Well the 2013 season is now only weeks away, I'm completely unsure what I'm going to be doing this year at this stage.
The car is pretty much ready as it is, however I do have some upgrades that I can do within my category, the big question is whether to go with the car as per last year and see if I can improve, or get those little bits done and see if that improves my times.
However, there is still a fairly major obstacle to overcome, a complete lack of finances!
Unfortunately this is not a great time to be a driving instructor, work is the lowest I've ever known it and I'm struggling with the morals of spending money on the MG when there is little coming in at the moment.
Hopefully things will pick up during the coming weeks/months, but until then this season is not clear, as for how many rounds I will be able to do, if any!
Tuesday 15 January 2013
Saturday 1 December 2012
End of season and 2 awards
So the season came to an end fairly early in the year for me, with other commitments and Castle Hill being cancelled, I didn't do as many events as I would have liked, but couldn't be helped.
Anyway the good news is that I have picked up two trophies, the Southern Novice Award and the Southern Group 2 1500 - 2400 award, so very happy about that in my first season.
Looking ahead to next year now, lots of checking the regulations to see what else I can do to the car to keep it within the regulations but maybe get a few tenths of seconds quicker for 2013.
Big thanks to everyone that has helped me this year, especially David Coultard and Stuart Gilbert, who have both been brilliant at offering their expert advice, thanks guys!
Anyway the good news is that I have picked up two trophies, the Southern Novice Award and the Southern Group 2 1500 - 2400 award, so very happy about that in my first season.
Looking ahead to next year now, lots of checking the regulations to see what else I can do to the car to keep it within the regulations but maybe get a few tenths of seconds quicker for 2013.
Big thanks to everyone that has helped me this year, especially David Coultard and Stuart Gilbert, who have both been brilliant at offering their expert advice, thanks guys!
Sunday 29 July 2012
Shelsley Walsh 28th July 2012
It felt like the MGF's were a bit out of place as Shelsley as it was the classic weekend but there we were tucked out of the way under the smallest roof and the tightest paddock places ever, however it did provide good shelter from the sun, which was a blessing.
Having arrived on Friday night and pitched up the tent, it was time to walk the course.
Wow that is a hill, it just doesn't stop climbing all the way, this was definitely going to be a power hill. Luckily for me on the way back down we were fortunate to bump into Stuart Gilbert, who was on his way up, even luckier it was just as the start of the bottom 'S' bend, which is probably the most trickiest part of the hill. I couldn't resist asking for his advice, and he was very willing to talk me through this tricky corner, pointing out elements to it that I hadn't even noticed when I walked it, just goes to show what experience can do.
First practice run was OK for a sighting session, second practice was much better and I got to within 400th of a second to the record time set by Marc Hanson in an MGF back in 2007.
First timed run and despite my best efforts it was slower than my practice time, after much head scratching and looking at the data of all my runs so far, I knew I just had to go for it and be braver.
Second timed run certainly felt quick and I did scare myself by nearly losing the back of the car coming out of the top 'S', but as I went over the line a quick glance of the score board showed a 39.58, much to my delight, beating the previous record of 40.09 by Marc in 2007.
So it was a good day, probably highlight of the championship this year for me so far, looking forward to Curborough next weekend.
Having arrived on Friday night and pitched up the tent, it was time to walk the course.
Wow that is a hill, it just doesn't stop climbing all the way, this was definitely going to be a power hill. Luckily for me on the way back down we were fortunate to bump into Stuart Gilbert, who was on his way up, even luckier it was just as the start of the bottom 'S' bend, which is probably the most trickiest part of the hill. I couldn't resist asking for his advice, and he was very willing to talk me through this tricky corner, pointing out elements to it that I hadn't even noticed when I walked it, just goes to show what experience can do.
First practice run was OK for a sighting session, second practice was much better and I got to within 400th of a second to the record time set by Marc Hanson in an MGF back in 2007.
First timed run and despite my best efforts it was slower than my practice time, after much head scratching and looking at the data of all my runs so far, I knew I just had to go for it and be braver.
Second timed run certainly felt quick and I did scare myself by nearly losing the back of the car coming out of the top 'S', but as I went over the line a quick glance of the score board showed a 39.58, much to my delight, beating the previous record of 40.09 by Marc in 2007.
So it was a good day, probably highlight of the championship this year for me so far, looking forward to Curborough next weekend.
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| Chequers Motoring School MGF about to tackle Shelsley Walsh Hillclimb for the first time |
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| What goes up the hill, has to come back down! |
It's a good job I don't teach my pupils to start their driving lessons like this!
Friday 20 July 2012
Castle Hill Cancelled
With Castle Hill being cancelled due to the rain, making the paddock area unsafe and no work having to be done on the car, it's been a bit of a quiet time.
