Spa Classic Touring cars - Page 12

Mike Bell · 22 May 2013, 05:02 (Ref:3251487)

Thanks Gary and sorry you won't be able to make it. Though with forecast you are probably not sorry. I hate it when have to spend more time looking at weather than enjoying the event!

It appears that the snow originally forecast is being downgraded to sleet or rain on Friday. However, as much a concern, is freezing fog / drizzle and possible sub-zero temps at race time. That could be tricky....

Monza weekend after is looking good!

GORDON STREETER · 22 May 2013, 07:11 (Ref:3251519)

I've got a spare set of snow chains if you want them Mike !

Mike Bell · 22 May 2013, 08:02 (Ref:3251536)

Quote:

Originally Posted by GORDON STREETER

I've got a spare set of snow chains if you want them Mike !

just need to cut the wheel arches away for clearance!

GORDON STREETER · 22 May 2013, 12:21 (Ref:3251632)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

just need to cut the wheel arches away for clearance!

Ha Ha, I found out that the chains do that for you when they break off ! if you try and drive at 70mph like I did back in the 60s !

terence · 22 May 2013, 16:49 (Ref:3251744)

I hope you got out of driving too fast Gordon!

GORDON STREETER · 22 May 2013, 19:04 (Ref:3251807)

I had an Anglia van at the time and one of the chains broke and cut a f*****g great big hole and the chain finished up inside the van !

zefarelly · 22 May 2013, 19:49 (Ref:3251820)

Well I've finally finished all the prep and loading, have actually managed to do a little work this week as well, And built 2 gearboxes today, one spare for us if Gordon breaks the slush box

Eddy V · 22 May 2013, 20:37 (Ref:3251857)

Quote:

Originally Posted by delta

Hey Eddy is back with us.

Err, Iain, I have never been away really. Just didn't post, too busy doing other things I guess.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MGDavid

Eddy - will they be gone in time for the Summer Classic in 4 weeks' time do you know?

No, the work will last for 18 months or so, at least that what I saw on a roadsign coming back from a rally last Sunday.
Wild guess, I'd say until they have finished the whole motorway. They are resurfacing and building a concrete retaining wall.

terence · 23 May 2013, 04:00 (Ref:3252001)

E40 is the better route anyway,just dont go the Brussels way,during peak times.

GORDON STREETER · 23 May 2013, 04:29 (Ref:3252005)

What do you call peak times Terry, we are getting ready to go at this moment.

terence · 23 May 2013, 05:46 (Ref:3252026)

Usual times Gordon,7am till around 9:30,11:30 till around 2 pm and so on. Safe journey and have fun,there is a good ski run near the Beau Site btw.

Eddy V · 23 May 2013, 20:34 (Ref:3252341)

It seems the first snow already fell today near Spa, but melted away quickly.

There is more to come.

terence · 24 May 2013, 04:29 (Ref:3252504)

Eddy,dont use a yellow umbrella,it might confuse some drivers

Eddy V · 25 May 2013, 18:49 (Ref:3253110)

I'm not there Terry. Don't marshal anymore in Belgium.
Besides, as I recently moved house I have a huge garden now and HUGE weeds as well. So I've become a gardener, but a fast one.

Off to a rally tomorrow, back to the roots.

Another besides: I don't think lots of drivers are confused by a yellow umbrella, they don't even see yellow flags!
I'll get me coat.

terence · 26 May 2013, 04:17 (Ref:3253266)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eddy V

I'm not there Terry. Don't marshal anymore in Belgium.
Besides, as I recently moved house I have a huge garden now and HUGE weeds as well. So I've become a gardener, but a fast one.

Off to a rally tomorrow, back to the roots.

Another besides: I don't think lots of drivers are confused by a yellow umbrella, they don't even see yellow flags!
I'll get me coat.

Cliff Ryan · 26 May 2013, 08:24 (Ref:3253294)

Apologies for bringing this back on topic, quick update from someone who is actually there

Arrived Thursday lunchtime to be greeted by snow - not happy.

Friday first practice & it's my first time in Mike's superb & immaculate Escort & first time for me driving a car on slicks - a bit apprehensive to say the least.

Mike goes out first to make sure all is well & it's my turn - 2nd lap just getting the hang of things & the gear knob comes off in my hand, so into the pits, Mile tightens it up & off I go again. End of Kemel straight & clutch pedal is near floor, so back to pits - end of first session, couple of minor teething problems aside, all good.

