1994 BRG Lightweight Hillclimb Turbo

Might be something simple like a weak spring in bypass or wastegate etc.

Gurston Test day 25/3/18

The first opportunity to shake down the car since the winter break. The Gurston course is on a working farm so often the test day track conditions are not the best despite the best efforts of the organisers. The track was cold and dusty and provided little grip compared to when its in a better more "rubbered in" state.

The times set by all were some what off peoples PBs. I ended around 1.2seconds off my PB after 6 runs. Despite this the car felt really good, and I managed to set a near PB final sector  - the final sector is basically a flat out acceleration up to the finish but a good exit from the last corner (Ashes) is vital in order to set a good time. The exit of Ashes was pretty slippery so Im keen to see what it will do on a day with more grip. My finish speeds were a little up on last season as well - so the winter diet looks to have worked. It was difficult to get a feel for the new brake bias set up given the conditions. The car felt very neutral and balanced particularly throughout he high speed Hollow bend.

During morning scrutineering many competitors were getting pulled up on vented cam covers - The 'blue book does state: 10.3.5. Engine Oil Systems – Unless equipped with a closed loop system, a Catch tank of at least a one litre capacity to be incorporated in the oil breather system. Id managed to run all last season without getting pulled up on this. I have to admit I wasn't aware it was in the rule book! Anyhow I needed to sortt something before being allowed to run.

Thanks to@howardb66 for coming to the rescue with a spare bit of hose - 5mins later after a bit of prime bodging a catch can was made up out of water bottle. Im going to get a permanent solution sorted before the next event. But I quite like the cheap light weight effectiveness of this solution.




I also need to get my oil temp sensor re plumbed as its earthing in its current location and showing false readings. Other than that its all ready for the 2018 season to begin! First event of the year is Gurston down 21st/22nd April.



edited to add - The straight pipe exhaust set up ( FM race cat then no silencing just straight pipe) is 98dB at 4600rpm static. Measured as per MSA. 

Always have - Second place will be a "win" for me on Saturday and third a "win" on Sunday! 

Mission sub 36.50secs is on!

Gurston Down 21st 22nd April.

The first competitive outing of the year. My best time of weekend was second practice on Saturday morning.... After dipping into the 36s zone I felt pretty confident about setting a PB on timed run one. It was going to be close again against my nearest rival in his Impreza for the class win.

New for 2018 is that each of the afternoons competition runs count for points so theres a little bit more pressure to perform straight off the bat. I didn't perform and had a stupid spin at the bottom of the tricky Karousel section. Cause of the spin - too much entry speed. Luckily the car stayed out of the barriers and 5mins work with a set of pliers had the front wing looking back to normal. (the front Left wheel must have caught and pulled it out slightly during the off)













Pictures courtesy of Steve Lister photography - check out his website here for great hillclimb pics - stephenlister.myportfolio.com/about-steve-lister



On run 2 I managed to pip the impreza and take the win by 0.03 of a second.

Sunday was marred by being overly cautious into the bottom of Karousel for fear of a repeat spin like on Saturday. I got my head around that for timed run 1 and laid down some good sectors , on the run to the steep uphill run to the finish line the engine went flat as a pancake as I shifted to 4th, potentially costing me the chance of beating the Impreza. God knows what caused it. I was fuming. Returning down the hill to the paddock the car felt fine and was boosting as it should. Things got very scrappy again for timed run 2. A slightly over exuberant entry to Karousel saw me sideways again - this time i kept it on the road (kind of) and recorded a scrappy 37.60 - It turns out my rival also made a mistake and just pipped me by 0.12s.


Just enough time to give the car a quick check over and get it repacked ready for Prescott this weekend - its the first rounds of the British and Midland championship. 

Good effort

when I used to drive (as opposed to navigate - was a better navigator...) on rallies I suffered with the "all hands & feet everywhere" syndrome, sometimes managed to finish aswell

Rich.

I have to admit I have yet to see any amazing times set by extremes... Talk in the paddock with the quickest record holding guys in road going is that R888R is THE tyre to have.

Using my thumb squidgeometer the new R888Rs feel "softer" than my SGs. They also think the construction makes the newer version even nicer to drive on.

Im buying R888R next.