Speed with Guy Martin - new series

[anonymous-user]

99hjhm said:

After 1000 hours of labour!

It doesnt take that long to rebuild a DFV.

They get rebuilt every 1000 miles, cost is £12-15k depending on the parts required during the rebuild.

A normal refresh involves replacing all the valves and valve springs, big end bolts, plus lots of small wear parts. The engine is stripped completely and the rotating parts are crack tested before re-use.

A complete new engine is about £120k.

[warch]

99hjhm said:

jsf said:

520BHP is what a good DFV will make

After 1000 hours of labour!

I too did a double take at that, that's basically working a normal working week for 6 months just to build one engine. Sounds like quite a leisurely build to me.

[anonymous-user]

warch said:

I too did a double take at that, that's basically working a normal working week for 6 months just to build one engine. Sounds like quite a leisurely build to me.

Ive had one turned round in under two weeks.

[CooperD]

Very enjoyable programme. I didn't know there was a Williams Heritage Museum until I watched the programme.

[aka_kerrly]

e30m3Mark said:

Really enjoyed last nights program and thought he did pretty well considering his lack of experience and dry running in the car. Driving something that light, with over 500 brake and no driver aids isn't easy to push on. I also thought JB was a thoroughly decent chap and good fun to boot.

Absolutely, I watched the show last night and found that Guy and Jenson genuinely seemed to be enjoying their involvement in the project.

I always admire Guy for having a very "man in a pub you could chat to for hours" persona combined with his appetite for information & drive to succeed whilst learning all lend themselves well to TV.

How do people feel about a comparison of Guy's 5 successful laps of Silverstone after minimal practice with RIchard Hammond's struggle to even pull away in a newer Renault F1 car only to spin half a dozen times before completing 1 lap of a far shorter circuit???

I believe the newer car represents a far higher technical challenge dealing with DBW/flappy padals/anti stall/launch control etc versus a clutch pedal and cable operated accelerator (no doubt setup with quite a long stroke) no traction control no intervention approach of the older car but once moving which do we think would be harder for a non f1 driver to handle?? I'd expect the older car to feel like far more of a handful requiring more regular adjustments where as the newer car would feel somewhat more stable an linear - any ideas?

[Blackpuddin]

So many of these F1 experience programmes have been killed by the weather. This was another of them. A real shame that Guy basically had no chance to sample the wonders of downforce.

[anonymous-user]

aka_kerrly said:

Absolutely, I watched the show last night and found that Guy and Jenson genuinely seemed to be enjoying their involvement in the project.

I always admire Guy for having a very "man in a pub you could chat to for hours" persona combined with his appetite for information & drive to succeed whilst learning all lend themselves well to TV.

How do people feel about a comparison of Guy's 5 successful laps of Silverstone after minimal practice with RIchard Hammond's struggle to even pull away in a newer Renault F1 car only to spin half a dozen times before completing 1 lap of a far shorter circuit???

I believe the newer car represents a far higher technical challenge dealing with DBW/flappy padals/anti stall/launch control etc versus a clutch pedal and cable operated accelerator (no doubt setup with quite a long stroke) no traction control no intervention approach of the older car but once moving which do we think would be harder for a non f1 driver to handle?? I'd expect the older car to feel like far more of a handful requiring more regular adjustments where as the newer car would feel somewhat more stable an linear - any ideas?

If the car is setup properly, its easy to drive at 95%. Its a different matter when pushing at the limit, but should all still be predictable and not too edgy. If you are fighting it then there is something wrong with you or the car.

[V8covin]

The DFV is an iconic engine for sure but are you aware Cosworth built an engine based on the V6 essex that put out 460bhp at 9000rpm in full race trim,not that far behind the F1 DFV.

[anonymous-user]

The DFV was a sucess because of its size, weight and structural stiffness so it could be used as a stressed member. The power output wasnt spectacular, but certainly adequate compared to the alternatives.

