2009 Season How Was It For You?

[delta]

I feel that i have given Peter's 2009 review the kiss of death as i was the last poster.Come on you lot ,Spectators,Marshalls.C of C's its not all about us failed racing drivers.

[midgetman]

Nothing much for me this year. Drove in:

Club 100 10-hours of Spa kart race - the sun shone from dawn to dusk and it was 30 degrees, unbelieveable for Spa!
Shared MGDavid's Montego at MG Live - brilliant race! And in hindsight one of the last races on the International circuit and a chance to go through Bridge I may never get again. Ace.

That was it for competing but also attended:

Silverstone Classic - good to meet Delta et al for the first time
Festival of Greed - it's ticked off my list now, don't have to go again!
Sundry clubbies, Autosports Int, Race Retro etc where I was reminded just how important the social aspect of this great sport is. Good spectating, great cameraderie. Fantastic! Roll on 2010!

[R59]

I had lots of work on this year, so the car had to take 4th place behind other things. Eventually got it all together for the final AMOC Super GT round at Silverstone in October.

Tyres were too old. Niggly issues with steering still not resolved, so handling was wayward to say the least! Any chance of a full race distance (for the first time ever with "Harry") was scuppered when the oil pump belt snapped and went for a walk on it's own somewhere between Ireland and Abbey.

Next year (in a David Coulthard voice) will be my year!

[DAVID PATERSON]

Australia Day at Oran Park, i had a great weekend. Qualified 5th, we had 5 races, finished every race in the top 5. Only issue all weekend was a blown brake light fuse, so i fitted the spare.

Easter at Bathurst, car was jumping out of top gear in practice, no time to fix it before qualifying. Last lap of qualifying the oil pressure light came on and the pressure gauge dropped to zero, but the car was still running fine. Replaced oil pump, checked all the lines, checked the oil level, tested the gauge, to no avail, so on the trailer before Race 1. Got home to find it was simply a welsh plug behind the timing cover had failed. Tapped the block and fitted a threaded plug in it's place.

Father's Day at Eastern Creek, second lap of qualifying, taking it easy and a conrod shot straight through the side of the block into the chassis rail. Again, on the trailer before Race 1.

Sold the car the next day, as is.

[Tim the Grey]

2009 was a bit of a mixed bag. FIA GT, Le Mans 24 hours, Silverstone Classic, a first visit to Castle Combe, and the Holly Birkett Relay, are all, in no particular order, season highlights.
I'm amazed that in 20+ days at Silverstone this year, I've seen just half a day of rain! Lots of sunshine, and some great racing.

The low points include missing Tour Britannia and JMW JUST missing out on the LMS Gt2 title by just 1 point. Oh, and being told by 'er indoors I can't upgrade the cameras till they earn some money!

[Mike Bell]

Tim's mention of sunshine has spurred me on- there was also lots of it at race meetings I went to this season! A brief shower at the Classic during practice for GD and the wet thursday at Spa 6hrs when the clouds were below the hills.... that was it. All that money I spent on wets

Racing is different things to different people- I try to make them an adventure, so towing all the way to the Algarve, Magny Cours and Spa is part of that. The long haul to Portimao in particular took us across parts of Spain and Portugal that I hadn't seen before and was a very pleasant education. In the UK the 3hrs at Snetterton was also an adventure despite being local, and a great 'Boys w/end' with James Paterson (he who got me into this!) at Combe was fun. Driving Brands for first time, and the GP circuit to boot, left me wanting more.

2 cars, 16 races and just 2 dnfs on the new one from fuel problems which were sorted after the Classic. The Gilbern never missed a beat, despite just receiving a diff service and cautionary head removal before the season. Highlight in it's last race (Spa) a class win. Ls now worn out and new engine going in for 2010 to see if we can beat a few more B's

The Escort also got more competitive by the end of the summer as the gearing, springs and me got sorted. Slicks really suit the car, and I have had a ball driving it. Last event at Portimao netted our first class win, despite the biggest moment I ever want to have!

Other stuff- going to the BDC Anniversary with an absolute Gent in his 8 litre I will never forget. 114 miles in 117 minutes. A sociable time spectating at the Revival with good non-racing friends, See Red, meeting more ten-tenthers, Delta's BBQ.... and still no rain.

I just hope 2010 can be as good

[COLIN STUBBS]

Ups and downs of 2009! Began by working night and day getting new Rover built and painted in the "historic" Dunlop Rover Cup livery. Took ages.

