Weasels race diary 2012!
- Thread starter Weasel
- Start date
Im busy in the garage tonight !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Putting on new mirrors at the moment and the fibreglas wings have been fixed. Gonna put the OEM wings back on as they sustain the bangs a bit better.
Ive to put the splitter back on the rails tomorrow and then its ready for some livery again!
Ive to change the engine+ gear oil, plugs coolant and bleed the brakes this weekend.
Im entering round 4 of the Irish Time Attack on June 4th and less than a week after that im back out in the 5th and 6th rounds of the touring car championship.
I'l try and get more pictures!
Putting on new mirrors at the moment and the fibreglas wings have been fixed. Gonna put the OEM wings back on as they sustain the bangs a bit better.
Ive to put the splitter back on the rails tomorrow and then its ready for some livery again!
Ive to change the engine+ gear oil, plugs coolant and bleed the brakes this weekend.
Im entering round 4 of the Irish Time Attack on June 4th and less than a week after that im back out in the 5th and 6th rounds of the touring car championship.
I'l try and get more pictures!
Thanks dude!!
Car is still a little scratched from the last couple of rounds...call it war wounds if you will
I have a few surprises up my sleeve for the next couple of rounds.
Cant say too much yet but the few small changes should hopefully transform the car
Car is still a little scratched from the last couple of rounds...call it war wounds if you will
I have a few surprises up my sleeve for the next couple of rounds.
Cant say too much yet but the few small changes should hopefully transform the car
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2009
- Messages
- 6,294
Thanks dude!!
Car is still a little scratched from the last couple of rounds...call it war wounds if you will
I have a few surprises up my sleeve for the next couple of rounds.
Cant say too much yet but the few small changes should hopefully transform the car
Looking forward to updates buddy!
Update here we come:
Monday June 4th Irish Time Attack series Pro class.
Weather: scorcher B)
Circuit: Mondello Park International:
This was my first ever entry into the Time attack series an my main aim was to use it as a test bed for next weeks rounds of the touring car championship.
Before i set off for the track i knew i would have my work cut out for me and the usual mates who lend a hand in the pits have all went to the Isle of Man for the TT races this week so I was on my own!!!
Upon arrival at the track, I unloaded and grabbed a spot in one of the pit garages before they became clogged. Gave the car a good looking over bolt check, fluids, brake bleed etc.
I was concerned about how the car would handle as I did not even look at the suspension geometry since we took a battering in the early rounds of the ITCC.
On the very first warm up lap the car felt twitchy and even though I was pushing a little to warm up the tyres the back end was very loose. On one particular corner the back end came around but I managed to correct it by flooring the throttle and getting it pointing in the right direction again. However my new diffuser smashed in bits ...oh well!
On a few flying laps the steering was pulling to the right when driving straight, the car was understeering wildly when turning right and was oversterring when turning left
Even still, i managed to clock a 2:06 dead. At the end of the session a plug lead came loose and i was running on 3 so i quickly came in and solved that with some cable ties.
I took a good look at the cars setup after the first session and spent a lot of time adjusting the toe in/out at the front of the car. I adjusted the roll bars and sofened up the front end to give better turn in. This cost time though and I missed the next session, but was still confident the changes i made would work.
After lunch we went out again and I instantly could feel the car was much quicker both in a straight line and in the corners. My best time of 2;03.5 was good enough for 4th place in the class and i was really confident of getting a podium as the guy who was second fastest was using illegal tyres (he was later disqualified). I was still suffering some understeer though and the initial turn in was not great, so room for improvement there.
There was a long break till the super lap final so I jumped into a mates Pug106 and took it for a few laps. Cool little car this...had some great fun
Mondello Park Trackday 106 8 valve ITB's - YouTube
On the super lap final, i went pretty hard on my out-lap and I immediately felt that the front end was much sharper on turn in. There was loads of grip in the corners too and just a smidgen of oversteer just letting me know I was being a prick lol Coming around the final corner to start my lap, the plug lead which earlier fell off the dizzy came loose again and wrecked my chances of setting a faster lap time
All in all though, a really really positive weekend, a new personnal best lap time and i know theres a good 2 more second in the car.
