Evil Miyagi

I'm in the pit lane with a stop watch and hi-viz... The crew have finished for the weekend now and headed home

Well how best to describe the weekend?? Ups, downs and more Ups [emoji106] Started out with testing on Friday and managed to set a 59.9 on my first time in the car. Onto qualifying Saturday and after spending time with Ed Pead, I managed to bring that down to 59.0 and a near to half second from the target set for me by Ed Unfortunately my troubles then started... Issues with the car overheating and my gearbox jumping out of 2nd and 4th gears meant I was to sit the rest of the session out with a nice bunch of Marshals on the entry to Graham Hill Bend... All was not lost though as I'd actually managed to clinch P2, missing out on pole by 1/1000th of a second Onto Race 1, I bogged down off the line and all seemed well until the heavens opened... Ultimately the race was red flagged to force the cup cars onto wets [emoji106] Race 1 v2, we resumed our positions from when the race was red flagged meaning I started 3rd, after bogging down (I was really struggling to get the Clio off the line) I settled into 4th chasing down Sarah Franklin (my team mate for the weekend) a couple of laps in and a monumental slide from Sarah meant I was able to get down the inside into Surtees and began chasing Fabby. Only to again be greeted by red flags when the rain became too heavy for even the rain tyres to keep the cup cars on track. I was fairly happy as I had my first podium, unfortunately that was short lived as all the teams petitioned the clerk of the course to run the race again despite him deciding that the finishing positions would be the result, He agreed with the proviso that if there was enough time at the end of the schedule we would get an 8 lap race. Race 1 v3, conditions through the day had improved with the track drying out and all looking well and some optimism from me for the re-run.. unfortunately, as we headed to the track, the mother of all storms hit. we started the race and gingerly made our way around the circuit (This is where Richards track knowledge would have been really helpful) and troubles struck for both me.. Having made my way down the inside of Druids I managed to take back P3 from Sarah and immediately began chasing Fabby and Harrison who had pulled a little bit of a gap on us.. Approaching Surtees I put the car into 4th and just before turning in it jumped out of gear I quickly grabbed 3rd unfortunately unsettling the car and causing the mother of all slides through Surtees and somehow managing to catch it.. Unfortunately that wasn't the end of my dramas as the start of lap 2 into Paddock I had the same issue, this time my limited bag of talent ran out and I slid down the hill sideways before bouncing into the gravel on the exit. Cue safety car and my car being turned into a hungry hippo. Sunday. After a good night’s sleep and some barbeque action in the hospitality tent I headed back to the circuit. Tomas my engineer for the weekend was already working on the car trying to remove gravel and check the gearbox, linkages and mounts to try and diagnose the issue I was experiencing in Race 1. 4 hours later the car was ready for re-setup so onto the corner scales, 4 wheel alignment and we were pretty much set. I went to sit down with Ed and chat through the previous days issues and track action reviewing my v-box data and in car footage. Race 2, I started P3 as your second quickest quali lap is used and again I struggled to get the car off the grid. I tucked in behind Sarah and quickly noticed that she was having issues with her brakes locking and car darting left and right. With that in mind I was very quickly trying to find a gap to get passed but every route I tried was blocked by clouds of smoke and a sideways car. Then my opportunity arose, having locked up on the entry to Paddock Hill, Sarah span to the inside of the circuit leaving me just enough room round the outside to take P3. I then started to chase Fabby who yet again was in front of me, pushing on and closing the gap it became very clear that I was starting with similar issues to Race 1 with the car jumping out of gear. I was able to continue but it meant I was having to hold the gearstick in 4th while going through Paddock and Surtees (not as easy as it sounds). I then managed the car to the end and settled for 3rd in class Summary, The pace was there and without the issues caused by the gearbox and my reaction to the issue in Race 1 v3 we had the opportunity for at least one win. unfortunately that wasn't to be and I was happy to take a podium. Onwards and upwards EM Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I've been a little bit quiet on here of late so it's time I posted an update... As you may or may not know, myself and Tom Mensley entered the 750 MC Club Enduro event at Donington. Having driven the car already I completed my 3 laps and immediately pitted to allow Tom to take