EERC Donington 5th August

[Alex Hodgkinson]

I'm in love with the Chimp Tune Porsche 935 replica Richard Chamberlain's built, and what a nice guy too.
I had a chat to him in the paddock and he started taking the bodywork off it to show me all the work he'd done, then asked me to have a sit in it (to which I said yes )

That was on Friday though, I didn't make Saturday. I was the marshall to the left just after Starkey's Bridge, for those who may have seen.

[Al Weyman]

SOrry to hear your problems are continuing Rob.

Did you heat the balancer up a bit and whack it on with a block of wood and a big mallet like I told you? You have to be quick before it cools or transfers the heat to the crank but it works and no special tools required! Sounds a bit animalistic but it is the advised way of doing it and even Mr. Vizard recommends the method, not too hot though, black heat only!

DId you have the wobble at Brands?

[MikeHoyer]

Have a couple of photos anyway. What exactly does that thing on the front do?

[nyssa7]

Originally Posted by racing59

The answer of course is....no!

The cause is proving difficult to trace. Observers thought loose wheels.
Computer says no... errr I mean torque wrench says no.

Any pics on your site yet?

Rob

I'm sure you've checked it, but had a similar problem a few years back (at Donington strangely enough). Wheels couldn't have been done up tighter if Kwit Fit had done them with an air gun, but they wobbled all round the circuit

Centres weren't quite big enough to clear the hub spigot although they looked the same size

[Al Weyman]

Good point, I had that at Snett last year with a new set of wheels.

[peenuts]

I know this may sound stupid but do all the wheels move about or just the fronts and only when braking
Also nice car MR 59.

[R59]

Peenuts, thanks for the admiration...

It only wobbles when under braking. Once you're off the brakes, the car turns in sharp, not like somethings loose. It's weird. It's as if the discs are warped, but more severe than that, though there are no tell-tale signs of that, ie: I jack up the car, and look at the gap between the disc and the rose joint on the steering arm, and it doesn't visibly change.

Al - yes, it wobbled at Brands in qualifying, but was much better in the race after I tightened up the rack. Could be a red-herring, but I wonder about the rack mountings, and the rubber in them.

The damper - I fabricated a "pressing tool" to do the job, after I was advised NOT to heat up a NASCAR certified damper unless I wanted to buy another one, and all of the associated parts that would shake to bits when it'd be burger'd by me heating it up.

Snap-On do a kit for just over £40, proper job, supports many different crank internal threads, so i'll be useful for other engines that have press-on front dampers or pulleys.

Mike, the thing on the front, do you mean the slight bonnet bulge? Just to accomodate the small carburettor and air filter for the "16v" engine fitted to this Astra Saloon.

In a conversation some time back, by a person complaining about the bulbous lump, I was asked if I could "get rid of it", or he'd complain to the championship co-ordinator about it. I said OK, I'll fit multi-throttle injection, but it'd mean about another 100bhp, if that's alright. The answer was "OK, leave the bulge, leave it alone, bye..." Strangely, nothing more was said.

I should have it all fixed this week, and fingers crossed, get a test day in next week, prior to making an rs of myself at Brands on the 19th Aug with the Dunlop Track & Race Cars series.

Final comment, re: Richard's rather nice, yet sadly unreliable Porsche, is run by one of the guys who built my Astra-Belmont originally. The amount of work that they've done on it is amazing. Each change, finds another problem. The demise of the orange beastie this last time seemed to be turbo related judging by the smoke on lift off. I have great admiration for Richard, and I hope that the 935 (replica) comes good soon. The whole "Chimptune" gang deserve it.

After looking around it, I'll stick to my V8 powered tractor!

Rob.

[Tuscan 6]

Well we had a great time, albeit rather exhausting! The Tuscan is very physical to drive with no power steering, and even with no roof it is very hot in there.

We had a fantastic race long battle with Mick Mercer in the Marcos, swaping places 4 times until I squeezed up the inside under brakes into Redgate with 2 laps to go. Squeezed would be the right word as I almost had two wheels on the grass on the run up to the corner. We were very chuffed with 4th - especially as the car developed a bad vibration in the latter stages of the race and the diff seized solid as soon as we stopped.

We were flat out to replace the diff between races, and with one engineer down this weekend I was under the car myself - no rest, no food and stupidly, not enough to drink.

Race two was dull in comparision - came home 5th and without threatening the car in front or being challenged - but feeling sick and dizzy for most of the race. Drink more water next time methinks!!

Shame Rob didn't get out in either race.

The V8 series could be a great success - Donington was very promising

We need to crack on and get our new Sagaris built!

[R59]

OK, it wasn't 10 minutes to fix the leak on the damper/timing cover seal. It was 15. Job done.

Wibbly wobbly's found too. Explaination in the Racing Technology forum.

Wipe brow. Go "phew".

Now ... DRINK!

Rob.

[stuartscott]

Rob, Was wondering what had happened to you but now we know. The car was very quick down the start/finish line and once you get it to go round corners we will all be worried. Hopefully the V8 Series will grow from here and it was great to see 14 cars start the first race at Donington last weekend.
The Jaguar expired on the last lap at the last corner with a fuel pump issue in the second race but we will be back and hopefully stronger.

[R59]

Stuart, don't be worried. I was running it in!! Be afraid!! very afraid (I am!)

What's this "Brackley" - have you moved? You used to be up the road from me in(near) Sandy??

Rob.

[Tuscan 6]

Has anyone tracked down any photos from Saturday? I've seen some Britcar/Prod etc, but not V8s....

[MikeHoyer]

I've got plenty, they'll be online by midday hopefully.

[Tuscan 6]

Cool - look forwward to having a look

Regards

Andy

[MikeHoyer]

Were you the one with the bear attached?

[Tuscan 6]

A bear? Certainly not!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



I will admit to a Scooby Doo...

[stuartscott]

Brackley is my racing home as that is where Steve and I have our business and where the race cars are kept.

[stuartscott]

There are some pictures in the gallery section on wood-scott.com but mainly of a red car. Sorry chaps!!

[R59]

Nice pics Mike.

I can't see them wheels a wobblin'!

Rob.

[PaulCherry]

I've put some photos from Saturday here but if can add more for anyone 'missing'

http://www.pbase.com/paulcherry/donington_5806

[phatgti]

Any of the Alfa race?
I was #9

[PaulCherry]

Originally Posted by phatgti

Any of the Alfa race?
I was #9

Nearly, I got #8. Sorry. There were so many of you and it was great to watch rather than photograph. If only Britcar & Britsport had that many entries.

[PaulCherry]

After further searching I found a couple.

Probably not exactly what you were looking for and probably not your best side. lol

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1.../DSC_3982W.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1.../DSC_3983W.jpg

[phatgti]

superb, i'll frame it.

That was after my box which had been stuck in 5th for several laps had finally decided it didnt want to play ball.

I was classified as a finisher though

[stuartscott]

Rob,
The next V8 race isn't until November so where else do you think I could get some race miles under my belt before then?