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  1. #51
    Moderator, Committee Trevhib's Avatar
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    Re: Speed Season 2015 The Reluctant Doris

    Brealthless. That S2000 seems to handle really well.

  2. #52
    Non-member RussellT's Avatar
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    Re: Speed Season 2015 The Reluctant Doris

    Balmy Blyton
    A 5.00am alarm saw me leaving St Annes at 5.30 to make the 140 mile journey to Blyton Park for 7.30am. I would have got there sooner if it wasn’t for a large section of motorway with a 50 mph average speed restriction and NO ROAD WORKS what so ever apart for one drilling machine on the hard shoulder. That not only delayed me but reduced my petrol consumption resulting in a car heavy with fuel as I parked up and unloaded.
    Blyton Park should be known to several members as it was the site of our 2012 National Day. The club banner from the day is still on the club house wall. It’s a great track laid out on an old WW2 airfield.

    The start is at Twickers there is a 64 foot beam then another 2 beams making a speed trap just before the Wrigler on the back straight. Sector 4 is from the 2nd of those beams to the finish. Marshals report 4 wheels off at the exit of Bishops, Bunga Bunga and the exit from the fast chicane. All 4 wheels have to be on the track through the finish.
    The weather was set fair for Saturday with a threat of rain for Sunday. In my class I had a 205 GTi wearing a Skip Brown Cars sun strip (usually an ominous sign) a tidy Clio 172 and finally a father and daughter team of Andrew and Heather Wright driving a 306 Rallye. Fred Curell in the mighty Golf Gti didn’t arrive. I was told he had tripped over his trailer hurt his wrist and had a hospital appointment for a scan on the Saturday.
    Andrew welcomed me with a invite to his van and tent complex for a tasty bacon and sausage butty with a cup of tea, both most welcome after the early start.
    The first run was at low boost but even so the 2015 Doris roared around the track. She is a real hoot to drive and better than that I had brakes! Its so much more fun trying to compete when you can stop the car.
    My time of 82.76 was the fastest in class so things were looking good. Steve Tilley in the 205 was pottering around in 107 seconds Heather was on 91seconds whilst Richard Jenkinson in the Clio ran 86.65 and Andrew had no time recorded.
    More boost dialled in for 2nd practice resulted in a 79.49 for me with Andy my closest challenger on 81.49 and the win looked to be between us two with Richard in the Clio the next fastest car on 85.58.
    I upped the boost again to 16 psi and stiffened the Leda dampers to 3 clicks of full stiff for the timed runs. A committed run saw the clock stop at 78.62. Andy was a tad slower than 2nd practice at 81.63 however Richard knocked 2 seconds off his practice time with a 83.30. Heather managed 87.40.
    The first run after lunch didn’t go well for me, Doris jumped out of 3rd gear breaking for Bunga Bunga and then I was given a failed run at the finish when the outside wheels strayed too far on the exit. Andy improved by a tenth but was still slower than his practice time and Richard ran the exact same time as his first run. Heather meanwhile was down to 86.52.
    I had a chat to Heather, having sworn her to secrecy not to tell her dad, giving her a few suggestions on gear selections braking points and the line through the last corner although at the time I wasn’t aware that I had been given a failed run for a last corner transgression.
