Having invested in a new cam sourced from Kent Cams via Engine Dynamics under the guidance of Scoff who also arranged the install and did the mapping, I was hopefull of a new begining for Doris. Last year had been a struggle 2 gearbox failures were expensive but worse than that I could not keep pace with my class. The top lads in the North had always been too quick for me but I had now slipped back within the midfield cars.
Scoff had found that the cam was significantly retarded even though the timing marks were correctly aligned. The new cam got the power back to 190 at the FW but more importantly with more torque mid range.
Doris didnt seem to keen to perform. I backed her out of the garage on Friday and a coolant hose broke off the manifold to water pump. I managed to replace that with old turbo water jacket one cut to size. Then in the queue for scrutineering the drivers door lock broke and I had to remove the door card and bodge it up. The scrut team had a look and decided to go for a coffee rather than exclude me.
The forecast was dry to start then rain so one of those days when you could not afford to screw up the first timed run
After messing with the door I was late for my 1st practice which can be a prelude to going off so I deliberately took my time and checked the tyres were vaguely at the right pressures. I put the boost to 17 psi and waited my turn.
Off the line in anger for the first time even at practice boost I could feel the car had far more energy and I rocketed into the first right hander over the hill cautiously and down into the tight right onto the pit straight. My plan was to try and take this in 3rd utilising the improved mid range torque and saving 2 gear changes. She seemed to pull out well. I completed the run with a very positive feeling as a result of Scoff's work.