| johnfelstead | 04-18-2001 02:56 PM |
Easter at the Nurburgring
<IMG SRC="http://www.btinternet.com/~john.felstead/easterringtrip/ringmap.jpg" border=0>
Nurburgring Trip Easter 2001 - The Novel
The Preparations
I have been unhappy with the boost curve characteristics on my Westfield's engine for a long time now, since before my last ring trip actually. Its been making the car quite hard to drive and didn't feel all that quick.Basically it would peak at 1.8Bar then immediately drop back to 1.2Bar and hold that up to 7200rpm. I have been playing around with various jets in the Amal valve and altering the preload on the actuator but hadn't been able to get it to hold boost.
I decided I was beaten on this one so enlisted the help of Castle Performance and Ahmed Bayjoo to help me track down the problem.
After 2 days of testing everything on the engine we discovered the phase sensor was down on the distributor, this put the ECU into limp home mode, so I have been driving on track for months in "get you home safely" mode! (One of the problems with driving the Westie is that it feels quick even when sick after not driving it for a while) One of the things this does is shut off the boost control system so I was never going to get that set up properly.
We now had a healthy engine management system but it still didn't hold the boost! We did every test you could imagine, static pressure testing, running with no silencer (god that's loud, sorry Staffordshire), running with no
filter, running with the boost control disconnected to let the turbo go ballistic! Still no held boost.
Only thing it could be now was the turbo itself had a problem with its build, I had a new turbo after my last ring trip built for me, but using the original exhaust housing as the original turbo was only a few weeks old and had an inconel waste gate shaft (expensive). I had to replace it after switching it off cherry red when my oil pipe failed at the ring, cooking the oil in the bearing and killing it. I was unhappy with the boost from this original turbo also but thought it was just me not setting it up properly at the time.
I called the guys at the Turbo Shop that built my GroupA turbo up and they wouldn't believe it could possibly be faulty. After 2, 30 minute phone calls I managed to persuade them that they had to make me a new turbo for free as
it definitely was faulty! To there credit they reluctantly agreed, I can be very persuasive sometimes!
This left me with the task of getting a new turbo collected, me driving down to Daventry Wednesday evening and installing it before we set off for the ring Thursday.
I arrived at Harj's place at 8.30pm and put the Westie in the garage, some common RS200 was next to my very rare Westfield in there. [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif[/img] I let it cool a while and at 9pm got stuck into stripping the turbo from the car. I installed the new turbo and was just about to fire it up at 11pm when I realized they hadn't drilled the hole in the exhaust housing for the lambda sensor!! Having spoken to Ahmed in the past about how his Pectel P8 map works I made the decision that this would be safe, on WOT the lambda isn't read, above 3000rpm it isn't either so I was happy the engine would be safe if not a little annoyed by the cockup.
I warmed the car up for 15 minutes after priming the turbo oil system properly then took it for a spin to set the boost up, spanners in hand. I had wanted to use some 1.5mm jets on the compressor outlet pipe to the Amal valve but could only find my 2mm drill bit so I ended up putting one eye of preload on the actuator rod end instead of my preferred ½ eye. This was still OK but the less load on the waste gate the better when not running with an inconel shaft, which I now wasn't.
WOW is all I can say, with this setup I had 1.6bar peak and holding 1.5bar to 6500rpm then it dropped away to 1.3bar by 7200rpm. I could have put more preload on it to give me 1.7bar over boost but I didn't want to overload the waste gate shaft, they bend at very high temps with lots of preload on you see.
To say I now had a different car is a HUGE understatement; it totally transformed it from a laggy fairly quick car to absolutely barking mad instant response. I was very happy and looking forward to some seriously fast driving in Germany.
It was now time for bed, so after packing up my tools and getting it ready for the morning start I eventually got to bed at 2am.
Day1, Thursday 12th
I woke up at 4.15am, less than 2 hours sleep! Talk about knackered! We left Harj's house at 5am prompt. Harj driving the 22B with Richard Askew as passenger, Richard Squire driving his new baby, the RS200 with Joel as
passenger, Stef in CK1 and finally me in my Westfield Zei220 with its now bonkers 330BHP healthy engine. I had my luggage and some major waste gate chatter as company.
