Flemke - Is this your McLaren? (Vol 5)
Discussion
Flemke - With spring coming but time at a premium for you, I wondered if you have any trips planned in your cars.
If so, which cars, where, will you tailor the car to the trip in order to gain maximum enjoyment?
Another question which I am sure has been answered, but I am curious as to your daily driver, what you drive and why you chose it?
I often wonder whether, with a garage full of exotica, I would want a simple car to fulfill the daily duties and if it would offer a welcome care free driving experience more so than someone who was "forced" to own one due to circumstance, whether family, financial or otherwise.
Wow, that question was longer than I expected... hope it make sense.
If so, which cars, where, will you tailor the car to the trip in order to gain maximum enjoyment?
Another question which I am sure has been answered, but I am curious as to your daily driver, what you drive and why you chose it?
I often wonder whether, with a garage full of exotica, I would want a simple car to fulfill the daily duties and if it would offer a welcome care free driving experience more so than someone who was "forced" to own one due to circumstance, whether family, financial or otherwise.
Wow, that question was longer than I expected... hope it make sense.
Ref the F1 GTR, I watched this interview with Peter Stevens:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MklQ5m9zig
A few points struck me. Firstly, I didn't realise he'd left McLaren by then and was working with David Price Racing where they made their own modifications to the car, such as a shorter windscreen to enable the car to sit lower.
Secondly, he refers to Gordon as the 'engineer' on the project. I would have thought that's a little under valuing his work.
Thirdly, he states, '...a small technical element to the customer cars where they were all encouraged to take a new tiny piece of engineering which didn't work properly. The car that won, which was another McLaren F1, didn't have the new piece and ran faultlessly on account of that, so we did all feel a little disappointed, but, the result of this technical problem was that for the last 4 hours of this race Andy Wallace had to drive it without a clutch..."
I thought, and can't recall where I got this, that Lanzante were just applying WD40 to overcome the same issue as the customer cars.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MklQ5m9zig
A few points struck me. Firstly, I didn't realise he'd left McLaren by then and was working with David Price Racing where they made their own modifications to the car, such as a shorter windscreen to enable the car to sit lower.
Secondly, he refers to Gordon as the 'engineer' on the project. I would have thought that's a little under valuing his work.
Thirdly, he states, '...a small technical element to the customer cars where they were all encouraged to take a new tiny piece of engineering which didn't work properly. The car that won, which was another McLaren F1, didn't have the new piece and ran faultlessly on account of that, so we did all feel a little disappointed, but, the result of this technical problem was that for the last 4 hours of this race Andy Wallace had to drive it without a clutch..."
I thought, and can't recall where I got this, that Lanzante were just applying WD40 to overcome the same issue as the customer cars.
douglas111 said:
Ref the F1 GTR, I watched this interview with Peter Stevens:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MklQ5m9zig
A few points struck me. Firstly, I didn't realise he'd left McLaren by then and was working with David Price Racing where they made their own modifications to the car, such as a shorter windscreen to enable the car to sit lower.
Secondly, he refers to Gordon as the 'engineer' on the project. I would have thought that's a little under valuing his work.
Thirdly, he states, '...a small technical element to the customer cars where they were all encouraged to take a new tiny piece of engineering which didn't work properly. The car that won, which was another McLaren F1, didn't have the new piece and ran faultlessly on account of that, so we did all feel a little disappointed, but, the result of this technical problem was that for the last 4 hours of this race Andy Wallace had to drive it without a clutch..."
I thought, and can't recall where I got this, that Lanzante were just applying WD40 to overcome the same issue as the customer cars.
I think this where Peleton or Hurst let us know the windscreen differences. Its never occurred to me that the screen encroached on the wheel arch.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MklQ5m9zig
A few points struck me. Firstly, I didn't realise he'd left McLaren by then and was working with David Price Racing where they made their own modifications to the car, such as a shorter windscreen to enable the car to sit lower.
Secondly, he refers to Gordon as the 'engineer' on the project. I would have thought that's a little under valuing his work.
Thirdly, he states, '...a small technical element to the customer cars where they were all encouraged to take a new tiny piece of engineering which didn't work properly. The car that won, which was another McLaren F1, didn't have the new piece and ran faultlessly on account of that, so we did all feel a little disappointed, but, the result of this technical problem was that for the last 4 hours of this race Andy Wallace had to drive it without a clutch..."
