Topcats – Top Class @ Silverstone
Discussion
I would just like to congratulate all of the Topcats team on a top class performance at the Silverstone 24 Hour race this weekend. This was the first time that they had attempted a 24-hour race (the previous longest race being 9 hours), so this race was well into new territory for all involved. What a result though, both cars home (which is a massive achievement in it’s self) with the number 43 first in class and 7th overall, and the number 42 car 4th in class and 20th overall.
As a reflection for the mechanical excellence/genius behind the team, it is worth pointing out that the only mechanical failure in the whole race was a rear hub on one of the cars, and a headlight pod falling off. Everything else in terms of damage or repair work was caused by incidents on track, not mechanical failure.
The incident that they had to repair the most though was early on Sunday morning when the 42 car lost its bonnet, damaged the front suspension, wheel, and brake callipers. Various tools (including a crowbar) were used in the repair, and it wasn’t long before the car was back on the racetrack. The most startling thing for me though was Brian their chief mechanic doing the wheel alignment and setup by eye… almost perfectly (proved by the state of the wheels on later pit stops). The only issue being that the steering wheel was not quite straight. (To me at least, if this is what they can do under the pressure of race conditions, it explains why they are so good at servicing road cars).
If you looked up and down the pit lane in terms of the other teams there, and the significantly higher budgets they obviously had, it is proof indeed, that money cannot buy you everything! The right team, skills and experiences are far more likely to get you a result.
Well done once again to all involved, and thank you for lettings us be a part of it.
As a reflection for the mechanical excellence/genius behind the team, it is worth pointing out that the only mechanical failure in the whole race was a rear hub on one of the cars, and a headlight pod falling off. Everything else in terms of damage or repair work was caused by incidents on track, not mechanical failure.
The incident that they had to repair the most though was early on Sunday morning when the 42 car lost its bonnet, damaged the front suspension, wheel, and brake callipers. Various tools (including a crowbar) were used in the repair, and it wasn’t long before the car was back on the racetrack. The most startling thing for me though was Brian their chief mechanic doing the wheel alignment and setup by eye… almost perfectly (proved by the state of the wheels on later pit stops). The only issue being that the steering wheel was not quite straight. (To me at least, if this is what they can do under the pressure of race conditions, it explains why they are so good at servicing road cars).
If you looked up and down the pit lane in terms of the other teams there, and the significantly higher budgets they obviously had, it is proof indeed, that money cannot buy you everything! The right team, skills and experiences are far more likely to get you a result.
Well done once again to all involved, and thank you for lettings us be a part of it.
kdh said:
If you looked up and down the pit lane in terms of the other teams there, and the significantly higher budgets they obviously had, it is proof indeed, that money cannot buy you everything! The right team, skills and experiences are far more likely to get you a result.
Yeah if ever you needed proof that Endurance racing is a team event, and without the right team members you may as well stay at home, all you needed to do was look at the effort all the teams put in up and down the pit lane. If you could bottle that enthusisism you could make a fortune.
G
Well done to all the Topcats team for a great result for their first attempt at a 24hr race. 1st & 4th in class, 7th & 20th overall....
superb!!
What a stonking weekend. Great Team effort by everybody
The thing I can't get over is how the WHOLE team so naturally pulled together and how everyone knew exactly what to do almost immediately something cropped up.
Apologies to Paul for spilling a little bit of fuel over you... ok 2 litres of fuel, I’m never going to live that one down, the look on Warren's face was a picture when he saw me wasting fuel over you.
I must also pay huge respect to the fantastic ladies for cooking at god knows what time of day and night to keep us all fed. Brilliant job ladies thank you
Finally thanks to the guys for putting up with an amateur in the ranks and to Warren and Charlotte for letting me play for a weekend.
Here's to the next 24hr race at Silverstone and then maybe one day in France around the start of June
superb!!
What a stonking weekend. Great Team effort by everybody
The thing I can't get over is how the WHOLE team so naturally pulled together and how everyone knew exactly what to do almost immediately something cropped up.
