Speed Season 2014

[RussellT]

Here we go again!
1st event at a damp 3 Sisters it was clear from the forcast that rain was on the way so the pressure was on to make the first run count.

Over the winter Doris had undergone some restoration work and what I though was a few bubles on the paint work turned into 2 new sills rear quater rebuild and a £2K bill!

In addition to that I have sacked the Hi Spec brakes and gone to Renault Clio 16V front brakes. They have a much softer feel but do stop the car a definite improvement!

As I said pressure on so I messed up the exit of the tight hairpin and ran onto the grass on the exit and was just 0.36 behind the lead time of Paul Edwards in his Clio Sport. Considering he doesnt have a limited slip diff that was a stunning performance. he has a background in rally driving and was relishing the greasy track.

I was thrown a lifeline when the organisers decided to run another timed run before lunch whilst the weather held. In the event the rain started as I was in the queue for the start. At the back of the line for the class I had to sit there praying that it held long enough for my run as all my competitors had first crack at improving their times.

I managed to put a clean run in to take the class with a 52.92 whilst Paul and Keith Minshull DEAD HEATED! on 53.25 Paul taking 2nd on his better second fastest time. I have never seen that happen before.

So as opposed to last year when I went home on a trailer with a droped valve and 3rd place this was a much better start to the year!

Here is a video of Paul enjoying the rain, when he fits a diff he is going to be mega!

Handbrake fail (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCsW2KWKirE)

He hand braked the tricky uphill hair pin and this was the only time he over cooked it.

[B18ftMOJO5]

Hate rain in my 5 lol. Enjoyed your racing post last season, look forward to more this year.:agree:

[Duncan Grier]

Well done Russell :agree:

Keep the updates coming, I am another who enjoys the read

DG

[Romil Davda]

I love reading your post Russell, keep it up :agree:

[Woznaldo]

Yes! Love the Rusty Hillclimb reports. :D

[Matt Cole]

Russell are you doing a project thread of the new body work? also can you put your videos on the rtoc you tube channel? All good stuff you do.;)

[Trevhib]

Love your write ups Russ :agree:

[RussellT]

Bodywork all done now no pics to show you all but you all know what rust looks like!
It turned out that my starter motor had lost the nose bearing so just as well I gave up when I did on the day.

[RussellT]

Second event at Aintree over the weekend, a great day with perfect speed event weather despite an iffy forecast. We were offered a total of 7 runs with 2 practice 4 competition and 1 non counting run at the end.

Doris didnt miss a beat all day she reved her heart out taking the flying finish in 4th gear almost 7K revs and 110 MPH. Having had my REALLY frightning off at this venue last year I still cant trust my new brakes and I was braking too early for the corners and she seems to have a lack of bite at the front but I am leaking a lot of oil from the crankcase seal.

Anyway I managed a best of 53.78 against a PB of 53.42 so I wold have been pretty pleased with that result if it hadnt been for the small matter of Ians Butchers yellow peril beating me by almost 2 SECONDS!!! :cry:

A stunning performance his R5 went through the finish at 120 mph in a time of 51.92 taking the class record of Tony Hart of Prima Racing. He even pushed the mighty Fred Currell Golf into 2nd place in the 2 runs that count for the Midland Speed Championship.

I have never seen any one, in any car, at any venue beat Fred or even get close to him so hats off to Ian and his new engine. Fred was so disturbed as to put his car at risk with a 3rd competition run which didnt count for his championship but he wanted the class record back which he got with a 51.86 after literaly beating himself about the head on the start line to gee himself up! :wasntme:

What a day, I always believed that our 80's shopping trolley could be a competetive car and Ian has just shown me the way. The plan now is to cut the season short and try and get Doris up to something like where Ian has shown me she can and should be.

[Trevhib]

Fantastic. Where's the real delta between your car and Ian's car Russell? Is it in horsepower, drivetrain or handling?

[Alex]

Fantastic. Where's the real delta between your car and Ian's car Russell? Is it in horsepower, drivetrain or handling?

I would hazard a guess at HP.

[RussellT]

Obviously Ian can drive he has also run a 68.5 at Harewood and that takes some doing on the driving front no matter what you are in.

On my last RR figure and what Ian says he has its 40 bhp.

I beat him off the start though ;)

[Trevhib]

Blimey, that's a lot. How is he managing that within the rules do you think?

[RussellT]

When Doris dropped a valve she lost 20 bhp no obvious reason why, I have booked her in for a new timing chain and a boost circuit leak test. There is no reason to suspect Ian has more bhp due to anything other than a top engine builder after all what he has is peanuts compared to many cars that turn up at RR days.

[B18ftMOJO5]

Great stuff Russel, have to make time and come down and watch you sometime when your in Wigan. Keep the posts coming really enjoy reading about your exploits.

