TR Reg track days 2024

[zetecspit]

On 2/14/2024 at 6:30 PM, Nick Jones said:

Is it now. I would have said less. It’s been a while. My 1200 had the dog leg pipe …….

Remind me nearer the time to take that alternator. Ideally the monday just before.

[PeteStupps]

The day approaches, and it looks a lot like rain, but maybe not a lot of rain. If you see what I mean. Hopefully it's not too heavy cos I can't comfortably fit under the soft-top with a crash helmet on!

Only just revived the Spitfire after a few months rest, to go out for some miles yesterday. Feels a bit off - hesitant in the mid range. Maybe I'm imagining it. Just off out to change oil and check valve clearances, and pack something waterproof in the boot. 

Anyone else staying at the godawful Leigh Delamere eastbound Travelodge?! 

Also, @zetecspit you wanted reminding about an alternator

[Nick Jones]

1 hour ago, PeteStupps said:

Feels a bit off - hesitant in the mid range

How old is the fuel?

1 hour ago, PeteStupps said:

Also, @zetecspit you wanted reminding about an alternator

I think that was my job, but thanks 

With 2 new and 2 almost new SN832 tyres I don’t mind wet….. though the event in general is nicer in dry, warm weather!

[zetecspit]

Alternator is in the boot! If anybody wants a mondeo alternator (proper OE, used but works fine and will continue to do so, I expect for another 100k) they are welcome to it. Bit chunkier than the escort type though. 

Pretty happy with my Uniroyals for all round performance, but as Nick says, nobody likes getting wet. Except the cafe. 

I am staying at the chippenham premier inn, with an old friend (bringing his stag) Richard Brake is also Stagging it, staying near the M4 very close to the circuit. Hoping to find somewhere for some dinner and a meetup, I can post here later. 

 

[PeteStupps]

17 hours ago, Nick Jones said:

How old is the fuel?

Good question! About 3 months I reckon, not fresh but not ancient.

Valve clearances were all noticeably tight for some reason. Also carbs seemed to be set very lean by some idiot and had barely any oil in the dashpots. Rectifying these bits seemed to fix my imaginary problem.

8 hours ago, zetecspit said:

Hoping to find somewhere for some dinner and a meetup, I can post here later

I probably won't be down there til quite late but drop us a line Clive, I'll see if I can join you.

[Hamish]

Enjoy it lads

wish I was there !!

[PeteStupps]

What fun, another absolute blast. More chat and photos to follow after I've had some sleep, but in the meantime here's a short and unrepresentative video:

 

[Escadrille Ecosse]

Nice honest video there Pete. But all good clean fun

[Hamish]

That’s an ace clip. Well done looked like a good day for it. 
 

looking forward to more visuals and news/gossip

[Mark]

Excellent! 

[zetecspit]

I would say Pete is certainly not clumsy, just found the limits of grip. I am still amazed at his pace around the circuit, and certainly proves driving skills are more important that power alone. 

I had a great day, weather was pretty kind so all good. However, I suffered a "failure to proceed" on the M4. Ignition light came on, water temp started to climb. Pulled over, and the alternator pulley had fallen off! Not lost, it was jammed on the chassis rail. Not what I was expecting. Drove to the closest exit, called recovery and 9 hours later got home. About to inspect the issue. The inside of the pulley is damaged, so would not centralise on the alternator. Looks like a new pulley or a visit to a lathe owning friend. And some loctite.

[Escadrille Ecosse]

Yup from all I've seen Mr Stupps is no gringo when it comes to pedalling that car.

Zetec, glad you got home in the end.  On the plus side the pulley did at least have the decency to hang on till after the track.

Sounds like a grand day out for everyone all in all. One day maybe but this is the minor elephant in the room (obviously the Spitfire still in bits doesn't help)

[JohnD]

That's not clumsy, that's pushing it!  And, on road tyres too!   No grippy soft Yokos here!

Pete, may I suggest?    EG that first clip, of Tower, you're turning in too early.  Helpfully, track days often place cones to indicate turn in, apex and exit points, but even without them circuits usually protect the same points with kerbing.   When you turned in at Tower, your course would have taken you to the beginning of the kerbing, well short of the apex cone, which is usually in the middle of that kerbing stretch.   This is NOT the newbie error, as they usually apex too late. 

The Esses was too early on the throttle for the exit.  It's very fast through those Esses, so another stress on those rear tyres and they loose adhesion.   And Quarry?  Just too brave and too fast!

John

 

[Escadrille Ecosse]

[JohnD]

That's a bit stern, Colin!

I'm more like this:

[Nick Jones]

Why you posting all your “moments” Pete. Not representative of what I saw. You need a rear-facing camera to capture Frustrated-of-Somerset trying to stay close enough through the corners to have a crack on the straight!

2 hours ago, zetecspit said:

 

I would say Pete is certainly not clumsy, just found the limits of grip. I am still amazed at his pace around the circuit, and certainly proves driving skills are more important that power alone. 

 

100%. Consistently punching well above his weight and very much quicker than the race-prepared, 8 ported, fat-tyres Mk2 that was there. Remarkably hard to pass - or even keep up!

1 hour ago, JohnD said:

And Quarry?  Just too brave and too fast!

