CROFT ROUND 5 TIME ATTACK 2016
leading up to the Croft event knowing there is potential to secure the 2016 championship tension was high.
Having only ever driven croft once in the past (last year) I remember one thing about the circuit... ITS BLOODY FAST.
Early on in the season I had decided that I wanted to tinker with some aero stuffs, kicking things off with a "knob head" sized spoiler. BYC had taken a boot lid from me along with a few basic specs and got busy with a prototype.
This is what they produced.
I was keen to try out the wing on circuit, immediately I feel a nice improvement in rear end stability at speeds over 80mph.
I had been blessed once again with support from Rednekmotorzportz, I don't have a proper support team and working with these guys has been a really nice experience.
SESSION 1, WARM UP
Taking the first few laps steady, breaking in some new discs and pads (ds3000 gifted by HiSpec Motorsport) I soon have a very strong set of brakes.
A few laps in and I am lapping 1:38.5 however my transponder has lost its ground so could not be picked up by TSL Timing
Alan and Mike from Rednek soon sorted this for me without any drama
SESSION 2 PRACTICE
Heading out on the circuit once again slowly picking up the pace I find a 1:37.379... (last year set inaugural lap record with 1:36.997)
This session ends with a few big mistakes on track and no improvement in lap time but my optimal is showing a low 1:36 (potential).
FOOTAGE OF FASTEST LAP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hW_OexfSPOk
At lunchtime I have an interview with the Time Attack media, this podcast is on my Twitter
SESSION 3 QUALIFYING
Heading out on circuit late after not hearing our session being called out early, I'm a bit flustered but crack on regardless...
About to start my 2nd flying lap ready to go for a quick one...
2nd gear out of the hairpin, 3rd gear reach 6,500 rpm and feel a loss of power, shift to 4th and we have a sick engine! no power. I cant see any oil, smoke or anything wrong other than a lack of power and a very rich AFR.
FOOTAGE OF ENGINE FAILING...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKCAIhdtD5c
All I could do was pull off the circuit and watch the rest of the session from the marshalls post.
Once recovered by the circuit back to the paddock the guys start to check the car over... timing belt still attached, oily spark plugs, catch tank has 100mls of oil in it!
Our only hope was to fit a new set of plugs, empty the catch tank and turn the key. the engine had no compression, it just didn't sound right.
I needed a car to drive in the final. I approached Andy Kime to ask if I could borrow his car and he said I could use it for the last few minutes of the final. However due to technicality I could not score championship points in another car.
Regardless of not using Andys saxo the offer was very kind and wont be forgotten
We loaded the car onto the trailor and headed home just as the finals session started. Completely gutted.
Back to Alive Tuning to strip down the car...
Revealed
Dumping the engine oil, it was nice and fresh, looking almost like new with no shiny bits. Thanks to Millers oils for their quality oil they are supporting me with this season.
DEAD SAXO
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