[Trevhib]

That's really interesting Russell. Glad you're having Doris looked at. Hopefully you'll get a fair bit of that back with a tune up.

What was the damage done when you dropped the valve? A 20bhp loss is significant, especially considered in % terms. It sounds like a problem was caused that was not resolved in whatever work you had done after??

[RussellT]

The valve stem snapped below the collet and dropped it causing a rather S shaped valve. I needed the new valve to be sleeved as the valve channel was slightly damaged but other than that all was aparently OK. I had my turbo reconditioned at the same time.

I agree its a puzzle and a big drop :scratch:.

My experience with motorsport, even at my level, is that half the battle is trying to get the car optimized then you look like a good driver. Unfortunately the converse is also true, and that carries all the way up to F1.

[Trevhib]

:agree:

I wonder if you have a cracked head, loss of compression through the damaged channel, a lack of valve seal on the replacement, or something unrelated. Though with those things, you'd think there'd be other symptoms.

Certainly sounds like you should be able to close the gap to your rival if the forthcoming tune up can reduce the bhp deficit in any case.

Keep us updated :)

[RussellT]

:agree:

Next event in 2 weeks at Harewood, I can have another crack at Ian then although another sore bottom is on the cards :ashamed:

It will be interesting to see if my low lag system does better at that venue, which is a bit more point and squirt than Aintree, allthough there are still long uphill sections where his greater top end will count.

[RussellT]

Just back from Harewood and we had a very difficult day yesterday in terms of the weather. It was damp and drying to start with and with rain forecast the first timed run was going to be key, any mistakes on that run and you would end up no where. The day started with James Kerr scratching his 205 so that removed one car faster than me. In the damp first practice I was second to a young lad called Deryk Jones in another 205. He posted a 73 sec run to my 74 and Ian Butcher was no where having spun at the first corner.
In second practice it was my turn to fall off the island having locked up my brakes at the bottom of the hill and had to release and rebrake which put me way to deep into the corned and I understered off onto the grass at the esses.
So the competition runs, I made sure I madethe corner at the bottom of the hill and was pleased with my effort hitting most of my apexes including the tricky last one. Over the line I stopped the clock at 69.24 to take the class lead from Daniel Hollis in a very rapid Integra, however right behind me was Ian who was on a rerun having been red flagged when the young charger Deryk Jones had fallen into the same trap as me at the bottom of the hill. He stopped the clock at 68.49 to take a stunning win.
Doris second again but a lot closer this time and for the first time ever a Renault 5 GT turbo 1st and 2nd in class 1b at Harewood :D

[RussellT]

http://www.rtoc.org/files/Technical%20Files/Doris%20Files/image.jpg

[Trevhib]

Great :)

You even have Jackie Stewart attending these events! :D

[RussellT]

The split times make interesting reading

I had a poor start then slow at the bottom the hill (not suprised as I had fallen of there the run before) but I actually matched Ian through the first 2 sectors coming up the hill until the final straight where he apparently hit 84 throught the speed trap to my 76.

Really heartened by that performance, well done Doris!:D

http://www.harewoodhill.com/downloads/pdf/eventResults/sectortimes%20-%20may%2010%202014.pdf

[RussellT]

No wonder I cant get close to his times! :laugh:

[Nad-5GTT]

Excellent :agree: really enjoy your updates.

[Trevhib]

The 0.35 in Sector 6 is more or less down to bhp then and that's half the difference between you two on that run. Bummer.

If the 0.34 in sector 2 is down to confidence, then it looks like you can be competitive with him this season if you can just get Doris pushing out a bit more power. :agree:

[RussellT]

It was exactly a year since I was last at Harewood so that timed run was my first go at race boost in a long time and only my 3rd run up the hill, whereas Ian was at the practice day and had already done an event. ;)

I am sure that I will get more confidence in the brakes and handling and a drier day would help. Also the pit crew have found a boost leak somewhere around the inlet manifold which they are going to look at when they change the timing chain and check the oil leak situation.

Ian is a very aggressive driver and really goes for it which is good and a great competitor to be up against. I am sure that he can go a lot faster too.

[RussellT]

You know I said that Ian was a committed driver... well check out these sequence of photos from the corner at the top of the Harewood straight. They start with our hero entering stage left prob at about 60mph, backwards!

http://www.jcbphotography.co.uk/_photo_12721343.html#photos_id=12721343

[butch]

Cold track, cold (ish ) tyres and no roll cage.
Practice is supposed to be about steady, measured progress

You never stop learning.......

Really enjoyed your company on Saturday Russell and your encouraging comments. Get yourself a bigger turbo, you'll learn to live with the lag!!

[Trevhib]

Great racing gents :agree:

Russ, when I said confidence, I only meant in respect to building it back up a bit after having had that off you mentioned at the bottom of the hill. Not in general. I don't think anyone here thinks you lack any confidence/commitment given how quick you're going! :D

[RussellT]

Trevor ypour comment is bang on I am not confident of how the car will react when I hit the brakes. It takes time.