The trip down south was very uneventful, we then arrived onto the M20 and I decided to open it up a little and see what it would do on a fast corner, we are talking seriously quick cornering ability and it was pulling very hard. Without doubt the fastest by a long margin it has ever been. Harj then decided to see what the 22B could do and opened that up on a long straight, I was just tootling behind at about half throttle with the 22B on full chat when it threw a big stone up and cracked my windscreen. Bugger, huge split from top to bottom! We then decided to pull into the services on the M20 for some fuel. Richard and Stef followed me in but no Harj???
The phone call then came I was dreading, the 22B engine had failed, sounds like the infamous number 3 bearing from the description so Stef towed the sick 22B into the services. No external oil showing, no rods out the block
etc. so hopefully it's just the crank and bearings that need replacing? That's another story in the future no doubt.
We then had a bite to eat, arranged for the 22B to be shipped back up north on an AA flat bed and stuck Harj and Richards gear into the assembled cars that were steadily arriving at the services. It was a sad sight to see the 22B drive off into the distance but Richard took it very well, "at least the old girl let us down this side of the channel, very considerate of it" LOL
So off we all drove to Dover for the Seacat. We arrived very early so just sat around chatting killing time and getting to know each other, we now had a big group including the Rainbird rocket (540BHP sapphire cossie), RS200, BMW M coupe, BMW 330 Diesel (this would be a revelation), every type of scoob you could imagine (less a 22B) plus my pocket rocket. Quite a sight next to all the euro econoboxes!
We finally boarded the Seacat; I nearly lost my sump on the on ramp, as my car is very low. We then had a 40-minute crossing where the banter continued to fly. The engine on the seacat was seriously sick though, talk about an
over fueling diesel engine, we all ended up covered in soot from the pitch black exhaust gases!
On arriving in Calais we all grouped together ready for a mega convoy to the ring. 3 corners out of the port and we got lost!! Some going up the motorway, some going into the town searching for fuel, what a cockup! LOL
Eventually we all met up again and headed off up the highway in search of Germany. We had a strict 100-mile fuel stop regime, any more and I would be out of fuel with my 27-litre fuel tank capacity. We had some serious fun on
the way up with other traffic, one guy in a Merc cut me up, the ensuing police style rolling roadblock by the guys in the convoy was hilarious. This plonker ended up surrounded by Impreza's who controlled everything he did for a mile of 2 as I sailed by with a big grin on my face. I think he got the message [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif[/img]
Mike Rainbird then decided to show me how much faster his 540BHP cossie is than my Westie accelerating from 70MPH, errrrrrrmmmmmmm wrong Mike, he was amazed to see me catching him up, with his foot planted to the floor. My Westie was quick before, now it's just unreal. It was fun to sit behind mike as he amazed onlookers with his flame show. Do you use AGP601P's or C57's in that back box mike?? LOL
We had a great run for most of the trip but somewhere north in Belgium the motorway was blocked so we were sat in standing traffic. I pressed my clutch down and felt it snap a little, Oh bollix, that's one strand of the clutch cable just failed! I now couldn't get it in gear with the engine running but it would just about release enough to not drag when stationary. I now had to sit with one foot on the brake and one with the clutch depressed during ½ an hour of stop start 2mph traffic. My leg was killing me.
We eventually made it to the other side of the accident and started rolling again, this was a huge relief to me and also Richard in the RS200, which has no cooling fan and a rather vicious clutch.
The rest of the trip was pretty uneventful. We met up with Ben Lovejoy at one fuel stop and he decided to join our convoy as leader. It was great to meet Ben, his website is superb and has been of huge benefit to many Ringers. We eventually left the final motorway and headed for the first town. As I went to change gear the clutch pedal went to the floor, cable snapped completely!! Damn, I had over 50 miles of small road and town driving to do and no clutch. Good job I can heal and toe, I spent the next 50 miles matching my revs to gears and actually enjoyed doing clutchless shifts by the end of the journey, good practice for the ring's fast downshifts! Only difficult moments were at traffic lights. Fortunately we only had a few we stopped at so I just started it in first gear and hoped the starter motor could cope, which it did with no complaints.
We arrived at the Hotel early evening in the dark, I was feeling ready for bed after just 2 hours sleep and a long drive in an open car.
I dumped my gear in the bedroom and headed straight down to the restaurant for some food and a glass of beer. This was going to be a quick meal, bit of a chat then straight to bed. How wrong was I on that one!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What happened after the meal is a complete mystery to me, I haven't a clue what I drank but it was a LOT!! I am not touching Tequila ever again!!! I remember saying this before some time [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif[/img]
Thanks Faye for taking me to my room [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif[/img] Stef you git, I'll get you back for that video one day!!!!