    Driving Doris there were some alarming clunks on hitting the brakes like some major part was moving and I was blaming that for her jumping out of gear. Matt Fearless Rowe of the Honda S2000 You Tube fame advised me that if you didn’t quite get the gear fully located it held under power and then jumped out as you came off the gas. He used to drive a 106 and had past experience of similar issues. All the same I resolved to invest in some new engine mounts for the next event.
    I lined up for the final run knowing that I had probably done enough with my first timed run to take the class on the day but I still wanted to try and set a valid faster time if I could.
    Off the line up through the gears into third, left foot brake for the first corner which is a long left hander specifically set up to reward trail braking. I aim to try and just get the rear of the car sliding to help point the nose in to the apex however overcook it at your peril as you have to thread a needle on the exit to get the right line through the first chicane. Fail to do that and the middle kerb will take your sump off. Andy did test the metal of his 306 on the first practice run. A lake of oil there on was about the 10th run of the weekend would have seen him less popular than Tony Blair.
    I slip through the chicane kissing the kerbs then accelerate smoothly as grip would allow not wanting to wash out on the adverse camber, up to 4th and I’m full on the power. The braking point for the back chicane is tricky as the entry is hidden behind the infield curve, again it pays not to be too greedy so as not to be fighting the car on the entry to the chicane enabling you to drive the correct line. Of course that’s just what I did sliding the car at the first apex I bounce of the second and just about stop losing all my precious momentum for the run to Bishops. I take that in 3rd and was careful not to use too much road on the exit. I hold 3rd for the run to the double apex Bunga Bunga corner, missing the first apex to hit the second. On the power again up to 4th and through the high speed chicane on the run to the finish. The exit is key, it’s not really an issue of being brave as there is plenty of run off its just judging how fast your car can take the corner and stay on the defined track limits. Once through there it’s a straight line to the turn in point for the final corner. Back to 3rd and slide her round using all of the road but keeping 4 wheels on track.
    The clock stops at 77.72 for my best run of the day but I had left a chunk of time in that back chicane. The speed trap registered 98.2mph. Andy had benefited from my tips to his daughter and knocked a second off for a best time of 80.58 to Just pip Richard’s Clio who had gone almost a full 3 seconds faster on his last run with 80.88. Heather also went significantly quicker knocking 2 seconds of her previous best with a 84.34 and the 205 was left trailing, for once, on 96.30.
    All in all a cracking day, as good as Speed events get; great venue, weather, camaraderie and competition. For comparison Roger Fish took the honours in the battle of the S2000’s with a 75.15 (on his 1b tyres) and the same speed as Doris through the trap.
    Later that night I joined Roger and Matt for a meal at their hotel then returned to my digs at the local pub where I had a pint with another 2 fellow competitors enjoying the night air. One of the barmaids came out for a drag on her vapour e cig. She was a friendly soul and when I happened to mention that her e cig looked like a mini industrial unit, she offered it to me saying that I could try sucking on her Beaver Juice! In all my years on the planet no lady has ever said that to me before. It turns out a local man called Mr Beaver makes his own vapour liquids called Beaver Juice. I declined the offer.