Latest from the pit crew isthat the oil leak is solved so that will help with the above.

[RussellT]

Update The pit crew has identified a leaking inlet manifold gasket. New one on order lets hope it makes a difference ;)

[casper]

Excellent read that.:agree:

[RussellT]

Appalling weather conditions at Harewood on Saturday. Driving over from Blackpool was lovely but the rain arrived just as the first practice began. I had nearly not made the event as 5th gear went on the motorway. All was good then without warning I had no drive and the engine was bouncing off the limiter. Panic while I worked out that 5th gear had gone and finding a useable gear whilst dodging the traffic. Any way I bailed out onto the A59 checked 1 to 4 worked and decided to keep going. She made it so it was with some sense of impending disaster that I made my way down to the start line for first practice, accompanied by some really nasty noises in the box. As it happened she ran fine the engine with the new timing chain and manifold gasket did feel better and I slithered to the best time in class. The big power boys were all over the place but I can turn Doris down to suit the conditions. Second practice was the same as the 1st but the grinding on coast was worse. So I decided 1 timed run and leave so I had to make it good. I kept her on the low boost setting as it was working well and I didnt want to put any more torque through the box than I had to, however the track had dried a bit and Ian went 3 seconds quicker to take the class and I ended up 3rd. The Old girl got me home and I have a week to fix her for Barbon.

[Woznaldo]

I've had 5th Gear let go just outside Calais on the way back home (when I lived in London). I too managed to get all the way home using the remaining four gears! I think I still have the offending gear somewhere!

Awesome to hear things are getting better on the speed and confidence front.

[Trevhib]

Never a dull moment.

[RussellT]

Update on the gearbox, a tooth came off 5th gear went between the gears and blew the box open. Yep I managed to get to Harewood, compete, come 3rd and drive home all on a completley destroyed box. The legend that is Doris.

[RussellT]

The Legend that is Doris 3rd in class with this crack in the gearbox

https://twitter.com/turborussell/status/477148879524478976

https://twitter.com/turborussell/status/477148879524478976

[Trevhib]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bp8sYLKIEAIr3TS.jpg

[Woznaldo]

That's exactly why and where they fit those reinforcing plates to the JB3 and JC5 gearboxes. Might be worth investigating? I know they are a fairly common mod in Euro Rally circles.

[RussellT]

Barbon on Saturday was the first dry event of the year! A beautiful day in a stunning setting. I had picked Doris up with the repaired gearbox just 48 hours earlier, there was a trill on the over run of something catching a clanging from under the car and by the time I got to Barbon she didnt want to turn right and given that there was a very tight right hand hairpin at the top of the climb, i very nearly turned around and drove home. However perseverance is a good quality to have in motorsport so I unpacked and signed on. I was up against a Honda integra a G40 Polo (ex Harewood championship car) and a Non turbo suby. 1st practice was taken with an air of impending doom however all was well and she took the hairpin with no complaints. I was however dead last. OK full boost more beans and 2nd practice saw me up to 3rd fastest having slid into the hairpin. 1st timed run and I managed my quickest time of the day 31.09 but the Honda Integra was way in the lead in the 29's. The G40 didnt appear its head gasket had gone in the start line. The Honda it transpired was on 1b tyres. I spoke to the driver and asked if it was OK to have his time discounted for the championship results and he said he didnt mind. So he was put into 1F (which he won) and I had a class of 2. The best I could manage was 30.65 about a second off what I was hoping for but considering Doris was still far from well I shouldnt be too despondent. This morning I put some diff additive into the box and as for the clanking that was just a loose exhaust! Oh and Im 2 bills behind at the garage now the admin team cant keep up with the repair work on Doris!

[RussellT]

Big weekend ahead Aintree tomorrow then 3 Sisters on Sunday. 2 very competitive classes I might even end up last tomorrow with Butch and his mega beast way out in front. I will be there giving it my all.

[Matt Cole]

Good luck matey. Keep us up to date!:agree:

[RussellT]