Day2 Friday the 13th!!!!!!!!
I woke up at 1.30pm, god my head hurt and not a cup of coffee or alka seltzer in sight. I was not well!! I then remembered I had a clutch cable to replace before I could drive the Westie to the circuit. I always carry a spare so I thought that would be a quick 30 minute job, easy peasy!! Ermmmm Nope...... I had somehow brought the wrong cable, it was way too long. I now had to work out a bodge to make a cable that would work. I eventually used 2 sockets, bits from the original cable, 4 washers and a load of tank tape to make a workable cable. 2 hours later I was ready to roll so I fired the beasty up. ****, I now had a small water leak up front near the radiator. I double clip all my water hoses but I still had a leak on one of the joints! To get to the hose I had to strip the front nosecone off and remove the intercooler and its ducting plates, what a nightmare.
1 hour later I was ready to roll so jumped into the Westie and headed for the circuit. As I neared the track car park I opened it up then let the waste gate chatter show my arrival. It was hilarious to hear a cry of "Felstead" from all the assembled scoobynet gang over all the engine noise.
I said hello to all the assembled gang, who all started to tell me how mad the night before was, I can't remember a damn thing???? Oops!! LOL
I then bought my 12-lap ticket, Joel strapped his camera to my car and I strapped Joel to my car and we headed off for my first lap of the ring since that dreadful moment last October when my oil pipe failed. I was a little nervous about it but as soon as I cleared the barriers I went into my usual track driving mode and everything else was just blocked out of my mind. WOW, is my car fast now, after the first few corners I was well into driving the ring again, watching Stef's tape had definitely helped me remember most of the blind crests. I had made some major changes to the suspension since my last visit also as it was a real handful in October, the car was working very well on these new shocks and springs, the ride height increase and toe settings were working very well too on this rather fast bumpy circuit.
I am not sure of my first lap time but the video showed it to below 9 minutes according to Joel and I was taking it very easy! This was looking promising. I spoke to Joel afterwards; he had flown in from Seattle and was over on behalf of Microsoft to get info on the ring for the Xbox Games Project. My car is the fastest cornering, braking and accelerating vehicle he had ever experienced; he seemed quite impressed by it all.
My next lap came some 30 minutes later and it started to snow as I set off out of the barrier. This was going to get interesting! The track was wet for the first half-mile then bone dry until the carousel; it then got "oh my god this is scary" slippy for the remainder of the lap. I was getting major wheelspin and had a few nasty breakaways as the turbo spooled up. 330BHP, snow, RWD, 700Kg and virtual slicks are not a great combination on the ring, huge fun, massive challenge but very dangerous.
I made it round to the finish at some pathetic pace but I was there to drive the ring for 3 days, not be a hero and stick it into the barriers on the 2nd lap.
That was all my driving over for the day, so we all headed back to the hotel, got changed then headed for the Karting track for a quick blast around. I think I got 2nd fastest lap to Ollie who is a very experienced kart racer so I am happy with that.
We then headed out to the pub for a meal and drink, I was strictly a coke man all night, I needed to detox badly as Saturday was going to be dry and I planned on giving it some on track.
Everyone else gave it large on the beer though, it was a top night and a lot of fun, your all barking mad!!!
Day3 Saturday 14th
I woke up at 8am, no sign of stef and his camera thank god although the buggers tried to break my door down at 4am to do a second filming, thanks guys, I slept great after that, not. I was sober Friday night so remembered to lock my room this time!
I arrived at the ring about 9.30 and strapped the next victim into the westie and was straight out on track. I haven't a clue what lap times I set but it was under nine minutes, I was taking it fairly easy and checking the track conditions out. The circuit had great grip, dry everywhere and nice and cold to aid my cooling of the radiator and intercooler.
I then let the car cool for 30 minutes, my cooling is a bit marginal so I like to get it nice and cold before I set off on a new lap. I plan on installing an F1 cored rad and front mounted intercooler soon, this should give me more consistent power even in summer. Right now by 2/3rds round the ring the intercooler is getting too hot, I lose around 30BHP I feel for the last 3rd of the lap.
The next lap was an 8min 25 seconds from bridge to gantry, again I wasn't pushing too hard and had plenty of traffic and yellow flags to contend with.