Raced the old Rover at Silverstone with the use of the garages which was brilliant. Before the second TTRS round we finished the new car, Tested it,went to Snet and found it missing at high revs. Changed just about every component and still it wouldnt rev over 6500. Compressions ok. etc. Had a couple of good races but not happy with it.

Fiddled about some more, went to Cadwell and it got progressivly worse until BANG.Dropped a valve at full chat. Stripped what was left of the engine and found the misfire...a broken rocker so we had only one exhaust valve working on one pot which of course didnt show up on a comp. test..
Built a new engine before next race at Oulton. dynod and with a few American bits. etc we had gained 20hp, and now revving to 8500!

On the pace at Oulton and running second in class,beating most of the two litre cars and tormenting Jag XJSs. Just spoiled by getting a whack on the back end by a Mazda attempting to win the race from 12th on the first lap.
Happy with a brace of seconds though.

Sadly couldnt do any more TTRS owing to work commitments so squeezed in a couple ot CSCC TinTop taces with a class win at Cadwell and a second at Snett. with the Rover going even better.
Was really chuffed to receive trophies from TTRS and CSCC but a shame both prizegivings were on the same night!

Nice to meet Mr Turner and all the other Ten Tenthers that said hello through the year.
And nice to race with TTRS and CSCC with some big grids of friendly people.
Im doing the same in 2010 whos next?

[big andy]

colin we have been at the same race meeting a few times now and we have never met i must come and say hello next year

[John Turner]

Andy, did you ever get to see the last post on this thread? :-

http://tentenths.com/forum/showthrea...=116781&page=2

[big andy]

cheers john no i never looked back at that thread i never did the second race as i was physically exhausted (pussy) the starlet is a real hard car to drive and what do you mean "i didn t recognize as such" next time come and say hello

[zefarelly]

I've deliberated over this one . . . .

Having had a few years almost perfect reliability I've had a bit of a stinker. racing as a family is hard work too, but better than a sabbatical, its worth the extra effort.

Late 2008 Spa was a poor show, caused by a foolish mistake on my part in letting an unknown set my engine up on his rolling road, he ****ed it! the real issue hadn't materialised before we started the race, practice was ruined by a 99p failed circlip!this dragged on with hidden gems until Snetterton . . . with that engine sidelined/parts salvaged I fitted (ANOTHER TUNING EXPERIMENT!!!) engine No2, this was awesome but fragile (lesson learnt, 5 bhp less but reliable is better than 5 more for dyno testing and 7 laps!) it did however give me a great, but busy weekend at Lydden.

I didn't know until later, but OPGC failure, and the early warning at Lydden where ultimately caused by foam sump baffling breaking up, restricting oil flow and causing overheating (jammed oil thermostat didn't help) head gasket failure etc . . . It was at this point having confided in a sympathetic Delta ( no tea or beer!!! but thanks mate ) I decided to quit for the season and concentrate on doing some work to finance a better more thoroughly/sensibly prepared attempt at enjoying my spare time in 2010. . . cancelling Spa was a hard one.

Asides these 'racing incidents' I had been pushing my luck tuning wise in making a futile attempt to be competitive ( I was 3 years ago!) Frankly I can't afford it and legally the car won't do it, I suppose frustration crept in, without letting my morals lower to compensate!

What compounded all the seasons challenges was trying to run/establish/keep alive a fledgeling business, in the midst of a recession, whilst doing all of this when I'm supposed to be working! . . . . a 9-5 and salary is a doddle by comparisson . . . . . I still wonder . . . .

Development becomes public which Is another issue to deal with, wearing your heart on your sleeve does not make me destined to become rich, but I knew that anyway, I'm my own boss and a spade will always be a spade, whether its fashionable or not.

we had a good few high points with customers however, (we don't sell experiments!) and we're very much looking forward to 2010, theres lots of exciting prospects and some fantastic new toys about to break cover which we've been proud to be associated with.

Asides all of that prattle we thoroughly enjoyed meeting everyone at race meetings, its always a pleasure, and adds immeasurably to any weekend, despite the the shocking travel times on UK roads!

Our greatest achievement this year has been a total rework of the camper van, Mrs Zef and Zef Jr are happy, so even when it all goes totally t!ts up I at least avoid the complaints of living in a builders transit!



now its a racers tranny

[John Turner]

Originally Posted by big andy

cheers john no i never looked back at that thread i never did the second race as i was physically exhausted (pussy) the starlet is a real hard car to drive and what do you mean "i didn t recognize as such" next time come and say hello

Nothing critical I assure you. I don't think I saw any badging on it in the paddock and had to look at the programme to find out what it was. I think the Starlet was always rare in this country (but please correct me if I'm wrong) and with the body mods, I simply didn't have a clue what it was, and that is quite unusual for me (he said, modestly!).

