Fiat Twin-Cam Powered Westfield
Discussion
BenWRXSEi said:
Tried to ping you a mail but it's not working - just a heads up, the entry list for Croft closes in a couple of days 
ETA: Just to keep the thread on track, here's a picture of the tonneau that I finally got round to fitting. Should keep the worst of the weather out while towing...
Hmm, email should be working? - I'll drop you a PM. I emailed Javelin about it this evening. I spoke to the garage doing my car and they are sure it will be ready this week, so I'll book on over the next couple of days. I'm slightly worried about the noise limits though so I bought a DB meter to test the car. Hugely looking forward to it - nobody else is confirmed for my class though ETA: Just to keep the thread on track, here's a picture of the tonneau that I finally got round to fitting. Should keep the worst of the weather out while towing...
Edited by BenWRXSEi on Monday 10th August 10:19
Hmm, not received anything. Must be another result of the 'upgrade.'
No worries - the guys at Javelin are more than reasonable - just wanted to make sure you didn't miss the boat. Don't worry too much about the class structure - last time I did it I was in the same class as a 270bhp Duratec V6 westfield who was 6 seconds faster, and a K- series Caterham who was a couple of seconds slower. For me the thrill was very much about beating my own time, and looking at others in different classes who were of a similar level. I ended up having a lot of fun with a couple of rally-prepped mk1 and mk2 Escorts
Looking at the entry list a lot of the guys in C1 are seriously quick, so there'll be plenty of competition. Have a look at the overall results from last round and you'll see what I mean:
http://www.javelintrackdays.co.uk/trackday/images/...
I'm hoping my soft-compound R888s will give me a couple of seconds this time around
No worries - the guys at Javelin are more than reasonable - just wanted to make sure you didn't miss the boat. Don't worry too much about the class structure - last time I did it I was in the same class as a 270bhp Duratec V6 westfield who was 6 seconds faster, and a K- series Caterham who was a couple of seconds slower. For me the thrill was very much about beating my own time, and looking at others in different classes who were of a similar level. I ended up having a lot of fun with a couple of rally-prepped mk1 and mk2 Escorts
Looking at the entry list a lot of the guys in C1 are seriously quick, so there'll be plenty of competition. Have a look at the overall results from last round and you'll see what I mean:
http://www.javelintrackdays.co.uk/trackday/images/...
I'm hoping my soft-compound R888s will give me a couple of seconds this time around
Looks like I might be scuppered by the noise limit. The engine is now working but it's bloody loud! I've bought a db meter and will test it on Friday, if it's over then I might do it in my Panamera just for fun. I spoke to javelin and they are letting me postpone entry until Friday...
I did send you a pm, wonder why it's not been delivered?
I did send you a pm, wonder why it's not been delivered?
Good to hear it's running again!
I can understand the noise concerns, IIRC Croft is the one venue that can be a bit noise sensitive. The westy measured 96db static at Woodbridge so hopefully will be OK here...!
I'll keep an eye out either way - whichever car you turn up in should be fairly obvious
ETA: No idea about the PMs. Facility seems to be borked.
I can understand the noise concerns, IIRC Croft is the one venue that can be a bit noise sensitive. The westy measured 96db static at Woodbridge so hopefully will be OK here...!
I'll keep an eye out either way - whichever car you turn up in should be fairly obvious
ETA: No idea about the PMs. Facility seems to be borked.
BenWRXSEi said:
Good to hear it's running again!
I can understand the noise concerns, IIRC Croft is the one venue that can be a bit noise sensitive. The westy measured 96db static at Woodbridge so hopefully will be OK here...!
I'll keep an eye out either way - whichever car you turn up in should be fairly obvious
ETA: No idea about the PMs. Facility seems to be borked.
I'm booked on tomorrow but won't be doing in the kit car unfortunately. If we'd had one more day it would have been ready, but I doubt it would have got through the noise test. I'll probably bring it to Cadwell on the 30th. I can understand the noise concerns, IIRC Croft is the one venue that can be a bit noise sensitive. The westy measured 96db static at Woodbridge so hopefully will be OK here...!
