Practical Performance Show 3rd May, Midlands

[Faceplant]

was really good day, just writing up a review and getting pics together

[jonathon]

Did you manage to down load any data from your Gizzmo

[Faceplant]

it shows .4g forward g, and .3 lateral g, unfortunately there’s no graph that I can download to show you.

will get report on tonight

[Mogwai]

Gutted I couldn't make it .
check this out on youtube from about 3 minutes in as they try to catch up with a certain white Minor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8pE8KGGnYY

[jonathon]

Hey, well found. I think the Minors suprised quite a few folk

[Faceplant]

Firstly I must say a big thanks to Jonathan, going out in his minor was a real treat! Thanks Jonathan!

I arrived a little later than planned, some bank holiday traffic to contend with, arrived by 12 though so not too bad. I think the steward appreciated my minor and let us drive into the ‘cool cars section’ which everyone walks past to get into the middle of the track. Here my pick of the bunch was a 4.2 Jag coupe with triple carbs and stage 2 head. I saw it on ebay a few weeks ago and wondered what happened to it!

There were also a couple of BMW 2002’s, one rat look which had its oil cooler mounted in the front bumper, very original. And a nice beetle in the distance, though I didn’t get to see it close up.

I was expecting more of a show car day, but it seemed to be more geared up for various track action. There was a good variety of new and classic cars on show and track. PPC have a really nice V8 Capri and an early Merc, sitting next to their tank engined rover SD1! There were a few stands selling seats, cleaning products, exhausts and various other performance parts, something to save for the future. Even noticed a Metro 6R4A, haven’t seen one for ages.

I spotted quite a few Hillman Imps, Ford Anglia’s and some beefed up American style Ford Pops, though I must have missed them on the track! Also spotted a very nice Ford GT40. There were a few club’s on show, including the Audi club, XR4 register, Fait Coupe Club and 106 rallye club! Maybe next year mmoc can get a spot, would certainly be one way to drive interest in the club from new sources.

I found Jonathan with his white minor and was informed I’d missed my drive! I think he saw my disappointment and offered me the 3pm slot happy days. I watched 'ye olde drift cars’ storming round the track while I waited, one of tem had an amazing backfire when lifting off into hairpin, got a short video which ill try putting on youtube.

Then I was up, from go I could tell it was no ordinary minor, the noise would have been deafening without a helmet and coming into the first corner with loads of grip and holding a nice line though, onto the straight. Defiantly not standard! There didn’t seem to be any issues getting the power down, there was very little roll and the car was well balanced and keeping up with the M3 in front! Few laps went past, I couldn’t stop smiling! The circuit features a hairpin, esses and a long sweeping right hander after the finishing straight that had the morris on edge at speed. Jonathan’s driving is better than mine, though I would have loved a couple of laps.

I have a G force sensor app on my iphone, I‘m not sure if it was working properly, it shows .4g forward g and .3 lateral g, unfortunately there’s no graph that I can download to show. I did keep some of our lap times though, 1.02, 1.03, 1.02, 1.09 (traffic) and 1.04, very consistent! We followed a reliant kitten for a couple of laps, it had a nice straight line speed but looked out of shape in the corners. After about 20 minutes the checkered flag was out and we returned to the pits.

Finished up a great day with a old fashioned breakdown! Stopped for petrol on the way home and couldn’t get started. Arrrr, sounded like a dead battery, but its new and so is the alternator. One of the Ford Pops from the show pulled in and offered a jump start, it was then we noticed the starter motor smoking away! Managed to bump start and get home ok, and waiting to fit a new starter motor this weekend.

Overall it was a very relaxed day, lots of cars with owners happily discussing their pride of joys and chatting to spectators. Lots of track action to watch and enjoy.

Here some pics form the day;[frame][/frame][frame][/frame]

[Faceplant]

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[ratrodmog]

Guys this looked like a great day , one for next years calender I think. Out of interest, what is the first picture you have posted? Is the engine halfway into the cabin?

[MarkyB]

Blimey 'ye olde drift cars’ isn't this quite a recent phenomena?
.4g sounds like nearly half the pull of the Earth I'm impressed.

[jonathon]

I have unexpectedly been asked to do another trackday at Llandow (Wales) a week on saturday, if anyone wishes to act as balast , please feel free to ask. Hoping we can get about 3-4 hours track time.so plenty of time to frighten you Whoopeee

The drifters were spectacular, fantastic smell of Millers/Castrol R oil and fumes.
.4 G required to drag my bulk about the track
Cheers for the write up Faceplant Hope the nerves are okay

[Jefftav]

Ratrodmog it is the Rover SD1 fitted with a 27 litre merlin tank engine. Charlie a PPC contributor has been building it in is back yard and hopes to do 200mph in it. Go to http://www.ppc.co.uk the site isn't that good but you will see more info on the Rover.

[Faceplant]

i fitted the new starter motor last weekend, i noticed when i took it off that it was made in USSR! Not seen that for a while.