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Thread: Paul Alex's character building, pain-in-the-ar5e, bufty money pit

  1. #681
    Pit Crew Decade Plus User PaulAlex's Avatar

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    Re: Paul Alex's character building, pain-in-the-ar5e, bufty money pit

    Quote Originally Posted by M K View Post
    Only just seen this post, might be free Saturday to come watch/ lend a hand if you need it.
    Hello Matt - its only scrutiny on Saturday, event on Sunday I'm afraid.

    Cheers,

    Paul.

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    Racer Decade Plus User mexicotait's Avatar

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    Re: Paul Alex's character building, pain-in-the-ar5e, bufty money pit

    Paul is 2nd overall and first in class going into the last stage
    Matt downer 9th overall
    Hexham and District Motorclub

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  4. #683
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    Re: Paul Alex's character building, pain-in-the-ar5e, bufty money pit

    Rainworth Skoda Dukeries Rally - 24th/25th October, Donington Park.

    Well, it feels like we're slowly making progress - but we're having to work for it!

    At face value if you'd have offered my 3rd overall, first in class and ahead of every 2.5 litre car I'd have ripped your arm off - especially when you consider that there was a very strong field. However, in reality I'm a little disappointed as we entered the final stage of the rally in 2nd place overall, and then the Millington-powered, 4WD Proton Satria that was beating us broke down - effectively leaving us at the front of the field with 6 miles to go!! Sadly, as the Proton broke down Tom and I were having our own woes - we just couldn't see where we were going as our lights were badly setup as we hadn't had the opportunity to drive the car before the event (exhaust issue, long story!). So, we dropped nearly 30 seconds compared to our stage time in the daylight, allowing 2 cars past us in the process - bugger!!!

    Needless to say, a proper light setup is being added to the upgrades list, along with a better fuel tank to stop the fuel starvation that we've seen at both circuit-based events we've contested recently.

    On a positive note, we had a LOT of people come to see the car and compliment the build quality, and also quite a few giving us positive feedback on how we were using it. I still feel that I made too many small driving errors, but on the stages where I didn't make mistakes the stage times were punching well above our weight

    I'll try and post some event pics up soon.

    Cheers,

    Paul.

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    Re: Paul Alex's character building, pain-in-the-ar5e, bufty money pit

    Quote Originally Posted by PaulAlex View Post
    Rainworth Skoda Dukeries Rally - 24th/25th October, Donington Park.

    Well, it feels like we're slowly making progress - but we're having to work for it!

    At face value if you'd have offered my 3rd overall, first in class and ahead of every 2.5 litre car I'd have ripped your arm off - especially when you consider that there was a very strong field. However, in reality I'm a little disappointed as we entered the final stage of the rally in 2nd place overall, and then the Millington-powered, 4WD Proton Satria that was beating us broke down - effectively leaving us at the front of the field with 6 miles to go!! Sadly, as the Proton broke down Tom and I were having our own woes - we just couldn't see where we were going as our lights were badly setup as we hadn't had the opportunity to drive the car before the event (exhaust issue, long story!). So, we dropped nearly 30 seconds compared to our stage time in the daylight, allowing 2 cars past us in the process - bugger!!!

    Needless to say, a proper light setup is being added to the upgrades list, along with a better fuel tank to stop the fuel starvation that we've seen at both circuit-based events we've contested recently.

    On a positive note, we had a LOT of people come to see the car and compliment the build quality, and also quite a few giving us positive feedback on how we were using it. I still feel that I made too many small driving errors, but on the stages where I didn't make mistakes the stage times were punching well above our weight

    I'll try and post some event pics up soon.

    Cheers,

    Paul.
    Well done Paul

    Loving the car

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    Re: Paul Alex's character building, pain-in-the-ar5e, bufty money pit

    for the poor lighting prep but overall

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  10. #686
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    Re: Paul Alex's character building, pain-in-the-ar5e, bufty money pit

    Quote Originally Posted by turbospud View Post
    for the poor lighting prep but overall
    Here's my excuse....

