BRITCAR 24hr RACE -- 20/21st sEPT

[paulf968]

One seat still available in a 2.8 VR6 Beetle for the 24hr race -- I know its not a Porsche and the engine drives the wrong wheels but it should be competitve in class and did finish last time out.

Know anyone with a race licence, consistent track driving style and sufficient spare cash in these troubled times?

see:
http://pistonheads.com/sales/682235.htm

 

[paulf968]

No interest on here? yes, the place is still available. Thought some of you were driving Gods and would welcome the chance of showing how it is done! You know you want to do it!! paul f

 

[Diver944]

If I had the cash I'd be there in a flash. Do you think you'd ever enter the Dayglo one at some time in the future or would the wear and tear be unacceptable []

 

[paulf968]

Paul - yes, doing it next year is a possibility BUT it is a monumental challenge - particularly in the area of budget & then the post race refurb. Apparently c £5k to enter and no refund if the car dies on the first lap! Fuel at silly prices and you must use Dunlop rubber at top money. Know a good sponsor?? (could use the car after the race to demonstrate the restorative powers of a certain paintwork system) The car is very strong, EMC have put so much strength into the shell that it oozes confidence. Most ancillary bits are easy to fettle during the race and the pit crew/car combination are proven over 24hrs. OR we could think of a 944 entry !! NB There is a Top Gear entry in the Britcar -- drivers TBA

 

[paulf968]

seat now filled, getting ready today and the weather prospects are looking up, might even get sunshine (for drivers and campers) anyone spectating on here? you're welcome to drop in on our garage paul f ps drivers in our Beetle: Terry Flatt, Paul Follett, Mark Stanford, Simon Leith

 

[spyderman]

ORIGINAL: legaleagleboy anyone spectating on here? you're welcome to drop in on our garage

Yes, I'll definitely be there - with a video camera, so I might con some of you into an interview for the PCGB DVD!

 

[paulf968]

there might even be a live video feed here [link=http://www.rapidmediasystems.com/rapidtv/]http://www.rapidmediasystems.com/rapidtv/[/link]

 

[Diver944]

Excellent news [] Last year Radio Le Mans ran a commentary as well using the same guys who cover Le Mans itself - [link=http://rlm08.0157.org/]http://rlm08.0157.org/[/link]

 

[paulf968]

Quick update. What an experience. We finished 14th & got 3rd in class, so I actually got a cup! I had to do two 2.75 hr stints one at night which was very tough indeed but my daytime stint was a joy -- got down to a 2' 19" The car ran really well, only unscheduled work was new driveshafts following rubber boot failure (took 20 minutes) - if that had not happened we might of got a top 10 finish! - incredible to think we were less than 10 laps off that, having covered 547 laps. I was probably the slowest lapper in the team but my second session matched the 2nd and 3rd guys and I lost no time due to offs or failures so was able to hold my head up high at the end. some pics [link=http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3164/2874996633_5704842efb.jpg]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3164/2874996633_5704842efb.jpg[/link] [link=http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3256/2875752822_8baf3165ac.jpg]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3256/2875752822_8baf3165ac.jpg[/link]

 

[Diver944]

Well done Paul [] Two and three quarter hours in the car at speed with no stops! [][][] I take my hat off to you.

 

[spyderman]

At least you didn't have Captain Slow and the other Top Gear clowns to avoid this year! Well done on the 14th finish. After not seeing the Big Red Bug complete a lap in the warmup, I was wondering if it was going to even start!

 

[Peter Empson]

Congratulations Paul, great result []

 

[paulf968]

syderman - you are most observant. we used it to practice fuel fill ups and driver changes. In fact I believe we ended up saving about 10 minutes in the race as a result of refinements we made. Paul, yes they were long stints but it is by far the best way to progress in a 24hr race -- we had a 120 litre tank, so no point in coming in until we had to. In fact we had the 5th lowest number of pitstops. All couped up in a race suit/balaclava & gloves etc is not great but we had drink bottles to prevent dehydration. My fear ahead of the first stint was cramp in my left leg as I was the tallest and the seat did not slide back at all!! About 900 gear changes required per stint and nowhere to properly rest my left leg. What saved me from heat and exhaustion was fresh air through the perspex side window. It was like an elixir, 3 or 4 extra long inhales down the hangar staright most laps kept me refreshed and alert - was almost high on it at the end, great stuff ! paul f

 

[944Turbo]

Very well done - congrats!

 

[paulf968]

one for the memory

 

[Peter Empson]

Hi Paul, I was just wondering what the Beetle was like to drive, and did it take some getting used to drive a FWD car on the track?

 

[Big Dave]

Hey Paul. Glad you enjoyed your weekend + got a GREAT result. We had a fab time , as part of your "support" crew, It all made for a great weekend all round. Heres to next year....[][][][][][]

 

[paulf968]

thx Dave -- was great to have you around, especially when I needed lifting from the night stint! Peter. Yes FWD is a completely different approach but one I found easy to adapt to. Basically brake to the turn in as normal, floor the throttle, take a tight line to the apex, if you start to run out of track lift slightly and the understeer will ease off and you survive to tackle the next bend!. I could not believe how solid and balanced the car felt -- in fact it made my own 968 feel less stable in comparison - more work defo required on its set up. Finally, I would go as far as to say that in the lower classes of something like the Britcar 24hr race that FWD is the way to go. It seems immensely tolerant to driver skill and will of course work very well if it is wet or oily. Roll on next year -- plans are starting to form in my grey matter! can't wait. paul f

 

[Andy97]

Paul, Congrats on the finish. Anyone that finishes a 24 hour race can be proud of themselves. The Britcar 24 is a great event. I was helping the TJH Honda Civic team on the pit wall and refuelling (6th overall and a top 8 finish for the third year running!). The Moslers and 911s are very impressive but It would be good to see more Beetle and Civic type cars running for the less well healed! There was a 968 in the race too, which did well, but seems to be a bit thirsty to be competitive in these events. Still, as I said, just to finish is an achievement. PS. The Civic is for sale now, if anyone wants a crack at the 24 hrs next year: [link=http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/724156.htm]http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/724156.htm[/link]