Westfield BARC

[geofff]

Hi All,

This may read a little like a diary but what the heck  

This weekend has been my first Westfield BARC Race. Wooohhhhoooo!!

Admittedly I’m currently a little the worse for wear, Andy H has just called to confirm work on the ‘Purple Throbber’ brakes tomorrow so he can confirm my drunken state!

Anyway I’m drowning my sorrows with a bottle of red and a “Mr Mok’s” special take away  and listening to Queen’s greatest hit’s. I do a mean air guitar!

My personal tale of woe also relates to brakes – too small a front master cylinder I believe – Mark Walker if you read this you were correct – a .7mm master cylinder for the front circuit will be ordered off the net later this evening together with some harder compound 8” shoes for the rear. I’ll leave a Burtons calliper conversion with PRV (Troy NMS), for the live axle, as the next option.

I tested on Good Friday afternoon at Pembrey starting at 75 seconds and moving to 67secs by the end of my third session. I have driven here before, honest! Pembrey is off junction 48 YES that’s FORTY EIGHT!!! of the M4. I like the circuit as a driver but admittedly you will get better facilities / spectating at the bigger UK circuits. For example Rockingham, Donnington etc……They do make you feel welcome though and I can recommend the food & drink at the Red Lion (I think that’s the pub ) I’d like to thank Nick, Didier, Seamus, Simon, Troy & Steve plus better halves for their company at the pub on Friday & Saturday night! I got a lift back with the NMS boys to my chilly (alcohol heated) tent each night The Westfield series certainly is very friendly and welcomes new comers.

Other people who tested that Friday were Matthew Flowers, Andrew Spencer, Peter Dalglish  Didier Prongue, Nick Sinfield, Seamus Harding & Jonathan Young. There may have been others……I never got a chance to speak to Brian Small for example “The invisible Man” – track 13. Nick Flowers made an heroic effort and drove from London with Matthew’s car on Thursday and his own on Friday. If anyone wants to donate their time / help (especially if you have the ability to tow two or more cars! to a club / family team I can highly recommend the Flowers – there were more heroics & glory to come!!! “A kind of Magic” is blasting out of the speakers at the moment.

Most were getting down into the 66/67 bracket with Jonathon Young getting into the 64’s! The day started off damp but turned into a gloriously sunny day. Steve from NMS was seriously in need of the ‘After Sun’  Quite a few winter upgrades had been done – Paul Taberner had purchased some rear wheels with the correct offset for his ‘Wide’ chassis together with a rolling road & suspension set up at NMS. His times in the first race (fifth fastest) really showed what he can do. Nick Sinfield’s car had been completed (rebuilt) with new chassis, repaired bodywork and a few other bits & pieces the night before! “ Under Pressure” – track 2.  Andy Spencer was competing in Didier’s car from last year.

Unfortunately our driver rep Jon Morton was missing due to car problems. He did spectate and was chatting to drivers around the paddock on Sunday.

Several new entrants – Peter Dalglish, Andy Spencer, Geraint Rees & ME added some spice to the first race of the season. I think all of us had problems of one kind or another. Peter “Changed EVRYTHING” Dalglish (camber, castor, toe, damper, brake bias) and managed to go faster during the race – fair play! Andy Spencer was having problem getting the power down plus the car “Needs to go on a diet” – 30/50kgs over the limit” but he was the fastest of the newbies. Geraint was probably the most laid back of us all and was enjoying himself. He definitely seemed the most chilled out of all the drivers!

Qualifying for race 1 on the Saturday:

Nick Flowers 64.667

Jonathan Young 64.714

Mathew Flowers 64.849

“I want it all” – track 4 - is their a third Flowers family member somewhere to take all three steps of the podium?  

MST Timing for the remainder

Nick took pole on the very last lap! No testing either. Matthew following in third. I did say heroics and glory to come The times said this was going to be a close run thing.

Simon Pryke – 10th – thought it was raining but it turned out he’d lost his expansion tank cap John Wasilewski (scrutineer) also spotted Simon had the wrong compound fronts on – same rubber just not the right “numbers” on.

Paul Taberner had been playing with his ARB – WF don’t supply left and right handed RJ’s at each end of the drop links – I’ve already found this out and changed them! Paul has a slight off at Brooklands and just ‘kisses’ the barrier. He gets it back on the tarmac and sets off again. Hey he’s got a time to set – ninth!

