John E Posted February 15, 2001 Share Posted February 15, 2001 Following on from the very succesful test day for De Dion cars which was superbly reproduced in Low Flying is anyone interested in a similar day for a few live axle cars. Alex has agreed to help out and I'm sure that Roger could be pursuaded to take pictures and write a few words. I've never been involved with anything like this before but would think that we would need maybe 6 or so cars in differing levels of development and drivers who are able to assess the vehicle properly. I'm very happy to submit mine for such an exercise. The suggested venue is Curborough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red SLR Posted February 15, 2001 Share Posted February 15, 2001 I will place some large rocks in strategic positions then John , , , just to simulate real life. teeth.gif X777CAT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John E Posted February 15, 2001 Author Share Posted February 15, 2001 And you thought that you had lost your sense of humor teeth.gif once I have reduced my rear stiffness and got some decent rubbers I'll be able to negotiate anything. Maybe??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red SLR Posted February 15, 2001 Share Posted February 15, 2001 If it is ok I will come along , just for the crack. So it is. X777CAT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbara Swift Posted February 15, 2001 Share Posted February 15, 2001 As Curborough is only 5 minutes from home I'll be happy to help again too (book circuit, collect key, source lunch etc.) Barbara. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonray Posted February 15, 2001 Share Posted February 15, 2001 I'm actually already some way down the road to organising such an event - I've spoken to Roger Green and he's getting Roger Swift to have a word with his friend (who runs Curborough) about hiring the circuit. I've approached things slightly differently in that I propose testing a range of older/more affordable cars to compliment the 'high end' cars tested in the December issue. At present, my plan is to test 1. 1700 x-flow DD 2. 1700 x-flow LA 3. 1600 x-flow LA 4. 8v VX LA 5. Zetec car of some sort plus a 16v VX (not too trick) and a 1600 K-series for comparison. I'd be interested in any comments anyone had regards choice of cars etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John E Posted February 15, 2001 Author Share Posted February 15, 2001 Simon R, I have e mailed you off line. Edited by - John E on 15 Feb 2001 12:06:09 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red SLR Posted February 15, 2001 Share Posted February 15, 2001 Our system is running a bit slow today, but I will reply as soon as I get it. Simon. X777CAT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Powderpuff Posted February 15, 2001 Share Posted February 15, 2001 Simon, Have you spoken to Steve Day about his LA K series (180 BHP approx) ? Al. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tgracing Posted February 15, 2001 Share Posted February 15, 2001 As there are no shortage of 8V VX's (aka Scholarship and Academy cars) that are familiar with Curborough why not give one of them a go? Davebo C7 CAR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonray Posted February 15, 2001 Share Posted February 15, 2001 The thought of a 180 bhp LA K-series is intriguing. However, I feel it's a bit exotic for what I hope will be a test of more down-to-earth machinery. Would be fun though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red SLR Posted February 15, 2001 Share Posted February 15, 2001 Got it now X777CAT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Powderpuff Posted February 15, 2001 Share Posted February 15, 2001 You can have N7XTC for the 1600K if you want, although I'm sorry to say that the rolly polly suspension is no more wink.gif but the handling is WAY BETTER! teeth.gif Gordon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Russell Posted February 15, 2001 Share Posted February 15, 2001 John E What a good idea....wish I had a live axle so that I could come and play with you! I see that you mention that your back end is too stiff....have you gone too far in your efforts to eradicate the bottoming problem? Best wishes....summers coming......soon..... Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John E Posted February 15, 2001 Author Share Posted February 15, 2001 Hi Andrew, I think that I'm over stiff for my own good, will sort it this weekend and maybe this is the summer. Will you be up for the odd trip out to Oulton this year? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blatman Posted February 15, 2001 Share Posted February 15, 2001 Is there any idea of day/date yetquestion.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julians Posted February 15, 2001 Share Posted February 15, 2001 I can offer my 2 ltr zetec Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Russell Posted February 15, 2001 Share Posted February 15, 2001 John E Certainly Oulton is always a possible location for a blast across the M62 and in any case, I still await full details of the proposed International event, which certainly sounds very interesting, just so long as it doesn't clash with any other major events....I've warned my wife in advance about booking anything without telling me, until a date is fixed. Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Number Six Posted February 15, 2001 Share Posted February 15, 2001 simonray, John - I'd be very interested in how a bog standard 1600 screenless classic would do, and maybe a proper Lotus series II and Series III with LA's. Will you be doing unofficial 1 or 2 lap times? It would be interesting to see some times, I don't think any were included in the last mega-handling-test in the Dec. magazine. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonray Posted February 15, 2001 Share Posted February 15, 2001 I believe to do any sort of timing ('unofficial' or not) can be a can of worms in terms of insurance, indemnity etc. I guess this may be why there weren't any for the previous article. Early cars would be interesting but again stray away somewhat from what I'd like to achieve. The ultimate test would be to try an example of every chassis and engine used in a seven back to back with one experienced driver giving his opinions. It would provide a fascinating insight into how the car's developed over the years. Not what I'm trying to do but maybe an idea for someone else - Roger Green might be the man to do the driving with his experience of road testing and ability to convey his impressions. Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Powderpuff Posted February 15, 2001 Share Posted February 15, 2001 Timing was not done on the day for a couple of reasons, firstly I don't believe we are supposed to do it on a test day (cheaper hire), secondly to get any accurate times we would have had to hire the timing gear which would have cost more than the circuit! Besides the day was about handling not outright lap times teeth.gif It's probably safer for those involved to not have any competitive urges either as we were all driving each others cars on the proverbial 'you bend it you mend it' basis sad.gif Gordon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Number Six Posted February 15, 2001 Share Posted February 15, 2001 Gordon - fair point, red mist can be worrisome when you're watching your own car being piloted by a madman/womanteeth.gif Simon - good luck with the testing, I'm sure it will make fascinating reading. I really enjoyed the Dec. issue, it's a very fair format I think. Shame about times but on consideration I can appreciate the insurance/hire/red mist angle. As for "The ultimate test would be to try an example of every chassis and engine used in a seven back to back with one experienced driver giving his opinions. It would provide a fascinating insight into how the car's developed over the years." Brilliant. It's never been done before. Perhaps Roger can set up an ultimate test sometime during the summer - 10/12 cars? - but they'd all have to be on control tyres i.e. ACB 10's. The only proviso I'd have is have say a minimum of 3/4 experienced drivers so a true consensus could be achieved. My other suggestion would be to do the test on an airfield, somewhere like North Weald for example... set up a "circuit" using cones and artificial chicanes, a braking to zero test etc. - plenty of scope to design something demanding. This would eliminate any damage due to cars spinning off into hedges/armco. This way times could be incorporated along with a marks out of 100 format. This would settle engine arguments once and for all. Or not...teeth.gif Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red SLR Posted February 15, 2001 Share Posted February 15, 2001 So is the idea for the day everybody drives everybods cars? X777CAT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red SLR Posted February 15, 2001 Share Posted February 15, 2001 If we could get round to organising something like that Mr 6 then maybe we could get somebody like Granada TV involved, maybe they might pay for some of it? I have contacts..... X777CAT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Powderpuff Posted February 15, 2001 Share Posted February 15, 2001 We all drove each car in rough turn (Vx's then K's) before then all trying to kill each other for Jule's R500 keys teeth.gif Gordon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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