My new racecar project (Icemans old shell)

[eastlmark]

Russ, cannot believe the thieves in the paddock, we always leave tools and stuff around- you have to really. That must have been such a downer on the weekend.
Noticed the photo of your trailer, I have the same trailer/tyre rack combo, do you feel its safe using just the security wire in the centre of the wheels to keep the wheels in place? I always think they could bounce loose out the front of the retaining bar and not certain that wire will hold a few determined, bouncing wheels after hitting a bump/ road hump whatever. I always strap them across the treads at the front but it takes me longer to secure the wheels than the car itself.. am I wasting my time? Brian James were no help at all when it came to securing instructions.

 

[Martin.]

Love the sideways at 4:15 in the qualifying video haha.

 

[Russ Rallye]

Love the sideways at 4:15 in the qualifying video haha.

It was a touch slippery! I had a big moment at the bottom of craners with Ian right behind me in the race that was a bit scary too!

Mark, there's an arm that holds the tyres down too that I ratchet strap down, never ever moved even going to Germany at high speed!
russ

 

[Mini182]

Nice videos and good racing, especially the bit of car control in quali, well done!

Just read your thread through, your car is awesome and such a neat and tidy build as well!

I am a bit shocked at the thieves though, didn't think that kind of thing went on at these events. We left our van open most of the time, think I will make sure everything is locked up next time though.

 

[Russ Rallye]

Nice videos and good racing, especially the bit of car control in quali, well done!

Just read your thread through, your car is awesome and such a neat and tidy build as well!

I am a bit shocked at the thieves though, didn't think that kind of thing went on at these events. We left our van open most of the time, think I will make sure everything is locked up next time though.

Thsnks mate, yeah I've spent a lot of time keeping it neat, tidy and simple. Sorry I didn't get to speak to you on the day, made an effort to speak to as many new drivers as possible but was hard trying to sort the car after quali too.
Russ

 

[Mini182]

No worries will make sure I speak to you next time.

Shame I didn't see you though, as I actually had a spare cup alternator on the van! I had been having alternator problems myself so kept an old one with me. You would have been welcome to use it.

 

[Russ Rallye]

No worries will make sure I speak to you next time.

Shame I didn't see you though, as I actually had a spare cup alternator on the van! I had been having alternator problems myself so kept an old one with me. You would have been welcome to use it.

Hahaha now that is typical!
russ

 

[Martin.]

Just watching the Race 1 video now. Car is rapid!!

Spotted the moment with Ian behind you too hehe.

Although the video stops for me at 13:50 just after you lap the silver 206. Is this right or is it just my PC being crap?

 

[Russ Rallye]

Race 1 is 16.17 long so maybe your pc mate.
Russ

 

[Martin.]

Race 1 is 16.17 long so maybe your pc mate.
Russ

Yeah I agree the video is that long, but for some reason the footage just freezes 13:57.

Exact same thing happens when I try it on another PC too.

 

[eastlmark]

Mark, there's an arm that holds the tyres down too that I ratchet strap down, never ever moved even going to Germany at high speed!
russ

I know there is an arm, I have the same, which will stop wheels falling out towards the rear, but there is a wheel sized gap infront (look at your photo) and I am sure that thin wire is not strong enough to stop a few errant wheels. Maybe I am worrying about nothing then but it don't look safe to me!

 

[Tony Hunter]

Russ, I'l raise you lol.

Same happened to me 2yrs ago.

 

[tomhunt85]

That's a good effort Tony, well caught.

 

[Toastfrenzy]

Just watched your videos from Donington, was a good pair of races\day - I've also found out that one mistake turns 15 mins into a hard race. Wondering if I should carry a spare alternator now.

How do you mange to hold your foot over the clutch pedal for so long? Mine's only on the clutch when changing gear, rest of the time it's planted on the foot rest.

 

[Russ Rallye]

I'll be carrying a spare from now on Pete, I know a few others that have had issues, tony and Ian included so I should of known better really! As for the clutch, I don't have a rest and I find I'm changing gear all the time anyway. My heel is on the floor anyway so it's not uncomfortable.
The good thing about the video is you can see exactly what you've done wrong so I'm learning from my (numerous) mistakes.
Russ

 

[Russ Rallye]

Not a lot been happening since the 'donington dramas'. Obviously we needed to sort the alternator issue out so it was stripped down again, not a big job now with no pas in the way, just the air filter and trumpets to remove.

Bought x2 brand new alternators from Renault, I suggest anyone needing an alternator go to renault first as its cheaper for a genuine unit than for a spurious part at eurocarparts etc. so 1 unit to fit and the other for a spare.

So it's all up and running again now, had the battery on trickle since donington and it seems to be holding its charge ok. Just needs a general spanner check before its next outing. It won't be silverstone as it's now full and I wasn't that bothered anyway, I'll be there to spectate and spanner if anyone needs a hand + there's a BBQ on Saturday evening and I couldn't miss that!

In other news I've bought a Transporter to pull the car to events and to sleep/live out of while there, got some work to do to convert it inside but its a good base to start from.
Russ

 

[Tony Hunter]

Nice van Russ.

 

[sonny172cup]

Indeed nice bang bus

How much was the alternator?