    We were close to the noise limit at Snetterton, so we decided to have the rear/only box modified for Donington to try and quieten it down a little. I dropped it off at the exhaust manufacturer a couple of weeks before the event, only for them to contact me week later to say they'd messed-up and didn't have the required material as they thought. By time it was ordered/delivered, there was no time to collect the exhaust from Derby so we ended up taking the car to the event as a non-runner and then fitted the exhaust in the scrutineering paddock on Saturday lol. There is a 6pm curfew at Donington, so that meant that I couldn't take the car from the venue to play in the local lanes that evening.....

    I wont make the same mistake again!

  11. #687
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    Re: Paul Alex's character building, pain-in-the-ar5e, bufty money pit

    It happens but at least you are making progress
    Hexham and District Motorclub

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  13. #688
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    Re: Paul Alex's character building, pain-in-the-ar5e, bufty money pit

    blinding result

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    Re: Paul Alex's character building, pain-in-the-ar5e, bufty money pit

    Superb, hope to make it to your next event ;-)

    Sierra cosworth turbo race car
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  17. #690
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    Re: Paul Alex's character building, pain-in-the-ar5e, bufty money pit

    Not too much to report recently, other than the car has been back to Shaun's for the rear arch replacement. Now its back home we're doing all we can to make sure the trip to the Rentokil Killarney Historic Stage Rally goes as smoothly as planned. The entry list was released yesterday, and its mental! We're seeded at 95, but it is probably as good as we can expect against the experienced locals and their crazy machinery....

    Unfortunately, much of the money spent on the car this time isn't on Gucci bits that you can see. The biggest upgrade is to the driveshafts after Fossie recommended an investment now that the car has more power than when the axle was first commissioned. We've ordered some "special" shafts made from very high quality material (read "megabucks") which I've never even seen advertised before! Its amazing what you learn the top cars are really using when you take a closer look and ask the right questions!! In theory these shafts will be much stronger than the Quaife shafts that we're currently on, and mean that we have a pair of shafts for the spares package.....

    We've also replaced the Pagid pads after we got one set very hot at Donington, and have ordered some 9" rear wheels - as we're allowed to run these in Ireland Meanwhile, Andy Pipe is re-wiring the lamp pod for me, including fitting a HID kit to produce more light than we had on the last event

    I'll post some pre-Killarney pics before we leave for Ireland next week

    Cheers,

    Paul.

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    Re: Paul Alex's character building, pain-in-the-ar5e, bufty money pit

    Quote Originally Posted by PaulAlex View Post
    Not too much to report recently, other than the car has been back to Shaun's for the rear arch replacement. Now its back home we're doing all we can to make sure the trip to the Rentokil Killarney Historic Stage Rally goes as smoothly as planned. The entry list was released yesterday, and its mental! We're seeded at 95, but it is probably as good as we can expect against the experienced locals and their crazy machinery....
    Over 80 escorts starting, it'll be a great event!
    I'm 24th on the reserve list, i dont think ill get a start... my fingers are crossed though...

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    Re: Paul Alex's character building, pain-in-the-ar5e, bufty money pit

    Quote Originally Posted by muckerbarry View Post
    Over 80 escorts starting, it'll be a great event!
    I'm 24th on the reserve list, i dont think ill get a start... my fingers are crossed though...
    I saw a few of the reserves got moved into the event this week. Hopefully you'll squeeze in yet.....

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    Re: Paul Alex's character building, pain-in-the-ar5e, bufty money pit

    Good luck this weekend
    GavinR

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    Re: Paul Alex's character building, pain-in-the-ar5e, bufty money pit

    Gutted to hear the event has been cancelled due to awful weather conditions!

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  24. #695
    Pit Crew Decade Plus User PaulAlex's Avatar

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    Re: Paul Alex's character building, pain-in-the-ar5e, bufty money pit

    As some of you may have heard, our "dream" event at the Killarney Historic went pear-shaped after Storm Desmond swept through Ireland and left many of the roads impassable. To be fair to the organisers, they really did do everything possible to make the event run, but when the local council initiated their Emergency plan due to the red storm warnings, there was nothing more that could be done. To give you some idea of the conditions, I didn't hear a single team complain at the decision - it really was grim!

