I really am off my head. I've gone and bought yet another car for sprinting!
When I looked at the list of things that needed done to the Metro to get it through the MOT and then added the race preparation work needed (stripping it, fitting the cage, seats etc), I just despaired as my back is still giving me jip.
So, I was on eBay last weekend, not seriously looking at cars and I happened to type 'hillclimb' into the search box. Up popped a promising lookng Peugeot 205 for not a lot of money. A few phone calls later and I was paying a deposit having never even seen the car.
Not only that but it's located in deepest, darkest Berkshire. So, I'm driving down there with the trailer tomorrow night to pick it up. Full details and pictures when I get it......
Thursday, 17 February 2011
Tuesday, 8 February 2011
Back on track....
Well, things took a turn for the worse after my last post. My back got much worse and I got to the stage where I couldn't really do anything. So, I put the Metro up for sale thinking I could raise some cash and buy a mint MX-5 ready to race (and hence no need to get under the car to do work!). However, the car fell through and my back has been slowly getting better ever since.
So, I managed to get down to Kames on the 29th and got a few runs in. I tried out the Trackmaster software on my new Android Phone which worked reasonably well. But I still don't gel with FWD - too much wheelspin out of the corners - costs me lots of time. I can feel the time literally slipping away.
Anyway, I decided to get the Metro in for a pre-MOT checkup and as expected, there are a few issues:
1. Welding needed to the inner rear valance/arches.
2. Rear brakes need looked at (slight leak).
3. Brake pipe needs replaced
4. Nearside radius arm has excessive play
5. Nearside wheel bearing has excessive play
6. Exhaust system needs a cat to pass emissions.
I'm going to have a go at the welding myself. It's just two wee patches. I've got the steel, I've got the MIG and all the gear and I've ordered an auto darkening helmet. I've had the gear for about 2 years but never used it so I'll do lots of practicing on scrap steel to start. I'll post up my progress for a laugh. Lets hope I don't set the place (or myself) on fire!
The radius arm job looks a bit of a pig - the hydragas needs to be depressurised and then getting the old bearings out of the arm could be tricky. I'm trying to get hold of a whole replacement arm so I can get someone else to refurb it and then I can fit it. Knowing my track record on breaking suspension components, it all has the potential to go badly, badly wrong so watch this space......
So, I managed to get down to Kames on the 29th and got a few runs in. I tried out the Trackmaster software on my new Android Phone which worked reasonably well. But I still don't gel with FWD - too much wheelspin out of the corners - costs me lots of time. I can feel the time literally slipping away.
Anyway, I decided to get the Metro in for a pre-MOT checkup and as expected, there are a few issues:
1. Welding needed to the inner rear valance/arches.
2. Rear brakes need looked at (slight leak).
3. Brake pipe needs replaced
4. Nearside radius arm has excessive play
5. Nearside wheel bearing has excessive play
6. Exhaust system needs a cat to pass emissions.
I'm going to have a go at the welding myself. It's just two wee patches. I've got the steel, I've got the MIG and all the gear and I've ordered an auto darkening helmet. I've had the gear for about 2 years but never used it so I'll do lots of practicing on scrap steel to start. I'll post up my progress for a laugh. Lets hope I don't set the place (or myself) on fire!
The radius arm job looks a bit of a pig - the hydragas needs to be depressurised and then getting the old bearings out of the arm could be tricky. I'm trying to get hold of a whole replacement arm so I can get someone else to refurb it and then I can fit it. Knowing my track record on breaking suspension components, it all has the potential to go badly, badly wrong so watch this space......
Saturday, 22 January 2011
Slipped Disc
Ok, my MSA licence has arrived but already things have started to go awry for 2011.
Firstly, thanks to a mistake in the championship calendar, I've booked the wrong dates for my accomodation at the May Fintray hillclimb. I can't change the dates and the room is not refundable so I'm £60 out of pocket - that's effectively an event I'll have to miss!
Then, there's the slight hinderance of my back injury. Turns out I've got a proplasped L5 disc which is severely hampering my ability to stand up, never mind actually walk. The result is I can't do any work on the Metro and I don't know how long it will take to get better. The test day I had planned for next weekend looks in serious doubt......
