mikes

I have not sprinted there, but I have watched the rallying which I think uses some of the same track. I think Eric McLoughlin has driven there so you might want to post something on Chit Chat - not sure looks at this part very often. I am pretty sure he said that the surface is pretty rough with bad changes from one section to another. From what I saw as a spectator at the rally, this would seem to be probably true. There were some very scary, fast stuff through the trees though (not sure they use this for the sprint though) - looked great watching a Mk1 Escort doing it, but I am certain I am not that brave in the wet and gloom!! Mike

"Pipped me for third" indeed! I am sure the margin was huge *tongue* I knew I had done something a few years ago, yust couldn't put my finger on exactly what it was.......I'll remember in a minute. Mike

Richard, your help and advice is of course always so helpful and as I have now seen your skill in arranging a Japanese gravel garden in a grass paddock at Harewood I know I have to take it seriously *smile* On the other hand, I just might persevere with trying to get the pin in place. Andrew - if you can find it that would be great - I have emailed you. Mike

I need to remove the pivot pin from my current bellhousing and fix it in a new one. it is a xflow with 5 speed type 9 gearbox. Before I take a big hammer to drift it out from the outside, any suggestions on how to do it? There are no obvious signs of a thread so I am assuming it is not screwed in. Any advice welcomed. Mike

I have mine bolted to the pedal box cover. It is on the side facing towards the engine. Difficult to take a decent picture at the moment as the engine is out and it looks a bit of a mess, but let me know if you think it wuold help and I will try and have a little clear up and send a pic. Mike

I have emailed as well. What I have learnt is much as the others say - there is no one change which will give you thre result you want AND last! Once you start improving one component, if you want to utilize it to its maximum, you have to upgrade a number of other components as well. I was faced wiht this decision a few years ago (because the pistons were starting to disintegrate) and initially went for forged pistons, unleaded head, uprated valve gear, electronic ignition, tuftrided crank and rockers, high capacity oil pump etc Good luck Mike

Dave, Yes, thanks for sticking my 2nd entry on the reserve list - although if she doesn't get a drive, I save £70, get to drive as much as I want, and don't have to listen to her hitting the rev limiter in my car *eek*...hmmm, and I won't suffer the rest of the class 2 louts telling me that she looks much quicker than I do!!! I will have to think this through 😬 😬 Mike

Dave, I know it is now fully booked, but it still possible to get a second driver in? I am already booked, but my 2nd driver (disorganised daughter!!) has failed to apply - now my job of course and says she will pay me back - my 🙆🏻!! Anyway - any chance? Mike

Nice one Simon - I think you are still just a bit young to join our ranks, but it is only a matter of time Perhaps we should try and get them to sponsor some of us as well - I need all the help I can get! Mike

Ermm - probably not!! Given that I now have the tee shirt to confirm that I am a Saga Seven I thought it was about time I got a slightly easier trailer to manhandle into the space at home. Not sure how long this old bloke will last otherwise - the truss may not hold out *eek* Mike

Chris - yes I got the mail - afraid I have been busy today so this is the first chance to have a look at Blatchat and non-work emails!! I will get back to you today with the info. regards Mike

Brian James A Series twin axle trailer. 12ft long x 6ft 1inch wide, open bed, manual winch and spare tyre. Jockey wheel, rear stands and front brake shoes recently replaced. Suitable for Caterham – used regularly the last 2 sprint seasons for the 7 but will take most sizes of car. ₤ 550 ono.

I can also take some pics - filter housing mounted in front of the carbs - quite high up for easy access and short run from pump. Can't say much else as I didn't do it! I will take some pics this w/e and try emailing them to you. Mike

Only the other day Mark asked me to book him in for one of the excellent Saga coach tours of cathedrals in the home counties (not too much walking required) with the additional attraction of expert tuition on brass rubbing. I think maybe he is trying for early membership to get a discount later on 😬 😬 😬 So far I have ignored his pleas to regain his lost youth by pharmaceutical means. Mike (oh God, not Longcross again!!)