What a weekend of motorsport, and Doris took it all never missed a beat, some of my driving was not the best. First up was a very wet Aintree which in theory helped me as it took away some of the power advantage from the mega Clio and Ian. As usual Ian spun off on his first practice run but stamped his authority when it counted with a 54.32 in the wet crossing the finish at 120. Daniel in his mega Clio spun but still went through the finish at 111 giving the rapidly closing Ian a slip stream! Doris managed 57.19 with 108 through the finish and I was 4th out of 5! Ian didnt improve on his next run and he called it a day (only 2 runs count for his championship). The Clio's altenator packed in before the next run so they went off to buy a new battery. I was in trouble and had to try something different. I had been throwing her into the last corner in 4th saving 2 gear changes but whereas that had worked when I had 204 BHP it wasnt working with 180BHP so I tried changing to 3rd and saw a significant improvement to 55.87 with 111 through the finish. That moved me up to 2nd. I went quicker still on the 3rd run to just get into the 54's 54.99 but the recharged Clio went quicker on 54.32 and 117 through the finish. By now the track was strating to dry so full dry settings for the last run. I gave it my all and stopped the clock at 54.48 Fishy Herring (driving a freinds Clio) did a last run stormer for a 54.49 just 0.01 of a sec. he went through the finish at 112 to my 109 another few feet and he would have got me. Daniel improved to dead heat Ian on 54.32! Wow. Packed up and off to Wigan

[RussellT]

Where Aintree had been wet a beautiful day greeted us at the 3 Sisters circuit. There was still some large puddles in the paddock from yesterdays rain but the prospect was for a fully dry day and hopefully some quick times. Ian and his beast looked to be favourite for the class and he fancied taking the class record. I teased him about his tendency to spin on first practice. Then there was a rally driver from wales Paul Edwards who was a hand brake warrier at the first 3 Sisters event. He now had a limited slip diff and was going to be very tough to beat. Fishy Herring was in his own Clio worked on by Scoff so another beast and the Daniel Brady in his Clio 172 on throttle bodies with 200+ BHP. Keith Minshull in his rapid 306 who has a tendancy to beat me by the odd hundreth made up the top contenders in a large class. First practice and on the way to the start you had no option but to drive through a puddle. I did my best to miss it but ran my rear nearside tyre through it. First corner is a long tightening right and yes half way around the back end on Doris lost traction and I was completely side ways. I managed to catch it but that put me on the grass and I was the first run dick not Ian. :cartman: After that excursion my 1st practice time put me 9th (technically it was a foul run as all 4 wheels left the track). Paul Edwards led the field with a 53.18 Ian was way back on 55.59. Into the timed runs and Fishy Herring put in a stormer 51.91 but he might have cut the chicane ala Lewis Hamilton. He always like to minimise the track length and I noted that a "Judge of Fact" was appointed to monitor the lines cars take through the chicane. Ian said he was going to take the kerbs but I warned that it could knock you way wide. He was on 52.57 and 4th! not happy. I managed 52.90 to be just behind Keith on 52.82. I tried all I could diferent tyre pressures damper setting even holding 3rd gear into the last corner and reving the nuts off Doris in the process but the best I could manage was 52.68 to come 7th 3 hundreths behind Keith. Ians best was 52.20 and 4th. Paul took the honours with a last run 51.79. Last year with no brakes I had managed a 51.77 so Im suffering somewhere.

[Nottswoody]

Always love your threads lots of fun doing these trails keep up the good work and keep the threads going.. Do you have a calendar? Or location details? Would love to see an event sometime..

[RussellT]

Next event in at Blyton Park in 2 weeks.
If it had just been me and Keith I probably would have accepted that I just need to drive better. But with 3 Clios now faster than me too as well as Ian I really have to try and get back the horses Ive lost.
I did a compression test last night and all the cylinders were 159 psi.
The fuel pump is making funny noises so I might invest in another one. Im kicking myself that I didnt check the AFR meter on the run to the line at Aintree. Lack of fuel flow would certainly fit with whats happening.

[rabbitstew]

Excellent reading!

[RussellT]

The rest of my season if all goes to plan is;
July 12 & 13 blyton
3rd August three sisters
10th August Loton park
6th Sept Aintree
7th Sept three sisters
4th & 5th October Anglesey Trac Mon.

[RussellT]

Big weekend at Blyton disnt dissapoint, under blue skys for 2 days in a class of just 4 with a double drived lightly modified 306 Rallye father and daughter team and Dave West in his "money no object" Pug 106 GTI representing the full spectrum of cars in speed events. I had hoped to at least put David under some sort of pressure as I had been close on the Saturday last year with no brakes. In practice things didnt look too bad I was within 1.5 sec at practice boost (15psi) then in the first timed run I was annoyingly close with a 77.47 to Daves 77.30. However then Doris's gremlins resurfaced she did her cut out on me which ruined the second run then on the 3rd I noted that she lost power out of the first chicaine on the long sweeping right hander. I glanced at the AFR and saw 19 just as she started to missfire. Definite fuel starvation but I had half a tank according to the fuel gauge. There is something amiss in the fuel tank. I had a new tank fitted after a leak and I susspect there is some debris cloging the in tank filter. Consequently I couldnt improve and Dave moved down to 76.90. The 306 driven hard by dad Andrew set a best time of 81.58 to beat daughter Heather 86.54. So second and 100 pts in my championship more than last year even though my performance was worse. Such is sprinting. Highlight of the day was my family turning up all wearing Doris Pit Crew T shirts which was a great suprise. On to day 2....

