Well what can I say. Kind of overwhelmed with the weekend panning out as it did. I've spent hours and hours in the garage, cold, wet and tired. Arguing with Mrs because I'm outside till all hours. The journey from idea to here has taken over 2 years! It's been a horrible and often fun experience. But I knew that when I decided to sort this car. I wanted something that would make me fall in love with kit cars again, I wanted the experience of building my own machine. And to be fair I pretty much have rebuilt this since I took delivery from the factory.
I cannot explain the pain and sleepless nights this car has caused me. I ploughed my life savings into the this car and for it to turn out like it did last year with things going wrong was demoralising and I almost sold the car at one stage. My Mrs have me a talking to and told me to keep at it because the kids will be so proud to see me driving this thing that's been in the garage for so long. Having buddy watch me this weekend was something I will cherish, the Marshall let him come to the start line and fist bump me before I set off. A dream come true to do that and race at Goodwood.
Week before I did a full nut bolt check on the car, found a sheered diff bolt and all diff bolts from drive shaft were loose. So I spent Thursday night on the drive till 1am re tapping the diff and getting it back together. Friday was loading trailer and packing the boys up. Youngest stayed with in laws and buddy came with us. Journey down was perfect no traffic. Met up with Steve and those that know me will guess I was itching for a few beers even though I'd promised I wouldn't as I was on track next day. We had a few but not too many. Laura let me catch up with Steve and had an evening with Buddy in the hotel without running round for the baby.
Slept well, Saturday morning woke up at 6am to buddy shouting Peppa pig daddy..Peppa pig!!
as soon as I woke up I started to get a bit nervous as you do on race day, but because I knew the issues of had with the car, I've not drove the car in anger. Especially knowing i would probably be flat in 6th gear bouncing off the limiter on the back straight.
Of all the races and hill climbs I've done over the years this was the most nervous I've been.
First lap, off we went. Car is so revvy with a 10750 limit it's very hard to get the revs sat right for a good start,. You spin up then slightly let your foot off the peddle and you big down, foot back on the peddle and you spin. Nothing like a car engine which is so easy in comparison to this. Anyone with a BEC will know the T junction pain when you stall it
Got round the track ok but after the chicane and foot flat to the floor I go up the gears on the electronic paddles so quick I didn't see the finish line and kept flat until I realised there was people.on the track waving me into the exit lane...slammed on the brakes and skidded about 30 meteres and left a huge ploom of wheel smoke on the track.
Clerk of the course came to my garage and had a word. I apologised and blamed it on brake bias I'd just adjusted.
Rest of the day was a success. Buddy and Laura were having fun, Steve was enjoying himself around the paddock and the car was problem free. Was such a great feeling after all the work and hours spent sorting the car.
Chipped away at my times all day (ish) but wasn't happy with the times to be fair. I am definitely out of practice and spent far too long this past year in the garage. But, hopefully that will change now. I do not know the limits of this car yet and it the car does scare me a little.
The thought of going up shelsley walsh and Prescott in the next couple of months in this car is even worse now I know how quick and responsive it is.
Over all the weekend was brilliant and I always love meeting up with Steve. Big thanks to Mike for the photos...I owe you a non alc beer
Photos are perfect. Of anyone wants to see me flat out past the finish line and scare the poop out of a couple.of Marshall's when I locked up heading towards them it's on my Facebook page.
My lad fell off the trailer on Friday too and smashed his face in pretty bad so we all have something to remember this weekend by now
Venue is beautiful really well kept and very nostalgic especially as we had hurricane or spitfires circling in the morning and afternoon !!