  3. #53
    Non-member RussellT's Avatar
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    Re: Speed Season 2015 The Reluctant Doris


  4. #54
    Non-member Hoolio's Avatar
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    Re: Speed Season 2015 The Reluctant Doris

    Entertaining read as always. What it is they say about 'no good deed going unpunished'

  5. #55
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    Re: Speed Season 2015 The Reluctant Doris

    An action packed day by all accounts. Beaver juice. Ah yes I remember it well....

  6. #56
    Non-member RussellT's Avatar
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    Re: Speed Season 2015 The Reluctant Doris

    Blyton Park Day 2
    In contrast to the 5.00am start the day before I had a relative lie in to 7.00am in my excellent room at the Black Horse Blyton. A cooked breakfast inside me (Andy’s bacon was better) Doris and I headed back to the circuit.
    As I entered the paddock there was Tony Hart of Prima Racing unloading his mighty Mod Prod R5 GT turbo (stripped out, running on slicks). That was a very pleasant surprise and I had a chat about what he was up to these days and generally how to make a 5 faster.
    As a stand alone event I had to sign on again and go through scrutineering again. There was a drivers briefing for the competitors not there the day before, but I attended as I wanted the Clerk of the Course to try and improve the system that let drivers know their time had been discounted for 4 wheels off. This he was happy to do.
    We had lost the 205 and the Clio from the class so it was just me against Heather and Andrew in the 306 Rallye. Andrew aimed to crack 80 seconds and Heather wanted to beat her best time from last year which was a high 81. I left Doris set up as she had been the day before and we all ran conservative times, I stopped the clock on 79.47 Andy 81.94 and Heather 86.23.
    Second practice was a new experience for me. I was staged at the start in sunshine and I had a fully dry track from the start but after the 64 foot beam a sudden and seriously heavy shower deluged the track. There was a surreal moment where I was still driving in “dry mode” with the track waterlogged. Certain disaster was awaiting me at the first corner but thankfully some part of my conscious brain said hang on a minute there might not be much grip now. I braked early but still lost the back end on turn in requiring a rapid and significant chunk of opposite lock to correct. The rest of the run was a slimy affair and I was happy to finish in one piece. Heather managed a 90.03 to my 89.04 and Andy had a full wet run on 93.08.
    The Westfield lads on slicks all the mutinied and lunch was called early. During this time we had the unusual spectacle of Andy, a scouser, removing the locking wheel nuts from his car with a socket a hammer and plenty of muscle. He wanted to swap his Yokohama AD08 to Michelin Pilot Sport 3. Heather was convinced that they were the faster tyre for her and he fancied taking me on in the wet.
    In the event the combination of warm sunshine and the breezy airfield dried the track for the first timed run after lunch. I had softened the front dampers and reduced the allowed slip to 5% on the traction control but had her back into dry mode for the run. It was odds on that we were only going to have 2 timed runs so a banker time was essential. I completed the course without overstepping the track limits in 78.37. To Andy’s obvious delight he smashed through the 80 second barrier with 79.43. Heather also managed a large step up in performance to 82.65 and the effort required to swap the tyres had been fully justified.
    One last go I sneaked in a bit of extra boost up to 18 psi. I tried to be more aggressive on the turn in to the first corner and got the entry to the chicane slightly wrong taking more of the middle kerb than I liked bouncing the off side wheel up into the air. This did give me a quicker exit and I roared through the speed trap at an impressive 100.6mph ( the same speed as Tony’s Mod Prod 5). I was too greedy on the brakes for the Wrigler and again took too much of the middle kerb but kept hard on the gas. I could have taken Bishops and Port Froid a tad quicker but overall I was happy to finish off with my best time for the weekend, a 77.36. Andy on a banzai charge missed the last corner but his splits showed that he was about 2.5 sec down on me. Heather meanwhile popped in a 81.79 to beat her best last year. So everyone in class went home happy with something to celebrate.
    For comparison Tony’s best time was a class winning 72.57 and the S2000 honours, in a reverse of 2014, went to Roger Fish on 75.34 just ahead of Matt Fearless Rowe on 75.47. It’s his in car I posted and where he went through the fast chicane in 4th last year he kept her in 3rd . Roger also managed 100.6 through the speed trap but Matt was down on 98.20. He wasn’t happy.
    Next event is Loton Park on the 9th August. Prior to that I plan to get new engine mounts have the head re torqued, the tracking checked again and finally put some thought to the rear suspension. I’ve run her on the bump stops for years now and it works well up to a point but the 2015 engine performance demands reconsideration.

  7. #57
    Non-member RussellT's Avatar
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    Re: Speed Season 2015 The Reluctant Doris

    The new engine mounts have arrived


  8. #58
    Non-member B18ftMOJO5's Avatar
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    Re: Speed Season 2015 The Reluctant Doris

    Those look

  9. #59
    Non-member RussellT's Avatar
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    Re: Speed Season 2015 The Reluctant Doris

    Latest news. The rear engine mount was broken.

  10. #60
    Non-member B18ftMOJO5's Avatar
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    Re: Speed Season 2015 The Reluctant Doris

    Hopefully that should transfer into better times with these new ones.

  11. #61
    Non-member RussellT's Avatar
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    Re: Speed Season 2015 The Reluctant Doris

    Great day at Loton Park yesterday. Beautiful sunshine all day and the track was at its very best, lots of grip translating into lots of PB's and class records. I had a long chat to Bob of CGB Motorsport more about that and a report on the days competition later.