over. All went well although Tom noticed a potential issue with the car so Paul and Tom started to strip and rebuild (I even made a quick trip to a motor factor for more parts [emoji4] ). The car being back together we set about making plans for the race. It was planned that I would attempt to do 1hr 10mins on one tank knowing that Tom was a quicker driver than me and would likely use more fuel I wanted to give him as much opportunity to finish without having to pit again. All was going well and I was having a great battle with a BMW 3 series and an MG ZR.. I was feeling good about my pace and the race (we were in the lowest class so were constantly dealing with quicker traffic). Then, 55 minutes into my 70 minute stint, disaster struck. While going through Craners I was met with an almighty noise which I believed to be a wheel bearing failure so I made for the pits where the team were all stood in the garage warming up expecting me in 15 minutes time so they were a little puzzled when I rocked up. They wheeled me into the garage and set about checking the wheels with nothing found. As I was already in, we took the decision to carry out a driver change and fuel the car which brought my stint to an end. Unfortunately Tom returned to the pit as quickly as he left and it turned out to be the diff and gearbox letting go [emoji22] GAME OVER! a great weekend, unfortunately brought to a premature end. So, where have I been since? Spending lots of money would be the easiest way to describe it. at this point it’s easier to bullet point the changes: * Bigger brakes (4 pots) * Gearbox rebuild * Diff rebuild * Perspex windows to shed some weight * A new seat * A new engine (w/ throttle bodies, dry sump and cams), ECU, data logger and dash in build It doesn't seem a lot when put like that, my bank begs to differ though [emoji50] So the engine was fitted and the new ECU wired and set up and the car sent for mapping. Unfortunately, while on the dyno, the new engine seized [emoji22] so that has now gone back to be inspected and rebuilt leaving me with no car for the time being. So in a bid to keep racing I managed to secure a deal to race in the Michelin Clio Cup at Brands this weekend [emoji3] This is a little bit different to the CSCC races as they are done in full GP start fashion and run for 16 laps only. So my weekend at Brands Hatch looks like this: Friday: Practice (my car is being used by Michelin during the day to test tyres for next season so I will only get 1 maybe 2 sessions) Saturday: 10:40 Qualifying 15:10 Race 1 (Round 8) Sunday: 14:35 Race 2 (Round 9) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[emoji23][emoji23] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Being a Northerner I will be at Anglesey though [emoji106] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Great write up Richard!! I can confirm you and Danny were P1 and P2 for a couple of laps in Quali [emoji106] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The question is: who's driving it? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

TG34 [emoji6] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Luckily it was only a bodge to get sizing a [emoji15] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Basically yeah, I was hoping to have enough time but after discussions it would be a push at best and it's not fair of me to put that pressure on them so I've made an early call [emoji106] I will be supporting though along with Dr Evil [emoji3]

In a change to the advertised plan, I'll now not be competing at Silverstone but will hopefully be doing a double header at Brands Hatch [emoji106] I will however be there to support the guys so please come and say hi [emoji106] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Changes [emoji6] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Haha I know were both in the same boat at the moment Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Judging by the resulting damage from diff / gearbox I've got a full new car Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You'll be in the fiesta although I'll be in with a shout of a class win if not [emoji3]

I'm booked and I've got a rolling shell [emoji106] just need the engine fitting now [emoji6] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Well, that's me booked for Brands [emoji106] who are we going to be seeing there? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'll answer that when I've actually got an engine [emoji106]

Yes! Then the guy with the most power wins the drag race [emoji106] Danny! You're up [emoji6]

I also need a couple Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

M4s Rock!!!

If only Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Oh and the roof is also black (3d carbon wrap)

Needs a gearbox and a diff first though :( Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes, yes it does I'm on it Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk