So, the team trooped down to South Wales. It is one of our longest drives of the season, with the exception of Le Mans, arriving Thursday afternoon to set up the Paddock for the three testing sessions on the Friday.
To cut a long story short, Friday was not the best for either “Frankie” or the yet to be named “Ovlov”. Frankie had been “flying” at Brands, but in an effort to further improve the truck a new steering box had been fitted with less turns of the steering wheel to go from lock to lock. This had messed up the steering geometry completely, and things were just not working as they should. So, lots of tinkering needed between testing sessions! For old “Ovlov” the situation was no better, again underpowered, but now the water pump had failed.
This could only happen in Wales! So, the engine in “ovlov” is an old Cummins, but in its day, it was fitted to ERF’s, so we headed to the Concourse Trucks and “had a chat” to anybody exhibiting an older model ERF. This being Wales (although I’m slightly biased as ½ Welsh) the owners had a friend, who had a mate, who knew of somebody …. Off Archie and Conner went, in the van, on an hour long journey to somebodies back garden to “acquire” a water pump off an engine. By 1am on the Saturday morning “ovlov” was up and running – a big THANK YOU to our new Welsh friends!
So, both trucks hit the track for the Qualifying Session on Saturday, and here remember that the fastest lap times set the positions for the first truck race; and the 2nd fastest time sets the grid for the 2nd truck race.
Simon, with “Frankie” now going in the correct direction, achieved the two fastest laps – handing him Pole position in Division 2 for both of Saturday’s races. Simons average speed was 68.76 mph on his fastest lap – and that’s in a 5.3 tonne race truck!!
Archie in the aging Volvo, staying out of trouble and getting two 6th place starts, out of the 7 competitors in Division 2. However, as the newbie drivers start from the rear of the pack, this elevated Archie to a 4th place grid start for Saturday’s races.
Race 1, Si pretty much lead from the start of the race but it was close finishing only 1.6 seconds ahead of second place after almost 17 minutes of racing. Archie did well with a good clean drive coming home 5th out of the 7 competitors.
Race 2, again Si lead from the front, coming home to victory in Division 2, over 10 seconds ahead of the 2nd place man, and even ahead of 3 Division 1 trucks, and with the fastest lap time too. Archie brought “ovlov” home in a safe and sound 6th ahead of 2 other trucks.
So, Saturday night was relaxed for once, with the usual replacement of discs and pads, washing the trucks again and a full check over.
Race 3. So now a new rule, or at least for Division 2! Historically the first 8 across the line in the first race of the weekend were “reversed” to generate the starting grid of race 3. So, eighth place from race 1, starts in pole position for race 3. And the winner of race 1 starts in eighth (etc). The championship has now decided to undertake the same “reversal” in Division 2. So, therefore, division 2 with 7 competitors, finishing race 1 in the order 1 to 7, theoretically results in the grid for race 3 lining up as 7 to 1. However, the newbies start from the back, so the starting grid put Archie on pole and Simon in 3rd for the start of the 3rd race. Within a few laps Si was in first place, but the race was very close, being declared following a red flag, with Si in first, but by only 1/3 of a second. Archie bringing the Volvo home 6th.
Race 4. This was another “reverse grid” race for the Division 2 trucks, but this time based on the result of race 2. So, once again, Archie started on Pole position, with Si in 3rd place, immediately behind. Archie came in a very creditable 4th in this race, given the uncompetitive truck – but what about Si. Well, we “the team” see this a little different to the officials, but I guess that’s how it is – but we believe it should not be. Si was hit twice by a competitor (this is a non-contact sport after all) with sufficient force to snap the bolts retaining the rear bumper. Si took the decision to visit the pits for safety purposes, and the team were able to replace the bolts and get Si back out on track. Si was back up to speed and circulating fast or be it a few laps behind having lost a few minutes in the pits. Ultimately, even though Si crossed the line at the end of the race, so he finished, still racing fast, or be it a few laps behind, he was not officially placed and so lost valuable points in the championship.
Race 5. Another reverse grid race (from the results of race 3) saw Archie in Pole again and Si in 3rd on the grid. This time Si, managed to claim a 2nd place on the podium at the end of the race, due to some handling issues. A post-race inspection of the truck revealed a very significant “flat spot” on one of the steering tyres – thought to have been caused during the incident in Race 4. Archie claiming 4th place in the last race of the weekend.
Another disheartening weekend for Archie, driving uncompetitive machinery, with very little modification from the previous year, mainly due to tight team finances. But despite the best efforts of others, he managed to keep the truck on the track and almost out of trouble, mostly.
Check out our “Gallery” page for more pictures from the event!
Thanks to J H Haulage, Povey Transport and Weavers who are helping us get around – so thank you, without you we would be stuck at home in Detling!
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).
Please check out our “Partners” page to find out more about our sponsors.
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.
CTS#41 and CTS#40; Simon, Archie, John, Conner, John, Colin, Sam, Toby, Martin & Guy
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