Sunday 14 November 2010

Charity Event at Kames 13 Nov 2010

With Gales and Heavy rain into Friday evening, expectations were not high for a dry Saturday. However, the morning dawned, cool, bright and clear. The atmosphere on arrival was very laid back. Nobody seemed to be getting het up regarding getting things going.
My goal for the day was to break the 100 second barrier.
First practise run was okay with a time of 104 secs, second practise run improved at 100.8 secs - getting close to target. It was fun watching some of the rally cars competing who were driving most corners sideways, or if they got it wrong, going for a spin (there were quite a few !)
After lunch, 1st timed run, which is the video below
My fastest time of the day - 98.3secs, so target achieved., You might catch the cry of success at the end of the video. The final timed run of the day didn't see any improvement - 99.1secs, but I knew it was a bit ragged.
However, the shock of the day was I won my class !!
So, a great day, dry weather, but very cold, and a good turnout to support John Frew's Charities.
Can't wait for next year.
Now it's rebuilt time. So future posts for work being carried out on the car.

Friday 5 November 2010

Swimming around Kames

Never been good with diaries! Anyway, visit to Kames 3rd October http://www.eastayrshirecc.co.uk/track. Kames is by the town of MuriKirk in Ayrshire. An ex mining/industrial town, which has lost it's industry, and is miles from anywhere.
The day dawned very wet, and looked like continuing.
When walking the track, came across a stream across the track on an exit to a major corner, large puddles on inside of corners, and finally a 'lake' completely across the course, just after the hairpin where the fastest stretch of the course is.  Luckily the rain stopped for a while, and water started to clear.
The stream stayed for the day as you can see in the video above. An interesting course as you do 3 laps each run, which gives a chance to review corners etc. The course did show up how 'slow' the steering rack is, when attempting to negotiate the hairpin, and catch any oversteer on exit. The other issue was that the course allowed me to get into 3rd gear, but I missed the downchange on 2 occasions !!! . As usual, got faster each run.
However,during lunch break, a rain storm could be seen coming up the valley. Eventually appeared in time for the last timed run after lunch. If you watched the Korean Grand Prix, and saw any of the car/driver views, it was that bad. Between steamed up glasses, and soaking visor, visibility disappeared to the point where I couldn't see the marshal waving the chequered flag to indicate the end of my run  !
Despite being soggy, it was still an enjoyable day. 
Looking forward to the John Frew Memorial Charity Sprint on 13th Nov. Please donate if you are able, by going to the site 

Hopefully the weather will be kind,