DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker

Not today but a couple of weeks ago I ventured north to Centre Gravity to see Chris and have my 71’T assessed as it really isn’t stable at speed. I had a spin in the wet at this years classic Le Mans as well so has been a priority since.
So, after a brief test drive, Chris softened me up by saying that my 2.2 engine was better than most 2.4’s he had driven, same with the gearbox and that it made a great noise !
He then paused, then concluded that it would make the top 10 of worst set up cars that he had through his door ! Not so good !
In essence, it understeers then snap oversteers.
The suspension balance between back and front is incorrect.
Broken casing in front right shock is causing huge negative camber ( camber of -0.51 front left compared to -2.47 front right ! )
Bilstein/Boge race suspension struts at the front so they’ll be swapped for Koni Classic, as in the rear. Turbo tie Rod to be fitted at front as well. Plus bushings on the torsion mounts and on the front A arm. Then he can get it set up properly.
Following that, a decision to be made on whether to fit roll bars front and rear. Should drive pretty sweet after that lot !
This will be completed over the winter so I’ll re post when done.
A huge relief to know that the spin was not entirely my fault - very reassuring. A big thanks to the DDK Le Mans crew for pointing me in CG’s direction


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So are you fixing the problems and then going back to Chris for setup or is he doing it all

I’m going to get CG to do it. Haven’t had the quote yet though !


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Very nice

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That will make a massive difference … can fully understand your lack of confidence in the car now !

Thanks James - first test by Chris was to rag it round a roundabout a few times which exposed its understeer/ oversteer nature. Could see why I spun whilst turning leftwards Will be the best money spent on the T so far though


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Getting little jobs done on the Lola before covering it over for the winter period.

Adjusted the steering rack 'play' and found out it was made by JKD, Jack Knight Developments, those of trick gearboxes for Imps and Minis etc way back.
Checked all the steering rose joints while there and a good clean in hard to reach spots.

Changed the Chinese tacho for another one after blowing the first last meeting. £18.

Removed all 12 iridium pointed plugs and all were a nice biscuit colour, so a scrub with a brass fine brush and brake cleaners and back in. Good to see it is on all 12 plugs.

Drained the petrol and put that into the 911 and the lawn mower, cleaned the filter out before the debris in the gauze dries hard.

That's it, time to put the body back on and a cover until early March 2026 and a new season of hill climbing kicks of for us (I hope).

On the 911 front, last run to PCGB on Sunday for a coffee etc and then new CV's on the driveshafts and new Brembo discs and pads.
Jet wash and touch up any broken paint and stone chips and it too will be covered until spring unless a dry salt-free day or so pops up.

Apparently most F1 cars in the 70’s(?) used JKD steering racks. Apart from Ferrari

Yes, that is right, read that a few days ago looking for who JKD were, bit of a school day as ever.
Beautifully made and the mounting clamps the same.
Super fast rack, 3/4 turn full lock.
Sensitive you might say.

The original rack used by LOLA was a LHD Ford Escort unit.

Went to the PCGB Club House today, last run for the 911 this year.
Wet wet wet, but all ok.
Lots of '40 everywhere traffic' locally (why?) but the car ran great.

Added a few things to this winter's To-Do list and got permission to buy parts next week.

Surprising turn out to the Club House, but we were the only early car there, might even have been the only air cooled car there!

Complete overkill but I've always fancied using one of these to see if I can balance the carbs any better. Probably not this weekend but soon.

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When I got my Tudor alternator I was a bit surprised to see a large hole where the warning wire came out. I've looked on the website and notice there is a cap in this hole now. I fashioned one from a rubber bung I had

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Took the 914 out for a drive. Reving and running nicely. We had to blow the cobwebs off. Literally

Stopped for a French plated 911 impact bummer sitting on a layby in the A5 but all good. The driver was just on the phone

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Went to the Rally Day at Prescott hillclimb today, just for the daylight hours, night runs tonight.

Organised parking by PCGB R13, both of us in for £10.

Great meeting, really enjoyed it and met many hilclimb friend there to enjoying hard sunshine and cool temperatures.

so important cars there, and very many club racers.
Brilliant.

November, dry salt free roads, so used the yellow car as a daily …. Loaded it up with builders waste to take to the tip , picked up my daughter after her night out in Newcastle, did some shopping at Wickes, thrashed the tits of it on the local country roads taking the long way home … love this car , nothing is really that involved or exciting on my local roads