Well done with the Spa race, not a bad result considering there was some pretty quick competition. Lap times are very respectable compared to the Lotus and Elva, more importantly the new engine and clutch have held up. Congratulations to the whole team.
Post by grumpynorthener on Sept 29, 2024 18:45:18 GMT
more importantly the new engine and clutch have held up
But did they ? - Just back this evening from a very wet Belgium - now unloaded - pics just uploaded and the full story to come over this week - Way too much to cover in one post - Some very nice pics from the entire event to follow
Post by grumpynorthener on Oct 2, 2024 9:30:11 GMT
The following morning we headed for the tunnel crossing
Support van & crew
A diversion around Brussels made it a fairly lengthy drive and we couldn't access the circuit upon arrival due it staging a separate event
A separate trailer park was provided for temporary parking
Along with many other race transporters - we went off to sort / organise our campsite - we had 2 static caravans on a site 5 mins away - said caravans were basic but clean & dry - The rain was hammering down - I'd brought my tent but it wasn't going up in this weather and made use of one of the bunks in the caravan
We could access the paddocks after 20:00 hours - with the trailer unloaded and the cover erected we headed back to camp for dinner and a few drinks - Great to catch up with some of the team that I hadn't seen for a while - Scott who had been working on the car with me over the last few weeks is over from LA in the States and is one of the drivers - He is also the only other specialist Jowett restorer other than myself - so lots of conversation to be had
The following day (Wednesday) was a open practice with 6 sessions - we undertook final prep of the car prior to heading out in the second practice
Being heavily involved in the team is hard work but brings certain privileges - one of them being access to the pit areas which includes the pit wall from where these next few pics are taken
Post by grumpynorthener on Oct 2, 2024 17:54:42 GMT
I'm splitting the thread to our exploits with the Jupiter race car and the other pics that I took whilst at the event - these can be found in the Paddock section
Post by grumpynorthener on Oct 3, 2024 19:20:07 GMT
Although the new engine performed well we undertook several checks on it when it returned back to the paddock
Only to find that the cam followers weren't as robust as we thought and for wants of a better expression were being eaten by the new camshaft
Pointless racing an engine to destruction hence the engine came out and the still viable but now long in the tooth engine put back in - The weather was awful and myself & Scott were literally working in a shallow river whilst laid on our backs fastening up the exhaust headers / underside fastenings of the engine
We just managed to get the car out for the sixth and last practice session of the day
Post by grumpynorthener on Oct 7, 2024 6:23:11 GMT
Friday: Its always good if a non race driver member of the team attends the drivers briefing
It gives the team a good understanding of the rules for the mandatory pit stop - the drivers have enough to do and get the pit stop wrong between us and it will incur a race lap penalty
With that out of the way we could prepare / final check the car for the qualifying race - this would determine our grid position for Saturdays race by taking our fastest lap into account
Scott lines up for the qualifier - The pit stop / driver change is not required for qualifying but are going to undertake it anyway - Its great opportunity to rehearse this and ensure that we get our timings correct
We predict / expect a low grid placing due to the field of cars that we are racing with - 17 cars on the grid - 15 of which were built as dedicated race cars - Lots of sleek bodied Lotus, Elva's etc and only one other production car with ours converted to race being a Aston Martin DB2
Back from qualifying and back to it - various minor changes in preparation for Saturdays race - we were placed where we expected to be on the grid - at the back with the slowest lap time - Yet not all is lost
Post by grumpynorthener on Oct 9, 2024 6:38:40 GMT
Out for our main race then - very wet but a very competitive grid of cars
That included a Jaguar D Type and a Lister Jaguar Knobbly (sounding & looking glorious but we stood no chance against cars like this)
But we sat tight and put the laps in on the 60 minute race
Our basic pit stop / just in case kit - This consisted of a driver change - I firstly assist in indicating to the incoming driver our pit location then getting the first driver out and the second driver in with the 5 point race harness whilst also checking the dashboard gauges are reading ok - 2 of the team check wheel nut torque & tyre pressures whilst a fourth times the stop which is a mandatory 60 seconds - 55 seconds in and we had exchanged the drivers / strapped in, gauges & wheels checked - a quick word on track conditions from Chris the first driver to Scott our second driver - it left 5 seconds for mirror adjustment and a very brief check that we hadn't picked up any damage and nothing was falling off the car - Signal from the timer that the pit lane was clear to exit and off Scott went
It was still hideously wet out on track and multiple waved yellow flag incidents around the track were occurring (waved yellow flag = Extreme caution, slow down, no overtaking & be prepared to stop if necessary)
This slowed the rest of the field and when the flags were lifted we took full advantage that there was only half a lap left to run - we finished 14th a very respectable placing given what we were up against
With the car back in the paddock and it now being midday we headed to the Motor Racing Legends hospitality suite for lunch
And to find a collection of silverware - we hadn't counted on winning anything and we never do - we compete to take part and very much enjoy it but never expect to win
But win we did and took a win for the under 1500cc drum braked class - Harry Naerger who owns the car collected the silverware for the team
Silverware, car & drivers - Chris on the left & Scott on the right
? - Just back this evening from a very wet Belgium - now unloaded - pics just uploaded and the full story to come over this week - Way too much to cover in one post - Some very nice pics from the entire event to follow 
