Well the first race is over, CSCC TinTops
Discussion
What a mad few days that was, I had finally decided to get into raciing proper rather than TD's. So set to the task, and ended up buying the mk1 Golf I quizzed people about in the other thread.
The car was collected last Sunday, and had a little look over through the week, but it was 'ready to race'
Alongside the drama of hoping my helmet and HANS would turn up in time from NickyGrist's which came down to the wire on Thursday. Had some other drama's too.
I took the car to SRR on Thursday to get a dyno run and see how it was running. Got there in plenty of time, then after happily taking the car off the trailer the next time I jumped in to reverse onto the roller the gear bush and ball decided to break and fall through the floor! Not what I needed the day before heading to Snetterton! After some manic poking and trying to work out what was missing, a cable tie on top of the linkage held it from dropping through.
Now the rollers... Charlie is a top dyno guy and knows his stuff, so when we started to run it and there was a bad noise I feared the worse. It seemed that the clutch was slipping, and at this point I'm thinking can I change that in time? It seemed to get better with a few more runs, I suspect the leaking oil temp sensor I found on viewing when I brought, had dripped some oil onto the flywheel. Anyway it got better, and the car made a healthy abet clutch slipping 165 bhp 150 lb ft, not bad for an 8 valver 1800
So with that I went home to grab the last of the light and finish prepping the car, fit a transponder, and get 60 ltr of tesco finest fuel. Oh and the Helmet/HANS had arrived, phew.
Friday started early with a trip to GSF for a new bush and ball set, glad I went for a car with good parts availability.
The journey to Snett was a pleasure in my new/old Merc 124 300d tow car, swallowing up the miles.
I went for a Friday test afternoon with MSV as I have both never driven Snett, or the car I now have to race the following day! First job was to replace the bush and ball setup, easy thank god. Also met up with PH man Riggers who was there testing. Having been on my own till this point getting the car and everything ready it was a welcome relief just to have someone help guide me off the trailer!
Testing went well, the car drives well but with a healthy does of over steer from the rear. Coming from a set up the previous owner forced on the car with 47 psi rear tyre pressures and some heavy damping. The clutch although still slipping a little in 4th was getting better. So tweaks here & there and getting used to my first time using R888's saw me get my lap times down to 2:23 in the second session. But the tyres felt terrible, I think I need to read up on pressures more...
Riggers had a slight throttle disaster in his car which reminded me of my Tuscan, so it was out with the drill and insulation tape to get him on his way. Leaving me two hours of light to get to my B&B and finish prepping the car for my 7am sign on the next day, and no time in the morning before scruit.
Race morning flew by with sign on meeting the Club organisers who had been so helpful in getting me in to the race late on, and fellow tin toppers who were all giving me various tips regarding the tyres and what to check and have prepped ready to go.
The car passed scrutineering with no issues, I had all the right licenses and so at 9am it was time to qualify.
Having lowered the pressures, tweaked the rear dampers and given the car a health check I went out for my first real this is where it counts session. My best time was a 2:20.596 or there about on the tenths. This put me 10th out of 27 on the grid for the race. Mega pleased and considering the tyres are some unknown hand me down r888's which I had swapped front to rear and they were not going to make the race, I felt happy. New/old rears on some spare rims set me up for the race. And the clutch niggles had disappeared which was another relief.
It was a rolling start which was new again to me, and provided some dramas. Maybe having a novice head on I tried to gap between the Clio and 205 infront as the Golf seemed to get going very well. A Fiesta nudged my NSR arch and was sent spinning into the following pack
I made it through and was soon into turns 3-4 and diving down the inside of one of the Teg's. That didn't last when it came to the back straight and I jibbed out on braking into the esses. After that the pack spread out and by my account I was in 7th. Had a large two wheel moment a few laps on going through the esses and taking too much curb, then ran out onto the dirt, but held place.
Pit stops were new to me too, and with a couple of ph'ers roped in to 'crew' for me, I saw my A4 binder being hung over the pit wall signalling me to come in. With no time before to work out what 60 kph is I crept into the pits, then went through the simulated driver change.
The second half of the race was less eventful, coming back out on track pretty much in my own space, and now not having a clue on positions with all the change overs. went deep into 2 and ran wide once. My pads were on there last legs as I came in to finish, and I'm glad my first 40 min race on a warm day was over.
So final result? I won Class C and came 7th overall, very chuffed with the result and I know the car has lots more to give, new Yoko's and some getting used to it should see to that. In the race my fastest lap was again a 2:20.053 on the second to last lap.
