Since July 10th 2002

20th Nov Just to let you know (If you didn't know already that is.) that the this years off season Guess Who has started and can be found here

Also yesterday the baby was registered as Rhys Gareth Anthony Smith. He is doing very well. 

31st Oct 2003 Today at 3.18 this afternoon, Linda and myself became Grandparents for the second time, to a baby Boy, (No name at the moment) this is again to our son David and partner Nicole and a new brother to Rhia, all are doing well.

22nd Oct 2003 I have just added a small page with photos of Linda's Birthday flight, sorry the photos are not to good, but as some of you may know my main camera was stolen last year and I've only a normal lens on the one I'm using. To see them click here. Also I have added a photo on the Odds & Ends page, Sunset at the Pod.

21st Oct 2003 Halloween Showdown, The last event of the year for me and a bit of a up and down one.

Got there at about the normal time on Friday and set up by the Dog Bollocks team, what did surprise me was that we were the only Wild Bunch teams there, I know there has been a few cars sold and a couple broken, but should have at least been a few more out.

Sat. There were not many cars & bikes there Saturday and I was looking forward to getting a few runs in during the day. The first was a good 11.98 @ 110mph in the left hand lane, for the second run I ended up in the right and the car started to bounce a little and I ran a 12.37 @ 107mph. I went around again, this time again in the right hand lane and the bounce was worse, but I still managed a 12.49 at 109 mph. For the 4th run, I manage to get into the left lane again and ran a straight 11.86 @ 111 mph followed by a NPB of 11.78 @ 111 mph. We decided to take the body off for the next run. we got into the pairing lanes and I was strapped in and 2nd from next in the line, when Dave noticed I had broken a half shaft, (For those who dont know, I run open shafts. (Jag.)) and we pushed the car back ready to go back to the pits. Roy Wilding was passing and asked what had happened, when we told him, he said to take the shaft off, get it to him before he went home and he would weld it overnight.

After the racing finished, we went down to look at the track, if you look at the video on my site, you can see the bounce starts at the end of the concrete pad. When we looked, we could see the concrete had dropped at least 1 1/2" on the right hand site and hardly anything on the left, so we said that if I ended up in that lane I would go as near the center as I could.

Before the event, it was organized by Tush, Tracy, Jim & myself that Anthony Hodges would give Linda a trip in his Jet Provost plane for her birthday, Linda did not have a clue what was going to happen. I met Anthony by the bonfire and arranged to phone at 12 in the morning.

Sun  I got up early and got the car uncovered ready for the shaft to arrive, I didn't have to wait long, as Roy pulled up with the shaft looking like new. I fitted the hardy spicer and just as I was finishing, Linda came out with my phone, it was Anthony asking us to be there at 10.15 as the plane was nearly ready.

We had enough time to refit the shaft and tighten every thing up before we went.

We had to meet Anthony on the first turn off, at the end of the return road, when we were driving down, Linda saw the plane and said "Your Joking" I said "No your chauffer awaits"

When She got out the car, she was shaking like a leaf, but said she would go. Anthony helped her into the plane and he got in the other side, they were both strapped in and put on their helmets on. They started it up and when ready, he took off, they went around the site at a fair distance and then we lost sight, After a while we could see him coming in to land. They had been up for about 1/4 hour, (I knew it would not be a long trip as he did not have to much fuel, but I was happy that he was taking her up at all.) She loved the trip and said every thing looked very small. We thanked Anthony and made our way back to the pits. Photos will be posted as soon as they come back 

I went to start the car and it wouldn't, I though the solenoid had packed up as the starter would not even click, so Dave pushed the button in the middle, it started but the starter was now stuck on, Dave had to switch the master off to stop it. I knew I had a spare and dug it out, fitted it and it still would not start from the switch, I shorted this one out and it still didn't work, so I took it off again while Dave took the top panel off to get to the wiring. I stripped the original solenoid down and cleaned it up, buy this time Dave had checked all the wires and found at least it was not the main starter switch, we traced it down to the micro switch on the gear shift, the shift was in neutral but the switch wasn't, so I adjusted it and we tried it again and it worked.

We had entered in the Top 64 shootout only to find only 10 had entered, this amazed me, as it was free to enter anyway and by Sunday there were loads of cars running. We waited up at the end of the pairing lanes and paired up with who ever we had drawn, I had Trev  Kitney in his RS. I had the right hand lane and got as near to the left as I could, I run a bounce free 12.0 to his 1098, so that was me out. 

As we didn't get the chance  to run with the body off the day before, we went and took it off, this netted me with a 11.63 @ 113 mph & 11.54 @ 110 mph and as that was my last run, I pulled the chute to give it a airing.

I would like to thank a few people for helping out over the weekend. Roy Wilding for doing a great job on the drive shaft. The Dogs Bollocks team for letting us use their tools  and vice. Tush, Tracy and Jim for helping to organize the plane trip, Anthony Hodges for taking her up. Most of all Dave for all his hard work, not only this meeting, but every other and in between when he looks after and gets the car ready for every event. Its not over yet as we have a few things to sort out over the winter, the small repair to the body  after hitting Chris's awning, fitting the spare head after dropping 3 No 8 inlet valves. Hopefully and new set of slicks and I wish, a decent torque converter. (We will have to wait and see what Santa brings.)

This has been a good and bad season for us, After fitting the new gearing, we had NPB's at most meetings and also the new headers, as not only do they look & sound allot better, they might even be helping with the ET's. We have had a lot of traveling this year, with 2 at York and one at the Pod, all bar the distance we have had great times, (But not running over my foot.

I would have liked to have done better than 4th in the  Wild Bunch and the problems we had with valves. (but at least we did not do any real damage to the engine.)  

This will be my last event write up, but will be updating when anything is done to the car. Also from the 18th Nov, the Guess Who comp will be starting, so dont forget if you want to be included please email on at guesswho@cunningplan.net

 29th Sept 2003 It was the first time I have raced at Santa Pod, (I've done lots of RWYB's  but never raced.) We got up there about 11.30 Friday night and found a space next to the side of the track, the only problem was that we had a tent to put up. We sorted out the car and parked the van backed on to the barrier and then set out to sort out the tent, in the end it was no problem as we went to see Mark Coulsell, borrowed his cordless drill and a few screws and plugs and the tent was up and ready for sleeping.

Sat I woke up just after 7 and was just about to turn over and get back to sleep again, when a few race car drove past and the started to prep the track. We got the car ready for scrutineering (You have to take the cars/bikes to them, unlike SCR.) When it was our turn we pushed it right up to the end of the pits and decided then that I would drive it back and warm the engine at the same time. We passed with the warning that our belts will be out of date for next year.

For the first run, as I did not know what the track would be like, we put the tyres at 8.5 psi and dialed in 11.95. The engine was coldish time it was my time, so I done a long burnout to warm the tyres and engine. The run started off OK until about the 1/8th when the dreaded bounce started, first I could see the centerline, the next the wall, so when I saw the second I took my foot off, got it straight and floored it. This got me a time of 12.51 and a good (and fastest speed of the weekend.) 109.77 mph.