  12. #62
    Non-member RussellT's Avatar
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    Re: Speed Season 2015 The Reluctant Doris

    Loton Park
    Last year I missed my annual trip to the Loton Park Speed Hill Climb is set in the deer park of Sir Michael Leighton’s stately home at Alberbury, near Shrewsbury due to the gearbox failure. So having unpacked and signed on I walked the first section of the picturesque hill. It was a beautiful day and the track was in top condition for some good times after the previous days event had laid down some fresh rubber.
    In common with all hill climb venues the track is tight with little room for error, no run off surrounded by major trees and a pond thrown in for good measure. The “straight”, snakes up the hill along a ridge so a wheel off line pulls the car off the road and into a pit of doom and certain destruction. Not for the faint hearted.
    My class was an eclectic mix from an Elise and the Honda S2000 on 1b race tyres, 4 MX5’s, 2 MG ZR 1’s a Mr1 Escort and Steve Price in his non turbo Subaru. The reason for the eclectic mix is that the Hagley and District Light Car Club that runs the Loton Park events, refused to co-operate with the Northern Speed Classes that were set up to standardise the class regs at the various venues. So on the day I was competing against the Elise but for my championships I was up against the MG’s, the Escort and Steve Price in the Subaru.
    The course starts with a dip into a right kink then a tight left into a double apex left then a faster 45 degree left. You then run downhill past the pond to a tight right, another short straight to a chicane that exits onto the snaking straight. At the top of that there is the speed trap and you come over a crest with a left kink to a tight left. You then run up a rapidly increasing gradient to a tight blind right hander that tightens on the exit and from there, there’s a good blast to the finish. Its fast, dangerous frenetic in car action all the way. Often cars arrive at the top with the indicators flashing indicative of “wind milling” arms in the cockpit.
    I have traditionally been slow to the 3rd split and I had been given a tip to try by a Loton regular which was to short shift to 3rd after the first corner. That cut out 2 gear changes and maximised acceleration on the downhill straight.
    I was hoping for a 64 sec run and first practice 66.25 was encouraging and Doris felt really strong with lots of grip good brakes and an eager engine.
    Second practice with a bit more enthusiasm stopped the clock at 64.82 and I was still running practice boost!
    Bob from CGB the current Loton Champion no less in the stripped out race prepared class on race tyres was ahead of Doris on time however Doris was faster through the speed trap on 76mph.
    Practice took for ever and it wasn’t until 2.00pm that we lined up for the competitive runs. I had spent lunch chatting to Bob who informed me of the dire situation with regards to spares for the Renault 5 GT turbo. I had no idea that the situation was so dire, without spare body panels or bumpers our cars ultimate prognosis is bleak.
    Boost up time for a PB. 2.83 sec saw me at 64 feet then 17 sec at loggerheads, almost a second up on practice, triangle came in 25.51 and Cedar in 45.33 with 76 through the speed trap. I rounded Museum in 56.61 and stopped the clock at 63.81. Doris felt nothing short of awesome.
    I was way ahead of the other cars in class that I was actually competing against for my championships and the sensible approach would have been to pack up and go home. However I upped the boost and went for it again this time I lifted a tad too early at the top of the hill but still managed to reduce my PB to 63.61. The nearest to me was one of the MG ZR160 cars on 68.76
    Roger in the S2000 managed to fall of the hill after the chicaine onto the straight and “nutmegged” 2 very large trees. He was visibly shaken by the experience and Im not sure he will bother with Loton again.
    Carl meanwhile was blasting up the hill 62.26 sec to take a class 2nd on the day. I think Doris inspired him to push on.
    Next up is Harewood on the 30th August where competition will be fierce and points hard to come by but I hope the weather will be fine and a PB there would be a season highlight.
    Here is a link to an in car from Fred Curell setting a Midland Speed record look how close his off side wheel gets to the “pit of doom!”
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNhj_PHHReM

  13. #63
    Non-member RussellT's Avatar
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    Re: Speed Season 2015 The Reluctant Doris

    Doris on turn into the downhill Triangle bend at Loton Park Hill Climb



    Harewood is next up on Sunday. Butch will be there but sadly in his Honda, although he will still be hard to beat.