[RussellT]

Ive put a film on YouTube of Doris off the start line where you can hear the launch control working. I had lowered the rev setting and I think I need to go lower still. My 64 foot times on Sat were 2.79, 2.76, 2.78 the best in class was David with a 2.75.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fo7mz5u2mzM&list=UULQ-q4yeMFPPt15Wd1v-asg

[RussellT]

http://www.rtoc.org/files/Technical%20Files/Doris%20Files/blyton%20Pit%20Crew.jpg

[Trevhib]

:yeah:

[RussellT]

Having fallen asleep trying to watch the Dutch complete the Brazillian humiliation I was grateful for the extra time in bed in the Sunday morning. All my kit was left at the venue in my tent and I had only a mile to drive. I wasnt expecting much from the day there was a large time gap between David and Andrew and a sensible approach would be to turn down the wick on Doris take a 100 points for second and save any undue strain on the car. Well where's the fun in that! So with all my reserve fuel in the car and the reserve tank fuel pump overide on, I lined up and gave her max attack. You might know Blyton from the Nat Day so this was my plan to attack the track. In 3rd for the first corner left foot brake late and hard, then come off the pedal to 50% pressure for the long turn in to a late apex, line up the chicane and accelerate hard at first holding a tight line and then running out to the 3 large cones to reduce the braking effect of turning. Run down the right side of the back straight, brake hard and into 3rd for the chicane by the 4th marker. Hit the first kerb of the chicane and if you get it right you end up on the exit kerb. ride that like a bullet down a barrel, cliping the exit cone. Power on to the top corner up to 4th and back to 3rd. hard braking and turn in a little earlier to use all the available exit. Careful to keep at least 2 wheels inside the white line on the exit. Stay in 3rd for the run to the double apex Bunga Bunga. Enter from well wide on the right, there is a bit of extra tarmac outside the white line, miss the first apex to hit the second and again run wide on the exit then head off to the entry of the mega fast open chicaine. Enter in 4th with hardly a lift straightline it and throw her left at the end. So many cars have gone over the exit that you can hardly see the white line now. Hope that you kept the inner wheels on the track and continue in 4th in a straight line to the finish corner. Late brake down to 3rd and aim for the apex cone and slide her through to stop the clock. A real blast and Doris performed all day without any coughs or splutters, she reved like a bike engine and gave it her all. In the end the best I could manage was a 76.99 against a best last year of 76.49. Dave peaked with a last run 75.89 which sent him home very happy and Andrew ran 80.27 with Heather just behind on 81.89.
Wow what a weekend, I had tried a new seat postion which had worked very well so I was able to use the steering wheel to steer rather than to keep me in my seat and the brakes with new pads had been much better and I was starting to the confidence to brake later again. On the down side I still knew I had a problem somewhere. :scratch:

[RussellT]

Update. Last night I took the fuel sender out and there was a significant quantity of debris stuck in the filter and in the bottom of the chamber that surrounds it. I managed to get most of it out using a vaccum brake bleeder to suck it out. That can only help her performance. I also checked that the MAP sensor was accurate by connecting it to my Blood Pressure tester (a syphgmomanometer) for positive readings and the vaccum brake bleeder for -ve readings and watching the reading change on the ECU plot. It was spot on. I now have a cool way of checking my spyg remains accurate. :D I also reduce the launch control revs to 3.4K. I still hope to get the suspension checked and the sterring rack tightend up before the next event. I would also like to do something at the rear which tends to start bouncing if I go in too hard, destableising the front end.

[RussellT]

Here is a link to an in car by Matt AKA Fearless in his Honda S2000 driving Blyton just as I described .
http://youtu.be/SVaPGT94U2k

[Nottswoody]

Here is a link to an in car by Matt AKA Fearless in his Honda S2000 driving Blyton just as I described .
http://youtu.be/SVaPGT94U2k

Spotted you and Doris :agree:

Weres your footage? That would be great :)

[RussellT]

There is some in car on my YouTube site

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6shA1v3E4Ak&list=UULQ-q4yeMFPPt15Wd1v-asg

[Trevhib]

Is that S2000 modified? I've heard folk who've owned be disappointed but this looks quick and great to drive.

[RussellT]

Almost completely standard, they were standard last year but our powers that be decided they were to fast and took them out and put them with the Elise class, talk about a disincentive to enter anyway this year they have fiddled with the antiroll bars and engine mounts. They are just great chassis with a stonking engine.

[Alastair]

Sounds good mate well done, I can give you a steer on the rear end issues...

[RussellT]

None event for me today. I arrived at 3 Sisters with smoke pouring out from under the bonnet. Last time I saw that it was just before the engine bay exploded into flames.

