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Harewood Hillclimb, August 29th 2004
New personal best at Harewood Hillclimb. Changeable conditions meant the track was dry for one run, then wet for the next. But the last timed run of the day was my quickest, and I beat my PB set in July by 0.14seconds, recording a 68.45s run. Using the video footage and split times from the 3 previous runs, I set myself a target for the last run, of faster exit speeds, to use 3rd gear through the Esses, and lift at the lights on the Quarry Corner (must not brake) and it worked. During the day I recorded 76.06s (damp), 70.38s (dry), 72.11s (damp), and finally a 68.45s (dry). There would have been a 3rd timed run, but for a competitors engine spilling its sump contents on the Farmhouse Bend, and at 5:15pm, I'd decided that enough was enough, so we headed home. The marshals had quite a job on their hands to clean the oil off the track, and with rain clouds on the horizon, I didn't fancy another run on an oil covered track. It was quite an incident packed day, with people spinning off in the slippery conditions, and during the morning practice sessions a Mini also rolled at the Farmhouse Bend. The Harewood Hillclimb web site
No problems with the Fiesta, but the video signal seems to be suffering from interference, so I'll make a voltage regulator for the camera for the next event, and try to add some more suppression to the engine. The footage is still very good for the last run, though the picture jumps about a small amount due to the vibration being trasmitted through the roll cage.
Luckily for me John Beardmore was also present with his Sports Libre Morris Minor, so I had someone to compare my split and overall times with. It was John that spurred me on really. We walked the course in the morning too, as John has been to the drivers school at Harewood and imparted some useful advice regarding lines, braking points etc, which I concentrated on during the day. His car is rear wheel drive though, so the technique on some corners is still different to mine, but the walk was still useful, and certainly helped (Thanks John). I beat John by almost 2 seconds on the last run of the day, but I should be quicker, I'm on race slicks and Johns on road tyres.
Les Proctor had problems during the day. On his 1st timed run, he recorded a slower time than me in the damp, and complained about the car sliding around in 4th gear up the hill. It turned out to be a loose rear wheel nut. Luckily a split pin kept the wheel nut in place, preventing the wheel from parting company with the axle, but the wheel was quite loose. Once repaired, Les set a 63 second run. Graham Smith was also out in his Radical Tracksport, setting the pace in the afternoon with a low 58 second run. I'm in the same class as these guys, due to the Fiesta running in the Sports Libre class. I'm getting closer to them at each event, but I realise I'll never beat them. Doesn't stop me from trying though.
License upgrade signature number three has now been acquired.
My times were as follows:
76.06s 1st practice
70.38s 2nd practice
72.11s 1st timed
68.45s 2nd timed (New PB)
Result: 3rd in class, 63rd overall from 145 finishers.
Weather: Dry & cloudy start, monsoon at midday, stiff breeze quickly dried the track out, approx 18° C
Tyre pressures were 23.5psi [F] 21.5psi [R]
Tyres: Michelin N00 19/57R15 all round
Rear anti-roll bar was on the 2nd softest setting. (5x stiffer than standard ARB).
Front shock absorbers MAX-2 with 300lb springs, and 450lb springs at rear.
Here is a PDF file with the report that appeared in Nottingham Sports Car Clubs 'Spinoff' magazine, and Loughborough Car Clubs 'Backfire' magazine.
Video footage using an the board camera and Mustek PVR-A1 video recorder.
 2nd timed run, 68.45s (3.9MB)
Pictures from the event
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