Peter Dalglish’s target is to finish – he’s only done the one shake down test at Langbar and he’s on a steep learning curve. Out of karts – super One and Rotax – simlar background to Andy Spencer. He goes faster than testing and sets a 68.9

Didier was hard on himself – he qualified seventh but felt he “Could have done better”. This guy has focus “One vision” – track 17.

Nick Sinfield is having problems through Dibeni 1 & 2 (especially) with the inside wheel picking up – and spinning up – No LSD’s here – even so he posts a very repecatable 5th. In car video of the race, viewed in the pub later, shows exactly this – amazing quality shots and great viewing!

Seamus needs to replace his ARB (broke last year – not WF one) and it’s showing – 8th for him. But he’s “Happy” considering.

Me - well it's taking a whole load of effort to stop the car into the hairpin - I'm putting my whole weight onto the pedal and getting massive brake judder through the steering wheel.

My brake pedal is getting longer towards the end of the session as well but I can still heel & toe so keep going. Turns out I'm shredding the rear shoes and not getting enough bias onto the fronts. I only find this out in the run up to race 2 though - I'm no Ferrari test driver, more Homer Simpson gene's in me I think - pass the Pizza - well okay the chinese dumpling then - 12th out of fourteen!

Race 1 & 2 to come…………    Hey I’m off round my Dad’s (15 minutes to walk of Mr Mok’s house red) to bore the pants of him – my own in car video of qualifying (battery ran out for the race  )

Any errors or omissions are entirely mine and I aplogize in advance. If you have any corrections or comments to add please feel free.

I will send copy onto Westfield World ASAP.  Photographs courtesy of Nigel Tubby will be posted later, but if you have any please post / email!!!!

Ta

Geoff

P.S.

Here comes “Radio Ga Ga”….

On a personal driving note it’s quite scary getting into a ‘new’ car and pushing it too the limit (well your limit) for the first time. Having stuffed it at Brands in January I was quite aware of how much time it had taken me to get the car back into shape for Pembrey and I did not want to do this again. It’s also quite surprising how quickly you forget this – as I’m catching an overcooked moment exiting Honda - for a moment I thought I was going to spear it into the Armco on the inside at 70+ “Headlong” –track 10. Then I’m back on the power again, my only thought being how could I have been so stupid to waste a qualifying lap! I’m listening to “Who wants to live forever” at the moment.

Hohum…Snetterton in a fortnight    with brakes this time.  “ The show must go on….”

[adhawkins]

Andy H has just called to confirm work on the ‘Purple Throbber’ brakes tomorrow so he can confirm my drunken state!

No comment

See you in the morning Geoff.

Andy (half way through a nice glass of red himself )

[geofff]

Hi Again!

Here goes for race 1:

Pembrey circuit layout

Since I was in at the thick of this one I’m going to give you drivers comments (the one’s I cornered  ) after the race:

Simon Pryke – “Got a good start and made two places up into hatchets hairpin then lost both places into Brooklands. I’m happy with fifth though – first non-Dunnell & I beat Seamus!”

Nick Flowers suffered from a slipping clutch and completed two laps before pulling off. Not wanting to damage the car when he was obviously going backwards. Would he be able to fix it for race 2?  

Matthew Flowers who has now completed nine driving lessons – yes that’s NINE - having qualified third driving two seconds faster than the previous day’s practice did not get a good start. Having watched Nick Sinfield’s video footage I can confirm this as Matthew did lock up going into the hairpin for the first time. Later in the race Didier was to spin in front of him which he just missed and then Thomas spun. Both gifting him their positions. Unfortunately Matthew was only able to hang onto third as Thomas Robinson got back through at Honda.

Paul Taberner (Just in front of me the whole race) was held up by a very wwwiiiidddddeeeee Brian Small. Paul had a look at just about every corner but Brian was having none of it. This allowed me my BIG moment    as I was able to slip past Paul between Dibeni 1 & 2 as he was baulked. Unfortunately only a lap later he got me back at Brooklands when I was trying to line up Brian. As can be seen from our fastest laps Paul was easily the fastest of the three of us but Brian defended well.