    On a positive note, the car had a fair amount of money invested in it before the event - ultimate-spec drive-shafts, HID headlights, HID lamp pod, new brake pads, etc etc - and that means the car now enters the usual "winter rebuild" period in the best spec/condition it has ever been. As you'd imagine, that doesn't mean it'll sit and gather dust all winter, as we have plans for more improvements.....

    ...first up is the fuel tank. We experienced fuel surge at both Snetterton and Donnington rallies, so I removed the tank yesterday and am trying to organise a custom-built tank. The tank will look identical to the current unit, and be the exact same dimensions, but we're having a swirl pot built inside the tank, and will use a low-pressure lift pump to ensure that this is always full of fuel. Hopefully I'll get some pictures of the new tank and feedback on how it performs before the end of January......

    More soon guys!

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    Re: Paul Alex's character building, pain-in-the-ar5e, bufty money pit

    Are you doing the jack frost Paul?
    Hexham and District Motorclub

  26. #697
    Pit Crew Decade Plus User PaulAlex's Avatar

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    Re: Paul Alex's character building, pain-in-the-ar5e, bufty money pit

    Quote Originally Posted by mexicotait View Post
    Are you doing the jack frost Paul?
    Afraid not - I'd imagine the car will be off the road for January while some upgrades happen. I've then got quite a bit of weekend work in February, so it'll probably be March before it gets used in anger again ;(

    Cheers,

    Paul

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    Re: Paul Alex's character building, pain-in-the-ar5e, bufty money pit

    Hello guys,

    Well as always the upgrades are taking longer than expected, but we do have entries confirmed for events at Donington on March 6th and Weston Park on March 20th. I'll get some pics of the new bits up as they arrive...

    Feel free to come and say Hi if you're spectating at either event.

    Cheers,

    Paul

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    Re: Paul Alex's character building, pain-in-the-ar5e, bufty money pit

    Hello guys,

    We were at Donington again for the Imperial Commercials Volkswagen Rally at the weekend, and managed to take another class win and top 5 position More importantly, the new fuel tank with integrated swirl pot and L/P lift pump setup all worked perfectly allowing us to run the car at least 15Kgs lighter on the stages. I haven't received many action shots yet, but here she is just after passing noise and scrutiny:




    The next upgrades planned include replacing some of braided hoses with the ultra-lightweight equivalent, a new exhaust manifold, 4-way dampers, alternative brake fluid, flat-shift tuning and a different rear exhaust box......these fingers never stand still!

    Cheers,

    Paul.

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  30. #700
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    Nice one mate, well done!

    Theres a good chance i will be at weston park spectating

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  32. #701
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    Re: Paul Alex's character building, pain-in-the-ar5e, bufty money pit

    Quote Originally Posted by Craig89 View Post
    Nice one mate, well done!

    Theres a good chance i will be at weston park spectating
    Hi Craig - I'd say we're only about 50:50 to be there next weekend as I need to replace the alternator, am still chasing some support, and don't have confirmed crew or co-driver yet. I'll hopefully get a good day on the car over the weekend and will make a plan from there....

    If you are there, be sure to come and say hello and take a closer look at the car if you like.

    Hopefully we will see you there.

    Cheers,

    Paul

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    Keep us updated on how you get on and if your going to be able to make it.

    Hopefully you get everything sorted in time

  34. #703
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    Re: Paul Alex's character building, pain-in-the-ar5e, bufty money pit

    Hello guys,

    Well, after only deciding on the Thursday before the event that we would do the AGBO Stages at Weston Park, it turned out to be the right call...

    A safe tyre choice on the first stage saw us set an OK time, and we then stretched our class lead once we moved onto slicks for SS2 onwards. Weston Park was faster than I remembered it from 15 years ago (in a 106), but Abi and I were really enjoying the run until the power steering started being unpredictable on SS5. This left us losing a little time in the slower chicanes and junctions, but doing our best to make up for it on the faster sections. After 8 stages the chasing pack had bought our lead down to 7 seconds, and after the service time between SS9 and SS10 was reduced to ensure the event ran on time, we found ourselves sat on the start line for SS10 not knowing how much of a gap we still had. The wait for the stage start allowed us to devise a plan about where we could push harder, and we had what felt like a better run. Eventually, after packing everything away and getting the car on the trailer we learnt that we'd actually managed to extend our lead to 9 seconds. This gave us our third class win on the trot, and our second 5th place overall in 2 events

    The car is now up on stands ready for some much needed TLC, and maybe another tweak or two. Some pics below:

    Entering a hairpin left...