The coming week will see a complete suspension alignment and revised corner weighting and a few other touches to the transmission and suspension setup which ive been working hard on over the past 4-5 weeks.
Ive included a video of this K20 powered Elise which won the Unlimited class in Time Attack. This car is so well set up that it is bound to set a new lap record before the season is out. The driver (McBennett) is also a seriously good pilot.
04/06/2012, Time Attack Rnd 4 @ Mondello, Pat McBennett, Lotus Elise S1, Group Final - YouTube
Monday June 4th Irish Time Attack series Pro class.
Weather: scorcher B)
Circuit: Mondello Park International:
This was my first ever entry into the Time attack series an my main aim was to use it as a test bed for next weeks rounds of the touring car championship.
Before i set off for the track i knew i would have my work cut out for me and the usual mates who lend a hand in the pits have all went to the Isle of Man for the TT races this week so I was on my own!!!
Upon arrival at the track, I unloaded and grabbed a spot in one of the pit garages before they became clogged. Gave the car a good looking over bolt check, fluids, brake bleed etc.
I was concerned about how the car would handle as I did not even look at the suspension geometry since we took a battering in the early rounds of the ITCC.
On the very first warm up lap the car felt twitchy and even though I was pushing a little to warm up the tyres the back end was very loose. On one particular corner the back end came around but I managed to correct it by flooring the throttle and getting it pointing in the right direction again. However my new diffuser smashed in bits
...oh well!On a few flying laps the steering was pulling to the right when driving straight, the car was understeering wildly when turning right and was oversterring when turning left
Even still, i managed to clock a 2:06 dead. At the end of the session a plug lead came loose and i was running on 3 so i quickly came in and solved that with some cable ties.
I took a good look at the cars setup after the first session and spent a lot of time adjusting the toe in/out at the front of the car. I adjusted the roll bars and sofened up the front end to give better turn in. This cost time though and I missed the next session, but was still confident the changes i made would work.
After lunch we went out again and I instantly could feel the car was much quicker both in a straight line and in the corners. My best time of 2;03.5 was good enough for 4th place in the class and i was really confident of getting a podium as the guy who was second fastest was using illegal tyres (he was later disqualified). I was still suffering some understeer though and the initial turn in was not great, so room for improvement there.
There was a long break till the super lap final so I jumped into a mates Pug106 and took it for a few laps. Cool little car this...had some great fun
Mondello Park Trackday 106 8 valve ITB's - YouTube
On the super lap final, i went pretty hard on my out-lap and I immediately felt that the front end was much sharper on turn in. There was loads of grip in the corners too and just a smidgen of oversteer just letting me know I was being a prick lol
Coming around the final corner to start my lap, the plug lead which earlier fell off the dizzy came loose again and wrecked my chances of setting a faster lap time All in all though, a really really positive weekend, a new personnal best lap time and i know theres a good 2 more second in the car.
The coming week will see a complete suspension alignment and revised corner weighting and a few other touches to the transmission and suspension setup which ive been working hard on over the past 4-5 weeks.
Ive included a video of this K20 powered Elise which won the Unlimited class in Time Attack. This car is so well set up that it is bound to set a new lap record before the season is out. The driver (McBennett) is also a seriously good pilot.
04/06/2012, Time Attack Rnd 4 @ Mondello, Pat McBennett, Lotus Elise S1, Group Final - YouTube
ThanksLarry.I didnt get any videos as the battery in my GoPro was dead
I'l definately have both races on in car camera next weekend so stay tuned for that.
Ive just finished corner weigting the car and have given it a complete suspension realignment so everything there looks pretty good.
I still have to sort some minor transmission problems but other than that im pretty much ready to go for next weekend.