Still with Shelsley Walsh hillclimb coming up on Saturday 28th July and Curborough sprint on Sunday 5th August, this is going to be a busy week and 2 scores in the championship which are desperately needed!
Still with Shelsley Walsh hillclimb coming up on Saturday 28th July and Curborough sprint on Sunday 5th August, this is going to be a busy week and 2 scores in the championship which are desperately needed!
Monday 2 July 2012
Gurston Down 24th June 2012
Having arrived at Gurston Down late on Saturday night, having managed to dodge the worst of the rain. We managed to get the tent up before the rain came back but it continued all through the night, making sleeping a bit tricky.
The next morning started wet and being the second car to start, a cautus approach was in order. Second practice run and the track was by now virtually dry, resulting in a much better time.
By the time we lined up for the timed runs in the afternoon, the sun was shining and it was getting warmer all the time. Happy with the first run, with 44.12, but still needed to find another 2 seconds to break the previous class record.
Time for some questioning of the more seasoned MGCC drivers, the main question being, can I take 'Hollow' flat out. Hollow is a very fast approach from the start and previous runs had me lightly braking on approach. The common sense of opinion was that it could be taken 'flat out' if you have enough courage.
This lead to some assuming banter between the fellow MGF competitors, Paul and Tim. Which of of us would be brave enough to try it! It was the best MGCC event so far having Paul and Tim there because for the first time, there was real competition to try and beat each other.
Last run of the day and the truth was, none of us was brave enough! Still there is always next year!
The next morning started wet and being the second car to start, a cautus approach was in order. Second practice run and the track was by now virtually dry, resulting in a much better time.
By the time we lined up for the timed runs in the afternoon, the sun was shining and it was getting warmer all the time. Happy with the first run, with 44.12, but still needed to find another 2 seconds to break the previous class record.
Time for some questioning of the more seasoned MGCC drivers, the main question being, can I take 'Hollow' flat out. Hollow is a very fast approach from the start and previous runs had me lightly braking on approach. The common sense of opinion was that it could be taken 'flat out' if you have enough courage.
This lead to some assuming banter between the fellow MGF competitors, Paul and Tim. Which of of us would be brave enough to try it! It was the best MGCC event so far having Paul and Tim there because for the first time, there was real competition to try and beat each other.
Last run of the day and the truth was, none of us was brave enough! Still there is always next year!
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| MGF looking good in Bristol Chequers Motoring School livery |
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| The 3 'F's had our own little paddock space to ourselves, Green MGF is mine, the blue TF is Tim Kirkham and the silver F is Paul Constance |
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| More MGCC cars in paddock |
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| This was the final timed run of the day |
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| Smoothly off the line |
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| Through the 64ft marker in 2.43 seconds, my fastest take off yet all year! |
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| I thought this showed the speed of the car but sadly the photo is just out of focus |
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| Dwn hill all the way to 'Hollow' |
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| Main point to note is NO brake lights, but truth is I did left slightly before I entered the first right hand bend. Next year I must try to keep it flat out through here!!!!! |
MGOT Castle Coombe
The MG's On Track day at castle Coombe on Monday 11th June, was, well, VERY WET!
But great fun all the same!
But great fun all the same!
Sunday 10 June 2012
Abingdon Car-Nival 9th June 2012
Having arrived on the Friday and camped over in horrendous winds, it was a relief to see the weather had cleared for the Saturday.
First course to tackle was Abingdon, which is a very fast run! I was a few seconds down on the practice runs but knew I could be quicker, on the final run I managed a 56.12 beating the previous class record of 56.26. Very happy with that!
The afternoon session took us onto the Bentley course which is more of a slower course but with a number of 90 degree bends, was very challenging. despite my best efforts and managing to get a quicker time on each run, I managed a final run of 60.90, sadly still nearly 2 seconds off the class record of 58.64, if only I could have had a another couple of runs, still there is always next year.
This was my attempt at solving the youth unemployment, drop the entire contents of the socket set and see how long it took to put all the sockets back from where they came.
First course to tackle was Abingdon, which is a very fast run! I was a few seconds down on the practice runs but knew I could be quicker, on the final run I managed a 56.12 beating the previous class record of 56.26. Very happy with that!
The afternoon session took us onto the Bentley course which is more of a slower course but with a number of 90 degree bends, was very challenging. despite my best efforts and managing to get a quicker time on each run, I managed a final run of 60.90, sadly still nearly 2 seconds off the class record of 58.64, if only I could have had a another couple of runs, still there is always next year.
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| Waiting for the off! |
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| Not sure what happened to this car? |
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| Waiting in line in the afternoon session on the Bentley Course |
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| If you look closely, yeap there is an MGF there |
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