Special getting closer...

[jwhillracer]

Will any other DDKers be there?
Matt

Yes, chaos, rhdracer & JW There are 20 Speed Championship competitors entered, so the action ought to be worth watching.

Probably better to come on Sunday. People are trying harder, there's a commentary, that (sometimes!) helps to know what's going on, and 2 top 12 run-offs of the fastest cars.

Graham may or may not have competition in his class. Rodney Thorne's guest driver damaged his 5 litre Pilbeam quite badly at Wiscombe 10 days ago, so it has had to go back to the works for repairs..............

Should be a great week-end - see you there!

JW

[Gary71]

I should be there on Sunday I have a pass out for the day (with only one kid!)

[911hillclimber]

Gary;

Can open it up from the centre due to the accurate location pins and pip-pin location holding the body today. It killed me getting those 9nearly) right, so the thought of doing them again is too much.

The NSF wheel rubs the body arch badly with 2/3 lock on as the new body on that side is not the same as the other side....

I have therefore to do something there, so might as well do the full monty over Xmas or I will get bored and (have) do the decorating instead.

Jonathan is right, Sunday should be a cracker.

The 5 litre Pilbeam could be on song for this weekend, but I'm not sure.

Graham.

[Matt black70]

I'll be there on Sunday around lunch time with kids x 2, I can't believe they've got to go to football training in the morning .Are you taking the 911 Gary, perhaps a stupid question

Matt

[Gary71]

.Are you taking the 911 Gary, perhaps a stupid question

Matt

Well it's either that or a pushbike

My practical transport doesn't arrive until September!

[911hillclimber]

Loton Park hillclimb this weekend and sat was dry and sunny.

First run = misery as the car refused to go into 2nd let alone 3rd and 4th!

Removed part of my linkage 'demon tweek' for the second run to see how that might fare.

1st was nice and easy, and second came in (915 style) so all looked well. Screamed down to Triangle bend on the rev limiter in 2nd, and off to the fastest part of the hill, Cedar 'Straight' which is not straight.

Off in 2nd and by a miracle 3rd!

Bloody hell, does this car ever go in 3rd. x 10

So I gave it a good prod and promptly came fell the track and into what seemed a big long spin in the bumpy grass, undulating topography and then the hidden brick wall.

Bump comes to mind.

Came to a halt full of grass and orange catapillars only to be called by the marshalls and the doctor and the paramedic and the Clerk of the Course.

I recieved the full monte by the great team who looked after me impecably and also the poor Lola looking all a bit crumpled!

After a medical MoT I was judged 'ok' and allowed back to the car to be dragged out of the scenary.

Once out and parked-up I had the chance to look at the car very carefully.

All seems ok so far, but one front wheel is cracked (that wall) which is a great shame (but I have 2 spares).

The whole tub looks arrow straight and the wishbones the same.
Rack is baby bum smooth lock to lock, but the front body is a bit worse the wear but now fibre glassed roughly as it is Shelsley next weekend.

I call this a 'lucky escape'.

The last time I had a big off was in my Bitza 911 at Shelsley about 12 years ago and that hurt the car and me.

So, the car's front is in bits, the parts sprayed all black after checking and the rebuild can start Monday, as I'm marshalling tomorrow as they are a bit thin on the ground.

As ever, thank goodness for the brill marshals at these events.

I feel fine, no bruises or stiffness so Lolas are good and tough it seems.

I hope I do not put it to the test again...

(quick in 3rd though )

[MikeB]

Hard luck, Graham.

Well at least it's only something that money can fix.

You're not the first person to drop it on that particular "straight"

Does the car have a LSD? Did you drop a wheel onto the grass?

[911hillclimber]

It has a very weak LSD and I think the car was firmly on track but it snapped away from me in a 1/10 of a nano second.

Still, you do have to try don't you, but maybe I need to be patient!

The repairs will be DIY and I recond I'll get change from £20, but it is a bit scared but still striaght.

I haven't put the string on it yet, so I might have a shock coming.

By the way, Martyn's (my old) Subaru snapped a rear CV joint, so we are both marshals tomorrow.

Tut tut.

Graham.

[MikeB]

Is the Sub out of warranty ?

[911hillclimber]

Most certainly!

Went marshalling today at the hill.
Asking around i apparently came over the Straight at the top fully sideways and into the side grass with all the ex world war earth works.brick walls that scatter about Loton.

Found 'my' tracks this morning on foot. Sure went a long way till impact.

I put the front suspension back together this moring before leaving for the hill and all looks well.

Everything will be done for Shelsley this weekend, just the body will look scared.

[Gary71]

Sorry it went a bit pear shaped yesterday

Hopefully you will be back on form (with gears!) next weekend

[911hillclimber]

Too true I will.

I have a spare wheel so Trish will get the tyre changed tomorrow.
The body is 'repaired' (quick bodge)
The suspension is all back on
I can align the chassis again with fishing line tomorrow/tuesday
Body braces have been rescued I think, so 1 hour to fiddle with them
Get the rest of the grass and dead caterpillars out the engine bay...

Time to take it easy with the car and gradually learn it's way and vices.

The best thing about this weekend was the 'examination' of the car by the hillclimb fraternity; those who have doe these things before themselves, and I hope I got a silver star for effort from them.

Lots wanted to take the car home, so a good sign.

[911hillclimber]

Aligned the car last night using good ol'e fishing line.

Front all ok but the rear....

Talk about bump steer toe change. Horrendous, and probably the reason for my 'adventure' grass cutting and knocking down walls.

No wonder the car is so nervy at speed.

That will need sorting before Shelsley or at least easing off. Shels will be all about gear changing and just settling back into the car.
If I am not happy I will change to the 911 for some fun, and focus on the Lola for Prescott.

A race engineer friend will come over to help this week. He mechanics for 3 Mclaren Can Am cars from the late 60's so understands this type of suspension really well.

Hate asking for practical help!

[Highfield]

When is Shelsley, as not too far from me for a day out ?

Ian

[Gary71]

Aligned the car last night using good ol'e fishing line.

Front all ok but the rear....

Talk about bump steer toe change. Horrendous, and probably the reason for my 'adventure' grass cutting and knocking down walls.

No wonder the car is so nervy at speed.

That will need sorting before Shelsley or at least easing off. Shels will be all about gear changing and just settling back into the car.
If I am not happy I will change to the 911 for some fun, and focus on the Lola for Prescott.

A race engineer friend will come over to help this week. He mechanics for 3 Mclaren Can Am cars from the late 60's so understands this type of suspension really well.

Hate asking for practical help!

Good to see you are getting to the bottom of it

I guess you have considered the dynamic stiffness of the system as well?

I looked back through the photos last night after reading your post and there isn't much restricting the rear wheels from toe change other than the lower wishbone.

With plenty of grip/power and a serious offset from the upright the load under power/cornering are going to be substantial.

Is this layout typical for this type of car?