172 Race Car
So as you know we had yet to drive the car on circuit and with our first race meeting at Brands Hatch fast approaching, we were contacted by fledgling company 'Steathsport' to accompany them to the Performance Car Action Day at Castle Combe.
A few prep jobs to do before we started and then it was Tony's job to take the car out for his first laps. Very, very steadily he made his way around in the 15 minuite session, learning about the car. A few small adjustments and it was my go.
As the session ended I noticed the battery light was on, I had no idea how long it had been on or what the problem was. Fearing it was the auxilary belt I switched off the engine and coasted for half a lap. I didnt want to cook the engine. Running out of momentum I started it again and drove to into the pit lane. All the cars were stopped so again switched it off. Then when the queue went I tried to restart and the enevitable had happened. A flat battery. Pushed into the paddock by the marshalls I checked the fan belt was still on and we then bump started it and drove back to our stand. A quick check with a multimeter confirmed the alternator regualtor had failed again!
We fitted the spare and both had another run. This one didn't last long either, we have a problem somewhere. Were not sure yet if its just dodgy components the alternators have been built with or a fault with the car. On my 2nd run I was much happier, much more confdent and really enjoyed the car. But with no more spare alternators that was the end of the day for us. We achieved what we set out to and that was to both drive the car on a circuit to get a feel for it and make sure we had no problems or things to adjust. Better to have the alternators failing now, rather than in a race.
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A few prep jobs to do before we started and then it was Tony's job to take the car out for his first laps. Very, very steadily he made his way around in the 15 minuite session, learning about the car. A few small adjustments and it was my go.
As the session ended I noticed the battery light was on, I had no idea how long it had been on or what the problem was. Fearing it was the auxilary belt I switched off the engine and coasted for half a lap. I didnt want to cook the engine. Running out of momentum I started it again and drove to into the pit lane. All the cars were stopped so again switched it off. Then when the queue went I tried to restart and the enevitable had happened. A flat battery. Pushed into the paddock by the marshalls I checked the fan belt was still on and we then bump started it and drove back to our stand. A quick check with a multimeter confirmed the alternator regualtor had failed again!
We fitted the spare and both had another run. This one didn't last long either, we have a problem somewhere. Were not sure yet if its just dodgy components the alternators have been built with or a fault with the car. On my 2nd run I was much happier, much more confdent and really enjoyed the car. But with no more spare alternators that was the end of the day for us. We achieved what we set out to and that was to both drive the car on a circuit to get a feel for it and make sure we had no problems or things to adjust. Better to have the alternators failing now, rather than in a race.
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