[LosingGrip]

aka_kerrly said:

How do people feel about a comparison of Guy's 5 successful laps of Silverstone after minimal practice with RIchard Hammond's struggle to even pull away in a newer Renault F1 car only to spin half a dozen times before completing 1 lap of a far shorter circuit???

I wonder how much of the Top Gear one was set up. I know GM understands how things work very quickly, and is used to driving/riding bloody fast on tracks (and roads!), but RH will also be alright at it.

[Jonesy23]

V8covin said:

The DFV is an iconic engine for sure but are you aware Cosworth built an engine based on the V6 essex that put out 460bhp at 9000rpm in full race trim,not that far behind the F1 DFV.

The GAA is a nice piece bit of kit but it's no DFV, it's too limited by the block. Very impressive as a conversion of the base engine though.

Edited by Jonesy23 on Wednesday 29th August 19:49

[skeeterm5]

What would be interesting is a return leg on vintage/classic MotoGP bikes. I am sure Honda could do that for them.

S

[V8covin]

[quote=Jonesy23]

The GAA is a nice piece bit of kit but it's no DFV, it's too limited by the block. Very impressive as a conversion of the base engine though.



Yes,quite astonishing when you consider the Essex started out with 128bhp.

[Some Guy]

I thought Guy was supposed to be rebuilding the car. I dont think he fitted more than 2 bolt and a gearbox cog.
Apart from that, pretty good.

[Halmyre]

aka_kerrly said:

Absolutely, I watched the show last night and found that Guy and Jenson genuinely seemed to be enjoying their involvement in the project.

I always admire Guy for having a very "man in a pub you could chat to for hours" persona combined with his appetite for information & drive to succeed whilst learning all lend themselves well to TV.

How do people feel about a comparison of Guy's 5 successful laps of Silverstone after minimal practice with RIchard Hammond's struggle to even pull away in a newer Renault F1 car only to spin half a dozen times before completing 1 lap of a far shorter circuit???

I believe the newer car represents a far higher technical challenge dealing with DBW/flappy padals/anti stall/launch control etc versus a clutch pedal and cable operated accelerator (no doubt setup with quite a long stroke) no traction control no intervention approach of the older car but once moving which do we think would be harder for a non f1 driver to handle?? I'd expect the older car to feel like far more of a handful requiring more regular adjustments where as the newer car would feel somewhat more stable an linear - any ideas?

I'd be happier in the older car, with controls I was familiar with - three pedals, gear lever, no driver aids. I'd probably stall it, burn out the clutch and round off all the gear teeth but at least I'd know the principles. I'm guessing I'd need a bit more familiarisation with the newer car's controls just to get it moving.

[Clockwork Cupcake]

Well, I'm only 5 mins in, and already the "epic" music and narration are irritating the st out of me.

[poing]

I caught up tonight and it wasn't what I expected. I thought they would put Jenson in a car and see how fast he goes then see how close they can get Guy.

I'm really impressed with Williams though, the heritage stuff is great and I'm glad they can find the time and money to keep it going. Even if they are struggling to score any points this season!

[Pericoloso]

skeeterm5 said:

What would be interesting is a return leg on vintage/classic MotoGP bikes. I am sure Honda could do that for them.

S

JB did say he'd be completely lost if put on a racing bike.

[e30m3Mark]

Pericoloso said:

skeeterm5 said:

What would be interesting is a return leg on vintage/classic MotoGP bikes. I am sure Honda could do that for them.

S

JB did say he'd be completely lost if put on a racing bike.

I doubt they'd get the insurance cover they need when making TV.

[coppice]

I must admit that the GA (as I know it ) sounds even nicer than a DFV , and I recall hearing it not only in Cologne Capris at Silverstone but also Alan Jones' March F5000 car with this engine in 3.4 spec in 1975. Last heard
one this week at Oulton Park - glorious racket .

It is worth remembering .that the DFV was designed in 66/67 , hence an older engine and originally developed 400bhp , but with very peaky 'lightswitch ' power delivery .