I normally wear ear plugs, but lost one at the HRDs and for the last two run there, I did not wear any and did not think it was to loud. But this was the first meeting with the new exhausts fitted and for that run I did not wear any. It was not to bad during the burnout, but at the end of the run, my ears were ringing, so I went and found a new set from the van ready for the next run. 

Also after that run, while I was pushing the car back into our pit, I managed to run over my right foot with the rear slick, this might not sound painful, but it went over my heal bending my foot with my knee hitting the ground. I hopped about a bit and took my boot off, there was blood coming from the top of my little toe and the right hand side had swollen up. I went and put my foot in a bucket of cold water, then sprayed it with deepheat and put my boot on quick and done it up tight as I could. it was (and still is) painful.

For the next run, we upped the tyres to 9.5 and again I done a long burnout to warm it up. I pulled to the line and gave it my best, I had to back off a little about 3/4 track but the rest of the run felt OK. I was expecting a good time but When Dave came down to pick me up, I had just ran a NPB of 11.85 @ 108 mph.

The last qualifier was held just after it started to get dark. I altered the dialing to 11.85 and when it was my turn, I done my normal burnout, but when I put my visor down, it started to mist up, (I did clean it be fore the run before and put some anti mist on it, but it didn't work that well.) as long as I could see the shift light and the end of the track I was not that concerned. The runs again felt good and when I took my foot off at the top end, the inside of the car glowed yellow of a while from the exhaust.

Sun It was another early rise as they were prepping the track just after 7 and the music came on dead in 8. The swelling on my foot had gone down and I could at least walk on it. I had a few things to sort out. The main this was the new hatch lock, on the second run I had pulled it to hard and broken it, we had lashed it up so it would work for the last run Sat. I took it off and made the fixing stronger and made it easier to open it. 

As I was doing that and just after the track was finished being prepped, it started to ran, it was not a lot at first then we had a heavy shower. I was cold with no sun and very little wind so it took a ages for the track to dry.

I was No 4 qualifier and was paired up with Mark Coulsell for the first round. He is very good on the lights and I knew I had a race on my hands. I dialed on 11.90 to Marks 10.80, so I was off first. I got not far out when the car started to bounce, I did keep my foot it until it got to much, by thing time Mark was just ahead of me, I floored it and to my surprise I passed him just on the line and saw my win light come up. (Another thing the Pod has got, lights just after the finish line to tell you who won, so you dont have to wait for your crew to tell you.) When were got down the bottom end, Mark said he thought he had broken a half shaft as every time he put his foot down the car turned left. When we got our tickets I had run a 12.28 @ 108 mph to his 11.3 @ 106 mph, beating him by only .019 of a sec (He won the closest runner up trophy.)

For the next run I was up with Gareth Kent. I altered my dialing to 12.00 to Gareth's 12.40. thinking if I passed him I could always back off. It was a good run and I did pass Gareth at about 3/4 track and shut down well before the line. The win light came on my side, so I thought I had won. I pull into the return road thinking I had a easy bye into the final. I got out the car and jumped to the ground landing on my bad foot and promptly fell on the floor in front of Gareth coming up from the bottom turn off. He had also seen the win light on my side and congratulated me. It was a long time before Dave and Les came down to pick us up and when they did they had some bad news (For me anyway) I had broken out and they had forgot to set the computer up the tower to show this. This had happened at SCR before and knew Gareth was through to the next round (And in the end Won the event. Well done again Gareth & Les and thanks for the tow over the weekend.) I had run a near personal best with a 11.87 at only 103 mph, like normal I will only have to wonder what I would have run if I didn't take my foot off.

I started the event at 2nd in the Wild Bunch points and have now ended up (Not confirmed) 4th this year. and I think 4th in the Real Steel Championship as well.

The trip home was uneventful and its going to be a few weeks before we are out again. Or next event is going to be the Halloween Showdown at SCR on October 18th/19th. This is advertised as a fastest 64 bracket event. what this entails, I do have some idea but will let you know for sure nearer the event.

Sad news of the weekend, was that after the second round of qualifying Saturday, Crazy Chris found what looked like parts of big end shell in the oil and was out for the rest of the weekend. Its was a real pity has he was in line for a top for placing in the Championship. Hope its not to bad Chris!!!!!

More news soon.    

21st Sept 2003 I have just got back from Abergavenny after fitting the new exhaust collectors and at long last fitting a catch to the roof hatch, (So no more bouncing hatch.). 

Dave had already cut of the flanges off the collectors, (Made for Chevy) so we cut off the down pipe from ours, made slits in the new ones and slid them over the top. After we mocked it all up we dropped the body and they fitted a treat, with only small cutouts in the sides so they dont get burnt. We took them off and welded them up, after we sprayed them and they were dry, we refitted them and started the engine to see what it sounded like. "Different" is the word as it sounds better than it ever did with the old ones, (Which were only put on as a stop gap and been one for the last 4 years.) all we have to do is wait to next weekend and see if they make a difference to performance.

Next weekend is the Nat Finals at the Pod and our last round of the Wild Bunch Championship, where I am still in 2nd place and have a chance (Like about 3 others,) to get the No 1 spot, "Here's hoping"

More news after the event.   

8th Sept 2003 It was not until last Saturday that I knew I could even go to the Hot Rod Drags. (For those who did not know, the NSRA said they would only allow 10 WB cars to the HRDs and those would be the fastest top ten at the Nostalgia Nats.) Anyway I was in work and Clare phones and said as someone had pulled out, I could now go, I phoned Dave to make sure he did not have any thing planed and phoned Chris (Crazy) to say we would be there.

Linda could not go as it was Rhia's (Our granddaughter)  2nd birthday on Friday and they were having a party for her on the Sat. We got up the track at the normal time and this time camped next to the Dogs Bollocks team over the other side of the pits by the field and even left the car on the trailer for the night.

Its was then that Dave surprised me and said he didn't want to drive and I would have to. (Luckily I always take my gear just in case I do want to do a run.)

Sat. It had rained overnight and the track took a while to dry and they started off with cars with street tyres, time we down the bottom of the pairing lanes they prepped the track for the Outlaw Anglia's & Supercharged Outlaws and ran them, so at least we knew the track would be nice and sticky. 

The first run felt like it was a lot quicker than it was and I ran a 12.00 @112mph. We went back to the pits and took the body off and have a go at my personal best of 11.52 which I had done at York. This run netted me with a close 11.54 @115 mph. On this run I found out at long last that my rev limiter was working, but not at the revs I have set it at, I did set it at 6000rpm and it over revved, so I set it at 5700 (Which is my shift point.)  It is ment to soft cut at 300 below what I have set and not allow it to go over the setting, on that run I knew the revs would run out about 3/4 track and was watching the tacho waiting to take my foot off, I found that the engine would not go over 6200revs and am happy with that.

It was a longer wait for the next run as there had been a Thunder storm and it took a while for the track to dry. I was paired up with Eddy and the ram raider and after his burnout they said I was on a solo (Body on again) (Eddy had broken a half shaft and would be out for the rest of the weekend.) dreaded bounce seems to come back and on this run, I ran a bumpy 11.99 @ 110 mph.

