My Nova Build -WIP-

Looks like you were all having fun last night, been trying to find some pics online but failing as I didn't take my camera :(

It's been a very long time coming, but deffo worth all the hard work! My first trackday is complete and got the car home in piece!

Monday morning started out with a few last checks

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3.../nova/Prep.jpg

Then got the car loaded on the trailer for the first time... Had a few issues as the car couldn't go far enough forward because it was hitting the winch. This meant the ramps wouldn't go up at the back, so out came mr angle grinder, and chopped the ramps off and chucked them in the van! lol

Iain and myself got a pit garage and got unloaded before sign on. Both cars looking good and ready

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...a/DSCN2751.jpg

Then we were joined by a couple of my mates cars also on the trackday. A Radical SR4 Clubsport and a DC2 Integra Type R.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...a/DSCN2753.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...a/DSCN2756.jpg

After signing on and briefing we headed out on track for sighting laps. Iain got out in the first session and I was out in the second followed by Ste in the Integra

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...a/DSCN2752.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...a/DSCN2761.jpg

Went out on the Toyo T1R's first as I wanted to feel the difference when I moved onto the slicks. Also was only taking it steady to begin with

Sighting laps went well, car felt solid and no obvious problems so headed straight out on track

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...a/DSCN2760.jpg

Only managed one lap before having to go in as a DC5 Integra spun out on the chicane in front of me and had swerve to miss it and ended up going over them nasty new HUUUUGGGEEEE humps! Luckily no damage was done other than causing the exhaust to rattle as it caught the manifold.

Also noticed a slight fuel leak from the blanked off return pipe on the tank, so nipped up the jubilee clip and gave it a wipe down and was all good. So out it went again this time with my dad driving. He really enjoyed it :)

Came back in and noticed my oil leaks seemed to be pretty bad! from the head down the block was lathered in oil. Tom Reid had a look over it with me and suggested I open up the the catch tank as it was restricting the breather system. So next on the list of project cure oil leaks is a new breather system.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...a/DSCN2765.jpg

Got it all cleaned up and decided it was time for the slicks :d Alan (Prey) gave me a hand getting them on. Cheers dude

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...a/DSCN2764.jpg

Meanwhile Iain was off to do some Evo killing!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...DSCN2754-1.jpg

Went out twice on the slicks and what an improvement handling wise! unreal grip. Avon ACB10's are an awesome tyre!

The day came to an end though as the fuel leak came back, and the where the return pipe is braised to the tank, it must have corroded and tightening the jubilee must have been the final straw so Dad and my Grandad drained some fuel out too see if it would stop dripping, and I then went out for a passenger ride in Iain's beast.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...a/DSCN2770.jpg

I think my cheesy grin above sum's up that I was really happy with the day despite the problems! Can't wait to get it sorted and get out again now!

Thanks to everyone who came and helped, especially all the TCR crew, Dad, Grandad, Iain, Tom, Alan and Harvey :thumb:

I know the car is nowhere near at its best, but was deffo a good start. Here's a few more pro pics from Xtreme Photography

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...a/XSP_0455.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...a/XSP_0487.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...a/XSP_0663.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...a/XSP_0664.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...a/XSP_0511.jpg

And finally on the way home, thankfully still in one piece!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3.../nova/home.jpg

Glad you had a decent day out

Evo killing lol Don't think I saw that beast again after the first corner lol

To say it was the first proper drive of the car since you built it it did pretty well even with the few issues you had. It certainly seemed you were all having a great time. I really really need to get out on track with my Astra before the end of the year, sod the house improvements!

If you are thinking of sticking the Nova on the road you could do worse than giving these a buzz for a quote www.reis.co.uk they offer road legal track car cover with limited road mileage, agreed value etc etc

Boy done good on your first track day, like Harvey says, a few issues are to be expected first time out.
Harvey, didn't get to meet you, didn't even know you were there.

just had a scim read though this, insane crazy good work, loads of effort in this mega rep :thumb:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tom reid

Harvey, didn't get to meet you, didn't even know you were there.

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Same here Tom.

This was me with the pink Sparco shoes (they were red!) licking the headlight of Ian's Nova while attempting to hump the front bumper.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...a/DSCN2765.jpg

Have you had chance to take the back plate off and check the head oil way core plugs I mentioned in the PM last week?