Loton Park double header weekend 26/27th July 2008.
What a cracking weekend - co-promoted by Liverpool MC and Hagley and District Light Car Club. For details of Loton park see here:
http://www.hdlcc.com/
Took Fri off work to leisurely pack up the car and get down to Shrewsbury. Decided to use some alternative transport this time instead of a trailer and I have to say it was fantastic ! so easy to use, one man loading with a remote control winch. I will never use a trailer again.
Got down there about 5pm, unloaded, stuck the tent up and walked the course with a tinnie in hand - fantastic weather and sat at the top of the course watching owls and the sun go down. The course is in a deer park and its a very beautiful spot.
Next morning up early and get ready for battle. Good entry with a very fast Mk1 escort driven by local specialist and lots of Gp4 bits on it (and a brand new set od avon slicks he later lets me know). Usual collection of 205, saxo, tigra, etc. Previous personal best times were 2.61 to 64ft, 25.04 to split and 62.93 to end. Been in discussion with tyre specialists BMTR in Birmingham since last visit and have revised tyre pressures that have given improvements at Aintree and Curborough so hopeful they will here also.
P1 - 10.41, 33.95, 72.52 - no idea whats going on here, timing was wrong, steady run though to start day off
P2 - 2.66, 25.34, 63.85 - bit more push, clearly lots of grip to be had
Lunch
T1 - 2.72, 25.61, 63.94 - screwed it up off the line, flustered for rest of run
T2 - 2.66, 25.28, 63.80 - disappointing, didn't seem to have enough grip, lots of wheelspin everywhere.
Well and truely beaten by the escort who does a 60 something and a new PB for him. Second place behind him.
So went to bed thinking
how to go faster - decide to put tyre pressures back to what they were at previous visit.
Next morning quite misty and dewey, thinking it may rain......but this never materializes and its a glorious day once again. Same runners as day before but we are now joined by a second Mk2 escort with a NA cossie, sequential gearbox and lots Gp4 bits.....hot from a stage rally the day before. So bit between teeth with new tyre pressures:
P1 - 2.85, 25.98, 65.03 - nice, more grip seems to be the case
P2 - 2.81, 25.06, 62.79 - oh yes, new PB at top
Lunch
T1 - 2.65, 24.70, 62.53 - oh that felt fast, more committment everywhere, sh*it myself up good and proper LOL, new PB's split and top
T2 - 2.67, 25.11, 62.93 - ok.
So that left me 3rd behind 2 flying escorts.
Really enjoyed the weekend, great crack with other competitors and some good times posted.
FTD was a single seater Force which did a 48 something - unreal.
Next one is Aintree start Sept.
Ave it
Rob