We went back to the pits and took the body off again but when we got down to the track, we was to late as they had closed the tack for the Pro cars to run.

Sun. After the weather report said it would be a cloudy and rainy day, it dawned nice and sunny and stayed that way for the rest of the day. For the first run, we tried to up the tyres to 9.5 lb and gave it a go, still with the bounce I ran a 12.13 @ 109mph. we went and took the body off again and I then ran a nice and straight NPB of 11.46 @ 113 mph. 

I decided than that for the rest of the day I would just try to get a NPB with the body on and the next run I ran a Oh so close and best body on time 11.88 (11.87) @ 112 mph. The next run I ran in the left lane to see it would be better with the bounce and at one point it got so bad I had to take my foot off and get it straight, this netted me with a not so bad and slowest run of the weekend 12.23 @ 111 mph.

For the last one, I asked Bob from the feel-the-noise web site, if he could video my next run from the rear so I could see what was happening, I have seen a few videos from the side and all you could see was the car bounce but nothing else. I done my burnout and even thought it was very bumpy I kept my foot down and ran a 11.91 @ 112 mph. That was me done for the day and we took the car back and loaded it up ready to go home. (I will post that video on my site as soon as I can.) Just been posted, click here

During the weekend Jerry said on the PA that my car was in the new issue of (I think) Gasser Wars American Magazine, (Issue 31) we went to find a copy and found there was a nice B&W photo just inside the front cover, I didn't  have any money on me at the time,  Crazy said he had gone to get a copy for me and they had sold out but the man selling them said he might have a copy back at the shop. Chris texted me this morning and said he had got me the copy, I would like to thank him & Clair for doing that for me. On a sad note, after a burnout Chris lost drive and it seams his gearbox is playing up, I hope its fixed for the Santa Pod Nat Finals.

After the prizes we made our way home, even this was eventful as just as we was going down the hill towards Simmons Yat, the nearside tyre on the trailer blew out and when I look in the mirror I saw the tyre land on the grass at the side of the road, I pulled off the main road and we put on the spare. We set off again and just after the Monmouth tunnels there was a contra flow, when we were nearing the exit of the services we could see a huge "Give Way" sign for those coming out and a car on its way down the slip road, I was doing about 45/50 at the time, the car just came out straight in front of me and I had to break very hard not to run into the back of him/her. I said a few choice words, I  turned off at the next junction  and made my way back to the unit to put the car away.

My next event is the Nat Finals at the Pod on the 27/28th Sept.

Also I now have a new web space and name www.cunningplan.net this is up and running alongside my www.cunningplan.btinternet.co.uk until I know every one has my new web site address, also I have a new email address which is tony@cunningplan.net. I would like to thank Bryan from the Evolution Racing team for setting this up for me.

Before the Santa Pod event we hope to have the new collectors & other head fitted also I have a latch which I hope will stop the hatch from bouncing open half track. Keep a eye out for all the latest news.

6th August 2003 As normal we got up the track just after 9 on Friday evening and set up the car in the pits and then set up camp behind the clubhouse. We went to the club house and I was talking to Dick Sharp (Dorset Horn) about our bodies (The ones on our cars that is.) and what we would do if we had a crash, Dick has the mould for his, but the one for mine was cut up years ago so it would be more difficult to repair it. 

Saturday I was not sure what time we was out in the morning so got up at 7 and got the car ready for scrutineering, but it was well after 11 before it was done and just after 12 before our first qualifying run.

we had started the car before we was scrutineered and so time it was my turn to run the engine was a little cold, I could tell this as after I started it in the pairing lanes it was a effort to get it to run to the track. I backed into the water and done a long burnout to warm the tyres and engine, as I pulled forward, the engine started to miss and I shut it down. Dave and the startline crew pushed me back and we took the car back to the pits. I knew by the sound that I had dropped another valve and after we took off the rocker cover it had, all we hoped was that the piston was not damaged. We got the head off and found there were only a few more marks on the piston but there was a crack in the valve guide, we took one of the last two spare valves we have and tried it and found there was not to much play, so we put on a new oil seal borrowed a valve spring compressor from The Mob Fuel Altered team and rebuilt the engine. While we were doing this there had been a large oil down and just after the track reopened, I could hear Barry in the tower talking about Chevy (Osborne-Charman) and stopped in mid sentence, I went over to the side of the pits and saw someone had crashed and the FAST crew were at the scene, from where I was all I could see was a chassis and jumped to the conclusion it was Chevy. I went down the track to see if they were OK, only to find it was Dick that had crashed. It seams like the car took a sharp turn to the left just before the finish line (10.0 @ 119 mph) and rolled a few times coming to rest upside down in the grass alongside the track, with the body about 100 yards back up the track. (That's why I could only see the chassis.) The news came up that he was talking to the crew and they were cutting him out. He was taken the local hospital where he was found to have a broken wrist and a couple of back eyes and would be kept in over night.

We got he engine running and got it ready for the next round of qualifying. This is now the 3rd No 8 inlet which has gone now, so in the next few weeks before Santa Pod we are going to get a new head gasket set and put on the complete spare head we have from the old engine, lucky enough this is the same as we are running now. (We have other spare heads but with smaller valves.) 

We were lined up in the staging lanes when we were told that there was not enough time and we would be first out in the morning.

Sunday It was a 10 O'clock start and so I had to miss the question and answer session by the Top Fuel  and Methanol Funny car drivers and crew, I was really looking forward to it. 

We was down there in plenty of time.  I had dialed in at 11.95 and done a short burnout (Trying to save the engine.) and pulled to the line, I bounced my way to a 12.19 @ 108 mph, so for the next qualifying session I dialed in at 12.15. Again it was a short'ish burnout and another bouncy run but at only 12.36 @ 107 mph.

As there was time, they started eliminations in the afternoon with us the last ones out before the Fuel Altered's & Fuel  Funny cars. I was to be paired up with Tony Wynne Jones in his Vette, but his crank had seized during qualifying and I had a bye. On the way out of my pit, I did not notice or see that Dave had driven slightly under Crazy Chris's awning and as I went passed the body hit it, taking a chunk out of the body just above the side window, I told Chris what had happened and he said it was OK as long as my car was OK (Thanks Chris.) someone gave me some gaffer tape and I put it over the whole. I again had dialed in 12.15 and chose the left hand lane. The car again started to bounce  but I just kept my foot down, but when it started again towards the top end, I backed out a little and then floored it to run a 12.155 @ 102 mph. (To earn me the closes to dial in trophy.)

While I was waiting for Dave to pick me up, they sent down the Altered's and Funnys. First to come through was Jim Seward, then Mickey Moore.

Then it was the time for the Funnys. First was a solo by Gary Page with the engine not sounding to good. A while later came a wall of sound followed shortly by John Suffard in the Showtime car, he came out of the traps like a bullet with flames well above the car. I watched him pass and tuned to look who he was racing. It was Lex Joon where there was a small flame from under the car, next thing the whole car was engulfed in flames, he pulled his chute which just burnt off and fell on the track, as he passed me he started to weave the car to scrub of speed and stopped about 100 yards from me. He pulled the extinguishers, we saw the roof hatch open followed by  Lex, to our amazement he ducked back in, but not for long as he was back out and over the side away from us. By this time the FAST crew where on the screen and got on the job of putting out the fire. We soon learned that Lex was OK and not long after that Dave came down the return road to pick me up. It seams like his car was blocked in by other cars so he decided to watch the fuel cars instead.