I'l definately have both races on in car camera next weekend so stay tuned for that.
Ive just finished corner weigting the car and have given it a complete suspension realignment so everything there looks pretty good.
I still have to sort some minor transmission problems but other than that im pretty much ready to go for next weekend.
Just ready to go now.
Ive still to do a few minor jobs as well as put in a spare seat as its looking that the car would be slightly under weiht without it.
New stickers are arriving tomorrow so i'l be putting them on the repaired areas and i have to change the transmission out tomorrow as well.
Busy day ahead!
Ive still to do a few minor jobs as well as put in a spare seat as its looking that the car would be slightly under weiht without it.
New stickers are arriving tomorrow so i'l be putting them on the repaired areas and i have to change the transmission out tomorrow as well.
Busy day ahead!
ITCC Round 5&6
Mondello Pk. National circuit
June 10th
Weather: bright and sunny!
Seeing as I had not finished a race since the season started, my main aim this weekend was to finish both races.
I spent all day saturday prepping the car and it passed scruitineering first time around
The qualifying session went well for me. I completed 4 laps each of which became faster and faster. I pulled into the pits after the session was stopped due to another car hitting the tyres so this gave me an opportunity to check the times which were being set down. I was in second provissionally, behind the pink/black EP3...but I knew I could go much quicker
When the session resumed I put down my fastest laps of 1;05.514 improving by over 4 tenths and just 2hundreds of a second ofF pole. I was happy enough with this time and decided to enD the session early and conserve the tyres for the two races.
Race 1.
On the outlap i managed to get the tyres and brakes up to temperature so was confident of getting and holding a good position off the line. I launched the car hard and by the first corner was tight behind the EP3 on the inside. However, Alex Fawcett in the Rover and Radford in the Integra got good starts themselves and they were threatening up the inside. For the whole first lap i diced with the rover but he got the better of me in the last corner as i had to defend from the integra which left the door wide open for an overtake. Dicing with the Rover had allowed the EP3 to open up a 3 second lead so in the next10 laps myself and Alex reeled him in by keeping on each others tails but not slowing each other down. On the second to last lap Alex caught the EP3 and passed him almost immediately. I was not so fortunate though and had to settle for third place.
This was my best result of the season so far and the monkey was now off my back!!!
During the interval i took some time off looking over the car to chat to a few friends and spectators in the paddock. This little fella would make a great racing driver...start them off young ey
Race 2:
Due to a reverse grid I started in fifth with my main rivals behind me. On the start i got a great launch and was up to third by the end of the first corner but there was a major smash involving one of the SuperTouring cars which Redflagged the race meaning we had to reform our original grid positions.
On the restart i again got a great leap from the line and was positioned nicely even though i was rubbing and trading paint with a few other drivers. Unfortunately this left both my side mirrors folded in and i was basically driving blind for the whole race. Alex in the rover was again showing good race pace but a collission between us meant that he had to retire shortly afterwards. As the race went on, my car was performing well and i was judging the apex's pretty well. I managed to reel off qualifying pace laps to catch the front two drivers. Once I cought them i was able to pass with relative ease.
Taking the lead of the race I was able to maintain lap times in the 1;05 range for the next 5 laps opening out a lead of over 8 seconds. The car was quick, and my driving was good.
However 2 laps from the end, with no pressure from anyone behind, my steering acted up and heading out the country from turn 2 the steering snapped to the left, smacking my right hand off the roll cage and sending me onto the grass. I pulled back right and managed somehow to pull the car back on the tarmac. At this stage i was only interested in finishing so I backed right off and nursed the car around for the next 2 laps. It was very disheartening to have three cars pass me on the last lap after I drove a fast and solid race but thats racing for you!
I finished in fourth position and managed to come away from the race meeting with 26 championship points and only a few scratches on the car, and a badly bruised hand.
Im going to have to try and sort the steering/suspension problem this week but all going well, I and the car are now showing serious pace so hopefully theres some great results ahead for us!