Agreed….. have experienced this a few times in slightly less dramatic fashion, plus one that felt quite dramatic from the passenger seat with no.2 son at the helm. That was more an excess of entry speed resulting in lack of turn-in. Fortunately he got back on the throttle and there was room (just!) to drift it around without any mowing…..

2 hours ago, zetecspit said:

However, I suffered a "failure to proceed" on the M4. Ignition light came on, water temp started to climb. Pulled over, and the alternator pulley had fallen off! Not lost, it was jammed on the chassis rail. Not what I was expecting. Drove to the closest exit, called recovery and 9 hours later got home

Oh. Bollocks!  How irritating! Bet you were expecting a broken belt. That is a long recovery…. Commiserations!

I best not moan about my frustrating, traffic-clogged, rain soaked return. I was fearing a failure to proceed as sat in an apparently endless traffic queue, the fuel pump suddenly started making a hell of a racket - intense high-pitched whine and random grinding and clattering. The clattering I’ve heard before - it’s cavitation, and that was not completely unexpected as the tank was low and the fuel in it doubtless fairly warm…. The other noises though 

Was probably best part of 30 minutes of racket, much of it in stop/start traffic before I could add fuel (paying way more than I would otherwise held out for!), and that does seem to have shut it up. Probably should check the upstream strainer and change the downstream filter though. And check to see if I have a spare pump….

Great day otherwise. Alway good to meet some of the gang - just a shame geography prevents more of us getting together!

 

[zetecspit]

I do wonder if we could get a group of Triumphs to attend one of the Bedford trackdays. A bit more central (though still a fair trek for those north of the border)

I don't think TR register ever use it, but MGoT may. I shall investigate. Not certain I want to play open pit lane with some of the "general trackday" drivers out there.

And definately agree it is good to meet up with other "active" owners. 

[PeteStupps]

3 hours ago, Nick Jones said:

Why you posting all your “moments” Pete. Not representative of what I saw.

It's false modesty Nick! And they're the most interesting clips of course. I will do a slightly longer version when time allows so everyone can see you and Clive blasting past every session. 

@JohnD all constructive advice very welcome! In defence I would say that these incidents took place in the first full session without the pace car, and I only do this once a year. But you make an astute point about Tower - I didn't get that corner right all day and wish I had tried turning in a smidge later. Reckon I tamed the Esses later on though, managing to go through at least as fast but more smoothly.

@zetecspit sorry to hear of your tribulations getting home, 9 hour wait for recovery is not a great way to round off the weekend. 

My only complaint about the journey home was that my dead indicator relay meant I had to perform hand signals (or nothing) on the motorway all the way. Embarrassing enough but it was tipping down with rain so I was winding the window up and down every 5 mins and getting thoroughly wet. Must have looked a right idiot!

Kept lane-changes to a minimum for that reason, so crawled along behind the lorries a lot. Managed to get home without refilling the tank - every cloud, silver lining etc... 

[PeteStupps]

5 hours ago, Escadrille Ecosse said:

One day maybe but this is the minor elephant in the room (obviously the Spitfire still in bits doesn't help)

I'd be up for doing something more northerly Colin, but someone would have to organise it. Kev Bryant of the TR Reg has just had to cancel the Curborough and Three Sisters days through lack of interest. No doubt they could be promoted more widely but I guess casual thrashing of classics is a niche interest. 

Just looked at the MG on Track calendar and they're also very southern-biased.

[JohnD]

It's a problem.    Despite Triumph having in their stable more 'sports cars' than most others of the day, or since, owners are distinctly unwilling to actually use them in a sporting context.    Lots of "Runs" but as Ken Bryant has found, little enthusiasm to use them on track, which is the only place to do so, the way that driving and drivers are theses days.

On the other hand, the Swinging '60s series at CSCC is so oversubscribed that it is often split into two races, and even then to get a place you have to enter in the first minutes after applications open!    More Minis, MGs than you could shake a stick at.

John 

[JohnD]

2 hours ago, PeteStupps said:

In defence I would say that these incidents took place in the first full session without the pace car,

Pete, I went on a track day with a mate, he had a Lotus!      He said, you take it out first!  (Nice guy!)    I did, and on the first two laps behind the pace car, I span it three times.   they nearly threw me out on the spot.

John

  

[egret]

23 hours ago, zetecspit said:

I do wonder if we could get a group of Triumphs to attend one of the Bedford trackdays. A bit more central (though still a fair trek for those north of the border)

I don't think TR register ever use it, but MGoT may. I shall investigate. Not certain I want to play open pit lane with some of the "general trackday" drivers out there.

And definately agree it is good to meet up with other "active" owners. 

Bedford is pretty local to me, and I've attended a few open pit lane trackdays.  My understanding from those I've chatted to is that it's a lot more relaxed than most track days, because the more aggressive drivers look down on it not being a "proper" raceing circuit.  My experience has been good, and I've certainly never felt pressured by the other drivers, even with my limited and rusty skillset.

I feel like I'm probably only a few jobs away from trying a trackday in the spitfire, and it's the next reliability goal of mine.  Pie in the sky goals are the CSCC as it looks pretty fun, but I fear is another level in investment over my shoestring spitfire!