I have been looking for a set of Collectors for the car for a long time and while up at York Chris & Clayton Round said they had the old set from Short Shot, but they were made for a Chevy. I had seen Chris earlier and he said they were in his camper, so we called over and collected (Pun intended) to try them on the car. We took off one side and using a bungee strap and a box we mocked them up and dropped the body, To say they were a perfect fit is a understatement, not only did they clear the chassis and body but the turnout on the end came out under the body on the side. All we have to do is cut  new pipes of its flange and weld them onto mine, Job done.

Time we got washed and changed we had missed Tom (The Magician) Coe's Show  but have been told it was very good and even managed to cut Sarah's head off. 

I went to the clubhouse for a while and talked to Dick, they say they are going to rebuild the car, so that's good news and Hope you get better soon.

Monday  We were drawn against Gareth Kent in the Hot Dog car for the next round, I have never run with him and not really seen him run, (Only while strapped in or as he comes through the top end.) So I really didn't know what to dial in at. I knew if I didn't have to take my food off on the last run, it would have been a high 11 or low 12, so in the end I dialed in at 12.05. I was in the right hand lane and done a good burnout and pulled to the line, Gareth pre staged first, then I done the same and went into stage. He was off before me (12.42 dialing.) and I chased him down the track with him about 1/2 car in from on the line. He said it felt like a good run and was not sure if he had broken out, he hadn't and in the end Won the event, Well Done. He had beaten me on the lights, his .413 to my .733, he ran a 12.64 @ 87 mph to my 12.17 @ 108 mph. 

We put the car back on the trailer and watched the rest of the racing. When it was trophy time I was awarded a Trophy in the shape of a Cock (No feathered one) wearing and pair of boots and large pair of glasses, with "Cock - Up Trophy" for my effort of trying to demolish his awning with my body, For this I let him keep the piece still stuck in the pipe. Funny thing was, when I got home I put the trophy on the kitchen cupboard and promptly hit it off knocking off its head, so it sitting in front of me like Tom Coe had done his trick on it. I will have to get some super glue and stick it back on.

During the weekend I met young Dan Bennett who I think would have won my winter Guess Who if he had started at the beginning and not half way through. Also thank you Chris and Clayton for selling me the headers. These will be fitted (Along with the new head.) before my next event, (which as I cant go to the Hot Rod Drags.) will be the Nat Finals at Santa Pod on September 27-28th. See you all there.    

11th August 2003 Over the last couple a weeks a lot has been happening, first was a trip to a show run by the South Wales American Car Club at the Cwmbran Stadium, this was the first local show I had been to for a long time, even Dave got the Vette out for the day. It does make you wonder how we used to spend all day at these shows, but it was nice meeting a lot of people I hadn't seen for a few years.

A couple of days after this, I was updating my whole site, when during the saving and downloading, my computer crashed, losing the complete publisher program and knocking out some of my web site, leaving it with missing links and going to the wrong photos when you click on the thumbnails. So I have slowly (But not finished) redoing the site using Front Page, it has been hard getting used to it, but at least I can update a page at a time and not have to do it all at once. To cap it all last Wednesday when I turned the computer on, the monitor went. "Snap, Crackle & Pop" and that was that. I phoned up the company they said I would get a new one on Friday. Did it come?? DID IT F!! phoned them again and its meant to be coming tomorrow. 

While I was in work this afternoon, a bloke (I done a MOT on his car the other week and sorry I dont know your name.) came in and said he had been there on Saturday and Les (My Boss) had told him my monitor had gone bang, so he gave me his old one (Which he said was only going in the bin.) So if your reading this. A big Thank You, (When my new one does come I will use this one  for my spare computer which I dont have a screen for.)

York Raceway. Just Dave and myself this time, with me leaving here just after 6 and getting to the track just after 12. They had pitted us in a new place this time with easy access from the return road and to the track. We set up between Joe Stephens and Mark Coulsell and not long after went to bed.

It was overcast but warm in the morning and our fist run was set for 11.30. I was against Mark and ran a on off on  13.21 @ 97 mph. The second run was a much better 12.32 @ 104 mph, the third was the weekend best of 12.20 @ 106 hph and the last was a 12.52 @ 103 mph. What I found was, after the last meeting up York where I didn't take the body and run my personal best of 11.52 I wasn't going to beat any records with the body on, as no matter how I tried, I had to take my foot of at least once a run. (Mostly due to the dreaded bounce, where we upped the tyres to 9 psi in the end.)

A little note. After the Firestorm Jet car went down, it left a large hole in the track just behind the startline. To make this safe, the track crew, screwed boards over the hole and after I done my burnouts, I had the slowly drive over this to the startline, while the cars which done rolling burnouts had to drive round it and burnout across the line. (It was concreted during the evening and was like new by the morning.

The evening entertainment  Started off with the debut Magic show by Tommy (The Magician) Coe and his not so beautiful assistant  Kelly Smunt. (Crew man Kevin to every one else. (He said he didn't want any photos spread about the internet, so if you did take any of him in his drag act, get them to me and I will post them on my "Odds & Ends" Page.)

He done a really good show to a large audience and said afterwards he was very nervous. Well done Tom and cant wait until the next one at SCR in a couple of weeks. (News tricks up his sleeve for this one.)

Next was off to Ian Roddy's Pit  to watch the days racing on the big screen and after that, a Time Machine Video. after all that excitement, it was off to bed ready for the main racing in the morning.

Sunday This day dawned sunny and hot and it looked like it was going to be in for the day, was we all wrong or what???.

When the commentator came on, he said they was having storms to the west of us and it was heading our way.

We had decided the dial in at 12.40 for the day and for the first run, I ran a "OH so close" 12.388 @ 105 mph, we kept every thing the same for the next run, but I had to back off slightly to a 12.61 @ 104 mph.

We (Claire) worked out that I would have to run a 12.19 to get back in line, so again we left every thing as it was. We was waiting for our next run, when the clouds came over and the wind picked up, after a while it started to spit with rain, not much but enough to make it unsafe for us to run. After a drivers meeting, it was decided that we would run at 3.30 if the track was dry. Time came and every one said they would like to run and run we did.

I was paired with Mark  Coulsell where he went into the right lane  (My best lane.) so I had to use the left. I know Mark is quick of the Mark (Pun intended) but I was not far behind him with a .716 to his slow .693, but he was well in front by half track, just as I saw him slow down I had to lift for a split second and floored it passed him to take the win. I knew the speed was going to be faster as the shift light had come on a cross the line, (The first time all weekend.) but I had to wait until I got back to the pits to see what time I had ran. It was a 12.25 @ 107 mph so I knew it was going to be close.

Time we got back to the pits, it had started to rain a little harder so it was called for the day, with the 3 runs counting. 

