2/4/06

Well, the last week was a bit of a panic! the car was still being built at the track on the morning of the race, we didn't get the rear brake air ducting sorted, or indeed the cold air ducting to the engine intake. Apart from fitting the plumbed in fire extinguisher system, changing the power train fluids, making some bonnet pins and installing the cut off switch, we had lots of fun chasing a gearbox fault which we thought we had fixed but came back during the practice session. This meant that i could only give it about 80% throttle which proved a bit of an issue!

We arrived at the track early and found a group of XJ-S racers and set up base camp. I was great to meet the other teams and everyone there was very friendly and helpful, giving me lots of advice and some very useful tips. The car performed very well during practice,despite the gearbox problem, the brakes got a bit hot but did not fade and the handling was very predictable (even when drifting at motorway speeds!). I now have lots of ideas for improvements and I think i will convert the gearbox valve block to a manual shift during its rebuild.

The race was absolutely excellent even though everyone streamed past me on the straights! Unfortunately after ten minutes there was a rather nasty crash and the race was ended, luckily the driver is ok now, but it was very worrying to see him stretcher ed off to hospital. He was much faster than me but at the point where the crash happened even I was doing about 120mph! On the forms it says 'Motor sport is dangerous', they are not kidding.

Race completed it was time to swap to my road tyres and drive the car home, I have to say you do get some funny looks driving this up the M1! We stopped for tea on the way home and started planning the modifications, as well as sorting the gearbox we will try to get a lower diff ratio and get the ducting fitted.

I wont be able to get this sorted for the next race but hope to be back for Donning ton.

This really is damn good fun!