Stay tuned for more updates!
Next Round:
Anglesey, Wales. Rounds 7&8. June 23& 24th.
See you there!!!
Mondello Pk. National circuit
June 10th
Weather: bright and sunny!
Seeing as I had not finished a race since the season started, my main aim this weekend was to finish both races.
I spent all day saturday prepping the car and it passed scruitineering first time around
The qualifying session went well for me. I completed 4 laps each of which became faster and faster. I pulled into the pits after the session was stopped due to another car hitting the tyres so this gave me an opportunity to check the times which were being set down. I was in second provissionally, behind the pink/black EP3...but I knew I could go much quicker
When the session resumed I put down my fastest laps of 1;05.514 improving by over 4 tenths and just 2hundreds of a second ofF pole. I was happy enough with this time and decided to enD the session early and conserve the tyres for the two races.
Race 1.
On the outlap i managed to get the tyres and brakes up to temperature so was confident of getting and holding a good position off the line. I launched the car hard and by the first corner was tight behind the EP3 on the inside. However, Alex Fawcett in the Rover and Radford in the Integra got good starts themselves and they were threatening up the inside. For the whole first lap i diced with the rover but he got the better of me in the last corner as i had to defend from the integra which left the door wide open for an overtake. Dicing with the Rover had allowed the EP3 to open up a 3 second lead so in the next10 laps myself and Alex reeled him in by keeping on each others tails but not slowing each other down. On the second to last lap Alex caught the EP3 and passed him almost immediately. I was not so fortunate though and had to settle for third place.
This was my best result of the season so far and the monkey was now off my back!!!
During the interval i took some time off looking over the car to chat to a few friends and spectators in the paddock. This little fella would make a great racing driver...start them off young ey
Race 2:
Due to a reverse grid I started in fifth with my main rivals behind me. On the start i got a great launch and was up to third by the end of the first corner but there was a major smash involving one of the SuperTouring cars which Redflagged the race meaning we had to reform our original grid positions.
On the restart i again got a great leap from the line and was positioned nicely even though i was rubbing and trading paint with a few other drivers. Unfortunately this left both my side mirrors folded in and i was basically driving blind for the whole race. Alex in the rover was again showing good race pace but a collission between us meant that he had to retire shortly afterwards. As the race went on, my car was performing well and i was judging the apex's pretty well. I managed to reel off qualifying pace laps to catch the front two drivers. Once I cought them i was able to pass with relative ease.
Taking the lead of the race I was able to maintain lap times in the 1;05 range for the next 5 laps opening out a lead of over 8 seconds. The car was quick, and my driving was good.
However 2 laps from the end, with no pressure from anyone behind, my steering acted up and heading out the country from turn 2 the steering snapped to the left, smacking my right hand off the roll cage and sending me onto the grass. I pulled back right and managed somehow to pull the car back on the tarmac. At this stage i was only interested in finishing so I backed right off and nursed the car around for the next 2 laps. It was very disheartening to have three cars pass me on the last lap after I drove a fast and solid race but thats racing for you!
I finished in fourth position and managed to come away from the race meeting with 26 championship points and only a few scratches on the car, and a badly bruised hand.
Im going to have to try and sort the steering/suspension problem this week but all going well, I and the car are now showing serious pace so hopefully theres some great results ahead for us!
Stay tuned for more updates!
Next Round:
Anglesey, Wales. Rounds 7&8. June 23& 24th.
See you there!!!
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2009
- Messages
- 6,294
Have your hand looked at by a doctor if you have not already.
ITCC Round 7&8
Anglesey Coastal circuit, Wales UK.
June 23rd & 24th
Weather: Dull and overcast with some sunny spells.
Following my fast pace in the previous rounds, i was confident of picking up from where i left'd off by getting to the top of the grid in Anglesey. Double points were on offer so finishing both races was #1 priority but finishing them in a high enough position would reward the brave drivers!