We loaded up the car ready for the long journey home and waited to get called for the trophy presentation.

As normal, the top 4 were called in reverse order with Tommy (The Magician) Coe taking 4th, Crazy Chris 3rd, Myself 2nd and current No 1 Joe Stephens 1st.

Again we had a brilliant weekend and was well looked after by the crew at York Raceway, (Shame it so far.) I would like to thank Gary, Alison and Jayne Kay for their help and tow to and from the track.

Next meeting August 23rd/25th All star Nationals SCR.
See you all there

14th July 2003 British Mini Showdown. What a hot day, I only went for the Sunday so had to get up early and pick up Dave and the car on the way. We got there just after 10 to find the place seemly empty, so we unloaded the car where we stopped and got it ready to run.
As normal as we got into the paring lanes, there was a oil down, I went and gave a hand with the cleanup, which did not take to long.
I was in the left hand lane in the lanes and we asked the driver in the Mini next to us, if it would be OK if I ran in the right lane, he said yes but must of misunderstood, as when we was called forward, he pulled into the right lane and I ended up in the left.
I spun the tyres off the line and every time I put my foot in they just spun again, I shut down well before the line and it seamed like I had done about a 14/15 sec run. When Dave came to pick my up, I had in fact ran a 12.97 @ only 83 MPH (81 MPH at the 1/8th)
For the next run, we made sure we got into the right lane and pulled a nice straight 12.00 @ 112 MPH, this was going to be the best of the day, as it happened to Dave at the last meeting, the hotter the weather got during the day, the slower the car went. The next run was a 12.15 @104 MPH and the next a long way round, just missing the right hand armco 12.6 @109 MPH, not only that the shift light (Which was not working by this time) fell off and the clip falling unto the track. When Dave pulled up to tow me back, I could hear a funny noise coming from my van, it turned out he had picked up a puncher on his way round. We tried to make it back to the pits, but had to stop half way up the return road on the grass and put on the spare. (I took it to work today and as the puncher is in the sidewall, the tyre is knackered, so I have had to order a new one.) Time we got back to the fire up lane for my last run, there were only Wobbly Bob & Jo Jo in there Vans waiting and the jet car. I suited up and got straight to the track. I ran what felt like my best run, with it running straight and sounding good, but it was only a 12.29 @ 110 MPH. (Mind you I would have died for that time this time last year.)
There is a American car show at Cwmbran in a couple of weeks time, we don't know yet if to got to this or change the shocks on the trailer. (It does bounce now and again) we will have to wait and see. The next WB meeting is back up York on the 9/10th August, see you all there and more news after the event.
7th July 2003 Sorry about the delay, but I have only just got back from my holiday down Eastbourne.
Anyway, however much he tried, Dave just could not get a magic 11 at the Nostalgia Nats.
He managed 5 runs on the Saturday ranging from the best off 12.09 @ 112 mph to 12.35 @ 104 mph.
On the Sunday we decided to dial in 12.25 and hope for the best. Poor Dave it was just not his day. They had just cleared up a oil down and we strapped Dave in ready for his first run, next thing was another car stuck a rod through its block and that was it for another while, as he does to me we let him stew and wait in the car/. We were due to run with Nick Conner in the Barking Mad car, but when Dave staged, Nick went passed stage and did not stop. I told Dave to shut the engine down as it was getting hot, we pushed to car to the sound wall and waited until the engine had cooled enough to do a run.
After a while Dave was called forward. I had told him just give it a dry hop to clear the stones off the tyres and take it to the line, the car took off well but ran a slow 12.54 @ 108 mph.
When we got back, we found that when Nick had pulled to the line, he lost his brakes and decided the best thing to do was keep going.
After the oil downs, we was told that we would only run over two rounds, so we hoped for Dave to get down into the 11s to even up the 12.54 he had just ran.
He done another strong burnout and pulled to the line. He went at straight as a die and I thought it would be a 11 for sure but only ended up as a 12.19 @ 110 mph.
When we went to pick him up, I asked if he wanted another run after the engine had cooled a little, this was just to see what he could do. But it was again not to be, it looked faster than the last run, but was only a 12.29 @ 109 mph. (After attending the Hot Rod Drags and the Nos Nats since they began, looks like we wont be running at the HRDs this year, so Dave will have to wait until next year before he can run his first body on 11.)
My next meeting is the Mini Showdown (By invitation of the British Mini Club .), we are only going up on the Sunday and I don't mind if I cant enter into any of the classes as long as I can run.
Read all about it after the event.
16th June 2003 Well what a good weekend, (Mind you not all good) the paint job survived with only a couple of small cracks which shows what a good job we must have done, to find out why, read on.
As normal we got to the track about 9.30 Friday evening, we found that Darrel and Sarah had got them self's and new double gazebo and said that we could use the other half for the rest of the season. Thank you both it worked out very well.
We were only 18th out in the morning, so I could have a lay in as I didn't have to get up and wait for the scrutineer unlike most meeting,
It was 12.30 time we done our first run and the track was very hot, the tyres were set back at 7 1/2 lb and I done a small burnout and pulled to the line, I was meant to be racing Tom Coe and I could see he had a problem and they called me into stage without him.
I hit the throttle, the car leapt off the line and started to bounce, I changed into second and it still bounced, so I backed out of it and stuck it in 3rd and floored it again and ran a 12.44 @ 108 mph on a 11.95 dial in. Not good for the first run but not as bad as I thought I had done.
We got back to the pits and Dick and Bunt (Dorset Horn) said to up the tyres a bit, as there was a lot of traction out there, this we did and it was time for the next run.
I done another short burnout and pulled to the line, this time I was running with Nick Conner in the Barking Mad car, he had dialled in 10.50 to my 11.95 . I was off on the green, it was not so bad from 1st to 2nd, but when I put it in 3rd the engine missed for a bit then took off again, Nick didn't pass me and when we got into the turn off, He said I must have broken out, as he thought he had, had a good run.
Then Mark Coulsell pulled in, got out the car and started to chuck his race gear about. He had heard on the PA that I had just got No 1 qualifier and on his run, when he put the car into 2nd it had gone straight into neutral and this was why he was having a TANTRUM. I had run 12.00 @ 111.11 mph.
When we got back, we were told the track was open to practice for anyone who wanted to have a go, so we let the engine cool down for while and off we went.
This time I running with Mark and the same thing happened again to him. It seamed like he would had to adjust the linkage to stop this happening, anyway I ran another 12.08 @ 110 mph so I was happy and at the end of the day I was No1 qualifier with a .052 to Marks .053, (that's 1 thousands of a second.)
On the last two runs, when I had changed into 3rd, the car missed a little, so before we put it to bed, we gave it a good check over. I checked the fuel levels, "spot on" then the timing, 19 deg's instead of 18, just in case set it back to 18. Checked the plug gaps, "all not far off anyway" . Took the rev limiter off. (Defiantly not working and I've got to send it back.) started it back up and it sounded OK but we would have to wait until the morning to try it out.
The pairing were posted and I up against Gary Kay in the Dream Machine Dragster. Gary is running my old 302 bottom end in the car (He has run quicker than I ever done with it.) so there was a evening and morning of winding up between us.
