The meaning of life the universe and the 2.42 lap of Spa in a clockwork car.

[MartinSmith]

Originally Posted by john ruston

There is an Italian prepared sledge with ten reindeer power that flys round any circuit as long as chauffeur is in red nomex.

Always available in September as they don't start marathon preparation until October for end of year jaunt.

È meglio fare attenzione... non è meglio non cry. ..è meglio non ridere im dico perché...

[Peter Mallett]

Dove vuoi testa di questo cavallo?

[MartinSmith]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Dove vuoi testa di questo cavallo?

Bend over and I'll show ya!! ha ha (we should stop this now!!! ha ha ha )

(Sorry but that IS relevant because its a line out of "Christmas Vacation" with Chevy Chase)

[Peter Mallett]

I didn't say where "should I put" it in anticipation of that reply.

[zefarelly]

Originally Posted by rogerwills

JR, are you running the book? I want a piece of the action on this one!! 2.42 in something nobody has figured out. Yeah right.

at the current rate an FiA Lotus Cortina will be doing that in about 4 years time.

[john ruston]

There will only be one bet on can do side!

Not sure there is a figure big enough for odds on failure.

May be worthwhile running a book on weather the superstar gang turn up!

[terence]

Hope you as much fun out of your wager as I did,from the one I just won.

[John Turner]

Well, Terry, that's all very well but I still have a problem with this post, so I'm going to say it if no-one else does:-

Originally Posted by terence bower

Quite agree, it, for me used to be the highlight of the year.14 entries into the six hour must have meant something? However, because of my very strong "anti cheating" feelings, its a race I simply cannot be bothered to do in a lower powered car ( by comparison).There was a very good chance this year that I and a couple of work mates from the academy would indeed by using something quite exotic for an atempt at the event.The car I know to have been completely in compliance with the regs was pretty easy to get round in around the
2:42s so would have been resonably competative .Still, as it didn't happen this year as the owner of the car accepted a silly price for the car, he has however promised us a similar car for next year's event. Shakedown hopefully by April 2014, fingers crossed!!!!!!!

So presumably the reference to 'cheating' is not aimed at the frontrunners then? As Simon Drabble says 2.42 is more than reasonably competitive and if all 3 drivers are capable of lapping comfortably at that pace, then, assuming car reliability, it would scamper off into the distance and win by a country mile. Bit pointless anyone else turning up. Do you not see the irony of all the discussion around the alleged dodginess of some of the cars in the race when you say you had, or might next year have access to a fully compliant car that can run consistently 2 seconds faster than the quickest cars in the race, apparently in the hands of drivers who are not to use JR's word the 'superstars' of the historic racing world. I look forward to seeing this entry next year but until we see what it is and who is driving it, you will have to forgive the fact that some of us might have a credibility issue here.

[simon drabble]

John you have encapsulated our thoughts very succinctly.

I have to say I was not sure even about the 14 entries to 6 Hour but maybe that included times Terry was part of the support crew when he worked at CMS.

Let us keep it factual or if a wish be open about it otherwise the thread will, like the race itself, be at risk of devaulation!!

[Mike Bell]

I assumed it was all just a big wind up. (The proposed 2014 entry, not the race!)

[john ruston]

Kept us all amused for a couple of days!

I've booked extra rooms

[MartinSmith]

Originally Posted by john ruston

Kept us all amused for a couple of days!

I've booked extra rooms

I booked the hairdressers meself xx

[midgetman]

Stop press! First images of Terry's 2:42 car launched.

"Yes it's all a big wind up" commented Bower. "The car looks pretty hopeful, and my co-drivers (N. Oddy and B. I. G. Ears) and I are hoping to avoid the queues at the petrol station just as soon as we've built our biceps enough."

Rumours of a lighting system powered by Fairy Dust still surround the mysterious entry which has been given FIA papers straight away.

(Yes, it's a quiet day here in Racewear Towers)

[simon drabble]

bring on many more quiet days - your post is very good!

[john ruston]

That is very clever!

[Mike Bell]

Superb, Max!

[MartinSmith]

Brilliant Max!!!

[bauble]

I've looked at the picture, and it is clearly a wind-up!

The key to it all is what is sticking out of the back of the boot

[GORDON STREETER]

I can't see that winning anything, but I don't mind joining with the "winding" team !

[bauble]

Steady on Gordon, do you know how many times the car will need winding up during a six hour race? You could be in for a lot of hard work, and supposing you over wind? Can you imagine the danger of the spring snapping in a crowded pit lane?

How will the lap times be affected as the spring winds down?

No! No! No! The whole venture is fraught with unconsidered variables, best let some other mug volunteer. (Mike Bell for instance)

Amongst the factors that seem likely to cause serious problems is the effect on the aero as the key turns. One minute it's acting like a tail fin then it turns into a flat wing half way round a corner, the driver will not know what to expect at any particular moment.

Ask yourself what would Chapman have thought of it?

Mr. Grouser.


PS; Why do elephants have big ears?

[Peter Mallett]

Because Noddy won't pay the ransom?

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by bauble

No! No! No! The whole venture is fraught with unconsidered variables, best let some other mug volunteer. (Mike Bell for instance)

I've already got one project lined up for 2014 Spa 6hrs! We will be looking and hoping for 3:15 lap times- the clockwork mechanism could be useful in achieving that....

[bauble]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Because Noddy won't pay the ransom?

Boom! Boom!

[midgetman]

Fear not Mr Bauble, the key unwind has been cleverly designed to be in synch with the big stops required at Spa. There is period precedence for this:

http://blog.modernmechanix.com/mercedes-benz-air-brake/

and the system has been fully approved under Appendix K.

He's in with a shout if all goes like clockwork.

[GORDON STREETER]

This is all getting a bit silly as I'm a non joking straight laced person !
Right I'm off to work, now where did I put the key to my SmartCar ?