I arrived at the circuit in the back of a van with my mates Damo and Mark and a couple of crates of beer
We instantly got to work and Damo made adjustments to the rear ARB and aero which would give me greater control of the car in the fast areas of the circuit.
When we got everything ready, we hit the beer and partied into the night mostly in the back of foggy's camper with guitars and craic all the way through to dawn!
Saturday testing proved very successful and after only a handfull of laps on a completely new circuit i set the fastest time in the class with a 1.22.4
I was happy with the early pace and knew with a bit more balls out on the fast corners i could go quicker. The test session was invaluable as we encountered and solved issues which in race conditions would have meant a DNF!!!
Qualifying went well and i improved my times into the 1.21 range with my best of 1.21.602 which was good enough for second place albeit 8 tenths of John Greaney. After only a handfull of laps to be second on the grid 8 tenths off pole, was pretty good considering the pole sitter had 2 days extra testing, a full professional race team and a superior gearbox to my own.
I scrubbed in 2 new tyres during qualifying which i would use in the races.
Afterwards we went for a walk around the track. The racing teh next day would be a big challenge with the changes in elevation. This view from teh top of the corkscrew is beautiful.
Race 1:
I started on the outside of the front row and as usual made my customary 'Rocket Start'. By the first corner I had taken the race lead on the outside, but Greaney was able to regain the lead in turn 2. Greaney was right on the pace of the slower Super Touring cars from the off and catching him was going to prove an impossible task and i was more concerned about keeping the chasing drivers behind. However entering the fast parts of the track on lap 3, Carey and Rabbitt passed and I was left defending from Bailey who had far superior speed down the back straight thanks to his new K20 conversion.
However Carey soon had to retire after blowing his engine. This left me in fourth and i was right on the pace of Bailey. But alas, coming out of the corkscrew i pushed to hard and spun out. I managed to finish in fourth after a good dice with Konrad Nicholson. Things were made even sweeter when Rabbit was DQ 'd after a racing infringement. This promoted me to third and a beautiful trophy and extra points
Race 2:
I started in 5th due to the reverse grid positions from race 1. By the second corner i had worked my way up to P3 behind Kershaw who herself has showed good pace in race 1.
Getting by her was a hard task and i took me a full lap before i went up the outside into the square left at the top of the hill. I held that line and took teh position into the next corner. It wasnt long before i cought Paddy Howley in the prelude and i passed on the outside coming into the corkscrew. This left me with the lead of the race which i held for the next 2 laps. Such was Greaneys pace that once he cought me after making his way through the pack i didnt even defend from him as he was incredibly quick in and out of the corners. I tried to keep pace with Greaney and managed to pick off consistently faster laps that i did in qualifying with my best of 1.21.227. But this was miles off Greaney who just barely kept the right side of the barrier time with a 1.20 dead.
I brought it home to finish in second place my best result of the season.
Looking back on my performance, i am pleased with how things went. I have taken the second highest points total from the event only second to a competitor with almost everything at his disposal.
My pace was consistently fast and professional.
And most importantly the car is back in one piece and should be ready for the next rounds with only a small bit of work
A massive thanks to Damo and Mark for without them i wouldnt have finished where i did and also to my sponsors:
BC Designs
SimAutoParts
CT Motor Factors
D4D Photos
Hughes Recovery
Philip Burdock from B-Racing
for their advice, help and encouragement throughout the year so far!
I must also thank Katie Burdock for a sterling organisational job which kept the event running smooth all throughout the weekend.
Trophies in my career so far, and ive only just started out:
Stay tuned for more updates!
Next Round:
Mondello Park. Rounds 9&10. July 21 & 22nd.
See you there!!!
Anglesey Coastal circuit, Wales UK.
June 23rd & 24th
Weather: Dull and overcast with some sunny spells.
Following my fast pace in the previous rounds, i was confident of picking up from where i left'd off by getting to the top of the grid in Anglesey. Double points were on offer so finishing both races was #1 priority but finishing them in a high enough position would reward the brave drivers!
