Westfield Elevens

Sad to say that I'm going to have to hang up my racing overalls for a while. Looked at my finances now I'm able to draw on my pension if needed and realistically I can't afford to keep racing unless I go back to full time work. And much as I love racing, I love not working full time even more! So the car goes back on the road (not much to do for that mind) and I shelve the Toyota engine plan. Not that the Toyota engine wouldn't be good on the road, but it's just more unnecessary expense when the A Series provide plenty of go for the road. So, hoping the good weather continues and to maybe see some of you out there on the road.

Sorry to hear that EricT - I rather enjoy your race reports. Still if its just a sabbatical then there will be more to come.
Besides it means you can get the car ready for LMC 2016....

You'll just have to be selective about which races you enter just to keep your foot in. I'm hoping to get out once or twice next year in the 11 as well as the new car...

Did you find out what the issue was with the engine?

I gave up "racing" my own cars about 3 decades ago, instead running open track time trials.

The end result of eliminating "red mist" and the hazards of car to car racing was a huge drop in vehicle expenses, while gaining quite a bit of track time.

I don't need a tow car when I can drive the car to the event, run it, and drive it home.

Clutches last longer when I don't have to make a quick start, brakes last longer when I don't have to out brake the next guy into a corner to affect a pass, because passing is not allowed in corners. The car doesn't get rubbed, mainly due to the limited numbers of cars on the track, and the spread out nature of timed events. Bodywork repairs? None, so far.

I have continually developed the car to go faster and handle better, and my lap times have steadily improved over the decades, yet I am not breaking parts, bending coachwork and a set of competition tires lasts two seasons. The reality is that the same car is now several seconds faster than it was 30 years ago, so I am pretty happy with the progress.

The ever increasing expense is hotel accommodations and nice dinners out with my friends at these two day events, but the cost of running the cars has been relatively low.

My W11 still puts out 130 HP, and I have to install a new water pump this weekend ($40 USD), but the clutch, gearbox and other bits and pieces are lasting quite well. I drive it the 100 miles to the meet, and 100 miles back.

Lately, I have cut down the events to about 5 per year (split between two or thee cars), plus the events that I am paid to compete in as part of my writing/development duties. I get plenty of track time, the occasional silver plate, and plenty of automotive enjoyment, without the expense of a race series.

We all figure out how to enjoy our cars, even after we have given up some aspect of the sport for more time with family, or more money for some other quest.

Adam - new car? Tell us more!

Cylinder head proved fine. So it was something to do with the broken water pump / alternator bracket and loose fan belt, combined with a driver's head that was not working as it should be. Three of us stood there watching the pressurising but I suspect the post practice adrenaline combined with sorting the water pump clouded my judgement. I hate to say it but I could / should have driven the races - from what I see know it would likely have been OK. Aaagh! However, it'll get driven on the road tomorrow for the first time so that will confirm if all is well or not.

Sorry to hear you've having a break, Charles. I, too, very much enjoy the race reports. But, onwards and upwards - and hope to see you (and some of the other chaps) out on the roads.

Keep meaning to reply and keep forgetting.

New car is for my cousin to race (learn to race in...) one of these http://www.racekits.co.uk/Merlin%20page_1.htm in the 750 trophy championship/series
I get to do the shake down tests/races in it to begin with although apparently she's decided that the car is to be a lovely shade of Lilac...

Nice little car. Fiat engine or Reliant?

Hopefully I'll be back out there one day.

Pretty sure the engine "problem" was initially the broken water pump casting causing water loss due to fan belt slippage and overheating towards the end of the session, and then the perceived pressurising was likely due to an air lock stopping full circulation through the head.
I'm reminded (since refitting the head the last time) that it takes two or three runs ups before my cooling system bleeds all the air out. Car is running fine now!

I use an Airlift vacuum test/fill system. It puts a vacuum on the cooling system. Watch the unit's vacuum gauge. If it falls, you have a leak. If it doesn't, drop the fill hose into your bucket of mixed coolant and open the tap. The vacuum draws the fluid in, without any air pockets at all.

I use the tool to fill the 20 or so feet of cooling system hose in a Noble M400, or my Renault R5Turbo, as well as other mid engine cars, and it always does the job without additional bleeding. It works great on the Westfield, with a swirl pot, or with the header/expansion tank. The Airlift is easy to use, but a bit expensive unless you are doing a lot of cooling work. However, it is worth every penny. Around $140 USD. But then, how much is a head gasket, head resurface, and the labor time??? The thing really works.

Another way to reduce the need to bleed the system is t0 run a line from the cylinder head heater port to the engine's return line, back to the radiator, or to the fill/header/swirlpot (your choice). This speeds any bleeding (eliminates it, actually...) and allows the engine to run about 10º cooler.

Also, make sure that your fill point is the high point in the cooling system, and, if you are using a thermostat, drill a couple of 3/32" holes in the thermostat backing plate so that the air can escape.