The team left our “Detling HQ” with high hopes, 2 drivers and 2 race trucks and while we all returned safe and sound I think “Lady Luck” was left in Kent that weekend and didn’t travel with us to the fastest UK circuit (in Hampshire).
With planning restrictions in place, stipulating circuit operating times, there was no testing on Friday, with a short session on Saturday morning, followed by the usual qualifying and 2 races – that was the “theory” at least!
The testing was cut short by a serious accident involving Stuart Oliver and his Volvo NL number 7. Stuart’s engine suffered a catastrophic failure at 100 mph, instantly seizing and sending a con-rod through the engine block (in several places), with parts of the steering system also receiving collateral damage as the engine self-destructed. With no steering and the drive train locked up Stuart slid off the black stuff and onto the green stuff – once on the grass he was a passenger and ran along, up and finally over the Armco barrier causing significant damage to the Armco, his race truck and, indeed, himself. Stuart sustained a couple of broken and a couple of fractured ribs – get well soon Stuart – but the race truck faired a lot worse.
So, with the time needed to make the circuit safe, the program was torn up and thrown away – before the meeting had even started – with the formal “Qualifying” session being dropped in favour of a “Champion Order Start” for the first 2 races.
For Archie the testing had not been favourable, with a significant clutch issue being experienced by his Volvo – so The Team got stuck into exchanging his clutch in the pits while also servicing Frankie (Simons IVECO) for the first race of the day.
With multiple versions of the program being available, and different instructions from an array of race stewards the team didn’t quite get Archie out for the first race, although the truck would have been finished on time IF we were given the correct timings. However, the Volvo wasn’t playing ball and even with a new replacement clutch, fitted by our expert mechanics and HGV fitters, Archie did not have all the gears he needed or wanted to race safely. So, the gearbox was, once again removed from the engine to see what was wrong. In all, over the next 12 hours the team removed the gearbox and replaced various “clutch components” 6 times before finally throwing in the spanners at almost midnight on the Saturday night – all filthy, exhausted and depressed.
Frankie was flying in testing but not, thank goodness, in the same way as Stuart was, and we were looking forward to some good racing but again the gremlins started to creep in. A leaking “boost pipe”, taking higher pressure air from the turbo, via the intercooler, and into the inlet manifold reduced the amount of oxygen available for combustion, with a consequential reduction in power leaving poor Simon pottering around at the back of the field. An easy fix saw the pipe replaced in ten minutes once the ailing “Frankie” was returned to the pits.
Then the gremlins struck again with an “electronic” issue and the engine not reaching anywhere near full RPM when the throttle was depressed. This could have been any number of items from the ECU through to the carefully calibrated speed limiter, but it was rapidly traced back to the sender unit on the throttle peddle and, once again, this was quickly and expertly replaced by the electrical boffins within the team.
Frankie, however, continued to have other ideas and never really achieved the high expectations alluded to during the practice / testing session, predominantly because of a slipping clutch. Although the “handling” of the rear of the race truck was far superior, due to the work completed at HQ since Pembrey, this highlighted issues with the front end of the truck and cornering speeds – although the cooling issues previously experienced had been resolved.
We arrived at Thruxton with Simon Cole first in Division 2 of the BTRC and left with him in 2nd place – not the end of the world – but still disappointing for a team that is there to win; mostly we were disappointed that Archie never got onto the track to race at all in his Volvo.
So, back to HQ in Detling (Kent), race trucks unloaded, panels off, axle stands under and wheels removed. Clutches out of both race trucks and, for good measure our spare clutches too, delivered to our good friends at CLUTCH FIX in Cleckheaton for a full inspection and refurbishment by James and his expert team.
The removed panels and wheel arches, along with the cabs, were “made good” from any racing knocks and contact, filled, rubbed down, painted and polished up for Donnington.
Then to the front of Frankie, front axle removed and out with the stick of inches (we’re old school!) to see what’s moved and what is out of alignment ………
So, onwards and upwards – 4th weekend of the championship, the big one, the party weekend at Donnington in a few weeks….
THANK YOU to ALL our wonderful sponsors; to the businesses who help us out in kind, or with cash (although we accept cheques too of course!), we could NOT do this without you ALL – no matter how big or small your help – this team of family and friends could not do this without YOU. YOU made it possible for Simon, and now Archie, and put father and son on the track as much as the rest of this family and friends based team. THANK YOU. (but we always need more help of course)
Come and see us all, cheer on Archie and Simon and “THINK PINK” at the Circuit if you can – we are always happy to chat and show you our race trucks – unless we are repairing them of course, in which case best to give us some space to work safely.
If you cannot visit the track, then remember to check out the “BARC” live feed on YouTube – or of course on “catch up” later.
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