Hillclimb & Sprinting

[David]

Terminal speed before braking for paddock surpriseth me not -- simply on gearing, the only place I've been faster this year (including Pembrey) is Hethel.

As you say, Paddock entirely without aerodynamic assistance is an "interesting" proposition .....................

[Dave Spencer]

Three Sisters 2 lapper 11th September.

Why does it always happen on re runs?

We arrived at Three Sisters nice and early and set up camp in our designated paddock space. The layout being used was 2 laps of the perimeter track, with the start in the pit lane. We had not competed on this layout before, but it looked fast, especially when we had not only a flying lap over 'coward’s summit', but the finish line there as well.

Class 2a was made up with Michael Bellerby and his Peugeot engine Striker, Andy Taylor in his Caterham Superlight, Brad Gould in his really nice Westfield and Martin Walker in his Westfield.

We had a few timing gremlins throughout the day, but two practice runs and a timed run were still completed before lunch. After the first timed run the top three was Jim in first, followed by me, with I think Brad in third.

After lunch I went out for my second timed run. I put in a solid run, but as I went through the finish line the clock carried on timing, so I was given a re run. The re run felt a lot better and I was feeling confident of recording a good time. I managed to negotiate 'coward’s summit', and went down the hill to the right hander, went through the right hander with a bit of opposite lock on exit . As I accelerated out of the right hander I was just thinking about changing gear, when without any warning the engine went bang .

The car was given a lift back to the paddock, where on inspection a nice hole was found in the block, which had bits sticking out! (bugger). On closer inspection another hole was found in the sump, with shiny bits sticking out! (double bugger).

Anyway our previous times were still good enough for first and second in class with Michael Bellerby taking third.

I’m gutted at not being able to compete at Shelsley Walsh this weekend, but we hope to be out for the October event at Anglesey. Hopefully we can finish on a high!

I am taking the car to Nigel at Cougar engineering tomorrow, along with our 'spare' engine to see what 'magic he can weave! I will report back with his findings.

Regards,

David.

[David]

David

Really sorry to hear about your woes -- I must admit, I have mixed memories of 3-Sisters too (mine more "finger trouble" than engine trouble.... see below...)

I'm sure Nigel will sort you out with much more power than I would want you to have .................................... if you throw enough money at him

Hoping you make Anglesey,

David

[dopdog]

was that an expensive finger fault?

[petercoll]

Great action pics !

Pete

[David]

@Dopdog -- mercifully the chassis was straight. Starboard rocker and wishbone were wrecked, as were radiator and nose cone (unsurprisingly). Starboard front wheel and tyre were fine , steering rack was rebuilt by Kiley-Clinton literally overnight -- and I managed to hammer the timing strut (roughly) back into shape . Expensive, but not nearly as bad as it could have been.

@Pete -- quick thinking and quick camera work by Nigel Ash of Se7en-imaging Not, though, an action shot I'd have wanted to star in.....

[Dave Spencer]

[quote="David"]David

I'm sure Nigel will sort you out with much more power than I would want you to have .................................... if you throw enough money at him

Hi David,

As much as we would like Nigel to take the engine to Formula Atlantic spec . Nigel is just going to rebuild the engine to the same spec as before!

Early indications are, that the head is ok and the only item that may delay proceedings is the sump.

Regards.

David.

[Dave Spencer]

We spoke to Nigel at Cougar yesterday. Apart from a couple of bent valves the head is ok, the block on the other hand was not! Apparently it had split in half

We have ordered a new sump from Pace, but in the mean time Nigel is going to repair the old one. Hopefully we will get the car back, sooner than expected.(famous last words)

Regards,

David.

[rscmb7]

Congratulations to the Spencers. Top 6 of the Midland Speed Championship tables reads:

1 Jim Spencer Sylva Striker 170.00
2 Martin Depper Mini Cooper 168.78
3 Mike Roe TVR Vixen S4 168.11
4 Gary Thomas Force PT 167.53
5 Anne Ballantyne Westfield 164.00
6 David Spencer Sylva Striker 163.02

Results are quoted as provisional but seem right to me. WEll done.

Roger

[David]

Seconded -- serious congrats in order.

I can attest to having watched the Spencer Striker get ever faster over the last six years Look forward to more battles next year