The engine bay looks fantastic! That rally stage looks like really good fun too, shame it's on the wrong side of London for me, otherwise I'd be up for that next year.
Let me know how that 12 car goes, I'd be interested to know if its spirited driving or clock watching.
I went to that autosolo at Finmere. The key words I took away were "if it breaks, it was going to break anyway"
The course was a little rougher than Abingdon with a couple of drainage channels which were enough to do my car in a bit.
That said I'd known my arches rubbed a touch when cornering at a certain angle, I just didn't put 2 and 2 together and with a tight corner over a small ditch, the wheel managed to hit the arch - bending it out of shape and shredding a nearly new Yoko tyre...
The damage popped out and isn't too noticeable now other than the tyre. I also had a problem with the clutch system letting air in somehow - a small leak I guess, which meant I almost lost the clutch and had to bleed it between runs!! Not to mention the window partially falling off it's runner over a rut
What a shambles! Anyway - some jobs to keep me busy.
There was also a guy doing really well in a standardish mini. He looked very tidy and close to the cones on his turns. I was hoping to have a chat with him, but the clutch took up the lunch break. I found it difficult to know how hard to try and push the car. Going in, I was very conscious of having a 998, I thought I would have to go at the corners quite hard, but it would just result in understeer and wider lines if keeping on any power. I think I need to try to get towards the limit of grip without any power through the corners, then on the power nice and early. Easier said than done I guess. Being careful over bumps cost me some time too, especially after the arch incident.
Anyway, I managed to come 43/55, so pretty happy with that, every place is like a victory with the 998!!. Came 4th out of 10 in class - a long way off 3rd though. However, that would drop to 6th out of 12 including championship contenders
Hope you don't mind me posting in your thread... maybe you or someone else can learn from my mistakes!!
Hi Buzzword, 4th in class sounds good! I recognise a few names on there who are quick! I take it you got that damage sorted out ok? i.e. you had spare wheels? I always have an underlying worry about destroying the mini, getting there ok and getting back again, but to be honest I don't have a plan if something more major happens. I suppose phone up a breakdown lorry!
There's definitely a balance between 'going for it' and being careful. I think you can give it a bit of stick, especially in the rev's department. Autosolos are great for that I think. Each run is generally no more than 60 seconds and has lots of fast and slow sections, so you are never going to give it prolonged very high rev's. They are also generally on a pretty smooth surface.
I've found every event certainly gives the car a good 'shakedown' and I usually drive home with a long to do list! i.e. stick that back on, sort out that rattle, prop that back up.... all part of the fun!!
