SR> Silverstone 1 April
Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 8:36 pm
After the miserable attempt to the set up with the 1.5 rockers I was glad to make it to the race today at all. Bit of a cold start but the sun came out and we had a glorious day weather wise. No problems at scrutineering but nearly failed the noise test. My new exhaust manifold is letting a lot more noise out than the old one. At least 4 dBA higher. Must do a repack before Brands. Practice was OK. Didn't get a good clear lap but still ahead of Paul's Tiger 23 replica which was the only other car in my class today. At least I had someone to race against. Practice was red flagged after only one lap with John Dickson stuffing his RAM Cobra into the pit wall after having his gear lever lock in neutral coming out of Luffield. Looked terminal but...
The new rear end feels much better. Less nervous - easier to push to the limit.
Back in the paddock they've got the Cobra in bits and are going to try and get it ready for the race (we were to be the the last race at around 17:00). Front clam and mounting subframe all stuffed along with radiator and oil cooler.
As the day goes on the smashed Cobra takes shape and is literally ready as we roll out of the marshalling area onto the track for the race, and so has to start from the back. Held together with duct tape and ty-raps but running OK it seems.
I totally mess up the start - too few revs and bog badly. By the time I've got moving both the cars behind me have gone. Try to keep calm as I know I can beat them. After two laps I've reeled them in and am back where I started. Lap three and I see John spin his repaired Cobra again, but hits nothing this time. I hold my position and the only other action is being overtaken by a group of three cars coming out of Luffield. Two on my left and one Vortec up the inside on the right. Really close - did we touch?
Car ran well and felt good but the best lap not as good as hoped. 1.14 something and I did a high 1.12 last year. Didn't feel as if the A021's were lacking grip either. Main thing is that I stayed in front of Paul's 23 and get a pot for actually beating someone this time. Big news is that John Dickson managed to win overall in his repaired Cobra - good effort. Cheng's Cobra was leading by a mile but blew the g/box or clutch. That's what 600hp+ does for you!
Noticed big black tyre colour stripe on my bodywork from the Vortec overtaking. Ho hum - could have been worse. Shame he didn't even check my car was OK afterwards though.
Next race is Brands Hatch last weekend of April. Need to sort out the silencer and hopefully the rockers by then. Really should replace the brakes too as I meant to do that over winter, but they were OK today. Hope we get the same weather.
The new rear end feels much better. Less nervous - easier to push to the limit.
Back in the paddock they've got the Cobra in bits and are going to try and get it ready for the race (we were to be the the last race at around 17:00). Front clam and mounting subframe all stuffed along with radiator and oil cooler.
As the day goes on the smashed Cobra takes shape and is literally ready as we roll out of the marshalling area onto the track for the race, and so has to start from the back. Held together with duct tape and ty-raps but running OK it seems.
I totally mess up the start - too few revs and bog badly. By the time I've got moving both the cars behind me have gone. Try to keep calm as I know I can beat them. After two laps I've reeled them in and am back where I started. Lap three and I see John spin his repaired Cobra again, but hits nothing this time. I hold my position and the only other action is being overtaken by a group of three cars coming out of Luffield. Two on my left and one Vortec up the inside on the right. Really close - did we touch?
Car ran well and felt good but the best lap not as good as hoped. 1.14 something and I did a high 1.12 last year. Didn't feel as if the A021's were lacking grip either. Main thing is that I stayed in front of Paul's 23 and get a pot for actually beating someone this time. Big news is that John Dickson managed to win overall in his repaired Cobra - good effort. Cheng's Cobra was leading by a mile but blew the g/box or clutch. That's what 600hp+ does for you!
Noticed big black tyre colour stripe on my bodywork from the Vortec overtaking. Ho hum - could have been worse. Shame he didn't even check my car was OK afterwards though.
Next race is Brands Hatch last weekend of April. Need to sort out the silencer and hopefully the rockers by then. Really should replace the brakes too as I meant to do that over winter, but they were OK today. Hope we get the same weather.