[COLIN STUBBS]

Originally Posted by big andy

colin we have been at the same race meeting a few times now and we have never met i must come and say hello next year

Ye will definatelly come and say hello when your at Cadwell mate!
Should have done this year.....

[Al Weyman]

Coming out for a one off with us at Cadwell Colin, I won't tell anyone honest. :-)

[COLIN STUBBS]

Thanks for the invite Al.
Gimme a quick breakdown on costs and Ill think about it!

Racing or not I will be around if anyone needs any help locally!!

[Al Weyman]

Same fees as last year I believe, £180 for first race £100 extra if you do a 2nd, £25 day membership will cover for CTCRC and BARC.

[BILTEL]

2009, My first season, I only took my ARDS test in October. Got stuck into converting my trackday car to a race car. I’d joined CTCRC and entered Classic Thunder at Oulton and had a great time. I came 8th in my first ever race. What a sharp learning curve after 10 years of trackdays, I thought I knew everything. WRONG!

Next up was a double header at Silverstone in Pre 93’s I really enjoyed this, as I was now surrounded by the type of Touring cars I love. Results were in the single figures which wasn’t bad in the wet and the second race of the day was heartbreaking as the manifold split and by the time the race finished the turbo was being held on by the intercooler pipes. Still a finish though, which was all important for the signatures. Not last, but unhappy (I still beat Al in the borrowed Avenger.)

I then sneaked in another double header at Silverstone (4 miles from home) with the Nippon Challenge. As my car runs to Pre93 regs, I was a little out my depth, but still beat some of the 4wds in a very wet 1st race. A turbo pipe blew off on the first lap of the second race I was up to 8th by Maggots and I was mad, really mad. I didn’t speak for days. That was going to be it for my racing career. The Starion was dumped in the barn in shame and I wasn’t even prepared to mention turbo cars let alone race one again.

But the bug returned and Rockingham was only an hour away from home. The Rock was dry!!! At last I was going to drive my car in the dry for the first time. I had a great day the first race saw my mirrors full of Brian Jordan’s 635 from start to finish, but still in the mirror at the end, which meant I was 7th. The second race was the same story, but after a coming together in front of me I was looking at 5th, until a stupid novice mistake, totally of my own doing, put me down to 12th. Not to worry, the car was great and it was a dry day. A friend of mine with far too much money, enjoyed it so much, he offered to pay for my entry for the final Pre 93 round at Mallory.

This was dry and I was looking forward to a good day, but I’d only heard bad things about the track and had bent my sisters trackday car at Combe the week before, so had no confidence at all. What a race though. I had a race long battle with Roger Bowman’s gorgeous XJS, in the end he got by and took my 4th place off me. I got back at him and was all lined up for another chance to get my 4th back, but that was it, out of time. Our race was cut short. (Start line pile up)

I had a great year, I will remember that race at Mallory forever. In a Starion I built out of a road car, with a bolt in cage and lowered road suspension, I’m happy, very happy!

[Peter Mallett]

Great to hear that and well done. Of course now you will be thinking of how to develop it. Oh dear.

[Al Weyman]

Its pretty well developled as is!

[BILTEL]

Some coilovers for a start. The standard shocks are shot!!! Flopping over to one side with a clonk everytime around Gerards was enough to keep me awake.

[delta]

Originally Posted by BILTEL

Some coilovers for a start. The standard shocks are shot!!! Flopping over to one side with a clonk everytime around Gerards was enough to keep me awake.

Sounds like you have her sorted !,adjustable anti roll bar. Enjoyed reading your post .welldone and welcome to the "im broke spent all my money motor racing club"

[GORDON STREETER]

2009 was brilliant for me and was the cheapest yet. This is watching "Grand Prix" for the 3rd time !!!

[Al Weyman]

And suitable bored out yer brain Gordon?

[delta]

Originally Posted by GORDON STREETER

2009 was brilliant for me and was the cheapest yet. This is watching "Grand Prix" for the 3rd time !!!

Ive been trying to learne my way round Monaco and keep finding Grand Prix on U Tube.Love the part when he cant find any gears then ends up in the drink

[Al Weyman]

Did'nt that happen to Paul Hawkins?