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I returned to the sprint track at Curborough near Lichfield for a two lap event. Flagpole corner is used and takes you around for a second lap. Details of the sprint track including track plan and aerial photographs can be found HERE

Curborough Sprint Track (from www.curborough.co.uk )


The day before I was competing at Mira and I stayed the night with fellow competitor Graham Blackwell of
Zetec Inside fame. He competes in a car of similar performance to mine and this would be our first time
competing together.

This photograph was taken by Gary Thomas.

The following three pictures were taken by Grahams wife Dawn.

Car Set Up

Springs: As before (Front 170 lb/inch, Rear 200 LB/inch)
Front ARB: Drop link on the rocker in the outer hole and in the full stiff position.
Rear ARB: Not fitted.
Dampers: Front Bump 8, Rebound 5. Rear Bump 5, Rebound 5.

1st Practice
64 ft...........2.46 secs
Time ..........69.03 secs
Speed.........87mph

Graham
64 ft...........2.64 secs
Time ..........68.32 secs
Speed.........82mph

Notes: A very untidy run, the left side front braked locked while braking for the second lap. Understeer in the Fradley Hairpin. The trap speed is very good at 87 mph. At my previous visit I had a best of 83mph.

2nd Practice
64 ft...........2.50 secs
Time ..........68.25 secs
Speed.........87mph

Graham
64 ft...........2.58 secs
Time ..........66.69 secs
Speed.........85mph

Notes: Still a little un tidy and understeer in the hairpin.

1st Timed Run
64 ft...........2.49 secs
Time ..........68.20 secs
Speed.........No speed recorded

Graham
64 ft...........2.56 secs
Time ..........67.81 secs
Speed.........No speed recorded.

Notes: For an hour before this run it looked like it could rain, so I gambled and put on a set up more suitable to a wet track. I knew I could not beat Graham on a dry track with a dry set up so the wet set up was the way to go. The damper settings were changed to: Front bump 6 (-2), Front rebound 4 (-1), Rear bump 3 (-2), Rear rebound 4 (-1). The front ARB was put back to the neutral position (this is where the drop link from the rocker to the ARB arm is vertical)

It did in fact start raining as we queued for our run. The track was starting to get damp and I had the last run before the track was totally wet. Graham went first and I saw his time as he came over the line and I thought I could beat it so I went for it but was just a bit too slow. However I was very happy with my time and effort as I had gone quicker in worse conditions.
The car was still understeering in the hairpin.

2nd Timed Run
64 ft...........3.86 secs
Time ..........80.58 secs
Speed.........No speed recorded.

Graham
64 ft...........3.91 secs
Time ..........77 secs
Speed.........No speed recorded.

Notes: This run was wet. I removed the front anti roll bar. The grip off the line was terrible with very bad tramp. I had under and over steer in the bends but good grip out of the bends. I struggled to stop after the finish line so my trap speed was probable quite good. Graham said he was playing around and enjoying himself, he was still on his slicks.


Summary: It was shame about the wet weather spoiling the day but it did mean I ended up quite high in the overall placings. I came 33rd overall out of 69. Graham was 28th quickest. I still have a bit to do to match Grahams times. I have more power than him as our speeds demonstrate but I must be loosing the time in the corners. I am sure I can carry more speed into the corners which is something I must try to do at future events. I next compete with Graham at Harewood August 29th.