Sunday For the first run, I had only what I can call "Brain Fade" I pulled to the line and when the green came on "I stuck it straight into 2nd" I realized what I had done and stuck it back into 1st, the next thing I knew was the back end of the car came up and I bounced hard a couple of times down the track. I stuck it back into second , got it straight and floored it, then into 3rd and chased Gary down the track, I passed him with about 20 foot to go and took the win. "What a ride !!" Gary's car had bogged off the line and he ran a 13.8 on a 12.50 dialling and I had run a 12.8 on the 11.95 dialling, beating him by only 0.138 .
Mark Coulsell was in the lane behind me and said that the tyres had come off the ground at least 6 to 8 ins and he thought at one time even the fronts came off as well.
I had a bye in the next round and I ran a arrow straight NPB 11.982 @112 mph.
In the semis I had "Crazy Chris", those of you who read this know, I have never beaten Chris and at one time lost to him by only 1 thousands of a second.
On my green I was off (Pulling what I think is my best reaction time of .619 (On a 400 tree)) the car started to bounce about mid track but I took a chance and kept my foot hard in, just as I was coming up to the first speed light, I could not see or hear Chris so I backed out of it. Just after the finish line Chris went past with a thumbs up and I thought I had won the race. I was bouncing to say the least but it was going to be short lived. When Chris was towed passed, he told me I had broken out, I could not believe it, I knew it was a good run but not that good, I had in fact I had run a backed off 11.87 @ only 108 mph (Still on the 11.95 dialling) beating my personal best by over a 10th, what I would have run if I did not backed out of it, I will never know.
Its was a pity (For Chris that is.) as, he had lost oil pressure and was unable to run in the final. Well done Chris (One day.) and hope its not to bad and your out for the Nostalgia Nats.
Dave is running at the Nos Nats and is going to do a few mods to the car before the event, he is a little longer in the legs than me and has trouble with the GO pedal, (Its tight for me, but I have just got used to it.) by moving it forward a couple or so ins, also if he can, he's going to do the same with brake pedal, he wont be able to move it, but it leans forward a lot and he might be able to bend it up straighter, we will have to wait and see on that one.
More news after the Nos Nats, see you there.
8th June 2003 Went over to Dave's to mask up and paint on the peppermint green. It took well over a hour just to lay on the masking that Eddie made for me, (It would have taken ten times that if we had to do it by hand.) the weather was sunny but very windy and once we had masked the rest of the body, it was taken out side and given two coats.
We had two new tyres from my new sponsor Tonypandy Motor Co, Les the new owner of the garage I work gave me the front tyres and will be helping out where and when he can, Thank you Les.
Anyway while we was waiting for the first coats to dry, we took the front wheels off ready for Dave to have the tyre fitted on the Monday. Dave then gave the body another two coats and we just checked to rest of the car over while waiting for it to touch dry. We also painted the fuel tank the green, as the paint already on there always reacted with the petrol.
After a hour it was time to unmask, the back half was easy and was done in a few minuets, but the little arrows at the front were more difficult and took about a 1/2 hour to unmask with Dave doing one side and me the other.
We had unmasked inside as it was so windy out, so after the unmasking it was back out side to take photos and see what it looked like, we are very pleased with the outcome and its looks so different from before. After this we put on all the signage we could (Mostly on the magenta part.) and put it away until Wednesday when we planned to finish off and put the body back on the chassis.
After Leaving Dave's, I phoned Linda to say I was on my way and just as I put the phone down, I heard a noise from under the van, I stopped to find the exhaust had fallen off, so I put it in the van and made my way home. Next day and £42 the poorer a new one was fitted.
Wed Linda came over we me as Vicki was not working, I went round their house and dropped her of and picked up Dave and went around the unit. There was not that much to do, just put on the "The Cunning Plan" signs on the sides, cleaning off any over spray and fitting the body back on.
This was all done in about 2 hours, then I went to pick up Linda & Vicki so they could see the finish product.
It was then pushed inside ready for the weekend.
1st June 2003 I have just got back from Dave's after painting (We Dave done the painting and I watched.) the body Magenta. We finished off the prep and just as we were ready to give it a few coats of paint, it started raining and as we were going to spray it outside that was it until it stopped.
As I said below, the last run up York was a bit hairy to say the least, normally I would shut the engine off before I have stopped, but has I had my hands full I did not switch it off until I had pulled up and when I did the engine over run a little but I did not think anything of it.
While we were waiting for the rain to stop we started the engine only to find that it again was not firing on No 8 cylinder, so Dave took off the rocker cover to find the valve retainer on the inlet valve had broken in half and the valve had dropped onto the piston. We again took the inlet and head off and found another couple of dents in the piston and the valve bent. I went to the van and got the box of spare parts and stuck in another valve and rebuilt the engine and its up and running again. As I could not see the rev counter up York, I don't know it the limiter is working or not, I will have to wait until the Power Nats to find out.
Anyway the back half of the body is now painted and is ready for the masking and the green to be painted next Sunday, then I will have to go over in the week and put on all the signage.
More news after next weekend.
27th May 2003 New York, New York, No matter what they say about the track, I was surprised to run a NPB, so read on the find out more.
Linda and I (Dave & Vicki had a wedding to go to so could not go.) set off Sat afternoon and took a leisurely 5 and half hour drive to York Raceway and got there about 7 pm. We set up between Crazy Chris and Darrel & Sarah. There were a few racers there but not as many as Last August but at least it was not raining like the last 2 times I have been.
I had arranged to meet Graham (A distant cousin of mine) on the Sunday and when I woke up he was outside waiting, he had never been to a drag meeting not alone crew, but crew he did and I would Like to thank him for all his help during the day.
It was a lovely day and the track was dry, but for the first run I had decided to take it easy to see how the car went. It spun the tyres off the line and ran a good 7.7 1/8th, I found I was on the limit at 3/4 track so took my foot of a little and run a good first time out 12.39 @ 102 mph.
When they come down to pick me up, Sarah said that Linda was shaking like a leaf on the line, what I had forgotten was that even though Linda comes up to most of the meeting, she has never seen me race, as she is always in the ticket office.
When we was called for the second session I flicked on the ignition switch to see if the pump was on and it wasn't!! I had a quick fell under the dash and had intermittent power, so we took the tow rope off and pushed the car to one side, thanks to Chris I borrowed his allen keys and Graham and myself took off the top panel to see what the problem was. It was Graham who spotted to loose wires which had pulled out of a connection block, this time I made sure they were tight and we checked the other wires at the same time. With this fixed, we put the top on and pushed to car to the pairing lanes.
This was a better run with a good 1.88 60 ft and a 7.44 @95 mph 1/8 (I think that was my best ever.) at the end it was a on off on 11.84 @ 106 mph time.
With the Body on at SCR, the shift light was coming on as I crossed the line, but without the body as I said, it was now coming on at just past 3/4 track, as I now had the limiter fitted, I decided to keep my foot down and keep it on the soft cut once the light came on and not put my foot on & off the pedal.
This I done for the 3rd run and I ran a 7.48 @ 96 mph 1/8th and a NPB of 11.68 @112 mph quarter.
For the 4 and last run of the day the clouds were drawing in and it was looking like ran, so we all got to the line as soon as we could. I was called forward and done my normal burnout. I pulled to the line and ran a NPB of 7.35 @ 97 mph 1/8th and a brilliant 11.52 @ 114 mph 1/4.
