History of a Lola T492 Sports 2000 chassis?

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

And guillotine too.

And the Umbrella

[911thillclimber]

As I wait impatiently for the first event, 22/23 April at Prescott, I thought my trailer needed some TLC...
The Brian James A Sport has never been serviced, just the draw bar greased.
It tows a treat behind the Skoda Superb tow car, but last year the braking seemed to be weak, so that is where my TLC started...

As ever, I never have simple problems.

Removed the 4 wheels and started to adjust the shoes through a 10mm hole blind at the back of the backing plate.

Could not get the first to adjust, so removed the drum to see how the system (AL-KO) worked.
Drum came off easy quickly followed by both brake linings that has detached from thier shoes!
Did the same to the next brake, one 1/2 of one shoe lining dripped off, other brake was ok, last one the linings came off with my thumb nail.

Original brakes in a dreadful state, and 14 years old.

Eventually got 4 sets of brake shoes, real AL-KO parts (a story in itself) for a huge £140!

Should have the lot back together and road tested by tomorrow afternoon.

So pleased to have checked this lot, heard of linings coming off but only on very old brakes (ie over 40 years old).

Got away with it this time!

Last weekend went to see Mike Luck's new car in my class, the Zolfe GT at Prescott, but he had withdrawn the entry.
The details I have found on the car looks to be a bit of a worry!

700Kg, 250 or more bhp.

https://th.bing.com/th/id/R.b7d68ee2...pid=ImgRaw&r=0

[andy97]

Must admit, that I had never even heard of a Zolfe and had to google it.
Another in the long line of British niche car “manufacturers” that never really made it, despite Jez Coates (ex Caterham tech director) involvement.
It sort of looks like a cross between a 1970s TVR 3000M and a Ginetta G10 (?). I have no doubt it will go well, but would have thought that a proper sports racing car with a Porsche motivation should have the legs on it!

[911thillclimber]

It was an unknown car to me too until Mike told me all about it. Mike is/was very close to all things TVR and knew of this Zolfe locally.

I think 30 were built, and his has a very hot Duratec 2.3 in it, possibly the press car.

Power to weight will be worse than mine, but Mike's driving talent is FAR superior!
He has won a lot of big circuit race series, notably in Mallock Clubmans cars.

Time will tell...

[andy97]

Yes, I do vaguely remember Mike Luck in Clubmans cars. Phantoms mostly, I think, and he built his own Dart version. Now, if he was in a Clubmans car against you, I think you might be in real trouble!

[911thillclimber]

10 days to go to the season start.
After a teasing time with my old trailer not servicing it ever in my ownership finally caught up with me, and new brakes required. Of the 8 brake shoes (drum brakes) 5 had completely detached off the steel backing shoe and 1 other disintegrated.

One show was ok, biy the lining came off using my thumb nail...

£140 later and all is well and road tested.

The car will get it's annual polish today and a few other details and we are ready.

This has felt a very long wait indeed as I've only done 2 very light projects this winter, unusual for me.

[911thillclimber]

Prescott this weekend, wet and horrid it seems if the BBC Weather is correct.
The trailer field will be like a bog, and the paddock a little less so.

Just 4 in the Class, a full spec NORMA with Honda Z tec, me, the 2 pilots of the V8 Chevy Pilbeam.

I only have slicks and a fear of crunching the car...

However, just might take 2nd in class. No Mike luck in the Zolfe GT. (phew)

Entry for Shelsley just arrived.
I'm the only one in the Class, looks like Mike is still not ready.

Not a good start for the year.

I think Prescott might be on Live Stream/ Youtube.

[Mike Harte]

Graham, I use Ventusky for weather because it appears to be accurate at least 90-95% even to the timing, and it is currently showing that Prescott should be dry during the daytime over the weekend. However, Friday does seem to be having some hours of rain, but dry overnight into Saturday.

Whatever, wish you well.

[911thillclimber]

Seems like tomorrow (take the car down to Prescott) is going to be wet.
Saturday good chance of dry.
Sunday good chance of wet!

That is according to Ventusky.
BBC seems the same, but all could move by +/- 24 hours!

I'm counting points already...

Prescott has 4 in class, 4th is 2 points, 2nd is 6, that's worst/best positions.
Shelsley is simple, 1 in class so 1 point!

This car is not good in the wet.

http://www.zipp.co.uk/gallery/Presco...pg.html#scroll

[911thillclimber]

Saturday and lots happening.

First event for us and the first time i've sat in the Lola since end of September last year.
Mike Luck squeezed into the event so the class was busy.

First runs were poor for everyone as the hill was only just clear of dense mist and started an hour late.

My visor steamed up as the hill progressed...

Anyway, 2nd and 3rd practice went well as the trak was @ 10Deg C but now dry.

Finished up fastest in the class in practice, but there is a wet wet wet tomorrow to come.

Mike had a tricky time in the Zolfe, new car and new to him so he will improve greatly and quickly.

The Norma is fantastic, what a car, what preparation. I'm sure he will be on top tomorrow.

For other reasons had this pic taken by Mike, but a bit different.

pc screenshot

[911thillclimber]

The BBC weather report was totally wrong, the day was damp to start with and dry from around 11am when the competitive runs started.

We had a good day, 2nd in the class of 6 and far closer to the fab Norma M20 on both runs.
Slightly disappointing as if I had produced my pb set last year (in far warmer conditions( I would have won both times, but I'm a year older too.

Of the class just Mike Luck and I were there for our championship so good points accrued.

I'm told there is a good live stream of the day on YouTube, I was car #107.

Shelsley Walsh in 2 weeks time, just about time to dry the car.
There was torrential rain just as the meeting closed!

[Mike Harte]

Have found that the BBC forecasting to now be possibly the least accurate since they didn't renew the contract with the Met Office. And it's almost as if they acknowledge that as a fact because they still use the Met Office to provide their Weather Alerts rather than rely on their current weather contractor.

[911thillclimber]

I think you are right Mike.

The tyre suppliers, BMTR were at the event Saturday, and said their 'radar' showed rain at 6.00pm on Sat, dry all Sunday to 6pm.

Monsoons dropped at 6.00pm both days...

Car all cleaned and bar the seat base dry and ready for Shelsley 6/7 May with just Mike and I in the class.

Will have 12 points from Prescott, so a nice start.

[Mike Harte]

Too many Mikes!

[rbs]

You had a couple of tidy runs on Sunday, being just 1.5 seccs slower than the Norma was impressive and 2nd in that class was none to shabby.