Seamus had a terrible start with a lot of clutch slip, which re-occurred later in the race, and went from 8th on the grid to last before the first corner He tried all gears but was getting no drive. Unlike Nick he had a bit better luck and the clutch bit and off he went on a charge through the pack. I saw this first hand as Seamus got better drive exiting Brooklands and my lack lustre blocking attempt down the straight didn’t stop him. He then took Paul at the Hatchets then Brian under braking at Brooklands. Overcooked tyres and a reoccurrence of the clutch problem saw him ease up and take 6th. Rather than chancing his arm and going for Simon who finished 2.58 seconds in front at the finish.

Peter Dalglish was happy to finish and improve his time by over a second from qualifying.

Andy Spencer showed his karting experience and went from 11th to 6th on lap 1. He took a place on nearly every corner before spinning off at Brooklands on the start of lap 2. He finished 10th one place up from qualifying though.

Didier made a great start and moved to the inside on approaching the hairpin. He slipped past Nick Sinfield and then went to the outside as Matthew locked up on the very inside. This gave Didier third place as he exited Hatchets. Didier had a good run on Lap 2/3 and went inside both Jonathan Young and Thomas Robinson but then span to the inside of the corner and stalled the engine. The starter motor gave up he ghost and Didier had to call it a day – DNF. Apparently Troy at NMS does suggest to bring a spare starter as they are prone to vibrating themselves to bits under race conditions!

Nick Sinfield had a poor start and was overtaken by Didier on the start and Brian Small at Dibeni to find himself in seventh. On lap three he got back past Brian at Hatchets but then had a lonely race picking up places as others fell off the track – 4th  place and some points in the bag.

Jonathan Young was struggling with a leaking half shaft oil sleeve and consequent braking problems at Hatchets but drove himself to a comfortable 4seconds lead and win. Thomas’ spin at Brooklands helped. Hmmmmm…I wonder if he span on some oil  That axle problem was to raise it’s ugly head in race 2 though!

I never got to Thomas Robinson  - amazing spin recovery (360degree burnout) and second place or Brian ‘Wideload’ Small 7th or Geraint Rees. I’ll have to do better next time  - apologies.

Race 2 to follow when I’ve got my notes together!

Ta

Geoff

 

[simon4007]

Photos can be found here

Cheers

Simon

[oioi]

keep the reports coming geoff, im enjoying reading them

[geofff]

Race 2 will be posted tonight

Ta

Geoff

[Keith Scarfe]

Hi Geoff.

Great report. Any chance of a sumarised version (without Queen etc) so I can put it on web site. (otherwise I'll cut and paste above) Do you guys still want me to do the web site? If so you must send me stuff since as I am not doing the racing this year I don't know whats going on.

Cheers.

Keith.

[geofff]

Hi Keith,

Please feel free to cut & paste above - with or without Queen

I'd still want you to do the website and keep it updated. I'm happy to send you the same copy as I would Westfield World. Is that okay?

Ta

Geoff

[geofff]

Race 2:

Since my brakes were shot I didn’t start this one so this is my commentary from the inside of Dibeni bend:

No qualifying in the morning for this race. We started as we finished race 1 with Jonathon Young on pole. Thomas Robinson second and Matthew Flowers third, followed by Nick Sinfield and Simon Pryke. Nick Flowers would start at the back with Didier Prongue after they both DNF’d in the first race.

A lot of banter in the pub the previous night hinted at a Didier ‘special’ on the start The midfield better watch out for the two fast cars out of position on the grid. Lots of overtaking was to come…...

Last minute adjustments by Simon Pryke (and his spanner man Gerry) found that the starter had been rattling itself to bits. Troy from NMS did his best to screw it all back together in the time available but it wasn’t making a nice noise! He has fun starting in the pits! Paul Taberner removes his tank tape radiator blind but will the engine run too cool?

Start: The lights went out…..and Jonathan went backwards……..6th by the first corner.  Everyone jumps a place. There’s a spinner at Dibeni 2, it’s Geraint Rees in the 55 car. Didier coming through the pack spins in sympathy but his rear right wheel arch takes out Geraint’s rad & nose cone – end of the race for Geraint. Peter Dalglish takes too the grass in avoidance and Andy spencer goes between him and Didier.

By the time they come round to start lap 2 Nick Sinfield has got into second ahead of Matthew Flowers but Thomas has got a good lead. Jonathan Young’s car sounds awful as he comes through Spitfire & Dibeni 1. The live axle on his racer is leaking oil and the diff is protesting by the sound of it. He continues as best he can though!

