Team XTR – Motorsport & Track Days

As below:

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Lewis Hamilton secured a brilliant pole position for tomorrows Canadian Grand Prix… but it wasn’t without a degree of excitement and amusement as he was forced to stop the car on circuit so the car didn’t run out of fuel.

..and then starts pushing it!

Carrying on from the previous topic the new bolts have finally arrived from eBay. They are 10.9 tensile bolts, more suited for automotive uses than the 8.8′s I had planned to use and promptly sheared off when fitting.

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I’ve been promising for a while to take the old LCA’s off and fit the new Function7 billet-alloy lower control arms. After battling with the bolts for the best part of a day and a half, a bolt shearing on me and having to buy a whole set of replacement bolts… they’re on!

Here’s how the look:

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Today I visited a motorsport fabricators near Hook in Hampshire called Andy Robinson Race Cars (ARRC). For those that aren’t aware ARRC offers every kind of fabrication service necessary to build a complete race car from scratch. Andy began racing dragsters in 1979 when he formed his own team. Andy is the current European speed record (229.4mph) holder, has won 3 British championships and his current personal best time of 6.19 seconds – certainly not to be sniffed at. At 6ft 4″ and a build to suit, he was the perfect man to come up with the solution to my high seat rails. If he can fit, I can fit.

Read the full report by clicking this little link: Read more…

Devils Dyke is an historic beauty spot on the South Downs Way, named after the huge dry valley that carves its way through ridges of rolling chalk grassland. Positioned just outside of Brighton on the south coast its about 40mins from my house.

In December 2008 a dislocated knee destroyed the best part of 9 months of my life. During that time I spent all my time getting the car back together. This was the first drive since autumn 2008. We’re back!

The run down felt good, in fact thats a lie. It felt super. So more noisy than it used to be, so much more aggressive and harsh. The lack of sound proofing and the diet the car has gone on is substantial – its excellent. There are a few niggles, tyre pressures need some work, as does the seat which will be sorted kindly by Andy Robinson Race Cars middle of next week. I’m sitting far too much to one side and too high as well. I’ve also found the mirrors are useless and at some point the front number plate has parted company with the bumper.

Other than that – a successful journey. A few tweaks and it will be coming along nicely.

Check out all the pics by following the little link: Read more…

Reigate Motor Company is my local outfit for getting the Integra back on the road and certified legal. The chaps there do a fine job and after a small struggle with the emission we achieved a comfortable pass

Some pictures from the day:

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It seems Gonzo has had a problem with his washer system. After taking everything apart, it was bizarrely both washer pumps stuck. Wonder if something had gone through the washer system.

Needless to say, all fixed now and aside from a flat battery and putting the car in limp home mode… the issues were resolved.

We’ve invested in an OBD2 reader so we can clear any faults which might show up on the ECU.

Fantastic day for the Brazilian as he gains in the title fight with teammate Button with a sensational victory at the utterly boring Valencia street circuit.

Brit, Lewis Hamilton led early on but a fluffed pit stop by the woking boys gave the advantage to Brawn who never looked under pressure despite Hamilton pressing on late.

A great victory, totally deserved. Well done Rubens.

Brawn running well. McLaren looking good, despite a spin for Lewis Hamilton which broke the brand new nose. Ferrari missing Massa/Schumacher. Alonso fastest. At least the spaniards are happy!

Renault were allowed to race after a successful appeal to the FIA lat week. Instead of the ban they had been imposed with, they got away with a €50,000 fine. Pocket money!