I thought, and can't recall where I got this, that Lanzante were just applying WD40 to overcome the same issue as the customer cars.
I think it was Evo magazine regarding the (IIRC) clutch linkage sticking
Swampy1982 said:
I often wonder whether, with a garage full of exotica, I would want a simple car to fulfill the daily duties and if it would offer a welcome care free driving experience more so than someone who was "forced" to own one due to circumstance, whether family, financial or otherwise.
I can't answer for Flemke but in my much simpler/less exotic case each car I own has it's elements I like/enjoy. Also, a degree of practicality has to enter the ring. Part of the enjoyment of a car is that it does the task asked of it with no fuss or drawbacks.There will be occasions when part of the requirement is anonymity as well as practicality. An Audi A2 fits the bill well.
Mine is a Discovery as I need the 4x4 ability and the towing capacity. But it is comfortable, quiet and capacious. It is also not too precious to fill with wet Labradors, rusty steel, oil drums or anything I need to transport.
Storer said:
Swampy1982 said:
I often wonder whether, with a garage full of exotica, I would want a simple car to fulfill the daily duties and if it would offer a welcome care free driving experience more so than someone who was "forced" to own one due to circumstance, whether family, financial or otherwise.
I can't answer for Flemke but in my much simpler/less exotic case each car I own has it's elements I like/enjoy. Also, a degree of practicality has to enter the ring. Part of the enjoyment of a car is that it does the task asked of it with no fuss or drawbacks.There will be occasions when part of the requirement is anonymity as well as practicality. An Audi A2 fits the bill well.
Mine is a Discovery as I need the 4x4 ability and the towing capacity. But it is comfortable, quiet and capacious. It is also not too precious to fill with wet Labradors, rusty steel, oil drums or anything I need to transport.
I imagine that Flemke or Andy (Lark) or GSM or whoever, do occasionally need to take unwanted crap to the local recycling centre. Maybe they just hire a Van for the weekend.
Always said that I'm not a collecting person. So who needs a garage full of exotics? 2 car garage (A Hypercar & Fast German something) and a motorbike will do me fine.
Rich_W said:
douglas111 said:
Thirdly, he states, '...a small technical element to the customer cars where they were all encouraged to take a new tiny piece of engineering which didn't work properly. The car that won, which was another McLaren F1, didn't have the new piece and ran faultlessly on account of that, so we did all feel a little disappointed, but, the result of this technical problem was that for the last 4 hours of this race Andy Wallace had to drive it without a clutch..."
I thought, and can't recall where I got this, that Lanzante were just applying WD40 to overcome the same issue as the customer cars.
I think it was Evo magazine regarding the (IIRC) clutch linkage stickingI thought, and can't recall where I got this, that Lanzante were just applying WD40 to overcome the same issue as the customer cars.
"'At the next stop we checked everything, but couldn’t see an obvious problem. Then I remembered the linkage mechanism was exposed in the transverse ’box’s casing. Although they were partially shielded by a panel and a liberal coating of silicone grease, the rain and grit was being blasted at the linkages, forming a very effective grinding paste and gumming the whole thing up.
THE GEARBOX WAS SWEETER AT THE END OF THE RACE THAN IT WAS AT THE BEGINNING!'I can remember thinking ‘we’ve got to do something about this’, and decided to pump as much WD40 as possible into the area where the rainwater and grit was collecting. We did it every stop from then on. Not only did we not encounter any more selection issues, but the gearbox was sweeter at the end of the race than it was at the beginning!' "
Page 2 of the following article:
http://www.evo.co.uk/mclaren/11169/mclaren-f1-at-t...
flemke said:
I am waiting to hear back from my friend who is helping me to arrange it. The choke point is that the refresh program is available only through Honda dealers based in Japan.
I have a contact in Japan who may be able to help, should you get stuck - no promises, as I haven't approached him about this.Storer said:
Swampy1982 said:
I often wonder whether, with a garage full of exotica, I would want a simple car to fulfill the daily duties and if it would offer a welcome care free driving experience more so than someone who was "forced" to own one due to circumstance, whether family, financial or otherwise.
I can't answer for Flemke but in my much simpler/less exotic case each car I own has it's elements I like/enjoy. Also, a degree of practicality has to enter the ring. Part of the enjoyment of a car is that it does the task asked of it with no fuss or drawbacks.There will be occasions when part of the requirement is anonymity as well as practicality. An Audi A2 fits the bill well.