Great to see some of the PH people there Andy MMC, a few lurkers and anyone else I met. Many thanks to all, and sorry if you were the guy in the yellow Fiesta, I just completely forgot to come and find you after the race. Packing up and heading off to the night shift I am just finishing as I type has finished me now!
Alex
Mk1 Golf Gti number 66
edit for sp
The car was collected last Sunday, and had a little look over through the week, but it was 'ready to race'
Alongside the drama of hoping my helmet and HANS would turn up in time from NickyGrist's which came down to the wire on Thursday. Had some other drama's too.
I took the car to SRR on Thursday to get a dyno run and see how it was running. Got there in plenty of time, then after happily taking the car off the trailer the next time I jumped in to reverse onto the roller the gear bush and ball decided to break and fall through the floor! Not what I needed the day before heading to Snetterton! After some manic poking and trying to work out what was missing, a cable tie on top of the linkage held it from dropping through.
Now the rollers... Charlie is a top dyno guy and knows his stuff, so when we started to run it and there was a bad noise I feared the worse. It seemed that the clutch was slipping, and at this point I'm thinking can I change that in time? It seemed to get better with a few more runs, I suspect the leaking oil temp sensor I found on viewing when I brought, had dripped some oil onto the flywheel. Anyway it got better, and the car made a healthy abet clutch slipping 165 bhp 150 lb ft, not bad for an 8 valver 1800
So with that I went home to grab the last of the light and finish prepping the car, fit a transponder, and get 60 ltr of tesco finest fuel. Oh and the Helmet/HANS had arrived, phew.
Friday started early with a trip to GSF for a new bush and ball set, glad I went for a car with good parts availability.
The journey to Snett was a pleasure in my new/old Merc 124 300d tow car, swallowing up the miles.
I went for a Friday test afternoon with MSV as I have both never driven Snett, or the car I now have to race the following day! First job was to replace the bush and ball setup, easy thank god. Also met up with PH man Riggers who was there testing. Having been on my own till this point getting the car and everything ready it was a welcome relief just to have someone help guide me off the trailer!
Testing went well, the car drives well but with a healthy does of over steer from the rear. Coming from a set up the previous owner forced on the car with 47 psi rear tyre pressures and some heavy damping. The clutch although still slipping a little in 4th was getting better. So tweaks here & there and getting used to my first time using R888's saw me get my lap times down to 2:23 in the second session. But the tyres felt terrible, I think I need to read up on pressures more...
Riggers had a slight throttle disaster in his car which reminded me of my Tuscan, so it was out with the drill and insulation tape to get him on his way. Leaving me two hours of light to get to my B&B and finish prepping the car for my 7am sign on the next day, and no time in the morning before scruit.
Race morning flew by with sign on meeting the Club organisers who had been so helpful in getting me in to the race late on, and fellow tin toppers who were all giving me various tips regarding the tyres and what to check and have prepped ready to go.
The car passed scrutineering with no issues, I had all the right licenses and so at 9am it was time to qualify.
Having lowered the pressures, tweaked the rear dampers and given the car a health check I went out for my first real this is where it counts session. My best time was a 2:20.596 or there about on the tenths. This put me 10th out of 27 on the grid for the race. Mega pleased and considering the tyres are some unknown hand me down r888's which I had swapped front to rear and they were not going to make the race, I felt happy. New/old rears on some spare rims set me up for the race. And the clutch niggles had disappeared which was another relief.
It was a rolling start which was new again to me, and provided some dramas. Maybe having a novice head on I tried to gap between the Clio and 205 infront as the Golf seemed to get going very well. A Fiesta nudged my NSR arch and was sent spinning into the following pack
I made it through and was soon into turns 3-4 and diving down the inside of one of the Teg's. That didn't last when it came to the back straight and I jibbed out on braking into the esses. After that the pack spread out and by my account I was in 7th. Had a large two wheel moment a few laps on going through the esses and taking too much curb, then ran out onto the dirt, but held place. Pit stops were new to me too, and with a couple of ph'ers roped in to 'crew' for me, I saw my A4 binder being hung over the pit wall signalling me to come in. With no time before to work out what 60 kph is I crept into the pits, then went through the simulated driver change.
The second half of the race was less eventful, coming back out on track pretty much in my own space, and now not having a clue on positions with all the change overs. went deep into 2 and ran wide once. My pads were on there last legs as I came in to finish, and I'm glad my first 40 min race on a warm day was over.