I'll keep an eye out either way - whichever car you turn up in should be fairly obvious
ETA: No idea about the PMs. Facility seems to be borked.
I'll see you there - my car doesn't exactly fit the bill of a sprint car, and will be heavy in the corners but should be fun anyway! My friend is bringing his Focus ST and its just me and him in the same group - D1.
BenWRXSEi said:
Ah shame, but no point rushing things for one event. Porsche will be great to watch either way!
I almost didn't make it after tow car problems, but am finally tucking into a plate of potato skins and a pint a few miles away. See you tomorrow
Good to meet you yesterday. Your car was sounding great down the main straight! I almost didn't make it after tow car problems, but am finally tucking into a plate of potato skins and a pint a few miles away. See you tomorrow
Felt a bit like I'd brought a knife to a gunfight at the beginning with all the stripped out track car, spoilers, stickers and rollcages, but the big barge did OK in the end. Really enjoyed the format so will be trying to get the the remaining events in the kit car. Did you say that you wouldn't be at the Cadwell day on the 30th? If not then see you at Blyton
ol said:
Good to meet you yesterday. Your car was sounding great down the main straight!
Felt a bit like I'd brought a knife to a gunfight at the beginning with all the stripped out track car, spoilers, stickers and rollcages, but the big barge did OK in the end. Really enjoyed the format so will be trying to get the the remaining events in the kit car. Did you say that you wouldn't be at the Cadwell day on the 30th? If not then see you at Blyton
Cheers - good to meet you too! It may be a big old barge but given the machinery you beat in a 'standard road car' you did bloody well. It sounded good too Felt a bit like I'd brought a knife to a gunfight at the beginning with all the stripped out track car, spoilers, stickers and rollcages, but the big barge did OK in the end. Really enjoyed the format so will be trying to get the the remaining events in the kit car. Did you say that you wouldn't be at the Cadwell day on the 30th? If not then see you at Blyton
The format usually goes a bit smoother - I think the number of cars and the bloody 'noise bucket' cut the track time down. You'll almost certainly get all 8 runs at Blyton.
Had a really good day with only a couple of minor complications which I'll try and iron out before Blyton (nope, sorry win't be at Cadwell). I've also got a few hundred pics to sort through taken by a friend with my camera - there's probably a few of yours on there if you don't mind me posting up?
BenWRXSEi said:
ol said:
Good to meet you yesterday. Your car was sounding great down the main straight!
Felt a bit like I'd brought a knife to a gunfight at the beginning with all the stripped out track car, spoilers, stickers and rollcages, but the big barge did OK in the end. Really enjoyed the format so will be trying to get the the remaining events in the kit car. Did you say that you wouldn't be at the Cadwell day on the 30th? If not then see you at Blyton
Cheers - good to meet you too! It may be a big old barge but given the machinery you beat in a 'standard road car' you did bloody well. It sounded good too Felt a bit like I'd brought a knife to a gunfight at the beginning with all the stripped out track car, spoilers, stickers and rollcages, but the big barge did OK in the end. Really enjoyed the format so will be trying to get the the remaining events in the kit car. Did you say that you wouldn't be at the Cadwell day on the 30th? If not then see you at Blyton
The format usually goes a bit smoother - I think the number of cars and the bloody 'noise bucket' cut the track time down. You'll almost certainly get all 8 runs at Blyton.
Had a really good day with only a couple of minor complications which I'll try and iron out before Blyton (nope, sorry win't be at Cadwell). I've also got a few hundred pics to sort through taken by a friend with my camera - there's probably a few of yours on there if you don't mind me posting up?
Well, managed to get a few pics sorted from the weekend at Croft. This was my second sprint and, again, on a track I'd never driven. Croft certainly takes some balls to drive fast!
