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Re: my new nova
Well another QMN weekend at Brands and another day with ups and downs ,i see a pattern here .It was really good to turn up at the paddock and see the friendly faces of the Pipe clan with Gary and Graham and his son with Nick arriving a bit later .The weather was the only bit letting the side down as it was raining very slightly so was a bit of a toss up what tyres to use ,everyone seemed to be putting wets on so i put my inters on the front and wets on the back (1st mistake )
We were called to the assembly area ,as i tried to pull away the car wouldnt move it seems the wheels wouldnt clear the caliper so we quickly changed to my slicks with Nicks help then we bump started his car then tried to pull away again as i did it was making a really bad noise ,so i went to the assembly area for noise testing ,qually was allready under way so i thought i would do a lap to see if it was ok .Out on circuit it was terrible so i went back to the paddock i took the wheels off to see that the calipers were scratched badly it was then i remembered that i had put smaller spacers on for my split rims but the steels wouldnt clear .
Luckily the Clerk of the course said i could race but as i hadnt done a timed lap in qually i would be starting from the back ,along side Andy who had grip problems on old tyres
Race 1
It had dried out now so the old slicks were on with the right size spacers the car felt good on the assembly lap ,when the lights went out i got a good start and gained a few places the tyres came on and the car was flying and i seemed to have a good turn of pace ,i managed to carry on picking people off 1 at a time i managed to out drag Nick down the straight along with the Seat who i got up the inside going into paddock i was then behind Graham who i could tell had a good bit of speed out of Graham hill bend but i managed to gain a bit going into Surtees and he left a slight gap up the inside at clearways , i knew if i didnt get past while i had the momentum then i probably wouldnt get past at all so i dived up the inside Graham gave me enough room then it was a drag race down the straight i just about had enough speed that he couldnt get a full car length past so i braked super late at Paddock and managed to get in front but missed a gear at the same time but i managed to hold onto the place i then set about chasing down a 3 door cossie and Tony Paxmans mk2 ,i managed to get round the outside of the cossie at druids we almost swapped paint there but he gave me just enough room i wasnt quite on the grass then Tony left the door open going into clearways so i took that .I was up to 4th, from there on in i was just hoping the race would end as i was knackered i had no one infront that i could race as they were well in front so i just bought it home .
Race 2
I was starting from 4th on the outside of the grid and just behind Ashley Hargreaves in his 306 ,on the formation lap i could see there were loads of marbles on the outside of Paddock ,as we went round to take the lights i got a good start and was tucked up behind Ashley as we were approaching the entry to paddock Ashley locked up it surprised me as he was braking really early and really hard i think i could have gone around paddock at that speed without braking so wasnt expecting it i jumped on the brakes locked up and went off trying to avoid the back of the 306 Race over i really must learn to cadence brake .
At the end of the race i was called to see the clerk of the course to give my version of events as the Marshalls had said i had hit Ash which i hadnt it was after talking to a few people that i found out Ash had a similar event in the first race that resulted in Malcolm wise going off ,it seems he had new brakes and was having issues getting used to there cold performance.
I had a really good day overall it seems i am never going to finish 2 races in a day but i had done what i had set out to do what i always try to do which is improve my lap time ,i had targeted getting into the 53,s on my new tyres i went slightly better and did a 53.8 on my old tyres so chuffed with that .
I think Graham was the only one who didnt have major issues Nick and Andy both had there problems but im sure they will post up about those .
so i need to sort some wheels that i can fit my wets and inters to as im sure it will be competitive in the wet.
I have got some great footage from the first race that if i can edit down i will post but at the moment its about 25mins longComment
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Re: my new nova
Nice write up Jezza, thought you did really well yesterday, once again suprising a few people with your pace.
Real shame about race 2 as you had a great chance of an overall podium but as we all found out at one point or another yesterday s**t happens, thats just racing. Cant wait to see the supernova back at the front next time
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Sierra cosworth turbo race car
QMN saloon car championship
RETRO MotorsportComment
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Re: my new nova
soo gutted for you mate, cant believe your luck in that again your in the gravel trap through no fault of your own.
your move, firm but fair
even on a warm day my tyres need a good few laps to really come in, i knew i'd gone a bit wide and left a gap, knowing you were there i ( in my opinion) just left you enough room, the drag race was interesting, but left you an inside line to paddock, had it been a bit later in the race, i'd of probably braked later and tried to keep the place going round the outside at paddock, although the chances of holding you off at paddock were slim. As it happens it was too early in the race for me to be really brave, and any case as were not in the same class it wasnt worth risking my race squabbling with you, when round brands as things currently stand your the faster man
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Re: my new nova
Nice write up Jezz and well done on your first race result and achieving the 53 sec lap time
Just a shame the second one was so shortsigpic
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Re: my new nova
Thanks for the comments guys ,and yes Graham you left me just enough space its interesting watching the video back going along the straight and the braking into paddock i thought i had left my braking really late but am never too sure when to brake and you did squeeze me towards the entry but i knew if i didnt make a bold move then you would more than likely be able to fend me off with the better grunt out of the cornersComment
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Re: my new nova
nothing wrong with a squeeze but if your committed you wont find me closing the door on you.
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Re: my new nova
You are right Graham and i have to say that everybody without exception was very very fair in leaving me enough room being new at all of this im never too sure if im being over aggresive but i guess when i over step the mark i will find out , i just hope if it does happen i dont cause any damage to anybody else
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Re: my new nova
Gutted for you mate when i saw you parked up in the gravel. It seemed a bit of a strange day lots of people locking up and making small mistakes I think the long gaps between races allows us to relax too much. Still looking forward to Snetterton 300 hopefully sharing the Honda with Rod B on the Sunday.Comment
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Re: my new nova
Well done for yesterday Jezz. I'm going to spend a day at brands testing to sort the little niggles I have on mine
Rallying is a cure for Insommnia
Click on the picture to find out how I,m doing
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Re: my new nova
That sounds like a good idea mate ,i really thought you were there testing on Friday, 2 years without racing and taking the car to bits you are always going to get little problems ,i have got to say your car is spot on mate lots of work and thought gone into the prep
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Re: my new nova
No Jezz, If I want to go around a car park I have Tescos round the corner.Comment
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Re: my new nova
Well as i didnt race at Lydden or Snetterton i thought i would try to make a new bumper with a splitter ,after reading Track driver magazine it seems a good idea to take it as far back as possible ,with my record of visiting gravel traps i have tried to seal everthing off other than cooling vents and it goes back past the belt for the drysump pump and bottom crank pulley so i hope will offer it some protection and enable me if i happen to frequent a gravel trap to get out and carry on .
I have found the driving position of the nova not the best as the steering is at a real angle ,so in the winter i want to straighten it and part of doing this will enable me to floor mount the pedals so a quick search and i managed to source one at a very good price including cylinders ,reserviors etc
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