    Saving tyres



    Kicking up some dust...



    Getting a move on...



    More news soon guys - hopefully about some exciting upgrades

    Cheers,

    Paul

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    Great looking pictures! Well done on the result as well! I couldnt get there in the end...had to work, looks like i missed a good day

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  37. #705
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    Re: Paul Alex's character building, pain-in-the-ar5e, bufty money pit

    car looks great, as usual, congrats on the results. Hope to see you one day on a Belgian event

  38. #706
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    Re: Paul Alex's character building, pain-in-the-ar5e, bufty money pit

    Quote Originally Posted by filipvdv View Post
    car looks great, as usual, congrats on the results. Hope to see you one day on a Belgian event
    Thanks - we may have registered for the ORC Canal Rally We still have 101 things to organise before then - especially sponsorship - but we're doing all we can to be there. If we do get across, we will be run by Andes Motorsport.....

    Cheers,

    Paul

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    Re: Paul Alex's character building, pain-in-the-ar5e, bufty money pit

    dammit thats on my bday. Can't you make it to this event, its a local rally for me, and the nr1 gravel rally in Belgium. The gravel stages are by far the best what belgium has to offer

    http://www.sezoensrally.be/nl/

    Angelo will confirm this

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  41. #708
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    Re: Paul Alex's character building, pain-in-the-ar5e, bufty money pit

    Quote Originally Posted by filipvdv View Post
    dammit thats on my bday. Can't you make it to this event, its a local rally for me, and the nr1 gravel rally in Belgium. The gravel stages are by far the best what belgium has to offer

    http://www.sezoensrally.be/nl/

    Angelo will confirm this
    There's a small chance that we may also be at the Wervik rally in June.......

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    Re: Paul Alex's character building, pain-in-the-ar5e, bufty money pit

    Now sold I believe!
    www.rallycarsforhire.net

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    Re: Paul Alex's character building, pain-in-the-ar5e, bufty money pit

    Have just completed reading all 18 pages of Paul’s journey with YEG!
    Quite the trip of bad luck, evolution, determination, good friends and support plus very talented driving.

    i bought this car at auction in July ‘18.
    As I am 6’2” and was barely able to get the car from my transporter to garage, the first jobs have been to relocate pedal box - lower and forward as far as possible. Also relocated battery from behind drivers seat and purchased new alloy seat brackets to get me as far back and low as possible.
    This has necessitated the addition of a new carbon fibre switch panel between the seats as I was no longer able to reach anything on existing panels when harnessed!!
    Seating position is still not going to be exactly where I wan to be but it’s a start without a complete rethink of pedalbox, steering rack location etc...

    The car has a great spec but gearbox and axle have leaks due to car sitting for long periods...
    My plan is to do all necessary seals, fluid changes and basic tidy ups for now.
    A few small rallysprints and trackdays to shakedown any issues, and hopefully with all going well, our real target being Killarney Rally of the Lakes in December.

    Regards
    Dermot

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  45. #711
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    Re: Paul Alex's character building, pain-in-the-ar5e, bufty money pit

    Welcome Dermot.
    Good to hear the car is still about, please keep us updated with your progress & pics mate

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    Re: Paul Alex's character building, pain-in-the-ar5e, bufty money pit

    Quote Originally Posted by 4parajon View Post
    Welcome Dermot.
    Good to hear the car is still about, please keep us updated with your progress & pics mate
    Progress has been very slow due to travel and work commitments.
    However I got some time on the car last week and the weekend.
    Basically I have documented the full wiring system in case I have any issues in future. I have then moved the ecu from the dash plus moved some of the switches to a carbon central panel.
    I will post some pics later this week once I’ve completed wiring.

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