Section : Rockingham

Thank You 

Posted By : Chris Wilson, 24-May-2004, 07:35pm

Just a quick but well meaning THANK YOU (sorry for shouting!!) for an excellent day at Rockingham yesterday.

While commiserations are in order for Andy (Winterton), relieved that you are ok considering the major off you had, the TSSC racers (and some of the TR racers) provided an entertaining and exhilerating performance during the day. Well worth getting a tad sunburnt on the "swede" and Rockingham certainly has good spectator viewing.

I remember someone yesterday mentioning it would be great to see the TSSC/TR in a much longer race (45 minutes etc) but then a well known TSSC racer quickly stated that quote " you don't expect our cars to last more than the 15 minutes in a race as it is, do you????? unquote

Oh well - it was worth a mention even if just to put a smile on a few peoples faces!!

Well done guys - really enjoyed the day.

(Hasn't put me off either!!! )

Regards

• Thank You 

  Posted By : Jon Wolfe, 24-May-2004, 08:37pm

  Glad you enjoyed it. The trouble with 45 minute races is they can actually be a bit dull to watch - and also they are surprisingly tiring to drive. I doubt if many of the current TSSC or indeed TR cars could run for more than about 25 to 30 minutes. My TR7V8 has an 8 gallon tank and uses a gallon every 5 to 6 minutes, my Spit used a gallon every 7 to 8 minutes. Andy Vowell's petrol tank for example looks very small to me and refuelling would certainly be required.
  
  When we raced in the US and at Spa they were happy for us to refuel in the pits so long as a crewman in fireproof nomex gear was on hand with an approved fire extinguisher.

  • Thank You 

    Posted By : Michael Davis, 24-May-2004, 09:59pm

    I can imagine a 45 minute race would be very stressful on the car too, things would wear out quicker.
    
    From a spectator point of view we used to get 45 minute caterham races at the JCC meetings and all the spectators with the possible exception of the driver's families all used the time to go get something to eat or, in the case of Croft one year when it was the last event on the program, set off home. Very boring to watch. I guess it would be OK if there were some good battles going on.
    
    Interesting question though, what length of race would work best. 45 minutes is too long, is 15 too short? Would 20 or 25 work? Purely an academic question of course since there isn't time in the program for longer races anyway. I guess a longer race would attract a proportionately higher entry fee as well.
    
    Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed my weekend too. Another race, another finish. And nothing on my car broke (well, not seriously anyway). Many thanks to you Chris as well for helping me put that exhaust back on! (hint to anyone reading this: don't use superflex polyurethane exhaust mounting bobbins, they melt!)
    
    Thanks all. Looks like a long wait for the next one!

    • Thank You 

      Posted By : Chris Wilson, 24-May-2004, 10:23pm

      Hmmmm - I must stress that I was only listening to another individuals comments about the 45 minute race and have no experience or knowledge to agree/disagree either way but aside from the fitting into a days events timetable impossibility, I agree that 45 minutes in a race spit doesn't exactly fill me with enthusiasm!!
      
      Mik - I enjoyed every minute of "spannering" for you - thank you for having faith in my somewhat limited abilities!! Besides, It's educating me just that bit more, ready for when I take that magical transition!! BTW - I got around to reading that copy of retro cars last night and spotted an interesting advert inside the front cover! A certain company advertises poly exhaust mount bushes :- Road spec bush 60 shore 'A' hardness available in red/yellow/orange, Race spec bush 65 shore 'A' hardness available in blue/black!! I wonder if the race ones are more heat resistant??
      
      Roll on Oulton!!
      
      Regards

      • Thank You 

        Posted By : John Davies, 24-May-2004, 10:43pm

        It's sad but true that TSSC racers just can't survive endurance racing. Engraved forever on my heart are the words "Birkitt Six Hours, 1997". After less than four hours, only one of six Spitfires was still able to turn a wheel and we retired. Never again!
        John

        • Thank You 

          Posted By : Richard King, 25-May-2004, 09:41am

          No, perhaps endurance racing doesn't suit our cars. But a short oval race might.
          
          I'd love that - National Hot Rod style. It would be like Lydden, but with less corners.

          • Thank You 

            Posted By : Paul Lucas, 25-May-2004, 06:19pm

            spitfires can do more than 45 minutes
            with kevin ginger,john sadler myself and an
            mg midget we won our class in the birkett six hours
            a tank of fuel would last about 70 minutes.
            the midget blew up 100 yards from the chequed
            flag and coasted over!
            longer races do require a different mind set from
            sprint races and jon is right they are hard work if you are not fit!

  • Thank You 

    Posted By : Don Cook, 24-May-2004, 10:24pm

    I'm with you Jon on the 'nomex gear' for a crewman. The thought of a bloke in a poncho and sombrero with a cheroot hanging out of his mouth is just too much to bear!

  • Thank You 

    Posted By : Andy Vowell, 24-May-2004, 10:24pm

    I only have a 3 gallon tank and at 8mpg race pace that gives me 20ish miles. Just about right for a 15minute race with warm up laps, parade laps etc etc. I do get a little nervous at longer tracks ie croft when a 12 lap race is proposed. For a 45minute race I'd have to put in my old standard tank and fill it right up to avoid surge away from the pickup.
    
    Personally I like the 15minute race, lots of adrenaline but short enough to be happy really thrashing the car knowing it was for a limited time. In a longer race I'd have to slow down a bit to preserve the engine, tyres etc.
    
    20mins for the same price would be good though.
    
    Cheers
    Andy
    (Just surveyed my own damage, door repairable, wing needs renewing and looks like the wheel/axle is straight enough)