Track day excitement.
Discussion
Well, I took my Chim to Snetterton for it’s first ever track day yesterday. 
It was only my second ever track day, the previous also being at Snetterton as an extra driver in an Elise 111S.
The “Novice day” was very well organised and there was a good selection of cars. I met a couple of friends there (Lotus 111S and Jag XK8) and we were all looking forward to a good days enthusiastic driving. It was the first track day for the friend in the Jag, so both he and I were a little nervous, but, after the initial sighting laps, things soon settled into a good routine and we all relaxed and really began to enjoy ourselves.
The Chim was going very well, and was proving much less of a handful than I expected. I very quickly found a “rhythm” that allowed me to keep things smooth and settled even though I was pushing quite hard.
The only downside was the speed at which the fuel gauge moved from full to almost empty!!!! 
Then it happened! (I knew things were going TOO well!) I though I heard a slight “mechanical noise” as I applied the brakes at the end of the back straight (from over an indicated 130mph I’ll add!). As I tried to apply the power coming off the bends there was a definite miss fire and an occasional “non standard” noise from under the bonnet.
I limped back to the pit lane and into the car park behind running on somewhere less than 8 cylinders. (I would guess I had more than 4 cylinders working but wasn’t sure).
After a little a little discussion with a few more knowledgeable than me, and undertaking a few simple diagnostics, the general consensus was that a head gasket had gone!
The car was recovered back to Scole Engineering yesterday evening. (Didn’t admit to the AA that it had “gone wrong” whilst on the track
) I am now awaiting the news as to how much it’ll cost, and when I can get the car back on the road.
All credit to “her indoors”. When I called her to let her know that I may be a little late home, her first question was “Have you bent it?”
“No” I said, “I think a head gasket has gone!”
“That’s not your fault” she said “That could happen to anyone!”
A very understanding lady.
It was only my second ever track day, the previous also being at Snetterton as an extra driver in an Elise 111S. The “Novice day” was very well organised and there was a good selection of cars. I met a couple of friends there (Lotus 111S and Jag XK8) and we were all looking forward to a good days enthusiastic driving. It was the first track day for the friend in the Jag, so both he and I were a little nervous, but, after the initial sighting laps, things soon settled into a good routine and we all relaxed and really began to enjoy ourselves.
The Chim was going very well, and was proving much less of a handful than I expected. I very quickly found a “rhythm” that allowed me to keep things smooth and settled even though I was pushing quite hard.
The only downside was the speed at which the fuel gauge moved from full to almost empty!!!! Then it happened! (I knew things were going TOO well!) I though I heard a slight “mechanical noise” as I applied the brakes at the end of the back straight (from over an indicated 130mph I’ll add!). As I tried to apply the power coming off the bends there was a definite miss fire and an occasional “non standard” noise from under the bonnet.
I limped back to the pit lane and into the car park behind running on somewhere less than 8 cylinders. (I would guess I had more than 4 cylinders working but wasn’t sure).
After a little a little discussion with a few more knowledgeable than me, and undertaking a few simple diagnostics, the general consensus was that a head gasket had gone! The car was recovered back to Scole Engineering yesterday evening. (Didn’t admit to the AA that it had “gone wrong” whilst on the track
) I am now awaiting the news as to how much it’ll cost, and when I can get the car back on the road. All credit to “her indoors”. When I called her to let her know that I may be a little late home, her first question was “Have you bent it?”
“No” I said, “I think a head gasket has gone!”
“That’s not your fault” she said “That could happen to anyone!”
A very understanding lady.
Still top marks to the Mrs. 
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