I arrived at the circuit in the back of a van with my mates Damo and Mark and a couple of crates of beer
We instantly got to work and Damo made adjustments to the rear ARB and aero which would give me greater control of the car in the fast areas of the circuit.
When we got everything ready, we hit the beer and partied into the night mostly in the back of foggy's camper with guitars and craic all the way through to dawn!
Saturday testing proved very successful and after only a handfull of laps on a completely new circuit i set the fastest time in the class with a 1.22.4
I was happy with the early pace and knew with a bit more balls out on the fast corners i could go quicker. The test session was invaluable as we encountered and solved issues which in race conditions would have meant a DNF!!!
Qualifying went well and i improved my times into the 1.21 range with my best of 1.21.602 which was good enough for second place albeit 8 tenths of John Greaney. After only a handfull of laps to be second on the grid 8 tenths off pole, was pretty good considering the pole sitter had 2 days extra testing, a full professional race team and a superior gearbox to my own.
I scrubbed in 2 new tyres during qualifying which i would use in the races.
Afterwards we went for a walk around the track. The racing teh next day would be a big challenge with the changes in elevation. This view from teh top of the corkscrew is beautiful.
Race 1:
I started on the outside of the front row and as usual made my customary 'Rocket Start'. By the first corner I had taken the race lead on the outside, but Greaney was able to regain the lead in turn 2. Greaney was right on the pace of the slower Super Touring cars from the off and catching him was going to prove an impossible task and i was more concerned about keeping the chasing drivers behind. However entering the fast parts of the track on lap 3, Carey and Rabbitt passed and I was left defending from Bailey who had far superior speed down the back straight thanks to his new K20 conversion.
However Carey soon had to retire after blowing his engine. This left me in fourth and i was right on the pace of Bailey. But alas, coming out of the corkscrew i pushed to hard and spun out. I managed to finish in fourth after a good dice with Konrad Nicholson. Things were made even sweeter when Rabbit was DQ 'd after a racing infringement. This promoted me to third and a beautiful trophy and extra points
Race 2:
I started in 5th due to the reverse grid positions from race 1. By the second corner i had worked my way up to P3 behind Kershaw who herself has showed good pace in race 1.
Getting by her was a hard task and i took me a full lap before i went up the outside into the square left at the top of the hill. I held that line and took teh position into the next corner. It wasnt long before i cought Paddy Howley in the prelude and i passed on the outside coming into the corkscrew. This left me with the lead of the race which i held for the next 2 laps. Such was Greaneys pace that once he cought me after making his way through the pack i didnt even defend from him as he was incredibly quick in and out of the corners. I tried to keep pace with Greaney and managed to pick off consistently faster laps that i did in qualifying with my best of 1.21.227. But this was miles off Greaney who just barely kept the right side of the barrier time with a 1.20 dead.
I brought it home to finish in second place my best result of the season.
Looking back on my performance, i am pleased with how things went. I have taken the second highest points total from the event only second to a competitor with almost everything at his disposal.
My pace was consistently fast and professional.
And most importantly the car is back in one piece and should be ready for the next rounds with only a small bit of work
A massive thanks to Damo and Mark for without them i wouldnt have finished where i did and also to my sponsors:
BC Designs
SimAutoParts
CT Motor Factors
D4D Photos
Hughes Recovery
Philip Burdock from B-Racing
for their advice, help and encouragement throughout the year so far!
I must also thank Katie Burdock for a sterling organisational job which kept the event running smooth all throughout the weekend.
Trophies in my career so far, and ive only just started out:
Stay tuned for more updates!
Next Round:
Mondello Park. Rounds 9&10. July 21 & 22nd.
See you there!!!
Civicfacelift
ej9, eg6 , ep3
- Joined
- Jan 15, 2011
- Messages
- 672
well done, any vid of your 3rd and 2nd finishes?