  14. #64
    Non-member RussellT's Avatar
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    Re: Speed Season 2015 The Reluctant Doris

    Harewood Hero’s
    Pre my annual trip to the countries longest hill climb I knew I was facing the strongest class of the year. 20 cars were to line up in 1b with the Harewood instructor James Kerr as the strong favourite of a field that included ex champions and ex championship winning cars with new drives and RTOC own Harewood star Ian (Butch) Butcher in his back up race car, a lovely imported Integra type R, whilst Bumble Bee’s engine was being rebuilt.
    The anticipated competition was both exciting but also daunting and the end result was very likely to be a dropped score at the end of the year, however this was a chance to test Doris against some of the top cars in the North of England.
    With this in mind I was going to up the boost to 20psi and I planned to try Shell Nitro + petrol. Unhappy with my starts this year I decided to hold her on the brakes on the start line to preload the clutch and I also raised the rev limit on the launch control to 4K revs and the change over speed to 30 kph.
    The timing system at Harewood these days is on a par with Loton with 5 splits a speed trap as well as an elapsed time. This is great for showing relative strength and weakness of your performance.



    I arrived over fuelled again, this is becoming a significant issue for me. I had deliberately under fuelled by 7L for the trip over but still I had just under half a tank left. Since the change of cam shaft Doris not only has more power but also uses less fuel.
    Possibly as a result of the heavy fuel tank I almost spun out at the first corner just catching the back end still I managed a respectable 70.89. Doris felt good and also stable into the fearsome final blind Quarry corner. At the end of a long uphill straight you enter at well over 70mph in 3rd you turn into the first part then after a short straight there is a second tighter apex to take you through the finish. It is the most challenging corner I face all year but where winning times are made so full commitment is required.
    Second practice without a slide at the first bend stopped the clock at 68.89 sec and I was second in class! That was on practice boost. James was a second quicker on 67.76 and behind me was Jonathan Mounsey in a ex Harewood Championship winning 205 GTi on 69.07 then David Blakeston in a Integra Type R on 69.19, then our Butch in his Integra on 69.91. the young charger Deryck Jones had fallen off at Orchard and hadn’t set a representative time.
    Up the boost went to 20psi Doris 2015 was back up with the competition.
    After a long delay whilst the paramedics tended to a spectator who had collapsed we were only going to get 2 runs so the pressure was on not to mess up, very much like Q3 in F1 qualifying.
    My starts had been going OK with the new settings and Doris roared off the line through the first corner and down the hill like a rocket. The increased boost and speed caught me out at the bottom of the hill though as I didn’t make the corner into the Esses and in fact did well to stay on the track. This compromised my line through the whole of the Esses and Chippys. I kept pressing on and finished the run at 68.84 faster than practice but I had left time on the hill. I was still 3rd in class. James was in a class of his own on 67.55 then came Deryck on 68.49 then me with Jonathan just behind on 68.98. Butch managed 69.95.
    Second timed run and as you would expect I braked earlier for the Esses but this time I ran out of road on the exit of Country. I gave it my all into Quarry squirming through the line to stop the clock at 68.46 the best time Ive done for years and a dead heat with Deryck Jones. However Jonathan had nailed a Banzai last run to take both of us for second with 68.37. Without the extra petrol I would have been close for second. James hadn’t improved but still took the win.
    Now most clubs decide a dead heat with the next fastest time however Harewood do it by who ever set the time first so I was 3rd and the recipient of a nice cut glass award.
    Deryck has a You Tube channel so I will post a link so you can experience a ride up the hill with him.
    Last edited by RussellT; 01-09-2015 at 13:06.

  15. #65
    Non-member RussellT's Avatar
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    Re: Speed Season 2015 The Reluctant Doris


  16. #66
    Committee, South East Regional Rep James5's Avatar
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    Re: Speed Season 2015 The Reluctant Doris

    Russell what a great read loving seeing this something from the normal, and well done 3rd in your class is still bloody good I will check out the video later when at home Keep up the good work and keep these updates coming

    How you finding the new engine mount's? Are those the vibratec jobbies? if so been considering getting some myself.

  17. #67
    Non-member RussellT's Avatar
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    Re: Speed Season 2015 The Reluctant Doris

    The engine mounts are very good and a female would certainly enjoy the race spec ones. I suspect that they have made a significant difference in getting the power down. I can tell this at the start where I ran into issues with tramping.