Apologies to Paul for spilling a little bit of fuel over you... ok 2 litres of fuel, I’m never going to live that one down, the look on Warren's face was a picture when he saw me wasting fuel over you.
I must also pay huge respect to the fantastic ladies for cooking at god knows what time of day and night to keep us all fed. Brilliant job ladies thank you
Finally thanks to the guys for putting up with an amateur in the ranks and to Warren and Charlotte for letting me play for a weekend.
Here's to the next 24hr race at Silverstone and then maybe one day in France around the start of June
On behalf of the team i would like to thank everyone involved in the recent 24hr race at Silverstone, it was an amazing few days for all involved. Everyone who came along and gave their time and effort to help us in our very first 24hr race deserves the greatest thanks, many have already been thanked on this forum by Dangermouse and co, to all those that haven't then thank you! Scuffers, how on earth did you manage to go so far on a tank of fuel? Have you converted your cage into a reserve tank or something? Good to see you finish though!
Our result wasn't without some mishaps though as i'm sure photo's will eventually prove! Our 42 car suffered some body and suspension damage which was speedily dealt with by Brian ,Geoff , Darren and the guys with great haste, I think it was back on track within half an hour! Car 43 also had a few problems, its wiper motor packed up an hour into the race and it also required 2 new wheel bearings during the race, my biggest problem was convincing the drivers of 43 to slow down! We had a target lap time that was demolished on many occasions so was subsequently lowered as the race progressed!
A big thanks to all the drivers who raced with us, some who were new to the team and others who are part of the family.
Finally a big thanks and congratulations to Warren and Charlotte, you did it!
Our result wasn't without some mishaps though as i'm sure photo's will eventually prove! Our 42 car suffered some body and suspension damage which was speedily dealt with by Brian ,Geoff , Darren and the guys with great haste, I think it was back on track within half an hour! Car 43 also had a few problems, its wiper motor packed up an hour into the race and it also required 2 new wheel bearings during the race, my biggest problem was convincing the drivers of 43 to slow down! We had a target lap time that was demolished on many occasions so was subsequently lowered as the race progressed!
A big thanks to all the drivers who raced with us, some who were new to the team and others who are part of the family.
Finally a big thanks and congratulations to Warren and Charlotte, you did it!
KEET said:
Scuffers, how on earth did you manage to go so far on a tank of fuel? Have you converted your cage into a reserve tank or something? Good to see you finish though!
LOL! nice idea.... we only had a 70L tank (+ reserve), but if we keep to the right pace, it does ~15Mpg!
Simon
scuffham said:
Scuffers, how on earth did you manage to go so far on a tank of fuel? Have you converted your cage into a reserve tank or something? Good to see you finish though!
we only had a 70L tank (+ reserve), but if we keep to the right pace, it does ~15Mpg!
Simon
Simon KEET beat me to it, but wanted to add my congratulations as well, a real top job for getting to the finish and for doing such an amazing job with the fuel milage, really hats off.
Darren
I can only second KEET's comments, the WHOLE team made this effort from the drivers of cars who put in some great drives to those who pitched in with refulling, driver changes, damage repairs and the collection of wandering light pods!! 
This ranks as one of the proudest momentsI have enjoyed, to get both cars to the finish and with no mechancial failures, using 'gentleman' drivers (no professional drivers in our ranks note.......) and a limited budget we did a damn fine job. Warren and Charlotte, all the efforts that you have put into TopCats over the last few years have really paid off. Now to defend the win next year!!
................
This ranks as one of the proudest momentsI have enjoyed, to get both cars to the finish and with no mechancial failures, using 'gentleman' drivers (no professional drivers in our ranks note.......) and a limited budget we did a damn fine job. Warren and Charlotte, all the efforts that you have put into TopCats over the last few years have really paid off. Now to defend the win next year!!
................Gassing Station | General Motorsport | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff