Croft 11th Oct

[toymota33]

Good day out at Croft at the weekend. Well run, slick meeting with a wide variety of weather to contend with. Richard and Ben Wright, Tony Abrams and Simon Lindley in Tuscans and myself in Steve Hall's turbo Taz.
Had an engine rebuild after Brands and having sorted Steve's clutch problem after Oulton this was my first drive out with full power. Blew the air pipe off the turbo in quali (4 laps damp/drying) and again in race 1(2 laps dry and already picked up 6 places) so DNF.

Race 2 started 3rd from the back this time in the wet/damp on DO1s when everyone else I think was on wets. Very gently Bentley on the throttle as the back was squirreling and lighting up in all gears.

Had an enlightening moment out of the chicane on the first lap as someone had dumped a load of mud on the track just at the point my turbo kicked in. (This bit caught 2 or 3 out). Back to the back for me then.
I spent most of my time sideways out of all corners and down the pit straight cos as soon as the power came on the rear end developed a mind of it's own no matter what gear I was in. This race developed into a battle throughout with Ben Wright, who drove a splendid race in what were very tricky conditions. I managed to get past him a couple of times only for him to retake me as I brewed a cup of tea and made a couple of slices of toast, waiting for the turbo to kick in. (Turbo slag I think it's called). He drove very well with me filling his mirrors with no mistakes that I could see. I think it was only cars lapping us that allowed me to sneak past. A force for the future I think.

Managed 11th with Ben a fag paper behind at the line out of about 22 starters. Good fun was had by all in very testing conditions,judging by the big grins at the end. The tyres were colder at the end than at the beginning.

Nice to see Tony and Simon competing in there well prepped Tuscan and also our own groupies, John Kenyon and Dean Cook, the latter all the way from Chelmsford.
Thanks to Dave Dalton and his team for the invite, my ever present manservant Paul and accomodation and catering subsidiary manager, Steve Hall.
Rgds Toymota 33

[wedgeman]

Congratulations Tim & Ben - a fabulous weekend by all accounts!

Do you know - is Spindley Lindley coming out to play with us next season in his Tuscan at all?

Cheers - Howard

[Graham]

wedgeman said:

Do you know - is Spindley Lindley coming out to play with us next season in his Tuscan at all?

Thats the plan sharing the car with Tony A


Good to here it was a good day out. Croft is a great circuit and it was a real pity we didnt make it there this season. Hopefully we can get there in 07

G

Edited by Graham on Monday 13th November 13:01

[hexhamhc]

Really enjoyed the day and I definitely had the best deal with the weather! It was great to come along and be part of the fun, many thanks to family Wright for their hospitality and rain shelter! Simon and I are hoping to do some of the more 'Northern' rounds next season especially if they are to be double headers. Also we will be at Croft for some more DDMC Sports and Saloon car series, so if some folks want to come along that would be good. Best regards to all. Tony

[skippyf1]

It was a great meeting apart from the weather at times!

The teamwork that TWR had for the day was awesome in that John Kenyon worked like he was on a mission! He was under the in the pouring rain along with Team Principal, Richard. Also quite by chance Gary bought along his Tuscan which he intends to race next year. Certain bits were borrowed out of his newly acquired Tuscan and Gary just smiled! Not being an expert on the mechanics side of things, I doubt Ben would have had a chance at competing in the second race if not for all the TWR racing's efforts, well done to all.

Roll on next year!

Best wishes to all

Sharon

[skippyf1]

P.S. I forgot to say well done to TWR driver Ben and of course his brother Darren too.

[kg55]

sounds like the good old days on kumho's and a small T3 turbo tim. The memories come flooding back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[toymota33]

kg55 said:

sounds like the good old days on kumho's and a small T3 turbo tim. The memories come flooding back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!

How did you lot get on at the Burketts. Not seen any postings on the subject.

Rgds Tim.

Edited by toymota33 on Wednesday 15th November 09:34

[kg55]

Birkett was good fun untill my accident (broken damper tierod and droplink plus top wishbone maybe
The car is now for sale tim as new bits to repair will cost about £300/400. so i am selling instead and will split for all the good bits. Cosworth turbo T5 g/box stack etc. I hope to run a T350 instead in class B.
So if anybody knows anybody who wants taz55 or parts let me know as i need the cash for the T350 project

[toymota33]

Sorry to hear that Kevin. What about the rest of them? Any finishers.
Rgds Tim.

[Graham]

The team was

Kevan 2ltr turbo
Cliff 24v TT
Pete reeve 24v
chassis33 4ltr chim
PPC editor lotus thingy.

I couldnt make it (no tyres left) but pops went down to help run things. Iain and cliff had a few overheating problems that were sorted during the day, kev,pete and the lotus ran fine. Not sure on finishing positions as they ha quite a lot of pit stops but i think the old chap enjoyed himelf...


There was also the mythical ex Ian Moon tasmin out in its first race with another team. Speaking to the driver he had fun with it, although did comment it could do with a bit more poke...

[chassis 33]

Hello again everyone, sorry I missed Croft I had other commitments in far off lands

re the Birkett we finished 32nd on scratch and 46th on handicap, thats out of 50 teams, not brilliant, but a great laugh and excellent first effort...if i dare say so myself, hopefully next time we'll all be able to run tanked to empty stints which will help things

Regards
Iain

[toymota33]

chassis 33 said:

Hello again everyone, sorry I missed Croft I had other commitments in far off lands

re the Birkett we finished 32nd on scratch and 46th on handicap, thats out of 50 teams, not brilliant, but a great laugh and excellent first effort...if i dare say so myself, hopefully next time we'll all be able to run tanked to empty stints which will help things

Regards
Iain

Thanks for the info. Glad to hear you all had a good time. Good experience for next year.

Rgds Tim.