    I would also mention that CGB Motorsport sell their own uprated engine mounts. They are very reasonable (especially compared to the ones I bought) so might be worth considering.

  18. #68
    Non-member RussellT's Avatar
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    Re: Speed Season 2015 The Reluctant Doris

    Comparing the split times with Deryck on the run we dead heated is interessting.

    I beat him off the start by 0.09 sec but then he beat me to the bottom of the hill by 0.04 sec (remember I lifted earlier after over shooting the turn in on the first timed run). I then took the lead again after the run through the Esses, Chippys and up to Country by 0.23 sec. Out of Country through Willow and to the entry to Orchard we were dead level (I ran wide out of Country) Through Orchard around Farmhouse to the speed trap I took the lead again by 0.17 sec but then lost that advantage through Quarry.

  19. #69
    Moderator, Committee Trevhib's Avatar
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    Re: Speed Season 2015 The Reluctant Doris


  20. #70
    Non-member RussellT's Avatar
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    Re: Speed Season 2015 The Reluctant Doris

    A link to a photo of me in the Esses on the right line for once.

    http://www.jcbphotography.co.uk/_photo_14317061.html

    lots of nice Escorts there on the day aswell more photos on the JCB Photography web site

  21. #71
    Non-member RussellT's Avatar
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    Re: Speed Season 2015 The Reluctant Doris

    My last event in the Chester and Liverpool Speed Championship was on Saturday at Aintree. To be onest I didnt have any stiff competition in my class so I had an easy win and only did 1 run on full boost. I managd a time of 53.25 and 113 through the speed trap. Earlier in the year I was a tad quicker trying (and failing) to compete with Ian (Butch) Butcher. We had 7 runs in total and spent the time woring on my start technique. I managed a best of 2.75 and they were all very consistent around 2.80. Ill let you know where I end up when all the scores are in and shaken down.

  22. #72
    Non-member RussellT's Avatar
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    Re: Speed Season 2015 The Reluctant Doris

    Doris spark plug post event

    https://twitter.com/turborussell/status/640997396181336064

    I've made a threaded copper washer to try and improve the seal on the plug

    https://twitter.com/turborussell/sta...97573776515076

    What do you reckon good or bad idea?
    Last edited by RussellT; 08-09-2015 at 09:07.

  23. #73
    Non-member RussellT's Avatar
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    Re: Speed Season 2015 The Reluctant Doris

    As the last results came in I have ended up 3rd overall in the Chester and Liverpool Speed Championship. Overall positions are determined by who turns up to compete in your class so although its nice to be "on the podium" as it were the main reason for that position is not my driving skill (which is obviously on a par with LH) but the facts that Butch engine went early in the season and Fred Curell tripped over his trailer and was having a scan on his injured wrist the day he should have been at Blyton.

  24. #74
    Moderator, Committee Trevhib's Avatar
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    Re: Speed Season 2015 The Reluctant Doris

    Listen, you can only go against those who turn up on the day (or throughout the year)! Congrats on your and Doris's podium Russell Another great year of fun racing in which I think Doris has really come along.

    Not sure what the problem with the spark plug is in the first pic??

  25. #75
    Non-member RussellT's Avatar
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    Re: Speed Season 2015 The Reluctant Doris

    Thanks for that Trevor

    Re the spark plug its the oil all the way down to the sealing ring that makes me think they arnt sealing properly and robbing me of some power.

    Ive put the one with the threaded copper washer into cylinder 1 and at least she runs.

    The end of the plug will be slightly higher up in the head do you think that could cause any issues? I would expect Renault work out the best spot for the spark to start the ignition of the mixture.

    Anyway Ill run her around a bit some higher boost settings and see if the oil still comes out of the cylinder.

  26. #76
    Moderator, Committee Trevhib's Avatar
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    Re: Speed Season 2015 The Reluctant Doris

    Spark plug: Ah, I thought that might be what you were referring to.

    I don't know I'm afraid. My thoughts anyway:

    - Actually, where is the oil coming from? I'm guessing you run without valve seals like Phase 1? Seems quite a lot. Anyway, isn't it that the oil is going all the way UP to the sealing ring, not all the way down?? If so, it looks like the seal is doing its job.