Opening the bonnet thankfully there was no flames but there was oil all over the gear box dangerously close to the turbo. I cleaned up the mess borrowed some spanners to check the connections for the pipes to the oil cooler but there was nothing obvious.

I decided to try the convoy run and revaluate after that, however by the time I got to the scrutineering bay the oil was back all overthe gear box and drippng onto the road. I had no option but to scratch.

I made it home 4 hours later with the help of the AA.

[RussellT]

Update

Its gear box oil not engine oil looks like the recon gear box has failed mega :cry:

Next event on Sunday looking doubtful and season coming to a premature end.

[RussellT]

A pin carrying one of the planetary gears has exited the diff through the gearbox casing. Diff and gearbox need rebuilding. Really tough having just had the gearbox reconditioned. Her in doors is not going to be pleased.

New clutch ordered from CGB (soaked in gear oil) next decision is down to what the diff looks like when removed ? my pit crew rebuilds or send to Corby Motorsport who bought the rights to the Gripper diff.

A really strange season 2 gearbox failures driving too events rather than competing. Im glad I stopped when I did and called the AA and at least I got that great weekend at Blyton with the family.

I might get out for some more events at the end of the year so watch this space.

[RussellT]

Game Over
http://twitter.com/turborussell/status/497494824376078336/photo/1

[B18ftMOJO5]

Sorry to hear that Russel really look forward to your racing posts. :) hope your back on the road soon.:agree:

[Trevhib]

Aw crap :( Busted.

Really sorry to hear this Russell. Keep us up to date with the fixes. :agree:

[rabbitstew]

:(

[Woznaldo]

Ouch! That's not good. Hope it doesn't take too long to repair.

[RussellT]

The diff broke on 3rd August I got her back ready to go again at 5.00pm Friday the 5th September for events at Aintree the next day and 3 Sisters on the 7th. How tight is that? and a big thanks has to go to Bob and his team at CGB motorsport for providing a R11 turbo final drive and gear box having checked it was the correct crown wheel and pinion. Also the team at Shaw and Wrights St Annes and Gripper for turning around the diff in time. By the way I got to speak to Tom Seal the main man at Gripper whom I thought had retired and gone to France so it was nice to catch up with him. If anyone has a Gripper Diff and needs servicing etc I know where they are. Anyway you can imagine I was rather nervous about the first event after a rapid rebuild but off I went and arrived with more oil around the bell housing. Sh1t, but this was dirty oil not clean gear oil so close inspection revealed that it was the coupling to the oil cooler and with some borrowed spanners and some technical assistance we managed to staunch the flow if not stop the bleeding completely. Off I went first practice and promptly fell off trying to enter Bechers Bend. Unlike last time when I was in blind panic I knew exactly where I was going and headed for the gap around the side of the fence back onto the track and trundled around to regain my parking spot and remove the collected grass cuttings from the front grill.....

[RussellT]

Paul Edwards the Welsh rally man was there in his Clio and John Early was double driving his Clio with Karl Wilson who has sprinted a subaru until it caught fire on a motorway. It was Karl who set the early pace with a 54.40. Next run I made it around and spent the straight watching the AF meter it didnt go above 12.5 however I could only manage 106 mph through the finish. Onto the timed runs and a good start was rather ruined by spinning off, yep at my favorite corner. This time I put a rear wheel on the grass and that sent me into a full 360 faster than a dog chasing its tail! Luckily I didnt hit anything and could regain the track. Paul was driving hard but could only manage 55.18 at 105 top speed due to a low ratio box. Karl was the class act on 54.22. My next attempt was a steady affair to at least get round and I stopped the clock at 55.18 which would have dead heated with Paul Edwards for 3rd if I hadnt managed a 54.24 and 109 top speed. Just 0.02 off the win and I lost it at the start 2.81 to Karls 2.71. Well the old girl held up and it was off to Wigan the next day when Ian "Butch" Butcher was going to join us.

[RussellT]

I should also mention that I had a small oil fire when the breather hose at the frint of the carb sprung a leak. The T piece was cracked and crushed which I managed to fix by pushing a short piece of silicon hose inside the T piece. So in summary 2 oil leaks 1 small fire 1 off 1 spin and second place by 0.02 sec quite a day really.

That evening my main mechanic Andy came to fettle the oil couplings which was above the call of duty and I took the emulsion tube out of the carb and gave it a clean in the ultrasonic cleaner. Can you hear a barrel being scraped?