This went on for a few runs, with me doing the odd bodge in between on the clutch cable. I noticed one of my water pipes near the turbo started to melt so I wrapped that in some heat shield cloth after re-terminating it. I need to do a full heat shield job around the turbo area now; its producing so much heat now the boost is being held its risking melting the bodywork!
I took MikeR for a run then and my clutch bodge failed completely after the first series of corners so I did a lap without a clutch. Even so mike seemed pretty impressed with the improvements to the car I have made since he last had a run around snetterton last year. On returning I made a much more permanent job of the clutch cable, it was also starting to show signs of overheating so I went to the restaurant and stole some bacofoil from the kitchen, came back to the car and wrapped the clutch cable with that. It worked a treat, amazing what you do with a bit of imagination.
The next lap I strapped Richard askew in the car, he had been bugging me all day for a run but I had always promised someone else. I felt quite confident in where the road went now over the fast blind crests and corners so was starting to push the car a little harder. I was having a pretty fast run, keeping it flat over the fast crests and taking the corners with a pretty good level of commitment. My lines were no where near spot on but still going pretty quickly for a newcomer to the ring, which I am in no illusions about!
This is when I made a big mistake, I got 2 corners wrong in my mind, I thought I was approaching Breidsheid when I was actually approaching Wehrseifen. The entry to the two corners looks similar only Wehseifen is about 30MPH slower on entry and has a very tight exit, not for me it didn't!! So I come barrelling in there too fast, I had also just passed a bike and car round the outside so I was out quite wide when I realised my mistake. Holy ****, this could hurt!! I had 2 choices, either try make the entry line, which would probably spin me off into the exit Armco or try and straight line the curb and use the curb and then exit tarmac to slow me. I took the later which was a bit hairy but didn't really cause any problems, just scared the hell out of Richard who could see the barriers approaching not knowing what I was thinking or doing.
Anyway, that wasn't scary for me as I was thinking my way out of the problem, I made a mental note that I have a lot to learn still so keep something in reserve but I still then pushed on at a fair pace, the car felt fantastic. I passed more Porsche's etc than I can remember, most fun was the blue 911 with the huge wings, I took that round the outside on the entry into the big spectator area at brunnchen, that made me giggle to myself. I got held up a few times but was having a very quick lap, I completely forgot Richard was in the car. I always switch off once on track anything that isn't of importance to driving; the passenger is one of those things.
Coming down the main straight at the finish Richard showed me the stopwatch; it showed 7 min 56 seconds. I though I was going pretty quickly but not that quick! I had an onboard video running for the whole lap so I could verify it later but I thought maybe it was possible so I showed a few friends the time, like you do. [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif[/img] Looking at the tape later the lap was an 8min 20 which is no where near how quick I could do a lap I believe. I had forgotten about being held up badly at the start of the lap. When I watched the video I lost a good 15 seconds just in the first few corners due to traffic. I am certain now that on a clear lap with no passenger, even with my level of knowledge of the circuit a high 7 minute lap is more than achievable.
Richard exited my car very unsteadily, he hadn't said a word the whole lap so even after my near miss I was still giving it full throttle, god knows what he was thinking during the rest of the lap. It took him a good hour to look OK again, I think I scared him quite badly!
The rest of the day carried on as usual; Stef and I did a great run in convoy for the CossieKiller2 video, this time he was holding me up! [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif[/img] I have to say following Stef is bloody brilliant fun, to see an Impreza going that quick just a few feet in front of me is just unreal, the footage is awesome from both cars.
I then got to give some of the regular ringers a run as passengers in my car, mainly as a big thankyou to mike and Lauren's for the help they gave me last October when dealing with the police over the incident with my oil pipe failure. It was great to meet those guys again and be able to say thankyou in person. I look forward to seeing them on my next trips over, really top people.
So that was that for the day, I never got a clear lap once but I had some pretty quick laps non the less, 8 min 30's are real easy, next time I expect to be doing my first 7 minute laps. I'll come with harder rear tyres though, now I have such good power they are going off by the carousel. I started the day with brand new rears; they are now below 1mm.
The night was fun down the bar; I allowed myself a drink or 3 this time as the forecast was for snow on Saturday night. We spent some time watching the videos from Stef and Myself and it was pretty amazing stuff to watch. When I am driving it doesn't seem quite so quick. It was great to see all the ringers in the bar watch my cars acceleration with open mouths, it really is like a superbike on 4 wheels. It was fun when they all started to cheer when I passed the blue Porsche round the outside, quite embarrassing actually.