Mine is a Discovery as I need the 4x4 ability and the towing capacity. But it is comfortable, quiet and capacious. It is also not too precious to fill with wet Labradors, rusty steel, oil drums or anything I need to transport.
To that ends, you have gone some way to answering, with your "horses for courses" approach.
vincegail said:
Rich_W said:
douglas111 said:
Thirdly, he states, '...a small technical element to the customer cars where they were all encouraged to take a new tiny piece of engineering which didn't work properly. The car that won, which was another McLaren F1, didn't have the new piece and ran faultlessly on account of that, so we did all feel a little disappointed, but, the result of this technical problem was that for the last 4 hours of this race Andy Wallace had to drive it without a clutch..."
I thought, and can't recall where I got this, that Lanzante were just applying WD40 to overcome the same issue as the customer cars.
I think it was Evo magazine regarding the (IIRC) clutch linkage stickingI thought, and can't recall where I got this, that Lanzante were just applying WD40 to overcome the same issue as the customer cars.
"'At the next stop we checked everything, but couldn’t see an obvious problem. Then I remembered the linkage mechanism was exposed in the transverse ’box’s casing. Although they were partially shielded by a panel and a liberal coating of silicone grease, the rain and grit was being blasted at the linkages, forming a very effective grinding paste and gumming the whole thing up.
THE GEARBOX WAS SWEETER AT THE END OF THE RACE THAN IT WAS AT THE BEGINNING!'I can remember thinking ‘we’ve got to do something about this’, and decided to pump as much WD40 as possible into the area where the rainwater and grit was collecting. We did it every stop from then on. Not only did we not encounter any more selection issues, but the gearbox was sweeter at the end of the race than it was at the beginning!' "
Page 2 of the following article:
http://www.evo.co.uk/mclaren/11169/mclaren-f1-at-t...
In the 20 year celebration video, Paul L doesn't mention the engine swap at all. Instead, he says that the trip to the runway the night before was to check the cross-over lights on the front bonnet. I suppose it could have been for both reasons but it's a bit odd.
Edited by douglas111 on Wednesday 15th February 09:37
douglas111 said:
Secondly, he refers to Gordon as the 'engineer' on the project. I would have thought that's a little under valuing his work.
I think this is more that the title of Engineer is a little under valued, in this country especially - Engineering is exactly what Gordon Murray does. " Engineers design materials, structures, and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality, regulation, safety, and cost. The word engineer (from the Latin ingeniator) is derived from the Latin words ingeniare ("to contrive, devise") and ingenium ("cleverness")...
...In the UK, "engineering" was more recently perceived as an industry sector consisting of employers and employees loosely termed "engineers" who included the semi-skilled trades. However, the 21st-century view, especially amongst the more educated members of society, is to reserve the term Engineer to describe a university-educated practitioner of ingenuity represented by the Chartered (or Incorporated) Engineer. However, a large proportion of the UK public still sees Engineers as semi-skilled tradespeople with a high school education."
Edited by Silver Smudger on Wednesday 15th February 09:51
Silver Smudger said:
douglas111 said:
Secondly, he refers to Gordon as the 'engineer' on the project. I would have thought that's a little under valuing his work.
I think this is more that the title of Engineer is a little under valued, in this country especially - Engineering is exactly what Gordon Murray does. Silver Smudger said:
I think this is more that the title of Engineer is a little under valued, in this country especially - Engineering is exactly what Gordon Murray does.
" Engineers design materials, structures, and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality, regulation, safety, and cost. The word engineer (from the Latin ingeniator) is derived from the Latin words ingeniare ("to contrive, devise") and ingenium ("cleverness")...
...In the UK, "engineering" was more recently perceived as an industry sector consisting of employers and employees loosely termed "engineers" who included the semi-skilled trades. However, the 21st-century view, especially amongst the more educated members of society, is to reserve the term Engineer to describe a university-educated practitioner of ingenuity represented by the Chartered (or Incorporated) Engineer. However, a large proportion of the UK public still sees Engineers as semi-skilled tradespeople with a high school education."
Yep. Frustrates me immensely. Additionally, those who insist on calling them selves "water pipe engineers" devalue themselves; not all engineers could fix a boiler (without due training)." Engineers design materials, structures, and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality, regulation, safety, and cost. The word engineer (from the Latin ingeniator) is derived from the Latin words ingeniare ("to contrive, devise") and ingenium ("cleverness")...