The forecast was good but the drive down was hampered by fog. I had plenty of fuel on board in anticipation of plenty of runs and I wasnt wrong. 2 practice and 7 timed runs we had in the end and for value for money and track time it was probably the best event ever. The day started well with just a minimal leak from the couplings easily dealt with by fastening some paper towels around them with cable ties. My first run was steady but Paul showed he meant business with a first run time 52.4 that I wasnt going to better all day. Ian is learning 3 Sisters and whilst I thought I might get close to him when I ran an identical 52.57 he went on to finally post a 51.44 whilst I ran into a tyre barrier! The secret of a good time at 3 Sisters is to be mega brave over the hill and to attack the corner onto the pit straight. I was on a charge but locked up coming down the hill and with no chance of recovery I put Doris nose first into the barrier. Its at times like those that you really appreciate a 6 point harness. Luckily my secret splitter performed its main task of tyre wall deflection admirably and I was left with only a dent in the nearside wing. After that I sat out for 1 run to give Doris a rest and a chance for both of us to cool down. I took the opportunity to film some of the cars including Ian and Paul. You can see that Paul takes a much better line through the corner where I crashed than others in the class. A rally man does like a cut! Here is the film http://youtu.be/a3yOB-xK140 1 month off now until the final event on Anglesey.

[Romil Davda]

Good work Russell :agree:

[B18ftMOJO5]

glad to here your back racing:agree:

[RussellT]

On the eve of the final weekend at Trac Mon always a highlight of the year. I got Doris back yesterday evening with new pressure pipes to the oil cooler and the turbo. I have also sourced a replacement Blitz Boost Controller solenoid from Japan via a guy called Jessie Streeter who buys bits localy for you and posts them out. All very professional and quick ssaved me 100 quid. A pair of new tyres on the front fresh geometry check. Looks like the run down to Angelsey will be in the pouring rain. So wish me luck RTOC!

[RussellT]

The weekend started with a 5.30am alarm call to get up and out in the pouring rain for the drive to Angelsey, the promise was for better weather later in the day and sure enough as I exited the Conway tunnel there was no more rain. If you have never been to the Angelsey circuit Trac Mon the view as you drive into the paddock is nothing short of spectacular it really is a special place.
https://twitter.com/turborussell/status/519108339952009217/photo/1

Class 1b had no less than 10 entries from 2 lads in a e bay special Mazda RX8 to a young lad in a Clio Cup 172 on throttle bodies that had smoked me at Aintree so running plenty of poke. There were a couple of 306 Rallyes 1 of which is usually driven by Keith Minshall who beats me by the odd hundredth but today his Brother David was at the wheel.

I had a new set of Advan Neova ADO8 on the front and they would need scrubbing in, I also had the replacement Blitz Boost Controller solenoid to see if that helped the cars performance.

[Trevhib]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BzQ-SN8IgAAgUYm.jpg:large

[RussellT]

Thank you Trevor the picture just doesnt convey the majesty of the scenery. Anyway back tothe track. The first corner on the National circuit is a long sweeping right thats downhill on tyhe entry and sharply uphill onthe exit. It is epic especially when taken off the long downhill striaght. Thankfully I didnt have to deal with that particular challenge but there are a choice of lines. Narrow entry hug the inside. wide entry late apex and a middle of the road approach. I favoured the wide entry and tried to sweep around all the time accelerating in 3rd gear balancing the throttle with what the rear ofthe car was doing. A little slide is perfect but too much and you are going to have to correct and lose time. Then you hit a blind 90 left that arives very quickly into a long hairpin where a late apex helps you get on the gas for a really tricky corner called Peel. Its a tight in opening right that is over 90 degrees and time and time again you miss the apex and run wide comprimising your exit down over the brow to a steeply downhill entry into a tight lefthander that is again ver 90 degrees with an uphill exit, vital for the run down to the final hairpin. Its got everything fast sweeping corners with lots of gradient changes.

[RussellT]

This is a link to my attempt at the 2 lapper back in 2007 http://youtu.be/1C6QpKqOfW0

[RussellT]

My first run was gentle as I didnt know how my new tyres would react and I had a new brake calliper on the front aswell. All felt very good but unfortunately I didnt get a time. Top dog was Daniel Brady in his Clio cup on 68.66 with David Minshull just behind 68.74.
Next run I gave her more beanz still at practice boost of 15psi and stopped the clock on 67.69 with Daniel in the lead on 66.42.
The track was fully dry by now so full dry settings on the dampers race boost dialled in on the boost controller and after a committed run I stopped the clock at 66.51 to Daniels 65.82 I was second with David on 67.34. My second run was only a tad better 66.28 but Daniel couldnt improve. My 3rd run was more lary which usually means you are slower but it was my best time 65.48 and that tookthe win. We had a 4th run but only David ran a faster time 67.25. That was a really good win for me. The brakes felt good forthe first time in ages and the new boost solenoid valve gave me an extra 4 psi without changing any settings.
The next day was going to be harder the rapid Cliuo would be able to exploit its advantage on the long straight and we were also to be joined by Paul " Handbrake" Edwards.

