Drownded

Well, the plan was that we would go to Snetterton on Saturday for the first test courtesy of a Bookatrack track day.

Well, that was the idea anyway. We wended our way up there earlyish on Friday with the intention of getting a time driving around the paddock that evening. As it happened it was too dark really. What’s more, it was throwing it down with rain. So, we went to bed.

It rained all night, you can hear these things in a motorhome, although I was aware that it stopped raining with ferocity at about 0530. I got up a while later when things were brightening up a bit. I sorted the car and, when there were more people around, went for a mimble around the paddock. Everything seemed to be OK so I waited for signing on, etc.

As it turned out, it wasn’t OK. There had been a lot of rain in the night and the new parts of the circuit were comprehensively flooded. (Later discussions were that the contractors had warned that they weren’t being asked to build in sufficient drainage.) The decision was taken to shift to the 200 circuit, great for me as that’s the one we’re racing on this year. However, by the time that was possible everyone wimped out and the day was called off.

Personally, I can’t understand it. So, it was wet, but so what? The chaps in the garage next to ours who had turned up with a nice Clio that they just used as a track-day toy, got away at the first possible opportunity. I’m confused…

It was, though, nice to drive the car round a bit. And I got it noise tested which it passed. The transmission on the car actually seemed quite positive, there wasn’t any of the clonking that I seemed to get all the time in the Fury. Obviously, the engine is installed in a manner that’s much more reminiscent of the bike’s configuration, so perhaps that’s the reason. The chain didn’t fall off either, which has been my perennial concern. Not sure I actually used the brakes at all though.

So, we came home again. Not before a pile of RGBers had turned up to look at the car, which was very nice. A couple of minor issues were also identified.

One was that the pedals needed a bit of fettling. So, I spent quite a time today getting the throttle and brake working a bit better together, and slightly more heel-and-toeable.

One thing I’m considering doing is making some new rear lower wishbones. I’ve been fretting for ages that the spherical bearing malarkey, as comprehensively described here ages ago, is not quite ideal. Although all the numbers for circlips say that the thing is perfectly soundly mounted where it is, I’m still not happy. So, as I’ve got a chance, I think I’ll make a jig and knock up some new wishbones. It shouldn’t be too hard. (Famous last words. Again…)