Time Attack 2 - Quick oulton update

[gambler]

A couple of months ago, when the entry opened, I deliberated the pros and con's for about 3 seconds, and signed up anyway for the Time Attack series. http://www.timeattack.co.uk

This will be my second year competing in the series. It hardly seems a year since I was flapping about, running around at the last minute trying to get things ready for the 1st event. And here I am again, flapping about running around at the last minute again. Hopefully things will not be as quite so rushed this year.

The whole experience was fantastic though. I loved the thrill of competition, track days are just not the same now and the banter with the other drivers. I could have done without a lot of the stress and the traveling. You have to take the bad with the good.

Last year I finished 6th in the championships in an underpowered and under budgeted compared to a lot of guys in front and quite a few behind. With the top 4 moving up a class I should be looking for some half decent results. Although, being a tuner series there is always a chance that there will be some ringers in expensively modified cars squeezing their way into club class? Anyone who knows my car will certainly know it’s, as JJ said, 'keeping it real!'

I think I came on a fair bit as a driver last year. Working at northweild with walshy and Philip Glew, who won time attack pro class in 07 and now races in BTCC. I also learned, with some help and advice from BigD how the time attack game works. Its pretty difficult trying to get a fast lap in on a set of tyres that will only give you real grip for 3 flat out laps. On track with 40 other drivers who are either going flat out or very slow on cool down laps.

The car had slowly evolved through the year both in handling and power. I did get a bit of a shock when we put the car on a dyno at the end of the year and it was 'only' making 420 Bhp. Turns out that there was a restriction in the exhaust causing back pressure on the turbo and loosing power. I have had that fixed and added some nice cams and springs from cosworth. I have also gone for slightly stiffer roll bars with a bit more adjustability to fine tune the setup. Now I just need to learn how to set a car up!

Luckily I have a secret weapon for the 1st event. Some crazy Welshman who told me he could he could make me go faster. You guessed it. I have Walshy the day before I'll just have to run and hide if he tries to make me go drinking afterwards.

1st race is oulton park on Saturday so ill do a wee write up for anyone that’s interested.

The other races are -

Knockhill - 16th May
Brands Hatch 27th June
Cadwell - 1st August
Snetterton - 10th October. Including night race

Here are a couple of pics. You might recognise it from knockhill

[Mike Scib]

Excellent news mate, will hopefully try and get up to the KH round

Oh, and good luck this weekend

[Andy G]

go for it mate

And i think your plan for the night before the race is a cunning one.

Finally starting to feel like i'm shaking off the rustiness, so hopefully a day with Walshy will get you back up to speed even quicker

[StiflerMR2]

All the best, will defo try and make it up for the KH round

[kevham]

Good luck! I'm sure a session with Walshy immediately before the race will make all the difference (one way or another!)

I'd have liked to have come to KH 'cause I've never seen Time Attack in the metal but unfortunately I'll be on my family hols.

[Dominic]

Nice one! Go for it!

[gambler]

Thanks guys. Would be good to see some of you at knockhill. If you do come along remember and come and say hello.

And i think your plan for the night before the race is a cunning one.

Finally starting to feel like i'm shaking off the rustiness, so hopefully a day with Walshy will get you back up to speed even quicker

I will deffinately be keeping clear of walshy the night before the race! He should come with a health warning. The 1st time i was out with walshy was with ScottyC. Walshy called me the next day to ask if i could shed any light onto the mystery gravel rash on his face. I was none the wiser too.

Im really looking forward to some track time with Walshy. Im feeling pretty rusty too as i have only had 1 track session since october. Im sure he will point me in the right direction. Sideways

[gambler]

Quick update.


Managed to fluke a win yesterday! nearly binned it big style by loosing all brakes on the way into Druids at 120.

Update to follow

[Mike Scib]

, Look forward to the pics and write up mate!

[Scotty C]

Top result. Team se

[Andy G]

Quick update.


Managed to fluke a win yesterday! nearly binned it big style by loosing all brakes on the way into Druids at 120.

Update to follow

AWESOME

[BigD]

Well done, excellent result. Look forward to the report.

Wish I was there doing it but the upgrades required are just not sensibly affordable for me. If they brought in a pruduction class then maybe but it's a tuner series as you say Scott and so has to show off the tuning capabilities.

Just looking at the times and I'd have been in 6th (ignoring the 2 one hit wonders) with my time from 2008 which put me 17th then. The class structure is obviously improving. Should've entered.

[gambler]

Just looking at the times and I'd have been in 6th (ignoring the 2 one hit wonders) with my time from 2008 which put me 17th then. The class structure is obviously improving. Should've entered.

You deffinately should have entered.

The class structure is getting better. Kev Horsley who won your class in 2008 and has not been in the car on track since came 2nd in Club Pro. Those guys deffinately needed their own class

[BigD]

Just looking at the times and I'd have been in 6th (ignoring the 2 one hit wonders) with my time from 2008 which put me 17th then. The class structure is obviously improving. Should've entered.

You deffinately should have entered.

The class structure is getting better. Kev Horsley who won your class in 2008 and has not been in the car on track since came 2nd in Club Pro. Those guys deffinately needed their own class

Still a good 4 secs of you time though so a massive gap. Maybe next year when you and Fee are up to club pro.

[Modena Scotland]