Curborough Sprint Day Report: 11/05/08

[trackdaynova]

In my usual way, I'll do a post-day report.

05:00am, beep beep beep, the alarm goes - 'snooze', again and again. Woke up, out the door for 06:00am. Me in the Nova, Michelle in the Jeep loaded with the kit.

07:00am, arrive at Curborough and greeted by some really friendly people standing around chatting, so we were advised to walk the circuit, so off we went to see how the land lies, as today was the short circuit day, it was only 950yrds.

07:45am, scrutineering, everything on my car absolutely spot on, and in place as it should be, bonus, apart from "sorry sir, your helmet isn't FIA approved so you can't race today" balls , luckily a chap I had met next to me said he didn't mind me borrowing his, which was awesome, although he was racing directly in front of me, so we juggled the Sprinting order out so I had time to grab it off him.

08:30am, briefing starts, we were told what to, and not to do, and the intinery of the day, with it being quiet (only 49 cars) we got 2 practice runs, followed by 5 timed runs which was awesome, as usually you only get 2 and 2.

09:00am, so racing starts, nerves set in, had lots of support from friends & family - thanks all for coming. Cracking pitcrew once again, nova_ian, ben21, benji, Andy Clay, Matt Newey & Rob Hirst thanks all for coming and helping out.

So I do my first 2 practice runs, feels good, was trying way too hard, wasn't particulary smooth - but it was the excitement, despite them being practises you still get timed, I think they were 37.99 with 90mph terminal, followed by a 39.12 with a 87mph terminal, cocked up on the second, missed a gear and basically fluffed it up.

On with the timed runs, first run of the day, with a 0-64ft of 2.58s, and a final speed of 36.99 @ 93mph, followed by a AFWO (All Four Wheels Off), meaning the black stuff, quite an understatment, as you'll see later (or Benji's post on my WiP - cheers), in short these adjustable tiebars are fapping brilliant, so much turn in, my nearside wheel went over the curb and touched turf (turned in too much), and obviously with still a little lock on my offside wheel still had plenty of grip which sent me straight infield after 'The Molehill', and then I just slid towards some foliage

Fire engine came, ambulance, tow truck, marshalls, the lot I had removed my steering wheel and got out the car, they asked if I was fine, but rear wheels were off the floor and front was in a ditch , so I got dragged out, started the car, and continued my lap around Came in, looked around it, mirror had come off, but timing splitter was still in tact, and just a few scratches (polishable). Me & nova_ian measured all the geometry both sides, and both read equal which was nice. I got re-scrutineered, and I got back on the horse

Then my three final times were 37.37s @ 91mph, 37.22s @ 92mph and finally after having a fiddle with suspension and tyre pressures, I managed to crack my PB of 36.66s @ 95mph. Which, bearing in mind is my first sprint, and first time at Curborough as pretty good by all accounts as the record for my class there is 36.44s set in 2005.

Cracking day out - very burnt great experience, definately back again in 4 weeks, and then again another 3 weeks after that.

I won my class which only consisted of 3 cars unfortunately, and I got a trophy.

Cracking photos my Michelle, thanks very much, will be posting more when I speak to Bobb, and also sorting footage out shortly

Thanks for reading my drivel once again

You Tube Vids

Sprint #1, 36.99s @ 93mph

Sprint #2, AFWO (All Four Wheels Off)

Sprint #5, 36.66s @ 92mph

[trackdaynova]

Thanks to Michelle for taking these

I was actually on the black stuff here, despite it not looking like it


Again


Major tripod action, couldn't cock its leg up any higher surely

[corsakid]

wewll done for winning the class you can only beat whats in front of you top bombing good to see you got straight back out there for more death after the trip in the bushes time seems really good aswell you reckon you can crack the record for your class next time?

[Adam]

Sounds like you had great fun then, certainly had the weather for it
Good times too, being right up there with the course record.

What sort of other cars were in your class??


Nice pics, especiallly the last one with the rear wheel about 6" off the floor

[dhdev (Oli)]

Super
Extremely well done Olly!

I wanna go, I wanna go!!! :D

[Will F]

Awesome matey!
What cars were in your class then? And what set the record?

[MC]

Mucho Respecto!

[Lee]

Good skills Mincer, especially 'bushing' it Look forward to the footage

[nova ian]

Well done on the win Olly! Good stuff, shame you missed out on that .2 of a second hey, but Top marks to you never the less

Kat, Tom and I had a mint day, slightly burnt but its all part of the fun! and no worries on helping you out, enjoy it and big thanks for taking me on a blast down the road... Naughty boy!!

Speak to you soon mate

Ian

Couple of pics I got

[dhdev (Oli)]

No wonder you were so quick Olly, you must weigh nothing, you're tiny!!