When I pulled up and got out at the bottom end, Darrel (He was driving Ram Raider for the first time) pulled up behind me, (With his normal flames coming out of the exhausts) and I told him it was starting to rain, we turned round there were two cars coming down and by then it was poring down. Time Sarah and crews had got down to pick us up, we were soaking, we put our umbrellas up and made our way back to the pits straight up the track this time.
This was 4 pm and as it was raining very hard, they announced that would be it for the day, so we put the cars away for the night and Linda & myself said goodbye to Graham. Thank you for all your help and your have to come down to SCR sometime.
Clare had booked a table at the Steer Inn this year, as we had found it last year and had a great time & meal there. So it was 7 of us into the van and off we went for another good night out and meal.
Monday morning dawn sunny, but the pits and track were still damp after the heavy rain.
Clare came around for my dialling, I decided on 11.65, as it was about halfway for yesterdays times.
Linda was my help for the day and had to remove the chute pin before the run. (By then I had managed to be able to strap myself in.)
The tyres spun off the line on the first run and I only managed a 12.0 @ 107 mph, not a good start, but worse was to come. When Chris came down, he said that Darrel had a oil leak and was shut down on the line and they were cleaning that lane.
When we got back to the pits, Darrel had fixed the leak, which was on the pipe on the gearbox coming adrift and was just putting it all back together.
I didn't know what Lane Darrel had oiled and took the left hand one. I done my burnout and went to the line. The car spun off the line very badly and I stuck it in 2nd, just before I had chance to change into 3rd the car swung round to the left and then straight to the right, by this time I had backed out of it and got it back straight, I put it in 3rd and floored it through the finish line. I know that was going to be a bad one but did not expect a very bad 13.8 @ 107 mph. That was me out of the running for the meeting, which was a pity as the next 2 runs netted me with a 11.55 and a 11.56.
As it was still only early and we had finished all our rounds, I decided to have another last run, but first let the engine cool down a bit and drop the tyres down to 6 lb. (Been running 7.5 )
Sarah saw me into the water for the burnout and said it was brilliant, I went to the line and on the green I was off down the track, at about 3/4 track, the car started to move around a bit, but I just kept my foot in, then in the shutdown area the car was all over the place and at one time I thought I was going to go over, but I managed to get it under control and to a stop. (7.5 lb only from now on)
When I got back to the pits, it was car on the trailer and over to the prize presentation, none for me this time but it dont really matter as we had such a good time over the weekend.
After getting a bit lost we at last got to Dave's to put the car away at about 11 and got home about 12.30.
Brilliant weekend and we have another meeting there in August.
My next meeting is the Power Nats at SCR on the 14/15th June with the new paint job.
More news soon.
18th May 2003 Last Sunday and for the last two days we (Dave & myself) have been working on the body getting it ready for paint.
Last week we cut out all the damage and removed and hid all the mounting bolts, (We took out the old domed bolts and fitted counter sunk ones, them glassed them over.) This week it was slapping on and rubbing off the filler and getting it in primer. Its not 100% perfect, but at the end of the day, we know its going to crack in places the first time out.
Also today, we fitted the new rev limiter, it does have it own shift light but we could not get it to work, so we had the refit the old shift light as well.
The car (Less body) is now ready for next weekends run to York and the body as near a dam it ready for paint the weekend after.
More news after York
7th May 2003 Excitement Nationals!! Well if nothing else, we had some.
We started off on Friday evening (That's Dave, Vicki and myself as Linda could not make it.) and got to a wet track around 10 pm. We unloaded to car and had a look round to see what had turned up.
I set the alarm for 7.30 and got up and got the car ready for scrutineering, which it passed OK and then waited for our first run, we were due down a 9.50 but it was about a hour after that before we did.
I done my normal 1st & 2nd gear burnout and found the engine was willing to rev quicker with the new gears, pulled to the line and on the green floored it. I bogged a bit and then took off with the gear changes coming on quicker than before and for the first time the shift light came on just as I was crossing the finish line. When Dave came down to pick me up, I had run a 12.07 @ 113 mph, which was not bad for the first run.
With the rain showers, that was it for the day so we would have to wait until Sunday to see if I would get my magic 11.
Sunday dawned sunny but windy and we had to wait until 11.50 before my first run. I had decided that as the engine was revving better, I would try 3rd in the burnout.
I backed into the water and Dave called me forward, I run it up in 1st then 2nd and the engine went to 7000 rpm, so I quickly put it into 3rd. And done a storming Smokey burnout.
I pulled to the line and took off the best the car has ever done, but this time just at the top end the power went away and I stuck it in neutral and the engine just shut down, I switched off the ignition and coasted into the turn off. When Dave came down, I Had run a NPB of 12.04 @ only 111 mph.
I told him what had happened and we took the car back to the pits to find the problem.
We started it up and could hear a knocking from the top end, we took off the rocker covers and the plugs, turned it over and it looked like every thing was working, we then checked the compression and found there was none on No 8. Dave then took of the rocker shaft and when he lifted it off, the top of No 8 inlet valve fell off. Fearing the worse we started to strip the engine down, and when we did get the head off there was luckily only a couple of marks on the piston. While Dave got the bent valve out, I done a quick repair job to the piston. The only thing was, we was now one inlet valve short, I went up the tower and got them to ask if anyone had a spare but by this time we had decided to go back to Dave's and pick up our spares and gaskets.
I was asking around to see if someone could take us in a car, as it would be cheaper than taking my van or Dave's pickup, when Lee Hartnell offered us his Peugeot 106 for the trip as long as we replaced to fuel. 170 miles and 3 hours later we were back at the track and refitting the parts and by a hour later the engine was up and running, sounding as good as normal.
When I went and checked the pairing for the morning, I was up with Dick Sharp in Dorset Horn and he had run his crank, so I thought I would have a nice bye to check it out. BUT they had forgot one of the cars and had to redo the pairing, I ended up with Darrel with the Wheels of Fortune car. We always try the run together as we run about the same times so I knew what I was up against.
I done another 3rd gear burnout and pulled up to the line, (Well!! passed the line as it pushed me straight through and I had to back up and stage again.) this time I got it right and on the green I chased Darrel down the track, I was along side him by half track and thought I was slightly ahead of him at the finish line so I backed off a bit not to break out. When we both got out, it was so close we did not know who had won and had to wait for Dave or Sarah to let us know. Dave was the first down and had a half smile on his face, Darrel had took the win but I had just done my first body on 11 with a 11.98 @ 110 mph and losing to Darrel by .018 of a sec. Well done Darrel.
We took the car back to the pits and got ready to load it on the trailer, but before we did, we just started it to see if there was any problems, there wasn't so it was on the trailer and we went to watch the racing.
I would like to give a big thank you to Lee for the use of the car and Dave for getting it back out again.
Our next meeting is at York Raceway on the 24--26th May. As we will be in the middle of getting the body ready for paint, we will not be taking it, so the car will be running naked for that event.
See you all there