Congratulations Matt and Happy Birthday. Perhaps it will slow you down a bit now that you are a year older Mike

Brian, I think an electric has the advantage of being able to cope with higher flows/pressure necessary for higher bhp engines. I was told that the mechanical one would struggle to supply a 150bhp+ xflow. The other advantage is that you fill the float chambers before you start turning over the engine *smile*. Generally the mechanical one is pretty reliable with just a simple cam lobe striking a diaphragm as it rotates - worst that can happen is the diaphragm or seal going which will just spew a small amount of fuel into the sump. I have had a Facet solid state one for 3 years and it had been fine. Mike

In case you haven't come across this on the speed events forum, you might like to read this if you ar ethinking about sprinting: http://www.blatchat.com/t.asp?Id=90508 It goes to show that you do not have to be winning the class to have fun - I should know, as many of the youngsters in class 2 will tell you - and no doubt as my daughter will telling me next year as well 😬 😬 😬. Mike

Oh no, I have been rumbled. This was the prototype for my upgrade for next year to beat all the young upstarts. Obviously a 49cc engine was never going to be the real thing - I was thinking of one of the engines from a bigger mower - one of those classic 20" cylinder ones they use for getting propper stripes on the lawn 😬 😬 Anyway, you've nothing to laugh about - you might wish you had one of these to escape for a good nights sleep *wink* Congratulations by the way - you have years of great enjoyment and even bigger expense to come *wink* Mike

Thank you Paul for coming to 'our' defense - I am a bit worried that you didn't find it blindingly obvious that I wasn't much older than you though ☹️ Everybody else in the home here thinks I have retained my youthful good looks Go on Mark - I know you are just dying to tell everyone just how old the old boy was!! As for the rest of you youngsters, I will be speaking to the headmaster to get him to confiscate your tuckboxes until you show the respect you should to your elders - and no sniggering at the back!!!! Mike

For those who want to see what else can happen at Quarry take a look at www.whatnonegatives.com. They have already put up a sequence of the famous Simon Rogers aerial display. I think Simon said he thought he hadn't lifted until after the post with the lights *eek* Now we know what happens!! No real damage though I don't think - except some gravel rash. Still - call that gravel rash, that's nothing........ Great day though - even after doing the School and the Saturday - Richard was still a load faster than me - oh well, next year! Mike

You should be very careful promoting these products, as from my careful analysis (including perusing the Saga Which? report in the local library) of the 3400xl and CT, which I might add, I actually had to buy myself as there are no Saga discounts (what an omission is that!!) or availability on prescription, and the relevant regulations - in the event of going inverted, without the correct u-shaped breather tube, the contents of the catch tank will empty themselves all over the track (or down your leg)- now we wouldn't want that would we?? 😬 😬 As the very intelligent scrutineer said at Aintree - and I am sure he was wearing an anorak - "that will be a nice little job for the winter." Anyway - call me pedantic if you like , but that is simple misrepresentation and I want my money back! 😬 😬One of the old gits

Almost anytime in November will be OK for me - it is Oct 9th I can't make ☹️ Mike

Thanks for putting this up Mark - she did really well and is very pleased with herself *biggrin* I think we probably all start off with feelings of great apprehension at our first event, but it was great the way everybody was so ready to help and encourage her( Oh yes, and take the pi$$ out of me 😬 😬) and that helped a lot. I wouldn't expect anything else from the Club as I know what a great bunch you all are, but it was also true of the Liverpool Motor Club lot as well. We had a great weekend. As Mark says, if you have ever wondered what it would be like to have a go - do it! I knew from the trackday a few years ago that she learnt quickly and drove well, but I didn't expect her to get so close to my time -must be having such a talented father that make it possible 😬. The good thing was that her target (apart from taking money off Mark - good girl!!) was mainly to better her previous run each time and it really paid off. It was a teriffic success and thanks to all of you that made it so enjoyable. So now, apart from exposing me to even more banter from my fellow competitors, looks like I will have to work even harder for the points in future - now, where can I buy a remote control adjustable rev limiter.....? Mike

Richard - it wasn't just that young upstart Mark that I was thinking of - I seem to recall trying to catch up with a red 7 with dodgy tyres on most occasions this year - mind you the gear ratios must have been OK at Loton 😬 😬 Mike

Thanks for the comments. I will try and find out what the diff ratio is. It is a 1990 De Dion which now has a 150 bhpish RK built engine. I still use it on the road and so would like to try and keep it semi civilized for that, but what I need is (another!!) edge to beat the young upstarts in class 2 in the sprints Looks like I will be investigating several options over the winter! Mike