Oakington Stages 10th February 2002

After some pretty serious modifications to the car and a lot of work we sent in the entry form for the Oakington Stages.  This time the engine was fine and no major problems except the new rear disc conversion was braking a lot better than the front and was locking up very easily.  So a brake proportioning valve was fitted which appeared to sort the problem in the garage.  The travel up to Oakington was a pleasant one and we arrived early on the Saturday.  The car passed noise at 98db but the scruitineer picked up on the fact our fuel filter was in the passenger compartment.  This was sorted by using tin foil and masking tape to form a second shield, thanks for the tin foil Mr. Scruitineer.  The rear brakes were still a problem though and would make racing impossible, we duly set about cutting off 50% of the pad surface in the hope that all would be ok.

Sunday morning arrived far too quickly and we were back at Oakington ready for the off.  

Stage 1 very quickly told me that the rear brakes were still a problem so I took it easy until the front brakes warmed up.  Not a bad time really but as my school teachers used to say "Could do Better".

Stage 2 was the same but we had a big spin and the engine stalled and wouldn't start up again! 30 seconds later and she fired up.  

Stage 3 started good with a tussle with another fiesta, until the rears locked and another spin! Not very happy at this point.

Stage 4 we were now cooking on gas and we put in a stonking time taking 30 seconds out of the Mk2 escort in front of us!

Stage 5,6,7 all went very well and we continued to eat into the time lost.

Stage 8 was the same but we had a very high speed spin, (I have ordered some bicycle clips for the co-driver) and i forgot that it was the last stage!

So overall a good day out and a not bad finish for our second time, a few more modifications before our next outing which should make the car a bit quicker.

Result: 33 O/A    9th in Class