...In the UK, "engineering" was more recently perceived as an industry sector consisting of employers and employees loosely termed "engineers" who included the semi-skilled trades. However, the 21st-century view, especially amongst the more educated members of society, is to reserve the term Engineer to describe a university-educated practitioner of ingenuity represented by the Chartered (or Incorporated) Engineer. However, a large proportion of the UK public still sees Engineers as semi-skilled tradespeople with a high school education."
Edited by Silver Smudger on Wednesday 15th February 09:51
Swampy1982 said:
Flemke - With spring coming but time at a premium for you, I wondered if you have any trips planned in your cars.
If so, which cars, where, will you tailor the car to the trip in order to gain maximum enjoyment?
Another question which I am sure has been answered, but I am curious as to your daily driver, what you drive and why you chose it?
I often wonder whether, with a garage full of exotica, I would want a simple car to fulfill the daily duties and if it would offer a welcome care free driving experience more so than someone who was "forced" to own one due to circumstance, whether family, financial or otherwise.
Wow, that question was longer than I expected... hope it make sense.
No particular driving enjoyment trips planned. If I'm lucky, I'll be able to find a few days when I could go to Germany or Scotland and drive around in circles. I will be doing some extended driving in the western US, but that will be different.If so, which cars, where, will you tailor the car to the trip in order to gain maximum enjoyment?
Another question which I am sure has been answered, but I am curious as to your daily driver, what you drive and why you chose it?
I often wonder whether, with a garage full of exotica, I would want a simple car to fulfill the daily duties and if it would offer a welcome care free driving experience more so than someone who was "forced" to own one due to circumstance, whether family, financial or otherwise.
Wow, that question was longer than I expected... hope it make sense.
My daily driver is an old A2, which is perfect for London. Small, easy to manoeuvre and to fit through narrow gaps, yet it holds 4/5 people and has enough carrying capacity for almost everything that I need to move around.
dobly said:
flemke said:
I am waiting to hear back from my friend who is helping me to arrange it. The choke point is that the refresh program is available only through Honda dealers based in Japan.
I have a contact in Japan who may be able to help, should you get stuck - no promises, as I haven't approached him about this.McAndy said:
Silver Smudger said:
I think this is more that the title of Engineer is a little under valued, in this country especially - Engineering is exactly what Gordon Murray does.
" Engineers design materials, structures, and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality, regulation, safety, and cost. The word engineer (from the Latin ingeniator) is derived from the Latin words ingeniare ("to contrive, devise") and ingenium ("cleverness")...
...In the UK, "engineering" was more recently perceived as an industry sector consisting of employers and employees loosely termed "engineers" who included the semi-skilled trades. However, the 21st-century view, especially amongst the more educated members of society, is to reserve the term Engineer to describe a university-educated practitioner of ingenuity represented by the Chartered (or Incorporated) Engineer. However, a large proportion of the UK public still sees Engineers as semi-skilled tradespeople with a high school education."
Yep. Frustrates me immensely. Additionally, those who insist on calling them selves "water pipe engineers" devalue themselves; not all engineers could fix a boiler (without due training)." Engineers design materials, structures, and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality, regulation, safety, and cost. The word engineer (from the Latin ingeniator) is derived from the Latin words ingeniare ("to contrive, devise") and ingenium ("cleverness")...
...In the UK, "engineering" was more recently perceived as an industry sector consisting of employers and employees loosely termed "engineers" who included the semi-skilled trades. However, the 21st-century view, especially amongst the more educated members of society, is to reserve the term Engineer to describe a university-educated practitioner of ingenuity represented by the Chartered (or Incorporated) Engineer. However, a large proportion of the UK public still sees Engineers as semi-skilled tradespeople with a high school education."
dom9 said:
flemke said:
That is a fair point, Equally, one suspects, not all water pipe engineers could design a Formula One car.
But some could (or go the other way) Anyone who calls them selves a "coffee machine engineer" etc can ps off though. Thats a jumped up job title for someone who isnt an engineer. The way the UK has let the term engineer be used by anyone these days is a joke.
Rich_W said:
Always said that I'm not a collecting person. So who needs a garage full of exotics? 2 car garage (A Hypercar & Fast German something) and a motorbike will do me fine.
You're missing a track car, 4 seater supercar and a race car. And that's just for starters. Big gaps in motoring experiences with just a hypercar and daily hack. Though granted, they're not necessarily exotics, just vehicles. Still, two cars and a bike doesn't cut it. Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff