Rockingham Testday – WOW!

Report to follow. AB

Rockingham Countdown

I am now counting down the minutes until the Rockingham Testday on Saturday. I have just researched the predicted weather. It says white cloud 8 degrees. Happy with that! Fingers crossed.

Need to start doing some homework on the circuit!

TRACK DAY #2 – Cadwell Park

Sunday 13th Feb
Weather – Dry in the morning, raining in the afternoon.
Cadwell Park – Focused Events

What a day at Cadwell and what a circuit. I love it. We were very lucky to have dry running in the morning with a very wet track in the afternoon (Was able to use my rainx). It was nice that it was dry in the morning as this gave me time to learn the circuit and get more confidence in the car. I took out my first passengers around the circuit. Mark Julian trusted me first and then my mother. I told her she was not allowed to scream. She was very good and really enjoyed it. I think she wants her own race suit now. Focused Events delivered yet another great track day and I would recommend them. We did however have 4 red flags but nothing they could do with cars being unreliable and/or spinning off. Tigger was runny well, it is backfiring a bit regularly but maybe this is what caterhams do? Next time out is Rockingham on the 12th March. However I need to change my A-frame bushes before then. What a delight. Do they really need changing after every time out on the track?!! Well at least I will get faster at changing them. Thank you to Mark for towing Tigger to Cadwell. Tigger loved it and I loved it. Mum also loved it. Thank you also for the pictures below.

Tigger out on circuit

Me in the clubhouse (Keeping warm and dry!)

Tigger going out on to the track

Getting the straps ready for a passenger

Mark and Amanda in the car

Tigger outside the Cadwell Podium

Mum and I in the car

Giving Mum instructions. No screaming!

The circuit getting dark and wet. However most people went home so I got the circuit to myself pretty much.

5th Feb 2011 - Amanda is back on track at Mallory!

Welcome back on track #88 – “Tigger”

Cadwell Park next weekend.

Officially I’m a Caterham Graduate Member

Proud to present number 88 – 2011 – Amanda Black

Forum Post–More help needed!! (Pretty Please)

I've just tried starting the cat and no luck, so I've tried spraying some cold start in the air intake. It seems to burst to life with very high revs only to then die out with no reaction to the throttle at all. Does anyone have any idea's or any similar experiences as mine? I have a track day looming and desperately want to get it sorted in time. Help a damsel in distress PLEASE!!!!!!!!

P.S Battery has been charged, so doesn't appear to be that. Ignition is turning over nicely.

Just in case I can help others or I need the information again I thought it would be good to post on here.

Response 1 – thanks to Dan: Assuming there is fuel in it, turn the ignition on to get the fuel pump going, press the accelerator pedal to the floor a few times (but don't hold it down), put the clutch in and then turn the engine over. Hopefully you will start to hear the engine catch. Repeat a few times and hopefully it will start. Usually works for me!

 

Response 2 – thanks to JP: Give it some Whiskers and if that doesn't work set the dog on it!

Mine is not a great starter, particularly if it is cold or damp. If it starts straight away with cold start then it certainly sounds like fuel rather than electrics. I always do as Dan suggests and just keep trying. Eventually it fires then falters and stops, and then goes for a bit longer until finally it goes. If it doesn't try doing as I do - swear at it; get out and kick it; swear at it again and then threaten to sell it. That normally does the trick.

 

Response 3 –thanks to Andrew:

Classics' carbs are set up to run rich to avoid blowing the engine at high revs, and that makes them more difficult to start from cold. As such they are very easy to flood and the spark plugs/HT leads/coil/general electrics need to be in good condition or it won't like it.

That said, some cars are better than others. My old one (now Dan's) wanted priming with the throttle pedal but even then never liked the cold and I remember struggling to start the bu99er at Spa in October. Always went in the end though. If you're still struggling after trying everything in the advice below, you should probably seek professional help as it may be that something needs replacement.

My Sunday Bush Experience!

Firstly, I would like to thank Paul for my instructions for how to change a Caterham’s A-frame bush. They were clear and easy to follow. I knew exactly what it is I had to do. Paul stated it was a 10 minute job.

After trying for 1 1/2hrs I had to stop for lunch. It was easy unscrewing and taking the old bushes out, but could I get the new ones in! I was squeezing for all my life! They just seemed to be 4mm to wide. When I managed to get one side in the other side was out. I really thought I would have to give up and get someone else to do it. But after lunch I made one final effort and I managed to get it back in. WOW. What a natural high. It was amazing. I was so impressed with myself.   

 

Are you sure this goes back in this hole?

Old vs New Bushes

  

Bushes and Bolt are back in. RESULT!

I then decided to have another look at my fog light. Wired it back up using the butt connectors I had got from Halfords. Went to turn the lights on and its didn’t come on. So I thought ‘maybe the engine needs to be running?’ Then I couldn’t get the car to start! Any tips could be greatly appreciated. It was like 1 step forward and 2 steps back! I have borrowed a friends battery charger so hoping that might work. My fingers are tightly crossed. Have I bitten off more than I can chew?

 

Above: Examples of my new wiring!

I also decided to take out the grill and mest, to see if I could smarten that up as well.

 

I have still yet to join the club. Still ummming and errrring about what race number to go for. The top 10 from the previous year get 71-79. Number that still remain that are available for me are; 87, 88, 91, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 99.

MSA 2011 License

My MSA 2011 License has arrived today, so I’m another step closer to racing! It was a shame I had let the license lapse after not racing again in 2006. You never know when you may need these things! How exciting is 2011 going to be!

 
2 weeks today is Mallory Track day!! Not that I’m counting down the seconds!

Officially a member

I am now officially a member of the BARC and one step closer to racing in 2011.

Official Caterham Test Day Announced.

Track day – Saturday 12th March at Rockingham. How cool! Loads to do before then!

Wanted – Tow Vehicle – approx £1500.