    - I 'think' the spark plug seals are crush washers, I guess for a reason, though I don't know. Not sure whether it will cause a problem using a solid one?

    - Maybe, being a crush washer, if the plug has been in and out a few times perhaps the its sealing capability has been diminished?

    - Could you machine down the copper washer so it's nearer in height to the original?. If not, could it make the ignition weaker being higher in the chamber?

    Just food for thought

  27. #77
    Non-member RussellT's Avatar
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    Re: Speed Season 2015 The Reluctant Doris

    The final WE approaches and I decided to check out the rear suspension on Doris. I had noticed some loud metalic clanking sounds driving down our access road. with the car jacked up and the nearside rear wheel off all looked OK but when I lifted the wheel up I could see that the trailing arm was moving in the axle bearing.

    A call to CGB has confirmed that you cant get the bearings so I might have to have the whole axle replaced.

    Will she be ready? Its a bit tough to compete knowing that the rear suspension is broken but i dont want to miss out on the trip to Wales.

  28. #78
    Committee, Shop Manager, SE Regional Rep Bigfoot's Avatar
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    Re: Speed Season 2015 The Reluctant Doris

    You can get the bearings off ebay for about £17, will try and find the link for you, its the pressing in part which is not the most fun

    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RENAULT-CL...item566a28fd9f

  29. #79
    Committee, Moderator Matt Cole's Avatar
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    Re: Speed Season 2015 The Reluctant Doris

    Russel,

    I would consider replacing with roller bearings. There is a thread on here.......

    https://www.rtoc.org/boards/showthrea...+axle+bearings

  30. #80
    Non-member RussellT's Avatar
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    Re: Speed Season 2015 The Reluctant Doris

    Thanks lads the club to the rescue again!

    I found the thread I didnt think I could manage that by the WE and I couldnt find the right sized bearing.

    BigFoot I will certainly obtain the one you have suggested off E bay.

    I think Im going to get a replacent rear axle anyway as over the last 12 years mine has had SERIOUS and REGULAR ABUSE. I dont want a trailing arm to fail mid corner.

  31. #81
    Committee, NW Regional Rep Alex's Avatar
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    Re: Speed Season 2015 The Reluctant Doris

    Russell, I'm in the process of refurbishing my axle using those bushes. If you have any questing or need advice let me know.

  32. #82
    Non-member RussellT's Avatar
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    Re: Speed Season 2015 The Reluctant Doris

    Thanks Alex is that the Clio ones off E Bay? any tips gratefully recieved and tthat goes for you too BigFoot.

  33. #83
    Committee, NW Regional Rep Alex's Avatar
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    Re: Speed Season 2015 The Reluctant Doris

    Yes its the Clio ones on ebay. They're a bit of a struggle to remove due to their location and the amount of time they've been exposed to the elements - lots of rust and they'll be ceased onto the axle.

    I'll be doing an article on the job once I've finished it.

  34. #84
    Non-member RussellT's Avatar
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    Re: Speed Season 2015 The Reluctant Doris

    Cheers I've bought the last 2 the vendor had. I think one of mine is going to fall out judging bythe amount of play in it. Its really disconcerting to think of what I have been doing with the axle in tthis state! Some very fast corners at my last event on the Aintree circuit.

  35. #85
    Committee, Moderator Matt Cole's Avatar
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    Re: Speed Season 2015 The Reluctant Doris

    I hope this won't be another NLA part.