As for good news, well I bought a nice gazebo at Autosport International and it arrived yesterday safe and sound. I can't open the box though as its too heavy for me to lift!
I've also got hold of a nice wee Odyssey battery which should save a few kilos. I still need a couple of lightweight bucket seats though.
Firstly, thanks to a mistake in the championship calendar, I've booked the wrong dates for my accomodation at the May Fintray hillclimb. I can't change the dates and the room is not refundable so I'm £60 out of pocket - that's effectively an event I'll have to miss!
Then, there's the slight hinderance of my back injury. Turns out I've got a proplasped L5 disc which is severely hampering my ability to stand up, never mind actually walk. The result is I can't do any work on the Metro and I don't know how long it will take to get better. The test day I had planned for next weekend looks in serious doubt......
As for good news, well I bought a nice gazebo at Autosport International and it arrived yesterday safe and sound. I can't open the box though as its too heavy for me to lift!
I've also got hold of a nice wee Odyssey battery which should save a few kilos. I still need a couple of lightweight bucket seats though.
Wednesday, 5 January 2011
Gearing up for 2011
I've been doing a few administrative tasks for the coming season.
Firstly, I sent off my MSA licence application. I had pondered downgrading to a National B licence and saving £35 but there's always this niggling feeling that I might want to enter a purely National A level event so I decided to stick with that licence grade.
Next, I've rejoined my two motor clubs - Wigton MC and East Ayrshire Car Club. Wigton runs the rejuvinated Cross Border Speed Chamionship 2011 which is visiting Kames, Ingliston, Forrestburn, Barbon, Aintree, Teesside and Harewood. I'm really looking forward to going back to Teesside (where I did my first competitive sprint) and Harewood and I hope to be able to go to Aintree for the first time.
East Ayrshire Car Club runs the Kames motorsport complex and despite not being my geographically nearest club, it feels like my home team because I grew up just a few miles from Kames and I seem to spend a lot of weekends there now. The club is also a key player in the Lowland Speed Championship which I will be entering in 2011.
I've started booking cheap accomodation for some of the further away events - the early bird catches the bargain as they say and it all helps keep costs down. Of course, I intend to do a bit more camping this year - especially at the likes of Harewood and Barbon.
I'm off to the Autosport Show at the NEC on the 15th. I'm taking my 4 year old son, James, for the first time. It promises to be quite an adventure for him (and me). I'm hoping to pick up one or two wee things for the car whilst I'm there.
Finally, I've booked a couple of test days at Kames - at the end of January and in the middle of March. Hopefully that will spur me on to get some work done to the car which now has no tax nor MOT.......
Firstly, I sent off my MSA licence application. I had pondered downgrading to a National B licence and saving £35 but there's always this niggling feeling that I might want to enter a purely National A level event so I decided to stick with that licence grade.
Next, I've rejoined my two motor clubs - Wigton MC and East Ayrshire Car Club. Wigton runs the rejuvinated Cross Border Speed Chamionship 2011 which is visiting Kames, Ingliston, Forrestburn, Barbon, Aintree, Teesside and Harewood. I'm really looking forward to going back to Teesside (where I did my first competitive sprint) and Harewood and I hope to be able to go to Aintree for the first time.
East Ayrshire Car Club runs the Kames motorsport complex and despite not being my geographically nearest club, it feels like my home team because I grew up just a few miles from Kames and I seem to spend a lot of weekends there now. The club is also a key player in the Lowland Speed Championship which I will be entering in 2011.
I've started booking cheap accomodation for some of the further away events - the early bird catches the bargain as they say and it all helps keep costs down. Of course, I intend to do a bit more camping this year - especially at the likes of Harewood and Barbon.
I'm off to the Autosport Show at the NEC on the 15th. I'm taking my 4 year old son, James, for the first time. It promises to be quite an adventure for him (and me). I'm hoping to pick up one or two wee things for the car whilst I'm there.
Finally, I've booked a couple of test days at Kames - at the end of January and in the middle of March. Hopefully that will spur me on to get some work done to the car which now has no tax nor MOT.......
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