So final result? I won Class C and came 7th overall, very chuffed with the result and I know the car has lots more to give, new Yoko's and some getting used to it should see to that. In the race my fastest lap was again a 2:20.053 on the second to last lap.
Great to see some of the PH people there Andy MMC, a few lurkers and anyone else I met. Many thanks to all, and sorry if you were the guy in the yellow Fiesta, I just completely forgot to come and find you after the race. Packing up and heading off to the night shift I am just finishing as I type has finished me now!
Alex
Mk1 Golf Gti number 66
edit for sp
Edited by vauxh al on Sunday 10th April 08:54
Edited by vauxh al on Sunday 10th April 16:36
Well done on your first race. 7th - that's very good, don't think I have ever finished 7th!! As i write the results are not up on TSL yet but I'll look forward to seeing who the opposition was & where everyone came.
As for tyres, I used to run my Allfa 33 at 26 front & 24 rear (cold) and I run my Toyota at 26 all round (cold). My car is due on the RR soon & I'll see you at Donington.
As for tyres, I used to run my Allfa 33 at 26 front & 24 rear (cold) and I run my Toyota at 26 all round (cold). My car is due on the RR soon & I'll see you at Donington.
Well done Alex, sounds like you had an eventful and exciting race meeting. 
Have you joined any other VAG forums yet, i.e. ClubGti in the VAG Motorsport section as some very clued up MK1 racers on there, Ian Carvell and Chris Eyre are probably the main two, they may be able to give you some good gen on best setup and tweeking for your handling, if you haven't got your head round the golf yet that is.
Have you joined any other VAG forums yet, i.e. ClubGti in the VAG Motorsport section as some very clued up MK1 racers on there, Ian Carvell and Chris Eyre are probably the main two, they may be able to give you some good gen on best setup and tweeking for your handling, if you haven't got your head round the golf yet that is. Cheers guys, will be resetting the tyre pressures and going from scratch with the yoko's next.
I was browsing clubgti this morning, and will join up. I met Ian Carvell at Donny last weekend, as he built my engine, along with a Crissle head. Already looking at fibreglass/carbon body panels
Yes looking forward to the full tsl results but here is the print out.
I was browsing clubgti this morning, and will join up. I met Ian Carvell at Donny last weekend, as he built my engine, along with a Crissle head. Already looking at fibreglass/carbon body panels
Yes looking forward to the full tsl results but here is the print out.
vauxh al said:
PaulG40 said:
Watch out for Marshall 'Mathers' Groves, he's really Lewis Hamilton in Disguise! 
We parked next to each other in Parc Ferme, good lad I thought from our chat. he ran out of fuel on way into Ferme! Alex well done sounds like you had an excellent weekend.
Re. tyre pressures yoko A048's from what I have read work best at 32psi hot, on my crx I set the cold pressures at 28 rear and 24 front a bit less on hot days. You neeed the fronts lower than the rears as the fronts do far more work so get hotter. I also always put the tyres with the most tread on the rear as it is harder to get heat into the rears and more depth of tread creates more movement therefore more heat. That is for my car anyway every car is different but I hope that gives you some idea.
Taking a year out myself but looking at your performance I may not bother coming back
Re. tyre pressures yoko A048's from what I have read work best at 32psi hot, on my crx I set the cold pressures at 28 rear and 24 front a bit less on hot days. You neeed the fronts lower than the rears as the fronts do far more work so get hotter. I also always put the tyres with the most tread on the rear as it is harder to get heat into the rears and more depth of tread creates more movement therefore more heat. That is for my car anyway every car is different but I hope that gives you some idea.
Taking a year out myself but looking at your performance I may not bother coming back
Jerry Can said:
how much fuel in litres do you reckon you use during a 40 min race. Is it more than 20 litres (5.5gallons)?
tia
Hi,tia
That is something I need to nail down so I am not carrying extra weight, but I think its around 35 ltr per race. Almost 1 ltr per min. Somehere like brands where I am going to be on the revs nearly the entire lap, I can see it using my whole tank.
Good little write up there mate. We decided against the long trip to snett but will be at Brands.
We use about a litre a min in our class A Clio. Safety car periods will make it use less obviously, finished Brands with about 1/3 of a tank last year after 2 safety cars but at Mallory we were on fumes
We use about a litre a min in our class A Clio. Safety car periods will make it use less obviously, finished Brands with about 1/3 of a tank last year after 2 safety cars but at Mallory we were on fumes
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