Xmas, my 50th Birthday and work commitments have all conspired to prevent much build progress to take place. I was pretty cool about not getting too much done over the winter (Dec/Jan/Feb) which is why I went for a realistisc mid-2010 season start. Besides the garage is 'too bloody cold.....' Seriously for a moment, not too much point sinking loads of cash and time into the build before I have my race licence (not getting any younger you know!!) and acceptance into the Elise Trophy series. It was looking like it is well oversubscribed for 2010 so no guarantees of acceptance.......
.........December 09 is usually a busy time at work, this year was no exception and Xmas was always going to be a distratction which would mean that progress would be slow. Much of the month was spent making lists of things i needed to do and even more lists of the parts and goodies I have to beg, borrow,steal or if all else fails, buy! My list to Santa added up to!... well, let's say a lot! but the gf and family did agree to clubbing together to buy my racewear, tidy!
.... oh and there was the small matter of getting through a medical for my National B race licence. With that sorted by my local GP and the appropriate forms signed, I headed off to book my ARDS test.
I chose Snetterton as the location to put my racing future to the test. I picked Snett cos it is my closest track and had been there quite a few times but had never driven it! unless many laps on the PS2 TOCA race game. - (which turned out proved to be pretty accurate in the ARDS). Many of the ARDS dates were fully booked but managed to get in on 30th January. Went for an additional 1 hour ARDS tuition which gave me extra time to learn the track and familiarise myself with the test car.
Only other thing of note was that I decided not to go with the Emerald ECU I had brought from junks and sold it on pre-Xmas whilst prices were good.
......... January 2010 - Sent off for my 'Go Racing' pack from the MSA. Came back with the infamous 'blue' book (2010 version), a DVD to watch covering the ARDS assessment plus all sorts of forms and advertising publications. Much homework.... and more than a hint of nerves tbh
Junks did the business with quite a few of the bits that were missing from the car when he bought it over, plus he picked up some nice shiny new bits too......
- 'spitfire' rear toe link kit plus ally upright brkts.
- oem wishbone bush set
- aeroquip s/s braided brake hose kit
- full set of engine/gearbox mounts
- s/s/ front towing bracket
- Sport 160 rear spoiler and spacer blocks
I did manage to get into the garage just to tinker about... it really was bloody cold in there! With the car pretty well stripped bare, the only thing I hadn't removed ws the fuel tank...... so out it came. Easy enough once the stuctural ally panel is removed. Just 4 bolts with captive nuts and out she came. Make note to empty fuel out first next time as it was heavy when it falls on your chest! 
The condition of the metalwork was not too bad but I was glad I removed it as there was corrosion and it would have been a problem in the future. Some of the original paint was intact on the sides but the top and bottom were quite pitted. So I set about removing the old paint with nitromoors and wire brushing the worst of the corrosion. Plan is to treat the rust and POR15 the metalwork in black. It was then off to Frosts website to order some of the excellent POR product.
The fuel pump and cover were a different matter!
The electrical socket is quite badly damaged and looks as though it has got hot in the past with some melting of the plastic evident. I noted that there was no electrical socket on the loom for the connections so that will need sorting. Plan is to replace the pump although the housing incorporating the level float will ahve to remian as they are no longer available.
The ARDS Test
After a restless night, I opened the bedroom curtains at 7am to see......... snow!... gulp! So I set off expecting it to be cancelled, but no. The guys at the circuit did a grand job of clearing the track by driving around it in anything that would start in the cold conditions and to my instructor turned assessor Jamie Stanley who did a grand job of getting the combination of me and the MSVR VX turbo track car (shed) through the test. Top bloke and special thanks to 'ARDS Alan' who got everyone through what was a challenging day. I was nervous as hell but did enjoy it!
So it was all systems go for the build............. and i fitted the first shiny new bit to celebrate....the nicely made stainless steel towing eye bracket that fits into the front crash structure.
.......... February 2010 - I knew I was going to lose a week in the month due to a 'surprise' holiday to celebrate my 50th and I had an important work project to complete which would take most of the month and inot March unfortunately. I consoled myself by buying a shed load of bits from Eliseparts. A large box of goodies arrived just before the lovely Emma swept me away to Egypt for a week of mid eighties temperatures and uninterrupted sunshine. Must admit I didn't even think about the car once (well that's what I told the gf). Twas nice though!
0 comments:
Post a Comment