  36. #86
    Committee, Shop Manager, SE Regional Rep Bigfoot's Avatar
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    Re: Speed Season 2015 The Reluctant Doris

    Well can always have a discussion with this ebay person and see what they can do. But price for postage might be high

    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Achskorper...item4d2eb548a8

  37. #87
    Committee, Shop Manager, SE Regional Rep Bigfoot's Avatar
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    Re: Speed Season 2015 The Reluctant Doris


  38. #88
    Non-member RussellT's Avatar
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    Re: Speed Season 2015 The Reluctant Doris

    I had a great trip to CGB Motorsport yesterday. Thanks to Joe for sorting me out a spare rear axle and a pair of front wings. I enjoyed checking out their race car and all the goodies onthe shelfs

  39. #89
    Non-member RussellT's Avatar
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    Re: Speed Season 2015 The Reluctant Doris

    The last WE was at the truely spectacular Trac Mon on Angelsey. My pit crew had managed to replace the worn (as in totaly destroyed) bush in the nearside trailing arm. I had to bleed the rear brakes but all was well for a bleary eyed and foggy run to Wales on Saturday morning.
    The other cars in class inculded Mr James Kerr and my arch rival Mr Keith Minshull. Keith dressed in his black race suit and small black beard could be mistaken for a pantomine villain or Dick Dasterdly.
    All was in place for a cracking WE with the venue the weather the track but unfortunately there were 135 entries including the final event for the British sprint championship. So with both layouts going past the start line running was limited to 3 car on track and each full run too over 2 hours. The upshot of this was 1 practice and 2 runs on Saturday and 2 practice and 1 run on Sunday. The British Sprint lads only got 1 run off for the points too.
    On Saturday I fell off on my first timed run. As many have done I didnt make the blind corner at the top of the hill. I had to pot a time on the second go and was quite pleased with my run but it was only good for 3rd.
    On Sunday I slid off on the second practice understeering off on the 3rd gear left hander after the pit straight. I managed to bounce along the grass and regain the track with no harm done.
    With only 1 chance for the prizes I couldnt afford another mistake and a tidy run was again good enough for 3rd.
    On Saturday Keith was right behind James and might have pipped him but for missing the apex at the final hairpin, but on Sunday James was 5 seconds faster than Keith and I was 0.6 sec behind Keith which over 3.5 miles is pretty close.
    I dont know the final championship standings but will keep you posted

  40. #90
    Moderator, Committee Trevhib's Avatar
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    Re: Speed Season 2015 The Reluctant Doris

    Quote Originally Posted by RussellT View Post
    I dont know the final championship standings but will keep you posted
    If you haven't won something, I shall be putting in a complaint

  41. #91
    Non-member RussellT's Avatar
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    Re: Speed Season 2015 The Reluctant Doris

    The Matt Fearless Rowe experience http://youtu.be/Qgx0m9cOSlU

    As the film runs on he describes his run to a fellow competitor. I dont agree he was cautious in the corkscrew but he was slower into Church on the second run (the very long very fast right onto tthe long straight. His car stops a lot quicker than Doris. At the end of the straight I started braking just after the tyres at tthe kink and only just made the corner.

    Look out for yours truely also spouting excuses!

  42. #92
    Non-member RussellT's Avatar
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    Re: Speed Season 2015 The Reluctant Doris

    Now with our class champion James Kerr showing that he is human at Rocket http://youtu.be/nN5lt-2SG1E

  43. #93
    Non-member RussellT's Avatar
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    Re: Speed Season 2015 On the podium!

    The final scores have been published and Doris dragged me up to 3rd place.

    So the final result of the season is 3rd in the Chester and Liverpool and 3rd in the Longton and District Motor Club Speed Championship.

    I reached these dizzy height mainly due to Fred Currel tripping over his trailer and going for a wrist scan when he should have been at Blyton but such is the nature of the speed game.

    Doris has been much more fun to drive thanks to Scoffs pre season work on the engine and getting the brakes to work to a consistent and acceptable level, if not perfect. The reconditioned Gripper diff and Leda dampers have also made a diference.

    So what now?
    Well I fancy a proper rear anti roll bar rather than the rubber door stop mod Ive used for 10 years. I think I need a new clutch judging by the smell coming off the car after my runs in Wales. More power would be nice but Ill have to wait until I need a turbo recon.
    I also need a new helmet as the one I have is no longer an accepted standard.

    Roll on Christmas!

  44. #94
    Committee, Moderator Matt Cole's Avatar
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    Re: Speed Season 2015 The Reluctant Doris

    Excellent result Russel. What a season it's been for you! I guess Doris needs a bit of love and a few mods ready for next season.

    Well done and let's see some Doris mods!

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