SVRA Sebring Spring Vintage Classic 26 Feb-03 March

[Cliff Ryan]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

SNOW PERMITTING? I can get that here!

No snow in Sebring but lots forecast for New York where 1200 mile journey south to the sun starts today.

[john ruston]

Pity about cold weather expected this weekend but probably better than Norfolk!

Muse very good.

Be at Sebring Friday for a few hours.

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by john ruston

Pity about cold weather expected this weekend but probably better than Norfolk!

Muse very good.

Be at Sebring Friday for a few hours.

You beat me to it John. Forecast on hotel TV this morning, as you say, suggested cold weekend. But that is Florida Cold, not Norfolk cold!

Sorry to have missed the concert! Being a skinflint when it it comes to air travel date and time were set in stone..... And talking of flying, must be 15 years since did long haul across the pond, and things have certainly improved! With on line check in and printing own boarding cards, only queue at Gatwick was for security- and that only 10 mins or so. And after all the horror stories about Immigration this end, went straight through without having to even stand in line! I would add that our Airbus 330 only had 50+ passengers, which did help.

Will be at Sebring 0900 Thursday onwards, so hope to see you there at some point Friday John. Now off to collect rental and head over to the Space Centre.

[Al Weyman]

You will enjoy that Mike!

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by Al Weyman

You will enjoy that Mike!

Yup, am heading straight for the shuttle take off sim! Should get me ready for driving the mighty Mustang!

Rental car probably not so exciting, as have gone for a Ford Escape (small SUV)- hoping that it will be the new one. From the price, guess more likely the obsolete model...... Maybe if I ask nicely they'll upgrade me to a Mustang, Corvette or something.

[Al Weyman]

Funny I was dreaming last night of that trip we took on the sim. Always worth a haggle with an upgrade, I did and came away with a nice burnt orange Camaro!

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by Al Weyman

Funny I was dreaming last night of that trip we took on the sim. Always worth a haggle with an upgrade, I did and came away with a nice burnt orange Camaro!

Pretty impressive ride, that simulator! Just got back with temperature nudging 80..... Most impressive thing though for me was standing under the lunar launcher displayed. Just couldn't take in the size.

No upgrade but did get to pick which in category paid for I wanted. All the Ford Escapes were old model, except for one, and it is white. Suits the current climate well, and someone in the team has to have an SUV to cart all the wheels and stuff....

Off to circuit early in morn! Now trying to find out why GPS isn't working on phone satnav.......

[Cliff Ryan]

Mike first practice is at 9am so we came down a day earlier rather than having to get up at 5am tomorrow.

We are in the paddock behind the Fangio grandstand with one of the many white semis about a 1/4 of the way along on the right.

Have got a rather apt hire car

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by Cliff Ryan

Have got a rather apt hire car

So a Mustang convertible then....

What's all this 'first practice is at 9' business? I'm on holiday......

Sorted out satnav- another switch hidden in settings- so departing shortly.

[Al Weyman]

Thats what he had last time, a drophead Mussie. When we did the Space Station Tour Fox News were there live filming the moving of the Shuttle to a permanent home and we were in the small crowd they interviewed so probably seen by millions!

[SAMD]

Originally Posted by Al Weyman

Thats what he had last time, a drophead Mussie. When we did the Space Station Tour Fox News were there live filming the moving of the Shuttle to a permanent home and we were in the small crowd they interviewed so probably seen by millions!

I trust you let Fox News know that you were in a DVD and had raced Jeremy Clarkson - no less.

[Al Weyman]

But of course. They looked at me blankly and said, who?

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by SAMD

I trust you let Fox News know that you were in a DVD and had raced Jeremy Clarkson - no less.

don't lose that sense of humour.......

Well, Sebring was hot and sunny today but still being told that cold weather to come. The organisers are as laid back and helpful as can be, so in all it has been a great first day. Been out in the mighty Mustang twice for free testing sessions. Not very selective with Nascar, Transam, GT3, us etc all on track together. Made for busy and interesting time! As I had never seen the car before or circuit before Cliff decided to be kind and sent me out on brand new pads as well. I survived, which is more than a GT350 did late in the afternoon. Now looking very sorry for itself.

Friday we have another short practice session and then two qualifying. By then I might have learned the corners, if not the car! I'm told the engine is 425bhp and am not arguing with that estimate.

Taken some pics, but mostly of race trucks. Some would get my rig in the back! Just off for some grub. Will report again tomorrow.

[Cliff Ryan]

Mike just about to go out for practice in the Mustang

[Malcolm Smith]

Very cool !
The look of the consummate professional.

[delta]

Originally Posted by SAMD

I trust you let Fox News know that you were in a DVD and had raced Jeremy Clarkson - no less.

Any way I thought you were Captain America. You beat me to it with that one Jeff.

[Al Weyman]

Welcome to the dark side Mike you realise once you have gone V8 it will be very hard to go back.

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by Al Weyman

Welcome to the dark side Mike you realise once you have gone V8 it will be very hard to go back.

there are pros and cons........ Certainly the noise of Cliff's car is a pro!

Interesting though to listen to the Cobra Automotive Cougars and GT350s, which use a flat plane crank and rev to over 9K, go down the straight. Sound all wrong to me. The various Corvettes including several Duntov space frame cars sound absolutely glorious, as do most Nascar and TransAm machines. Proper V8s!

[Al Weyman]

Oh you mean the FIA cars have flat plan cranks Mike lol! Here are the only two of your pictures I received.

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by Al Weyman

Oh you mean the FIA cars have flat plan cranks Mike lol! Here are the only two of your pictures I received.

Thanks Al. Nothing on the east coast is FIA! SVRA rule.......

Just back from track. Car still in one piece. Few issues to keep us on our toes, worst being duff starter at 0830 this morn just as I wanted to go out for qualifying. Fortunately car push started and then again in collecting area and at driver change. After threatening to change the starter, it is now behaving itself.....

Cliff has done first race, all OK and I'm out in morning. Then if car still healthy we may do a 90 minute enduro as well. Two 5 minute pit stops- compulsory!

Food time.

[Al Weyman]

Sounds like heat soak on starter, may need a shield to protect it from radiated heat from headers

[john ruston]

Be only place it's hot at Sebring!

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by john ruston

Be only place it's hot at Sebring!

John, you've been out here too long! Just like a British summer's day at Snetterton or Silverstone today..... (Only 3 layers)

[Mike Bell]

Wonder why I took this pic? 2litre BDG Esc and 1300 injected Pre X-flow Anglebox. Cars belong to a well known Ford enthusiast, who also has 2 more racing Escorts. One a genuine TwinCam imported to Canada and other a Gp4 rally spec RS1600 that his other half races. Then there is an ex Alan Mann LC, an ex works LC that raced at Daytona and a Capri RS2600.........

Very nice.

[delta]

Must of been a good race for Cliff.???. Hope yours is a bit more exciting Mike. Just off to run Goring 10k. Blooming cold here.