Breakdown having driven to the strip - getting home

[ArnieVXR]

I'm almost at the point where my street legal car is ready to take racing. I'd like to drive it to RWYB events, but am concerned about what happens if (when) it breaks down. The RAC were pretty useless when I broke down recently just 5-miles from home (too low on the front to pull onto a transporter, auto box so unhappy to tow very far). I suspect that they wouldn't be that interested in attending a breakdown at an event either.

I'm not keen on praying for good luck and a 16-foot trailer would be a pain on my driveway. So the question is, what do people do when they can't drive home?

Also, if I turn up with a boot load of tools, I'm guessing I'll have to race with them in the car, as there won't be somewhere safe to store them?

Cheers
Arnie

[Tet]

ArnieVXR said:

I'm not keen on praying for good luck and a 16-foot trailer would be a pain on my driveway. So the question is, what do people do when they can't drive home?

When I broke at the the track, I limped it to the nearest petrol station and called for recovery. Because it was with Green Flag, they don't care whether it happened at the track or not. They're independent contractors, so they have the option of recovering you and getting paid, or not doing so because it's technically against the regulations and missing out. But I'm surprised you've had problems with the RAC. They're generally pretty good, particularly where motorsport is concerned.

[ArnieVXR]

Thanks Tet,

The guy from the RAC took one look at the engine (custom 7-litre twin turbo, etc) and gave up after shining his torch on it. The car is a Monaro VXR, so low on the front (actually 25mm lower than standard). With no towing eye (soon to be rectified) he said he wasn't allowed to tow it with a rope, as people have sued for bumper damage when attaching to the cross member. He also said that they didn't have a loader readily available which was low enough to pick it up. Helpfully suggested the wait would be 7-hours or so

I ended up getting a lift and using my other car to tow it home.

[WJM]

I've seen the car at John Sleath's {he looks after my 69 Corvette}, what sort of quarter mile time are you expecting ?

Bill

[Miss Information]

ArnieVXR said:

I'm almost at the point where my street legal car is ready to take racing. I'd like to drive it to RWYB events, but am concerned about what happens if (when) it breaks down. The RAC were pretty useless when I broke down recently just 5-miles from home (too low on the front to pull onto a transporter, auto box so unhappy to tow very far). I suspect that they wouldn't be that interested in attending a breakdown at an event either.

I'm not keen on praying for good luck and a 16-foot trailer would be a pain on my driveway. So the question is, what do people do when they can't drive home?

If you break at the Pod you should phone Lohrspeed on 07502 292116.

They are based near the Pod and recover a lot of drift and RWYB cars when they break. They also sponsor and race in Pro ET so they will take very good care of your car

[BennettRacing]

If your ever at events were at your quite welcome to leave tools in trailer if helps. Also depending on size of events there is usually people there that will lend hand if you break down.

But with Rac just push into public road, I had to do years back with a 205 gti that expired...

[snakehips]

A friend had his Transam recovered from Shakey by the AA, course they had to go through process of trying to repare the car before sending for a breakdown truck. Took about 3 hrs, but we waited in the stands watching the racing before they called to say they were at the gate, Helpfull gate staff allowed them in.

[ArnieVXR]

Thanks for the responses - very encouraging that I shouldn't need a trailer. I've used Dusty before, so I'll keep his number handy.

[ArnieVXR]

WJM said:

I've seen the car at John Sleath's {he looks after my 69 Corvette}, what sort of quarter mile time are you expecting ?

Bill

Hi Bill,

John pushed the engine to 17.5psi on the dyno and it made 1206hp. For now I'm running 12psi and it makes just shy of 800hp at the wheels. It has an uprated 4L80E with fairly standard ratios (car tops out at 150mph, so probably a bit low). I've lined up a 9-inch rear, detroit locker, ladder bars, 12-inch centrelines and drag radials for fitment over the next few months. The car is in full street trim and weighs in at around 1700kg. All the work will be carried out by John.

In the nines would be nice. Until I change the rear end, I reckon I'd be lucky to pull less than 13-seconds (like zero traction when boost kicks in).

Once it's proven, I'll up the boost and change the injectors to 160lb jobbies to see what happens.

[dbv8]

The RAC dont like to pick you up at dragstrips!

Long story short....
I arrived at the pod with my TVR on the back of an AA wagon last year
The engine was totalled and as the AA took me there, they werent available to take me further.
I joined the RAC and had to camp over for a 24 hour ruling on the relay kicked in and had to suffer being mobbed by BMWs on the Sunday..
I managed to get trailered to the nearest pub and had a few till the RAC arrived.
It then took 10 hours and 4 trucks to get me home to Cumbria.

Good weekend otherwise and I will be doing it all again (hopefully without recovery services) this year for the weekend of the retro show.

[Bowler]

Who determines that you've been racing it?

What heppens if you were there as a spectator and "break down"

Just a thought....

[Upatdawn]

For race weekends, find a buddy with a van+towbar if he hasnt got a trailer and you cant beg one, hire one.

[Aviz]

Reminds me of the time we had to get a golf recovered. Tried explaining to them that it was heavily modded with 4wd fitted. Their computer said no based on the reg plate. They would not accept that it was 4wd. They still sent a spec lift. Then had to wait again for a flat bed when he finally looked underneath.