The sheer volume of cars meant I only got 6 timed runs, which meant less time to get to know the track. My first three were still feeling my way around a bit, and then on the lunch break I did a bit of homework (known as 'frantically watching youtube videos from last year to learn the track better!). My best run was straight after lunch - a 1:44.02 (after a first run of 1:51.44) which I was pretty happy with. I even knew where I could make up more time, but alas it was not to be. I got a really good start on my last run and then locked up into Tower Bend, resulting in a fairly spectacular spin.
I ended the day third in class, behind the same 3.0 V6 Westfield who beat me at Woodbridge and a Chevy V8-powered Ultima. I'm not too sad about that given that I have at least 100bhp less than either of them, and with my new sticky R888s I was only 3.2 seconds off the pace (as opposed to ~6 seconds last time around).
Only one slight issue to sort before the next round - apparently it was throwing fuel out on fast right handers. Probably something worth fixing....
Anyway, a couple of pics of the day:
Next round, Blyton. I'm looking forward to that a lot - not only is it a shorter, twistier circuit which should negate my comparative lack of power a tad, but I've driven it a handful of times before. Fingers crossed
The sheer volume of cars meant I only got 6 timed runs, which meant less time to get to know the track. My first three were still feeling my way around a bit, and then on the lunch break I did a bit of homework (known as 'frantically watching youtube videos from last year to learn the track better!). My best run was straight after lunch - a 1:44.02 (after a first run of 1:51.44) which I was pretty happy with. I even knew where I could make up more time, but alas it was not to be. I got a really good start on my last run and then locked up into Tower Bend, resulting in a fairly spectacular spin.
I ended the day third in class, behind the same 3.0 V6 Westfield who beat me at Woodbridge and a Chevy V8-powered Ultima. I'm not too sad about that given that I have at least 100bhp less than either of them, and with my new sticky R888s I was only 3.2 seconds off the pace (as opposed to ~6 seconds last time around).
Only one slight issue to sort before the next round - apparently it was throwing fuel out on fast right handers. Probably something worth fixing....
Anyway, a couple of pics of the day:
Next round, Blyton. I'm looking forward to that a lot - not only is it a shorter, twistier circuit which should negate my comparative lack of power a tad, but I've driven it a handful of times before. Fingers crossed
Nice pics - the 'official' photos are up and there are quite a few of your car here - http://sprintseries.dansteeples.co.uk/sprint-serie...
Thanks. More pics here (and these ones are free!):
https://www.flickr.com/photos/h3pat1c/albums/72157...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/h3pat1c/albums/72157...
A few people were asking what it sounds like. Given the on-board footage sounds a bit pony, I managed to get hold of a short drive-by filmed by a friend of mine to give you an idea
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeluAt2iCwg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeluAt2iCwg
Pretty well, as it happens!
Despite the weather looking like this when we turned up:
...and a resulting hour delay in the start, we still got a practice run and all eight timed runs in. I was pretty nervous sizing up my competition - three Caterhams and a 360bhp Supercharged Westfield, and my first few runs had me firmly down in fourth. Fortunately I had a stonking couple of runs after lunch (despite a very hairy void lap!) and managed to bag second in my class, fifth fastest overall and my first piece of silverware
Will you be at Cadwell, do you think?
Despite the weather looking like this when we turned up:
...and a resulting hour delay in the start, we still got a practice run and all eight timed runs in. I was pretty nervous sizing up my competition - three Caterhams and a 360bhp Supercharged Westfield, and my first few runs had me firmly down in fourth. Fortunately I had a stonking couple of runs after lunch (despite a very hairy void lap!) and managed to bag second in my class, fifth fastest overall and my first piece of silverware
Will you be at Cadwell, do you think?
Great, congratulations! That's a good result.
Would like to be at Cadwell - I'm picking the car up on Thursday and doing Anglesey Friday, but it might have to go back to get finished off afterwards so it all depends how it behaves. Would definitely like to be there but I guess it's going to book up fast. Are you booked on?
