Tel's Tales 042– 2015 Season preparation
It seems a long time since the November 2014 awards night and the Speed Series Committee meeting held the day after. 2014 had been a successful season but one or two issues were considered for improvement in an effort to make a level playing field for all competitors no matter what class they enter or what car they drive! After many exchanges of ideas and god knows how many emails and telephone calls we have a published set of Draft regs (awaiting MSA approval) and on the 23rd Feb we published the list of Target Times. The approach this year has been a little different in that we have used the class averages, as well as venue averages to evaluate the validity of proposed Target Times. We have used a combination of actual class records, comparability between classes, as well as theoretical target times to set times. Whilst the times set may not be perfect we have adopted a fair approach which we believe is an improvement on what we have had previously. For 2016 it is hoped that the registered competitors will be involved in an open debate about future classes and suggestions to improve our championship so that it remains one of the best in the country. There are new tracks at Blyton (double lapper), Barbon and Ty Croes (2 lap International with corkscrew) and there are 40 possible events located all over England and Wales so no excuse for not competing, spectating or helping.
My car will be out with no engine mods just slightly smaller rear tyres to improve the gearing and acceleration. Mark Anson will hopefully be out a bit more and Matt Turner seems to be struggling due to other demands on his time. Steve Everall will hopefully have his erractic tickover sorted but will be running on last years tyres. Pete Goulding has changed his diff to sierra and not got some halfshafts that are more robust and will take the power. As ever rumours about what Phil (doctor jelly) is up to as he will be running in class D this year. There are rumours that a few more people will be out in class H to join Derek Hodder and Gary Bunn. There also appears to be a lot of good banter and enthusiasm in the novice classes again so I hope to see a lot of entries in class A and B. I am not sure about class C or E but the Supertec monster will presumably be out in F again with a more reliable brake balance bar.
This year will also see Nick Algar on the track in another DJ Firehawk with a supercharged busa installed.
John Hoyle, Adrian Clinton Watkins and Dave Cleaver will presumably be chasing at the top again but I am not sure what mods they have done.
So, only 4 weeks to go until my first event at Rockingham and I cant wait to be out on track again and I hope to see you all during the year. Keep me updated on anything you are doing or are not keeping secret and have a fast, safe season.......breakages will happen!
Terry Everall
Speed Series Correspondent
Class G competitor