KitNet track day at Castle Combe

[James Doulton]

I went to the KitNet track day at Castle Combe today in my Legerra. It was cracking weather and I had a good day. There were positives and some negatives. So starting with then the positives: My new tyres performed well and took 5 seconds off my lap times (down to 1m 35sec), I finally got the Legerra over the ton at 100.3mph on the straight, I met a load of nice chaps and did a lot of chatting plus, to round off the day, I drove it home at the end of the day. Two of the chaps were Duttons - but don't ask me their first names because I don't remember.

I spent all day yesterday preparing the car for today. I didn't manage to finish fitting my new seats so I had to revert back to the old ones. The new ones hold me better so I wouldn't have to brace myself in corners as I do now. With all of the extra grip from the tyres (Toyo Proxes R888R's) then the steering forces were quite a bit higher and it was quite a workout.

They say that racing improves the breed but it only served to find weaknesses today. I lost 2 of the bolts off my alternator, so had to grovel around under the hot and oily car. Luckily the organiser had a good selection of bolts in his support vehicle. (In the background of the picture you can see the Dutton brothers putting the remains of their car back on their trailer after hitting the tyre wall at Quarry)

I also had to remove the windscreen wipers because the wind was blowing them across the screen.

I had part of the brake light switch break off.

I also had a heater hose come off when I parked up, so I had to get the jack out again to remove the front wheel to get at it.

My day finished a little early when the car developed a 'misfire' which doesn't appear to be an electrical problem. So it now sounds like a Subaru. The 'misfire' didn't just happen, or I would have noticed the change, it just developed. I rather fancy that it got a little worse on the drive home.

It could have been worse: early on in the day I managed to get 3rd instead of 5th on the straight and saw the rev-counter returning from over 7000 rpm. That could have been a bit of a mess but it survived. I also found that I had to watch the revs because it didn't feel like it needed to change up until over 6500 (yes, that happened a few times).

So, overall it was a good day. I enjoyed the driving, the mechanic-ing and the racing. And I enjoy having the aches, up to a point. I am a bit concerned that my 'misfire' might be something more serious but that'll give me something to do over the winter.

[Paul Sheridan]

That link wont let me view the pictures, it says 'you don't have permission to view', May be try and copy and save the image to your computer or screen shot it James.

[James Doulton]

Here is a photo of my Legerra in full flight https://kitnet.uk/community/media/cctd-38.568/full (I hope these work) and a view of a crowd of cars lining up to overtake me (overtaking has to be on the right at Castle Combe) https://kitnet.uk/community/media/cctd-40.570/full

[Adrian Southgate]

It will be marked somewhere but assume its a 202 unless it actually says 205.

[James Doulton]

I don't think it is either - it has "20" only on the alternator side.

[Adrian Southgate]

I may also have standard valves and rings for both head types but will check in the morning.

202 or 205 block James?

[Adrian Southgate]

I have both types of gasket, I'll chuck one of each in.

[James Doulton]

I have been using the narrow but I have a wide one which I was intending to switch over to, in an attempt to stop the leaks. I don't have any of those spreader plates that are meant to go under the cover screws so my narrow lip cover leaks oil all the time.

[Adrian Southgate]

Which cam cover are you using narrow lip or wide lip?

[James Doulton]

Standard bore thanks. I won't need a fast delivery as it'll take a while to clear the garage surfaces enough to get a cylinder head on there.

[Adrian Southgate]

I'll put a top end set of gaskets together assuming your's is standard bore size? Think I have about 20 loose head gaskets...