Gurston Down Hillclimb
Discussion
Anyone coming to Gurston this weekend? It's a National Championship round so some serious machinery will be on view.
As will the Scimitar and I, trying our best not to post the slowest time of the day.
Or fall off, like we did at Wiscombe last weekend http://wheelspinphotography.co.uk/Wis and look for number 54.
As will the Scimitar and I, trying our best not to post the slowest time of the day.
Or fall off, like we did at Wiscombe last weekend http://wheelspinphotography.co.uk/Wis and look for number 54.
Glad you enjoyed it - come and say hi next time.
There were quite a few no-shows, which is unusual.
Saturday's practive was a bit hit and miss with the weather - drizzle meant that the last run was definately a wet one. Sunday was better though and I finished up with a 39.45 run, taking 1.25 seconds off my previous best. Which was nice. No falling-off, either.
The car will do loads more, so I'm aiming for a sub-39 when I'm there again on the 18th of June.
There were quite a few no-shows, which is unusual.
Saturday's practive was a bit hit and miss with the weather - drizzle meant that the last run was definately a wet one. Sunday was better though and I finished up with a 39.45 run, taking 1.25 seconds off my previous best. Which was nice. No falling-off, either.
The car will do loads more, so I'm aiming for a sub-39 when I'm there again on the 18th of June.
Hello Mike,
It wasn't a Scimitar Championship round - that's in September. Gurston just happens to be my 'home' hill.
The car is more or less to 'Super Modified' Class regs, but it still has a single-carb standard-valve 'Modified' Class engine.
Jerry Cunningham used to do low 38's or high 37's with 260bhp, so if I can get within a second or so of his times with my 180 - 200bhp I'll be chuffed.
Are you competing in yours this year?
It wasn't a Scimitar Championship round - that's in September. Gurston just happens to be my 'home' hill.
The car is more or less to 'Super Modified' Class regs, but it still has a single-carb standard-valve 'Modified' Class engine.
Jerry Cunningham used to do low 38's or high 37's with 260bhp, so if I can get within a second or so of his times with my 180 - 200bhp I'll be chuffed.
Are you competing in yours this year?
I've been on the Gurston Driving Training day (about 6 years ago) and it was great. I learnt from the day and throughly enjoyed myself. Very recommended
I was going to take my modified TVR Taimar, but as it was drizzling when I got up I opted for my Prodrive modded Impreza Turbo. It was interesting to note that the instructors had not driven turbo cars in anger up 'their' hill as initially their 'what gear you should be in' comments meant that I was off boost at critical moments! Once we had sorted that out things went much better.
My first time at a single track hillclimb, initially very scary doing 95mph+ on the level bit after the start with damp verges either side!
I thought it was well worth it.
davidy
>> Edited by davidy on Wednesday 31st May 12:23
I was going to take my modified TVR Taimar, but as it was drizzling when I got up I opted for my Prodrive modded Impreza Turbo. It was interesting to note that the instructors had not driven turbo cars in anger up 'their' hill as initially their 'what gear you should be in' comments meant that I was off boost at critical moments! Once we had sorted that out things went much better.
My first time at a single track hillclimb, initially very scary doing 95mph+ on the level bit after the start with damp verges either side!
I thought it was well worth it.
davidy
>> Edited by davidy on Wednesday 31st May 12:23
I did the Gurston School Day on 11th September 2001...very useful if you are either new to the sport and want to learn about hillclimbing or want to learn how to drive Gurston quickly.
It's not a car control course, but it will show you where the braking points are, what lines to take, which corners you should take an early apex on, which ones late etc.
You're not timed, but the instructors score you on commitment(!) and accuracy so there is still an element of competition.
I'm tempted to have a go at the Prescott School Day, too, as I only compete there once a year and need to re-learn it every time: I'll have to ask the bank manager.
It's not a car control course, but it will show you where the braking points are, what lines to take, which corners you should take an early apex on, which ones late etc.
You're not timed, but the instructors score you on commitment(!) and accuracy so there is still an element of competition.
I'm tempted to have a go at the Prescott School Day, too, as I only compete there once a year and need to re-learn it every time: I'll have to ask the bank manager.
