2013 Speed Series Reports - Part 2
Entry posted by Terry Everall
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Tel's Tales – Issue 002 Speed Series 2013
Terry Everall
Speed Series Correspondent
Chit chat
I hope those that are interested have had a look at the “Beginners Guide” on the website as I have now updated the information etc. Its amazing what you think you know but don't and it only becomes evident when you have a detailed question and you have to search through regulations and classes etc in attempt to come with black and white advice. If you dont like or agree with any advice given then refer it in writing to Nick Algar or the Speed Series Committee for the definitive answer. If you are at an event and need help or advice look at the Westfield cars and drivers names on the side of most cars will tell you who you are chatting to.
There have been a few people who I think have needed hospital treatment in the last couple of months including Bob Green who sadly lost his battle with cancer and our thoughts are with his family. Bob was a very amicable guy and would chat to anyone in the paddock and then take great photos of us in action on the track. I now have Bob's photos from the awards evening and will try to email them as soon as I can. Steve Davis is on the mend and Martin Hepworth has finally got his MSA licence for this season so that's great news.
Looks like we will see some new guys competing this year so I hope we will be able to wind them up (sorry, I mean help them) in the paddock. It will be good to see some new faces as well the old ones and hopefully any mentors will keep them on the right track rather than the green stuff or the scenery. For those who are new competitors or spectators come and introduce yourself and tell us about your car and expectations/problems including “scrutineering” and “noise testing”
Also useful is for new guys to walk the circuit with more experienced competitors who think they know the quickest route and the hazards. The lines are easy to see, its just driving them that causes a problem not to mention braking points!
Latest rumours are that several engines and cars are still in bits for various technical and financial reasons so the start of the season is a real critical time scale and deadline for many. Matt Hillam appears to be driving his own car whilst a new SBD special Westfield is being put together. Is Tim Nunn guest driving Richard James road going car rather than his own? It would be a shame if he didnt join in class G again. Kurt Ramsden having bought a turbo charged Radical SR3 is selling the Flymo and hence not in class H. Barry Slingsby and Stephen Herbert are attacking class D which has a big entry. Has John Hoyle really lightened his already quick car by about 16kgs and does he only have 240bhp (he had a grin on his face when he told me this)? Paul Aspden's broken engine is hopefully being repaired and I hope Mark Anson will speed up his rebuild. I believe that Matt Turner has almost completed his uprated R1 car and is joining the fray in class G. As for my engine....... its delayed due to MBE compatibility and technical development of the crank trigger wheel, cranking speed, so it will be down to the wire before its ready. Brother Steve's car now with aeroscreen and gp seats is a lot lighter and just needs tracking resetting and its all ready apart from a fresh set of tyres.( will they be Kuhmo or Avon ZZR?) Castle Coombe is the first event but for many more northern competitors 3 Sisters on 14th April 2013 is getting close and eagerly awaited.
Latest news is that Blyton has made a few mods to the track including adding some raised concrete kerbs to the exits from some corners. From video recordings it does not look too severe or alter the racing line for the speed series target times so hopefully this will be OK.
Technical
A bit of clarification on the use of ACB 10 cross-ply tyres as an approved 1B tyre (as long as its E-marked) is that for our own series that's OK but for Northern Speed Championship events, run by clubs such as Longton & District for example, you will need to enter a different class due to the fact that crossply tyres are not allowed in any road-going class. This may mean running in slick classes and the chance that a scrutineer will demand a logbook even though your car may well be road legal and you are on cross-ply tyres. Events in the south may not have this approach so just check carefully when you fill in your applications. In case you didn't notice it Playskool Motorsport are now supplying tyres including Kuhmo V70 soft and supersoft which are good 1B tyres.
In some clubs events (mainly Northern speed events) road-going classes (2A and 2B) require full screens but this does not affect classes 2C or 2D.
Class G the drivers and cars
For those who have not been around the Westfield speed series scene I thought I would do a little description about this specific class including drivers and their cars. I cant cover everyone involved but here goes. One of the the most successful exponents of the Bike engined class (up to 1150cc) running on slicks was Phil Newall (aka Barney). If you asked a question in the paddock a few years ago regarding who had the lightest car eyes would turn enviously towards the beige (undercoat) coloured live-axle car with the blade engine. I used to have good battles with him when I ran on ACB10's in class F with my very quick road going Busa. Barney is an airplane engineer/mechanic and he knew that the combination of light weight and decent power from a Fireblade car would perform well. His aggressive driving style enabled him to set some impressive records and challenge the class H cars at some circuits. This was particularly attractive as bike engines could be bought relatively cheaply and with few mods produced good power, such that cars had quick acceleration and very late braking. The attractiveness of this class also saw Andy Rushworth (owner CAT motorsport) develop a very lightweight car with a blackbird engine and Mark Anson joined the scene, selling his purple XE engined car and driving a very competitive blade car with independent rear. For a couple of seasons these guys went at it hammer and tongs setting great times and with excellent power to weight ratios they made people think about value for money performance. Andy Rushworth packed in a few years ago and I bought his car to develop it further but the battles between Barney and Mark Anson were great to watch particularly in the 2010 season when Phil won the overall championship and Mark was close behind in 4th place. Later Tim Nunn joined the class and had to learn to stop his sideways style previously for showboating in his CEC. He had a great season in 2012 and just missed being overall champion setting many class records. So far he has not registered to compete in class G! I also joined the class from class H as I believed it to be better value for money and just as competitive. I had a great season battling with Tim and took a couple of wins and records so this season is going to be interesting and target times will be very very hard to beat.
Most of the cars have aeroscreens, paddle shift, trickshifter for clutchless up/down shifts, cross-ply slicks, no reverse box, full cage, sierra LSD, 7”x13” rims and a few carbon bits to keep the weight down. The cars are very high revving and have serious acceleration and late braking capability and I think are easier to drive than CECs so long as you keep the revs up and have quick reactions.
Terry Everall
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