The start of Lap 3 see Nick Flowers closing on Simon Pryke at Hatchets hairpin. He’s made eight positions in two laps and is charging – lights on! Nick Sinfield’s still chasing first but Thomas Robinson has set the fastest lap so far! The field is starting to break into little groups fighting among each other.

Simon Pryke fell to Nick Flowers and then came under pressure from Brian Small. Flowers Senior then sets about Junior – I don’t think their were any team orders on this one

On lap 4 / 5 Nick Flowers has got past Matthew but…….Matthew goes past into the hairpin but then loses out to Nick into Spitfires. Team “Flowers” are putting on a show! Nick Flowers gets away from his son and starts to close on Nick Sinfield.

Lap 6 sees Jonathan Young retire. The back axle oil leak proved terminal.Thomas is having a lonely race out front putting in quick lap times. Nick Sinfield cannot close but continues to push. Nick Flowers takes his chance and passes Nick Sinfield under braking for Honda – the fastest corner on the circuit. Nick Sinfield is having none of it and tracks him down the straight and out brakes him into the hairpin. Typical Westfield racing!

I’m so excited by the race I’ve lost count of the laps. The commentator says its lap 8! Where did 7 go?   Nick Sinfield is going defensive into Hatchets to stop Matthew Flowers putting his nose in. Further back Brian Small  & Simon Pryke are fighting it out for fourth. Simon eyes are glued to his mirrors but he outbreaks himself into Hatchets one too many times and Brain gets through! Didier has made up time since his lap 1 avoiding action and he heads Seamus Harding and Andrew Spencer in a three way duel. Peter Dalglish is holding onto Paul Taberner but his throttle cable snaps and he retires.

Lap 9 and four seconds separate Nick Flowers and Thomas Robinson. Thomas seems to be easing off, does he think he’s got it in the bag?  Nick doesn’t think so he setting fastest laps.

Lap 10 – Seamus has got back past Didier somewhere on the lap. Nick takes half a second out of Thomas but he needs more!!!!Nick Sinfield is still keeping Mathew Flowers behind him. He wants that podium finish.

Lap 11 sees Nick take a second out of Thomas. This is what he needs to do if he’s to stand a chance of winning. Nick Sinfield still has third. Didier has pulled ahead of Seamus and has got a tiny breathing space. The other battles have strung out and everybody seems to be settling for the place they’re in.

Lap 12 & 13 sees Nick close more. Seamus Harding has caught back upto the tailcoats of Didier Prongue – will he have a go?

Lap 14 and Thomas Robinson is short shifting through Brooklands according to the commentator. Does he have a problem? Nick Flowers might just be able to challenge at Honda……..Thomas defends the inside line and Nick moves to the outside…this is a very fast corner! Nick sticks his nose into the lead but he’s carrying a lot of speed…. He cannot make the corner and spins to the inside on the exit……. Thomas crosses the line taking the win.  Nick is stalled on the inside of the main straight….Nick Sinfield and Matthew Flowers snatch second and third before he gets going and takes fifth – Brian Small just crosses the line in fourth by tenths of a second!

Wow – what a race! Even though he didn’t win the race Nick Flowers must take credit for making this race the most exciting of the day! He did get fastest lap at an average speed of 81.33mph though.

       Spectating races like this really gets the adrenalin pumping.

Any errors or omissions are entirely mine and I aplogize in advance. My notes at times are a little thin – hey I’m having fun to! Thank you to those who have added corrections and comments. Please keep them coming and I’ll add them to the finished article I send of to Mr Osbourne at Westfield World.

Ta

Geoff

[MAT1800]

Cheers Geoff,

Best post I've read on here in ages...  

The 'day dream planning' has gone into over drive.        

[geofff]

Hi Matt,

Best post I've read on here in ages...

Unfortunately I cannot claim any credit - it's easy to report on such an exciting race - more often I miss something becasue there is soooo much going on - and this was a small grid!

The 'day dream planning' has gone into over drive.

I know what you mean My "Planning" is on workshops at the moment. Just took out my back axle, both brake MC's and did an oil change last night and it was cramped - I envisage five spaces one of which is a flat floor for set up work another with lift / pit area plus benches all round. Oh and a small lathe / machining area......All I need to do is find the right place...........going for a song

Ta

Geoff

[simon4007]

Points Table now updated to show Pembrey results, click here

Cheers

Simon