Sunday required an early start, and I got to Curborough around 7:30.
Unpacked and set up right at the end of the pits, in the weeds and stinging nettles. Not much room, but never mind. It was the last event of the season, so was full.
I was more relaxed at scrutineering, but he then asked me for my car passport. Er, what?
I didn't get asked for one at Blyton, so didn't have one. Fortunately the Blue Book only says you must have one, not what happens if you don't, so I was cleared to race.
I then went to sign on, and found I'd left my race license behind. £70 later, and I was able to take part.
First run, and it wasn't my best start.
I lined up with a brief wheel spin, and the DBW cut out. I shut off and restarted, and was about to launch when the marshall stopped me. No idea why.
He then let me go. Start line RPM was too high, so the launch wasn't great.
I shifted to second, and the front tyres just lit up. Ah, traction is off. Reached over and switched that on, and just concentrated on the rest of the lap. I made sure not to overdo it, and completed the lap.
I ran a 36.9 on my first go, with a 2.7 60 ft. There was one other car in my class, a 350z being double driven by a husband and wife. He ran a 42 and she ran a 43.
For a first attempt, I was delighted.
I lowered the start line RPM, and lined up for my second practice run.
Launch worked better, but I need to lower the start line RPM more. I short shift to second at Curborough, so there's a few tenths where the launch is active but not correct due to the gear, so I lit the front up a bit, and then the traction kicked in which unsettled the car a bit.
I still carried reasonable speed through the left hander, and attacked the rest of the lap. I was still a bit early on the brakes, so there's more time to be had.
On to the front straight in second, and I can feel the fronts going off, but the traction works, and I get a good run on to the straight,
Shift lights on, and I grab 3rd for the run to the line.
Except I get first instead. Revs go through the roof, and I can't disengage as the dogs are locked on.
I tried pumping the clutch and throttle to release the dogs, but nothing worked. Revs eventually dropped, and I was able to disengage, but it was too late. The engine wouldn't restart.
Yes, that's nearly 9700RPM on a 1.8t.
I went home, and stripped the inlet off. I found this:
Yes, that's an inlet valve in the inlet manifold, along with other bits of the engine.
I've nearly pulled it out, but just haven't had the time.
I'll have to build a new engine over the winter, but will see what's salvageable from this one.