 

[Russ Rallye]

I get all my bits at cost +5% which is staff discount at my local renault dealer so prices are a little lower than they would be but think they were £76 exchange to me which is cheaper than circa £90-£100 for some budget part at ecp's.
Russ

Indeed nice bang bus

How much was the alternator?

 

[sonny172cup]

ok still a good price. Russ do you not run a front strut brace?

 

[Russ Rallye]

ok still a good price. Russ do you not run a front strut brace?

No, pretty pointless IMO when it's got the cage it has, a flimsy bar across the front struts isn't going to make a lot of difference.
Russ

 

[Tony Hunter]

I think the only ones worth having, are the PM ones that actually go with the top mounts.

 

[Dan]

After watching the videos the car goes very well and sounds nice too!

But that 4th for 5th gear change is perfect! Sounds so seamless and well timed!

 

[sonny172cup]

Must be pretty solid front set ip then. tony, My ktec one was pretty good, shame I cant use it with the AST top mounts.

 

[dinger]

Good looking bus Russ, Buts its no A Team van, lol,

I dont run a front strut brace as its pretty pointless considering how close the strut tops are to the bulkhead,

 

[sonny172cup]

Interesting, I did think this.

 

[Dan]

Good looking bus Russ, Buts its no A Team van, lol,

I dont run a front strut brace as its pretty pointless considering how close the strut tops are to the bulkhead,

the bulk head does keep things very stiff up front so the normal strut braces don't do anything but the PMS kit linking the top mounts works really well!

 

[dinger]

If your running solid top mounts you shouldn't have any problems , saying that's, it's not going to do any harm running one

 

[Dan]

If your running solid top mounts you shouldn't have any problems , saying that's, it's not going to do any harm running one

Ye the only problem wiht the PMS top mounts are they arnt camber/castor adjustable like the ASTs but saying that Nick at PMS only puts together kits with a purpose like his new engine mount setup

 

[Russ Rallye]

Seems like ages since I've touched the car, after seeing all the action in the last TT round At silverstone I was a bit gutted I wasn't racing.
Never mind, the last 2 rounds are coming up on the 20th September at Cadwell and then shortly after on the 4th august at oulton park.
The car is ready to race but thought I'd change the fluids and plugs anyway.
Engine and gearbox oil is all here as I have enough on the shelf to do a change. Just need to pick up an oil filter this week. Got a new set of NGK-R's in record time from g172 on here too, thanks George.

The car is also booked into Blink next weekend to have the geo checked and some tweaks made then its countdown to Cadwell.

In other news, the new race bus (predictably) didn't last long, my mate made me an offer on it that I couldn't refuse so its gone, maybe good news as a 1k miles later it's lunched its turbo with absolutely no warning!
Anyway bought an Audi Allroad to tide me over, I'm not an audi fan at all but I've always had a thing for the allroads and now I have one I really like it.
It's the perfect spec (just about) being 'not' silver, all colour coded, factory towbar, full black leather recaros, nav, cruise, mfsw and alcantara headlining obviously! The 20" wheels from my T5 have found there way under the arches and because the its on air suspension as standard I've had a play on vag com and lowered it a touch, looks great, rides horribly in level 1 but is fine in level 2 for everyday and towing etc.
Russ

 

[dinger]

I would say you were moving up in the world but your E class merc estate was your best car!

 

[Russ Rallye]

Lol I love £1k sheds Dave! I think I'll probably keep this until the new year and look out for another 535d touring then.
Russ

 

[Chambers_RS]

I'm thinking of swapping my Leon K1 for a suitable daily 'tow' car and hadn't thought of the all roads at all, yours looks really tidy.

I hate the silver ones tho with black plastic bumpers etc lol

 

[Russ Rallye]

I like my tow cars to have self levelling rear suspension at least mate so BMW 5 series, merc e class fit the bill, allroad is air all round so ideal, just a little soft and bouncy everyday.
Russ

I'm thinking of swapping my Leon K1 for a suitable daily 'tow' car and hadn't thought of the all roads at all, yours looks really tidy.

I hate the silver ones tho with black plastic bumpers etc lol

 

[dinger]

I like my tow cars to have self levelling rear suspension at least mate so BMW 5 series, merc e class fit the bill, allroad is air all round so ideal, just a little soft and bouncy everyday.
Russ

Like wise Russ, hence the A team van, which is almost ready for its MOT, you may see it at Oulton Park,

The purpose is more of an attraction to me rather than looks when it comes to a tow vehicle

 

[Jamie86]

Cool bus, if you need anything for it just ask

 

[Russ Rallye]

Cool bus, if you need anything for it just ask

Cheers mate, hopefully won't be needing anything serious as all the big ticket stuff has been done, cambelt + air springs all round and new compressor. Going to change the box and diff oil ASAP but its nothing fancy just 75w90.
Russ

 

[Russ Rallye]

Oops! New race car build on the horizon! Will start a new thread in the other vehicles/motorsport section in time.
Russ

 

[shiftspark]

Moving away from Clios or another addition to the stable ?

 

[Russ Rallye]

No Colin clio is staying, this is definately an addition not a replacement. I enjoy building cars now as much as driving them so this will keep me busy for a while with a view to using it in Cscc tintops.
Russ