2005
October 1st – National B Meeting – Saturday Only
The day started off a little cool and cloudy. The rain in the night had almost gone when it was our go, although part of the track was still a little damp. Our first practice run was just after 9:00am – a 73.35 time was recorded, which was around 2 seconds faster than most of the competition in our class (Road Going Production cars 1400cc-2000cc). We set tyre pressures at 18psi and front and 14psi at the rear. After enjoying a big over steer moment Rob decided that 14psi was too low “the car felt less snappy and more predicable however, when committing to a high speed corner out of Fletchers Dellow the cars backend was a little too soft for the speed I was carrying through”. As a result we increased the pressure to around 20psi on the rears and 22psi on the front – slightly too high, which we think could have contributed to the rear tyres locking at Fallow corner, which resulted in a bit of cross-country driving!!
After lunch our timed runs were more successful – getting a new personal best of 70.62 followed by a 70.88. The tyre pressures we ran in the end were 22psi on the front and 18psi on the rears. Overall we ended up in 4th place – a Renault Clio 16V beating Rob by 5/100ths of a second (which we estimated to be around 8 inches ahead of us over the finish line at 70mph!!!)
Well that is it – a successful end to a successful season. In 2006 we hope to be more competitive, with modified suspension and slightly more power…!!! Keep visiting our site for more updates, as we will be showing all changes to the car over the winter months.
August 13-14th British Hillclimb Meeting
Saturday 13th August – The day started off fine and clear, but being a National A meeting all the bog boys in their 700bhp single seaters’ had priority, so we were in the last batch. By which time it had started to rain – and it stayed wet all day until late into the afternoon. Times were in the low 70′s but stayed in the mid 80′s during the heavy rain – no major offs to report!!
Sunday 14th August – The day started off fine and stayed that way most of the day. Rob beat his personal best on the first run by getting a 71.39 – Rob says “I am pleased to have beat my personal best, however I am still aiming for the sub 70 barrier by the end of the season” Both car and driver returned home fine – a good end to a good weekend racing.
June 11-12th British Hillclimb Meeting
Saturday 11th June – The day started off fine with no rain. However, the initial few cars on the track had a spell if bad luck with one Westfield leaving the hill at over 100mph and landing on the uneven grass – driver was sent to hospital. Only a few cars later and a fellow 205GTI left the track at Fletchers Dellow and ended up on its roof. The driver was air lifted to hospital.
After this we were all a little subdued about the whole day! However, when it was our go, the little 205GTI and driver did not disappoint, although the new tyres needed to be run in a little more – currently still under steering just a little too much. Although setting the tyres alight on the start line, Rob commented on how the Yokohamma AVS Sports were no real different to the cheap and cheerful tyres we had when the car was purchased! Only time will tell how good they really are – we are yet to try them in the rain! We had two qualifying sessions, getting times similar to April’s meeting – no records broken yet.
Both drivers of the crashed cars were fine, after spending a few days in hospital.
Sunday 12th June – The day started fine and stayed that way for the day. Both times Rob put in were far from his normal standard, on both attempts he locked his wheels in a spectacular trail of smoke as he approached Fallow Corner, and as a result overshot the apex and ended up on the grass! This added around 2 seconds to the time, and as a result we came away with no prizes. Rob commented “I have been disappointed with my performance today, a 73sec and a 74sec was all I could managed – I was aiming to get below the 70 sec barrier with these new tyres but it was not meant to be.”
The day concluded just gone 5pm and although we did not lift any trophies, both car and driver got home damage free!!
April 9th – 10th – British Hillclimb Meeting.
The Saturday started off a little dull, but got brighter as the day went on. As it was practice day, Rob Morgan, our driver was allowed three runs to fine tune the car. Fine tuning came in the form of totally overcooking an early corner mind, which resulted in a 360′ spin. But not wanting to waste the run, Rob continued on the course after getting control of the car – much to the amusement of the crowd.
Sunday was a fine day – lots of sun and at around 11:30 a warm track welcomed us, and a time of 72.38secs resulted. Not bad, but Rob had got 71.58 the day before, so was keen to at least do the same time. The second run got us a 71.88 which won the day in the class. The car was fine and ran very well (must be something to do with all that cost over the Winter months!!!!). Overall a very successful weekend! – just need to get slightly sticker tyres if we are to break the 70sec barrier!
March 27th 2005 – Easter Meeting.
The day started off wet and stayed like that all day. The good points, were that both car and driver had some useful experience of pushing hard in the wet, and so come the dry weather, times should drop further still.
The morning time came in at a highly cautious 86.50 secs. However, after lunch we managed to get it down to 78.26secs, still in the wet- this time resulted in us winning second place of the day and being presented with a silver trophy!
We were going to run again in the afternoon, but after a single seater taking part in some “creative” driving in the form of leaving the track and flipping caused massive delays and so we had to make do with just the one (driver was fine!)
Overall we were pleased with the time. Rob Morgan, our driver said “the car produces such massive torque that it made it hard to get any real traction down. However, the car was very composed on the corners considering the wet! and overall the car, like in true classic 205 GTI style, managed to amaze us all!”
March 12/13th 2005 – Members Day.
The very first meeting at Loton Park was a success (apart from having to retire on the Saturday afternoon due to an oil leak)
We first took to the 1475 yard track at around 10:30 on the Saturday morning. The track was still wet so we took it easy. The first time came in at 85.3 secs. Later in the day we got this down to 73.3 secs, which for our very first event was not too bad – our little 205 GTI did us proud – even kept it’s chin up in the paddock, regardless of a 602bhp Mitsubishi Evo sitting by it’s side!
There were around 160 competitors on both days. We arrived around 7:30am both days to ensure we found a good space in the paddock. The car passed scrutineering, which took place at around 8:30 on both days and shortly after, all the new commers to the sport had to visit the Clerk of the Course for a quick meeting (on the Saturday).
Feelings on the first outing up the hill…?- nerve racking, fun, scary, memorable for sure….
Apart from some sideways action which took us on the grass near the finish line, there were no other “spills” to report on. Although we did see our fair share of “offs” – although all competitors and cars were fine!!
As the year progresses, we aim to get the times down further. By the end of the year we are aiming to break the 68.00 secs time barrier!