The SE5 is not competitive (or maybe its the driver) in RG Modified class at the moment- but that's no reason not to compete is it.
Interesting you mentioned Prescott as I did 10! runs up the hill last sunday in a Lotus (see http://malcolm-paris.fotopic.net/p297 ).
Did the drivers school in '94. Its very good- if you can live with the ritual humiliation from Russ Ward & Roy Lane.
In the meantime I have TVR Vixen which needs an engine before I can use it on the hills.
Interesting you mentioned Prescott as I did 10! runs up the hill last sunday in a Lotus (see http://malcolm-paris.fotopic.net/p297 ).
Did the drivers school in '94. Its very good- if you can live with the ritual humiliation from Russ Ward & Roy Lane.
In the meantime I have TVR Vixen which needs an engine before I can use it on the hills.
Hi Chaps
I was running at Gurston on the weekend, car No. 108 in the 1600cc racing car class. Saturday was not great - I was originally only going to run on Sunday as I was working but managed to finish early and got 2 runs back to back in the drizzle on slicks, so not much fun.
Sunday was better - first practice was a pb of 34.98 which I managed to get down to 34.11 on the 2nd timed run. I've only got 140bhp and no downforce, so I was well pleased. I reckon there's a 33s run in the car but I need the diet to take more effect I think!
I'll be there on 17th and 18th June will be car No 135, so feel free to say hello.
I was running at Gurston on the weekend, car No. 108 in the 1600cc racing car class. Saturday was not great - I was originally only going to run on Sunday as I was working but managed to finish early and got 2 runs back to back in the drizzle on slicks, so not much fun.
Sunday was better - first practice was a pb of 34.98 which I managed to get down to 34.11 on the 2nd timed run. I've only got 140bhp and no downforce, so I was well pleased. I reckon there's a 33s run in the car but I need the diet to take more effect I think!
I'll be there on 17th and 18th June will be car No 135, so feel free to say hello.
39.05 yesterday. An improvement on my PB but still not sub-39...
Theoretical fastest - adding together the best split times - is down to 38.88, though, so it's the driver, not the car. Still not flat through Hollow and shedding way too much speed for Karusel.
Bizarre consistency in one respect: fourteen runs so far this year and with no launch control, traction control or any other gizmos my times for the twelve dry starts/first 64ft are all between 2.38s and 2.44s: only 0.06s variation and it's all seat-of-the pants - I don't even look at the rev counter.
Third in class behind an Escort Cosworth and a Sierra RS500. Next round is the National Championship event on August Bank Holiday weekend.
Theoretical fastest - adding together the best split times - is down to 38.88, though, so it's the driver, not the car. Still not flat through Hollow and shedding way too much speed for Karusel.
Bizarre consistency in one respect: fourteen runs so far this year and with no launch control, traction control or any other gizmos my times for the twelve dry starts/first 64ft are all between 2.38s and 2.44s: only 0.06s variation and it's all seat-of-the pants - I don't even look at the rev counter.
Third in class behind an Escort Cosworth and a Sierra RS500. Next round is the National Championship event on August Bank Holiday weekend.
Hi Nick
39.05 is good going - your car looks and sounds great which is half the fun with hillclimbing! Your starts seem pretty consistant which is good - I'm still experimenting with my starts in this car - my best is 2.15 but I know the car has done 2.11.
Got my pb yesterday - 33.89, 2.17 64ft, 91 into Hollow, 18.27 to Karousel and 96 over the finish. I managed a 18.22 to Karousel on my first timed run with a 2.19 64ft. Theoretically, my best time would be a 33.78, so i'm sure there's not much more to come until I get more power and some downforce!
Cheers
Andrew
39.05 is good going - your car looks and sounds great which is half the fun with hillclimbing! Your starts seem pretty consistant which is good - I'm still experimenting with my starts in this car - my best is 2.15 but I know the car has done 2.11.
Got my pb yesterday - 33.89, 2.17 64ft, 91 into Hollow, 18.27 to Karousel and 96 over the finish. I managed a 18.22 to Karousel on my first timed run with a 2.19 64ft. Theoretically, my best time would be a 33.78, so i'm sure there's not much more to come until I get more power and some downforce!
Cheers
Andrew
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