Novice racer starting out

[Oilchange]

"Trac Mon"


Well that's race meet No1 out the way, two races on my card to work towards binning my 'Biff' X.


Running a Lotus Esprit in the RAF MSA Race Challenge, did ok, needed to sort tyre pressures, fix a rattle and the chargecooler pump was having a fit til Geoff (Esprit Guru and all round good egg) cast a spell on it and hey presto, an extra 30% !


Took me 8 hours to get there and 7 to get back, less traffic on the way back. 55 average with a 2 tonne trailer and an asthmatic Landy. Anglesey is miles away, nice circuit, we did the coastal which was good fun.


Weather was Scorchio and the racing was tight. We run such a varied series that we end up in groups around the track, till the Caterfield types lap you ;-)


Scrutineering was a breeze, surprisingly, but the sound man recorded 108.8 db !!! 105 is the limit, must get my exhaust repacked. Funny as Geoff said I wasn't the noisiest on track by some margin...

The engine sounds bril though, lots of growling popping and crackles and foot long flames coming out the back. I have video, I will try to post it.


I was dicing with 'Razza' in a superfast 206 with a throttle bodied 2 litre up front, bloody nippy but I could get him on the back straight only for him to catch up in the tight bits. He was about 300kg lighter than me.


I think I brought something different to the show, certainly got some attention and a few nice comments and didn't disgrace myself. Went away with a huge grin which is what it's all about. Next stop Oulton in August.


All in all, an epic weekend!!!!

[snowen250]

Any pics? Always good to see an Esprit race!

The RAF series is great fun, a very varied field means i've never seen them have a dull race

Simon

[SimoN138]

great to hear you had such a positive run out at your first race - anglesey is a long way from anywhere but is very pretty in good weather and a great circuit (they do an all comers race there in november which can be a bit bleak!).

so, you've done first grid, first corner, and sounds like you had a great race. welcome to the 'hopelessly addicted to racing' club - your bank manager will not be pleased!

video would be great to see. hope you enjoy oulton as much.

si

[andy97]

Congratulations, glad you enjoyed it.

[AdamR172]

Sounds like you had fun - nice one for getting stuck in. Car looked awesome as well, I had a gander inside at the cage and a general nosey too.

Was hanging around the Mazda cars when you were loading up at the end of the day... trailer looked quite light on the nose! How did it handle on the way back?!

[indigorallye]

Car looked great, and the racing was good too. I was there with CNC Heads.

[Oilchange]

handled badly tbh, when I got back I wondered. The hook could have come down another rung and the car moved further forward.

AdamR172 said:

Sounds like you had fun - nice one for getting stuck in. Car looked awesome as well, I had a gander inside at the cage and a general nosey too.

Was hanging around the Mazda cars when you were loading up at the end of the day... trailer looked quite light on the nose! How did it handle on the way back?!

[roddo]

I was also at Anglesey with the mx5 guys, well done for getting stuck in!!!

All the best for the rest of the season.

Paul
Orange and green mx5

[NTEL]

Well done! this was the result of my first ever race at Anglesey in 2008!



I forgot to turn left at Rocket and ended up in the earth banking. Thought I would have a soft impact until I realised that the tyres were filled with Clay!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Two years later I won the Championship Keep going with your head down matey!!!!!

Edited by NTEL on Monday 22 July 22:42

[Oilchange]

Cheers for the support, I have to figure out the performance index thing we work to, I'll get the hang of it! Tbh, the first few races will be a chance to find my feet and show I won't embarrass myself.

[NTEL]

You wont embarrass yourself. After all, its you out there doing it. Everybody has their moments and I've had a few Just enjoy your sport and bugger what others may think.

We are back at Anglesey on the 3rd and 4th of August for the 5th, 6th and 7th rounds of the Tuscan Challenge. Although this circuit has always been my Nemesis I'm going balls out out to try and break it! Last time I was there in 2009 one of my rear wheels fell off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Oilchange]

it's a learning curve I suppose, although that's one thing I didn't check initially, or tyre pressures, had to drop them by 5psi all round.

[NTEL]

Oilchange said:

it's a learning curve I suppose, although that's one thing I didn't check initially, or tyre pressures, had to drop them by 5psi all round.

It was the near side hub nut that had come loose. Every time I turned right I spun off! after the third time when I realized it wasn't of my doing and pulled off. As I stopped on the grass the hub nut fell off closely followed by the the wheel!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh............and if you are ever interviewed for the telly, don't ever. ever, ever, ever use the phrase, "It's a leaning curve"..............They will take the piss for ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Oilchange]

'Occupational hazard' better?

[NTEL]

Oilchange said:

'Occupational hazard' better?

No, just blame it on your technician......even if you don't have one

[indigorallye]

Are you going to do the round at Oulton, with the 100km relay race?

[Oilchange]

I aim to, yes

[Oilchange]

Here's a few pics.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/b6b1m98enhyn271/CNgfV7i...

and another vid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8y_Pi0XMOcg

Edited by Oilchange on Saturday 27th July 17:58

[charliemorgan]

I was also racing at Anglesey in the SaxMax championship that weekend! Beautiful weather although it was a little inside the cars!

Glad to hear you enjoyed it because I know I did. Got my 2 best results over the weekend. Anglesey is such an awsome circuit!

Goodluck for the rest of the season

Charlie Morgan

[Oilchange]

Thanks mate!