfaholics have access to plenty of shells to build one to your spec too. Think of it as the Singer of the Alfa world. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wfe0oCSpQJA
Just came across this thread after watching the ecoty video above....
What a machine! Totally gobsmacked watching this lovely piece of kit dancing around the track....
And the noise.....
James - you are a lucky man! I'm seriously thinking about one of these now, could be a long road to find one but from reading your superb write up on here, it's pretty much persuaded me to go for it
Enjoy looking for one. I certainly did!
Thanks Tim for the great pic. I think I was celebrating finishing unscathed! 
An enjoyable weekend overall.
It was a good weekend for me in that I qualified and raced twice, once in the proper rain too which was interesting.
Footage of race 2, which was dry, here:
https://youtu.be/k-C6-A7L62g
I forgot to record race 1 on my new cam so have to take the footage from my race logic cams which are poorer quality. Will get on that next.
Track was in good condition but very wet to start. I'm still running on season-old Yoko's which were probably not ideal for wet weather. Still it was great experience for me and I did enjoy it after a fashion but it was a lonely race for me.
Race 2 was a lot better. It was a single file rolling start due to the oil down on the circuit from previous races so that meant I was a little behind the yellow car I was chasing. Then the 911 took me some time to pass and by that point the yellow car was out of reach. I was really enjoying pushing though!!!
An enjoyable weekend overall.
It was a good weekend for me in that I qualified and raced twice, once in the proper rain too which was interesting.
Footage of race 2, which was dry, here:
https://youtu.be/k-C6-A7L62g
I forgot to record race 1 on my new cam so have to take the footage from my race logic cams which are poorer quality. Will get on that next.
Track was in good condition but very wet to start. I'm still running on season-old Yoko's which were probably not ideal for wet weather. Still it was great experience for me and I did enjoy it after a fashion but it was a lonely race for me.
Race 2 was a lot better. It was a single file rolling start due to the oil down on the circuit from previous races so that meant I was a little behind the yellow car I was chasing. Then the 911 took me some time to pass and by that point the yellow car was out of reach. I was really enjoying pushing though!!!
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff