In this write up, Alan tells us all about preparation for his first steps into the world of Hill climb and Sprinting with the Toyota MR2
Well good morning all.
It’s now mid-January and a few things have happened.
First, some nice shinny bits have arrived for the MR2. First to arrive was the replacement exhaust manifold, this is a stainless four branch that does away with the original twin pre-Cat system fitted by Toyota. Common fault was these would break up and get sucked into the engine by the VVT system causing engine wear or failure. Next part to purchase will be the de-cat pipe, followed by a race rear box assembly. This will be all purchased and fitted by the first event for me in March.
Next to arrive was the induction kit. Its no good being able to get rid of the exhaust gases if you can’t get the volume of air into the engine to start with. This should be fitted by next weekend, I hope.
The third bit to arrive this week was the quick shifter. This reduces the amount of travel of the gearstick by about 50%, making gear changes a little quicker. Again, I hope to have that fitted by next weekend.
I have also purchased a good second-hand race suit that fits me like a glove. Speaking of gloves, my other half has bought me my race gloves for Christmas. Not bought yet, as I will buy them at the same time as my helmet, both items coming new from Hedtec.
The last thing to mention is the race licence. This was easily applied for online direct from Motor Sport UK. The only problem was for me, getting the photo down to the correct size (thanks go to my other half for that). The cost of the licence is £69
Well that’s it for now, I will try and update you at the end of January with my progress.
Alan.
A little later then the end of January but finally, Alan makes the start line
Hi Everyone
Well this year did not go to plan did it? First event for me should have been Treloy in March, and we all know what happened in March 2020.
The car is now all ready to go, and the first event for me will now be the Perranporth Sprint, on the Spitfire raceway on Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th August 2020.
It will be a closed event, much like all other sport at the present time with just the minimum of helpers and mechanics, and unfortunately no spectators.
The day arrived, early morning start from Bude to head on down to Perranporth airfield. Met up with Tim Goodearl my mechanic/assistant for the day at Bude Meadows camp site pull in (I still call it that). We arrived at the airfield and checked in at the gate. Then on to find my paddock space no 12. Quite busy for half seven in the morning. We then set about preparing the car, put the race numbers on the doors, fitting the front towing eye and not forgetting the timing beam splitter on the front. Emptied the front of all excess weight, spare wheel, jack etc. that was the car ready to go.
Andrew Dinner arrived at the venue, and we went to the course to walk it, and get the feel of where we would be driving. The start was obvious, with all the timing gear set up ready. Next was the 60’ timing beam that gives you your launch time, then straight down the runway to a K right followed by a K left. Now on the other side of the runway and accelerating hard up through the gears to third before hard on the brakes for the bottom hairpin and back down to second gear, and start the return up the runway into a 90 degree left followed quickly by a 90 degree right and a short blast to the finish timing beam. Course length is around 1100 meters.
Next it was me to get ready. Race suit on, boots on, helmet and gloves ready in the car. The cars started to go past my paddock space, first number 6, then 7,9,10,11 and then me number 12. Lining up at the start, the marshals gently waved me forward to the start position. The light was on red, and I clearly remember Andrew saying that when it went green, then he would select first gear and be ready to go, and not before. Well the light stayed red for what seemed a lifetime, but then it went green. Selected first gear and go when I wasready. I did the practice run in a time of 64.69 seconds which I was more than happy with for my first ever run.
That all happened Saturday with my time getting better every run finishing the day off with a 60.23 second time. Home that night with a great big smile on my face thinking about the following day, how all I wanted to do, was to get under that one-minute time.
Sunday rolled up, and Andrew, me with Mike Roland walked the course again, to see how we might be a little quicker than yesterday. Practice came along and with Andrews chat still ringing in my ears, I set off. Straight flat out second gear, hard on the brakes, right, left, and flat out again to the hairpin. Hard on the brakes again and then flat out in third to the cross over and across the line in a sub minute of 54.57. Yes, I had cracked it. All I had to do now was do the same thing in the main timed runs. That was not to be though. First run 58.48 second run 58.75 and the final run of the weekend was 59.00. but they were all under the minute, so I did not care. I had a great weekend with some great company, albeit with Covid-19 distancing.
All I can say to anyone reading this, and thinking of having a go at speed hill climb and sprinting is, JUST DO IT, I just wish I had started earlier and not waited until I was 64!!!!!!
Alan.