[RussellT]

After a great evening of friendly banter in a local hostelry we all gathered for the final event 0f 2014. The weather was forcast to be dry in the morning with rain at luchtime. I had been on the phone to my mechanic and mwntioned that the rear was bouncing with the extreme load at the downhill left hander onto the long straight. He suggested I lowered the rear tyre pressures and this turned out to be a good call.

[RussellT]

We were running the full international circuit. Here is a link to how it should be done with a ride onboard with Harewood Hill Climb instructor James Kerr. One point to note our finish line was at the end of the rumble strip so give us a couple of seconds leeway on James. http://youtu.be/JaMDQXfzvBM

The first timed run was in the rain so I left Doris at practice boost and was pleased to pip both Paul and Daniel with a low 120 sec. The later stopping the clock at an impressive 121 having recovered from an amazing oversteer slide at the second corner. I thought I had taken the lead but had a rude awakening when I checked the time sheets to find Andew Wright had taken his Michelin Pilot Sport 3 shod Pug in 120.1 sec and had beaten me.

We now had lunch, then had to wait whilst the British Sprint championship competitors girded their loins primed their paddle shifts scrubbed their tyres and even cooled their radiators with leaf blowers (they have them in F1 you know). 12 drivers took an age to take 2 runs. Eventually got another go. The track was dry and this was going to be the one, the final run ofthe year. Doris was ready, I was primed, unfortunately I soon discovered that I had lost the ability to change into 3rd gear!. Pressure it makes you do the daftest things, I just couldnt find 3rd gear I was convinced that my gearbox had broken again and gave up even trying to use 3rd. I ran 112 but Paul and Daniel were in the 108's.
Gutted I just had to accept I had screwed up.
I hadnt factored in Longton and District MC determination to maximise driver time and we were to get a 4th run. I had another chance!

[RussellT]

I had to make this count. The start was OK second gear just gets to the first corner. I hit the apex accelerate through the exit and slowly calmy change ito 3rd gear. No issues I was back! . I hold 3rd for the second corner trail breaking into the left hander and power down to the banked hairpin. I leave my braking until Im beyond the pit exit line but with Doris new found ability to stop I could have gone further still. Never mind I get a good line through and exit from the hairpin. On to Church, another mighty corner you approach seriously quick in 4th a lift dab of break tip her in and hope the rear holds firm. Look for the exit and once there its full power down the curving straight. Doris can make it to the breaking zone in 4th. How far dare you go before you pile onto the breaks for Rocket? She squirms under the load and I fumble for 2nd but I getthe apex and a good line forthe hairpin that follows. Back to 3rd and Im heading for Peel. Dont be greedy I tell myself and check my speed forthe entry. I hit the apex rumble strip and power around and all the way over the brow and down the hill. More heavy breaking, the back end twitching away corrective steering movements holding it in check I feed her into the left hander and allthe way ontothe exit rumble strip. Im on full throttle but there is little response from Doris I glance at the AFR meter and its reading 13.9. Blast she is definitely leaning out. One final heroic effor onn the brakes for the hairpin and Im around and just reach the finish in second gear and 7K revs.
What a blast 108.39. Im still 3rd but a decent time and respectibility. Daniel wins with 107.55 and Paul second on 108.22.
The season is over, Ive had 5 seconds, 2 firsts, 2 gearboxes a diff,and 1 crash, mega competition from Ian Butch Butcher and still finish a credable 7th in the overall LDMC championship. Ive already ordered a fuel pressure gauge and booked the dampers into Leda for a service. Roll On 2015!

[Trevhib]

Fatastic write ups Russell. It sounds like a great scene to be involved in. Hugely competitive but friendly, whilst not being toooo expensive, in fact it appears to be great value. Thanks for always taking the time to update us on what's happened at the meets and rock on Doris :agree:

[Alex]

Good stuff Russ :agree: Angelsey Trac Mon is an absolutely staggeringly pretty place. I was there in July for a track and it took my breath away. The circuit is really fun too, I thought.

Be careful with those AFR's! :eek:

[RussellT]

This is Matt AKA Fearless tackling the National circuit
http://youtu.be/HU2oEqhwUeI
I note he favours the wide entry into school
And this is him on the International
http://youtu.be/O3u7xrh1iyg
Note the position of the finish.

[RussellT]

Good stuff Russ :agree: Angelsey Trac Mon is an absolutely staggeringly pretty place. I was there in July for a track and it took my breath away. The circuit is really fun too, I thought.

Be careful with those AFR's! :eek:

You are so right Alex, not a good situation at all. The plan is to rewire the circuit to the fuel pump, which you can hear change note when you put your foot on the brake, and fit the fuel pressure sensor. Then back to Scoff to see whats what with the fuel presure on his RR and see if I need a different fuel pump what the engine is doing now and whether he can tweak the map. By the way he doesnt know shes coming his way yet!
A new fella at my local garage is into Cossies and he said that the first mod for them is to rewire the fuel pump.