So to qualifying, some more time in car & Mike qualifies us 11th with a 3:00:5. Our target for the weekend was a top 10 finish & a sub 3 minute lap, so good start.

Night practice next, Mike fits spot lamps & we both go out & all we need to do is adjust the lights & we are good to go

Race 1 - I made a good start but dropped a couple of places on the first lap as its an hour race which I wanted to finish! Settled down after a couple of laps & started picking off cars & working my way up the field. Mike's Escort is surprisingly quick in all areas & I was able to pick my moment & pounce upon some really serious machinery.

I thought my stint was over looking at my watch, so signalled to Mike to come in at the same time as he signals 25 minutes, which we have agreed was the signal for one more lap and then in, so I didn't come in that time, I did one more lap.

Mike takes over and we are 4th, but towards the end of his stint it starts raining whilst he is being chased by a seriously quick CSL, which passed Mike on the last lap, so we are fifth, with a best time of 2:58:778 by yours truly

Zef & Gordon aren't so lucky, after gearbox woes in practice the engine lets go on Gordon coming down pit straight - game over.

Race 2 with a 10pm start, so after 30 minutes parc ferme we check the car over, fit the lights & tape up the rear screen with electrical tape.

I thought we would start from our race 1 finishing position, but no, we went back to 11th, so had it all to do again.

I got a good start, passed a few cars, but got caught behind a Hemi Cuda, which was driving very aggressively & had serious grunt down the straights, so much so that there was a train of 4 cars all battling for position behind the Cuda & all getting past at various stages only to be outdragged. Great fun but a tad frustrating especially at being forced to drive off the track on at least two occasions to avoid contact, which the CSL didn't manage, unfortunately.

Stint over, I hand over to Mike, a lap early, but he's ready & goes out & has a great drive to bring us home 7th in race two

with the prize for the brightest lights

Just got overall results - we're 5th overall & top Brits - well happy

Mike & I have punched above our weight again, especially for a two man team, but it's all due to great preparation by Mike before we get to the circuit.

Thanks Mike for letting me share this great experience

Al Weyman · 26 May 2013, 08:36 (Ref:3253303)

Well done guys hard luck Zef and Gordon

lemansfan · 26 May 2013, 09:59 (Ref:3253326)

A few Pics from yesterday Race 1 . Was a great Show .

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lemansf...7633708211410/

**Peter Mallett** · 26 May 2013, 10:09 (Ref:3253329)

Yup, well done Mike and Cliff. Commiserations to Zef and Gordon. Let's hope the event runs again next year.

GORDON STREETER · 26 May 2013, 20:01 (Ref:3253630)

Well seeing that it was snowing the other day we had the best of the weather for practice/qualy/race, unfortunately we did have a second gear selection problem that involved taking the box out twice and swapping a few bits with some robbed from a spare.
It was better for the race and I felt happier as I could concentrate more on trying to drive the car faster as I could select 2nd for the chicane and La Source.
I got to drive the last half of the race but halfway through my stint flat it top just before Eu Rouge the engine decided it didn't want to know anymore and I finished beside the marshals post manned by ENGLISH !
I don't know what actually caused the demise of the engine but a quick look showed a broken camshaft and smashed block possibly caused by a broken cam follower, although I did take a spare engine there wasn't enough time to swap it in the time before the next race.

A great shame for Joe but at least the car is in one piece so the blue Tina will be out in anger in the near future !
This morning we went to Spa town and had a couple of hours in the actual spa itself and I would recommend it to anyone who has a bit of spare time if you are down there for a few days.

SAMD · 27 May 2013, 09:26 (Ref:3253909)

Quote:

Originally Posted by GORDON STREETER

This morning we went to Spa town and had a couple of hours in the actual spa itself and I would recommend it to anyone who has a bit of spare time if you are down there for a few days.

I thought you would have produced a few photos Gordon. Given your track history!

MGDavid · 27 May 2013, 10:03 (Ref:3253924)

don't encourage him!!

GORDON STREETER · 27 May 2013, 11:16 (Ref:3253947)

I don't want too much exposure !

terence · 27 May 2013, 12:41 (Ref:3253955)

Neither do we!!!

terence · 27 May 2013, 12:43 (Ref:3253957)

Neither do we!!!

Commiserations on the w/end Gordon/Zef,shame putting in all of that effort,but,hey ho,thats moto----------------.

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