27th April 2003 I have just got back from fitting the new diff in car, all is well and it is up and running and ready to go for the weekend. I would like to thank Alan and his crew at Keltix (who repairs Jags.) for sorting out the diff. When we tried and failed to fit it the other week, it seams like it had the wrong size bearings for the casing, so Alan had to change these before he could fit it to another casing for me. The idea was just to swap the casings instead of just the diff it self and it worked. Took about 4 hours though and hopefully it will be well worth it.
After we took the old casing out, I had a look to see what the problem was, only to find that I had not fully tightened the pinion nut up tight enough and it had worked loose. Well we wanted the change and we now have a good spare if we need it at any time. (At least it runs low 12s with it.)
After we had fitted it we started it up and run it through the gears, it still sounds strong and I cant wait to give it a try next weekend, we have also sorted out the shift light by putting in a lower watt bulb in it.
The car was then given a quick steam clean and Dave will give it a polish during the week.
I would also like to thank Dave for his time as without his help I would not have been able to do it so quickly.
Next meeting Excitement Nats SCR next weekend. Read all about it hopefully Tuesday evening.
14th April 2003 Season Opener, SCR. We set of for the track just after 6pm and got to the track well after 9, we normally unload the car as soon as we get there, but this time we just found a space in the pits and left it on the trailer to be taken off in the morning. We went and met all our old friends and looked around the pits for any new cars. (At this time not many)
Sat. woke up to a nice sunny but cold day, we unloaded the car and got it ready for the first run. It sounded good, so expected a decent first run.
After the winters rages, the track was nowhere ready for 10 am, and crew were out in force getting it prepared. Then the computer decided to play up and would not run the tree and timing equipment. It was after 2.30 before we had our first run.
Over the winter we had fitted a pro shift light and I had set it as it was with the old one. When it was my turn, I backed into the water and done a strong burnout, pulled to the line and on the green just booted the throttle. The shift light did not come on and I over revved in first, so on the second shift I used the rev counter. This netted me with a fair first time out since last September 12.59 @ 109.76 run. We were happy as the engine sounded really good and if the shift light had worked it would have been better.
I altered the setting on the light, but decided to go of the counter anyway for the second run.
This time, I put more revs in the engine on the line and squeaked away to a better 12.22 @ 111.94 run.
For the last run of the day I ran a even better 12.14 @ 112.50 run.
The car was running very straight for a change and I had even time to look at the rev counter going over the line to see what the car topped out at. It does seam like I need lower gearing, as I am only on 5200 over the line, when I change a 5700. This has now been decided for me (Read below.)
Sun. Dawned dry but overcast and cold, but today the track was open at 10.30.
It was just after 11 when we done our first round of competition and on a dial in of 12.25 I ran a 12.34 @110.57. But when I was being towed back down the return road I could hear strange noises coming from the rear end. We put the car up on stands and checked it out, we could not find anything loose so took out for a test run. This time it ran another 12.14 @111.66 hph but again on the way back to the pits it was sounding strange, so this time we checked the diff oil and found it a bit low, I went in search for some and the other Tony Smith (Faster Puzzycat) gave me a 500 ml container of the stuff. We put it in and found the front diff oil seal was leaking worse than it used to and was leaving a trail down the pairing lanes. There was a oil down on the track, so I went to find something to stop the oil at least going on the track, I found some old carpet tiles and cut one up and mad a nappy to go under the diff and cable tied it to the prop loop. (I'm not talking about a mega oil leak just a drip now and again.)
The next run was the second round of the Wild Bunch competition, so I was hoping to go a little better to make up for the first run.
We was called forward and I backed into the water only for the cars on the line to be stopped for a while, I sat there with the engine getting warmer by the second, when the did go I done a short (By my standard) burnout and got to the line as quick as I could, this got me a time of 12.36 @ 110.57 mph.
This time I only had a short time to get back round for the third and final round, but the diff was still noisy, so we went to the local garage and got some more oil which when we got back put in and went straight back down to the pairing lanes.
This time there were no hold ups and I ran a NPB of 12.057 @ 112.78 mph, which alone made a good weekend, but better was to come.
After we had loaded the car we was called to the Back Draft pit for the prize presentation, after all the spot prizes were give out, it was down to the top four places. With two rookies (Matt & Gareth ) getting 4th and 2nd with Dick Sharp in 3rd, I was really surprised to have won the event. What a way to start the season,
BUT there's is now the problem with the rear axle to sort out. Only last week I was offered a complete narrowed Jag axle and will be picking it up in the next couple of days. I hope to rebuild this with the 4.54 gears and change the whole center section. This is going to put a hold on the paint job (Again) as, what's the point of a nice paint job if the car is sitting on the trailer with a knackered diff!!!!!!!.
We are also going to sort out the shift light, we think it's the bulb just will just have to wait and see.
I will keep you all informed to how it goes. Keep watching this space.
23rd Feb 2003. Today I have some good and some bad news. First the good, the engine has now been fully rebuilt, this afternoon it was started up and is sounding very good. I would like to thank Dave for all his work in doing the engine for me. Now for the bad news, Last weekend I went over Crazy Chris's to pick up a Jag 4.5 diff, today I went over Abergavenny to Dave's workshop to fit this in place of the 4.09 diff already fitted. Most of you would know I use a Jag IRS modified so that if a drive shaft breaks it wont go anywhere, so after two hours stripping the complete backend down, we was ready to fit the new diff. Side by side (bar from a different type of shimming system.) they both looked the same, after we fitted the pinion every time we put the crown wheel in, it jammed solid, we started by taking out the shims one by one until there was none left, but it would still not work, after another hour we decided that we could do nothing, but to refit the old diff and leave it at that. I was hoping that with this one mod, we would be into the 11s with the body on, its looks like we are going to have to hope, that the work on the engine will get us there. Here's to the 11s this year :-) Next one the agenda is the new paint job, there's a fair chance it wont be ready for the first meeting as Dave and Vicki have sold their house and will be moving soon, (It's not to far from where they are now.) but it will be ready for the first of the Power Nationals.
2nd Feb 2003. Happy new year to you all, its nearly the start to the season and I have got a lot to do. The main bit is the engine rebuild, I have ordered all the parts and I hope they are now on the way to Dave, I have ordered a complete gasket set and a set of rings, (We changed the mains and big ends last year.) We went around Dave & Vicki's to sort stuff out this afternoon and all Dave wants help with the engine, is when he puts the rings on, We are keeping the engine in the car and it will be easier for two to do it, (One on top and one below.)
The other main thing to do is get the body straight for the paint job, I think this is going to be the hardest as in the last 6 seasons its had a hard life, being stuck into the armco twice and me nearly rolling it at couple of times. (Both times doing demo's at other events.)
As I said before, its going to be the same colour's just the design will be different, I have two designs I am working on but I will not decide until the prep is done.
That's all for now and more news when it come in.
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