Check youtube http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=doune+hillclimb&aq=1 After Forrestburn, I had stripped the brakes, new seals where I could (got wrong rear brake cylinders, stnd Viva, required larger Magnum/Firenza). I found some horrors; a blockage of 'sludge' was created in one pipe !
We were also borrowing a Camper van from friends( Thanks Rosi & Boyd) to be on site. So, it was a convoy to Doune from L.G.
Started early (couldn't sleep), so got car ready in a very busy paddock.
Signing on also included run up the course with an experienced driver, which was useful, as he pointed out the areas to watch out for (East Brae hill, with blind right hand bend over crest). Didn't get chance to walk the course that day, as busy with scrutiny etc. 1st run was taken gently(67.26), particularly as I wasn't confident of the brakes, but did have a slight moment on last bend out of the trees, where the car ran wide, and put a wheel on the grass after the armco :-)
Next runs during the day were getting quicker, as I was finding I could use more speed, even changing up to 3rd!. 2nd run - 65.07, 3rd 64.15, so going in the right direction. Had a few issues with the starter not doing it's job reliably. So after final run for the day, set about making a jumper cable, with Anderson plug, bolted to the bulkhead where it's accessible.
Sunday woke up to light rain, got a chance to walk the course, as this was a single event spread across 2 days, rather than the normal 1 event per day. So, no signing on, scrutiny etc.
The track, although wet, was draining well, mainly areas where moss was growing. East Brae hill is a struggle to walk up, and walked down with care.The runs started soon enough, with most people being very tentative, with times somewhat slower than the day before. My 1st run ended up almost the same as my fastest in the dry (64.69)!. Various people were moving to slicks, as we'd had no further rain. My 1st timed run was quicker still - 62.16s, definitely going in the right direction. Lunchtime provided a little bit more rain, and so the afternoon's runs were turning into car bending sessions. This slowed the whole afternoon. Queuing for my final run, we had a variety of holds, finally with things getting very serious for Donald Ross, 3 cars in front of me. New came down of a big "off". Doctor was dispatched up the hill. News was he was okay, but car wasn't. The competitive drive dulled a bit at that news. So a cautious run was made - 63.86, and thankful to keep the car in one piece. Packing up, we were lucky to get off the field before the heavens opened.
All in all, and enjoyable and productive weekend, with me & the car developing. Main issue I came away with was lack of bit in the brakes.
No comments:
Post a Comment