Just got back from santapod raceway brilliant show. I may be corrected but, I believe that I was probably the first trials car to go up the strip! Pulling what I feel was a respectable time of 17.024 and 76.41 mph over the 1/4 mile. Also, there was a grass auto test where my poor Escort was triple (!) driven. The inevitable happened and Paul Bartleman beat me by a whisper (IN MY CAR!) to win over all and was awarded for his success with a handshake by Tony Mason. All said and done a grand day out Gromit!.
Hi Simon I took my Escort for a RWYB meeting a few years ago as a friend was taking his Elise there. I think I got 19.2 and 68mph. It rained before I took the 3 spares wheels, spare diff etc out of the boot. Blinding weathert for it though this weekend. Maybe more trials cars in the earlier days would have taken to a drag strip. regards Mark
ReplyDeleteWouldn't surprise me if Dudley has tried the 1/4 mile as he's certainly into hillclimbs & sprints. Didn't Sydney Allard get heavily into drag racing? I should think he started in one of his V8 trials cars. We had the buggy at the Pod years ago at one of the early Bug Jams but I couldn't be bothered to queue up for the RWYB as I was supposed to be selling shoes at the time...it's a long story....we did bump into Dave Alderson there and he's another possible suspect... But I would say Simon that you are the first modern trials driver of a gold escort to run the strip (!). Presume a long smoky burnout preceded your run or do trials drivers only do that on hills?
ReplyDeleteLooks like its the quiet season for competing so to continue the show theme, anyone looking for a good classic car show to attend and living in the North could try the Moffat Classic Car Show on the 24th and 25th June. Just of the M74 and in a beautiful setting with gorgeous surrounding countryside, full of mostly classic cars with a few (but not many) commercials. There are always plenty of Rootes Group vehicles there as the show is run by their owners club or used as part of a tour (not sure which) Always a small but good auto jumble too. Give it a go and try the road out North of Moffat past the Devils Beef Tub. You wont be dissapointed. And, No, I do not work for the local Tourist Board just in case you were wondering. Myke.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ian. I can imagine Dudley now you say it!!! It was such a hot day and there was so much grip on the sticky tarmac. I didn't do a burn out or thrash it too hard off the line for fear of snapping a shaft, as I still had trolley jack and a few bits and bobs in the boot. But I can tell you that we didn't half get some funny looks "Is it 4 wheel drive"etc. I will try to post some pics as I am going to buy some. I certainly found them very amusing. It would be great to see more trials cars there next year they certainly get some attention.
ReplyDeleteSounds fun, how do you get a run? We used to to use the J for hill climbs and sprints and it was quite competative, but I gave it up due to the length of time required to convert from trials set up to sprint and back. About a weeks work each way. Never tried the standing 440, but I would expect it would be quite quick of the line, but then challenged by having the aero dynamics of a blunt brick Regards Dudley
ReplyDeletewww.santapod.com have a calender with all the dates of shows and RWYB "run what ya brung" . We paid £15 filled out a small form and produced driving liecence, for that we got 3 runs but we could have paid £10 more and ran all day. Have a go!They have on site photographer for a picture with a difference. Also i think you would need a crash helmet for an open car.
ReplyDeleteOn the continent they sometimes do 1/8th mile drag racing rather than the 1/4 mile - perhaps this would suit trials car aerodynamics better Dudley? Bit of a way to go to find out though...
ReplyDelete