Would like to be at Cadwell - I'm picking the car up on Thursday and doing Anglesey Friday, but it might have to go back to get finished off afterwards so it all depends how it behaves. Would definitely like to be there but I guess it's going to book up fast. Are you booked on?
Edited by ol on Tuesday 29th September 08:07
Thanks 
I'll never be up there with the big-power cars but there was some fantastic competition for second place. Still can't believe there was only twelve hundredths between second and fourth!
I'll never be up there with the big-power cars but there was some fantastic competition for second place. Still can't believe there was only twelve hundredths between second and fourth!
ol said:
Are you booked on?
Yep, booked on today. There's still plenty of spaces, but at some point it'll be opened up to the general public so worth booking on before then if you can.The last Javelin sprint of the year is coming up on Saturday at Cadwell Park. The westy hasn't had a huge amount of use since the last round at Blyton - a combination of crappy weather and busy life dictated that. I did manage to get a decent run down to my parents' place in Surrey a couple of weeks back though (partly due to necessity - the OH had taken my Subaru for the weekend and omitted to leave me the only key she has for her 996...).
Fortunately the weather was kind and I managed to have a pleasant drive down there, although the track-oriented setup isn't particularly relaxing on the pot-holed Surrey back roads. Caught up with the old man though, and this lovely old thing he's currently looking after:
Unfortunately the drive back was slightly less smooth, and it quickly became clear that I was getting a blow from the exhaust manifold. Manifold gaskets are pretty much a service item on this due to the fairly crude craftsmanship used in the construction of the exhaust system, so without really investigating I whipped the manifold off, changed the gasket, and... the blow was still there.
Damn.
This was on Sunday evening, and on Monday evening I was due to travel up to Stoke for the week. I managed to throw in a cheeky half-day on Monday with the intention of changing the gasket again, but when Monday came a bit more investigation revealed:
Cue a brief 'where the hell am I going to find a welder on a Monday afternoon?!' panic, before I gave the chaps at Haynes Car Care in Wallingford a call. They did most of my servicing when I lived round the corner so are fairly used to me turning up with weird and wonderful cars at short notice, but Mark really excelled himself. 20 minutes after phoning (and after a very foggy drive down) he'd got the welder out and patched it up for me.
Hooray!
Past experience with cracking exhausts suggests that lightning will probably strike twice, but if it can get me through this weekend I'll be happy. I'll look at a more long-term repair/replacement this winter.
Oh, did I mention the weather forecast looks wet for Cadwell tomorrow? My tyre choices are either Federal 595RSRs or Toyo R888s. This should be interesting
Fortunately the weather was kind and I managed to have a pleasant drive down there, although the track-oriented setup isn't particularly relaxing on the pot-holed Surrey back roads. Caught up with the old man though, and this lovely old thing he's currently looking after:
Unfortunately the drive back was slightly less smooth, and it quickly became clear that I was getting a blow from the exhaust manifold. Manifold gaskets are pretty much a service item on this due to the fairly crude craftsmanship used in the construction of the exhaust system, so without really investigating I whipped the manifold off, changed the gasket, and... the blow was still there.
Damn.
This was on Sunday evening, and on Monday evening I was due to travel up to Stoke for the week. I managed to throw in a cheeky half-day on Monday with the intention of changing the gasket again, but when Monday came a bit more investigation revealed:
Cue a brief 'where the hell am I going to find a welder on a Monday afternoon?!' panic, before I gave the chaps at Haynes Car Care in Wallingford a call. They did most of my servicing when I lived round the corner so are fairly used to me turning up with weird and wonderful cars at short notice, but Mark really excelled himself. 20 minutes after phoning (and after a very foggy drive down) he'd got the welder out and patched it up for me.
Hooray!
Past experience with cracking exhausts suggests that lightning will probably strike twice, but if it can get me through this weekend I'll be happy. I'll look at a more long-term repair/replacement this winter.
Oh, did I mention the weather forecast looks wet for Cadwell tomorrow? My tyre choices are either Federal 595RSRs or Toyo R888s. This should be interesting
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