Watching Stefs onboard footage of our lap together was a lot of fun too, that thing is so nailed on the corner exits, it's very impressive. Cossiekiller2 will be quite a tape!
The night ended with us fighting our way back up to the hotel through 6" of snow and Stef and I taking the piss out of Rainbirds rocket with some snow graffiti.
Day4 Sunday 15th
Snowed off!!!! Bummer!!!
Never mind, we all headed off to a local restaurant to watch the GP on a big screen TV. I thought the coverage was amazing. It was the new digital F1 TV that the Germans have access to and it made the race for me. ITV sucks ass compared to that, even in German!!!! Great to see ralfy get his first win, along with Williams, BMW and Michelin, they stuffed everyone big style. Montoya put in yet another awesome move, this time on truli. This season is looking great!
Rest of the day we just hung out. I swapped my pads back to the road spec pads; I was running on some IndyCar Hawk carbon metalics on track that have a great bite to them but are deadly on a public road when cold.
We all went for a meal together with some of the Belgium Scooby mates in the evening; it was nice to see Theo again although I didn't get to say hi for too long. Then it was back to the bar again for yet another session. Stef doing his Saturday night fever impressions was hilarious. Listening to him ordering a Vodka and Red Buuuuuuull was fun, every time it was a case of I don't want that red vodka, its only 15% you know, give me the proper vodka with my red Buuuuull. I think he fancied Claudia a bit too, not sure she fancied someone known as Collie Kisser though! LOL
Day5 Monday 16th
It was a case of convoy to Calais, we set off at 11am and just cruised our way at a sedate(ish) pace down through Germany, Belgium and France. We went through some serious rainstorms. It was quite frightening at times driving on my virtual slicks in the standing water, I had to be so careful with the throttle in that as the rears just lit up if I was too quick on putting the power on. We still set a cracking pace, stopping at the odd fuel station to fill up and do the odd doughnut! [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif[/img] *cough*
Just outside the hoverport in Calais my front mudguard bracket sheered off! I suppose they aren't really designed for the forces 155MPH can put on them, I am amazed they lasted so long! Half a roll of tank tape later I headed into the hoverport. We were delayed over an hour due to rough seas. I am glad we went by seacat and not ferry is all I can say.
We then had a 40 minute sail to Dover which wasn't too rough, everyone looked exhausted though, I cant think why? I was the last car off the seacat. Typical, I had the longest drive ahead of me of the whole group! I had to time my exit with the rocking of the boat so I didn't remove my sump as the ramp was going up and down like crazy, I got it off with no problems thankfully.
We then just cruised up the motorway to Daventry, I had a quick coffee then headed off back to Manchester, watching my front mudguard wobble away, tank tape doing a Stirling job of holding it in place at some silly speeds.
I arrived home at around 1am, totally frozen and totally exhausted. What a fantastic trip. I can't wait for the next one.
Thanks to everyone who came along, every single one was a huge laugh and were into the whole trip. I hope you all come on the next trip because it was great fun for me.
The westie performed superbly, only problem was the clutch cable, which I managed to work around, plus the mudguard bracket failing under the strain of all the high speed runs. I need a new windscreen too. It has 2 huge cracks in it now, one from the stone off the 22B and one from the strain put on it from the softtop at 130MPH trying to pull the screen out of the bodywork, instant crack!! I may fit an aero screen and add some more top speed acceleration to the beast, as the drag is very high from an upright screen. That should make it a quick car. LOL
piccies at [url="http://www.btinternet.com/~john.felstead/easterringtrip/"]http://www.btinternet.com/~john.felstead/easterringtrip/[/url]
Nurburgring Trip Easter 2001 - The Novel
The Preparations
I have been unhappy with the boost curve characteristics on my Westfield's engine for a long time now, since before my last ring trip actually. Its been making the car quite hard to drive and didn't feel all that quick.Basically it would peak at 1.8Bar then immediately drop back to 1.2Bar and hold that up to 7200rpm. I have been playing around with various jets in the Amal valve and altering the preload on the actuator but hadn't been able to get it to hold boost.
I decided I was beaten on this one so enlisted the help of Castle Performance and Ahmed Bayjoo to help me track down the problem.
After 2 days of testing everything on the engine we discovered the phase sensor was down on the distributor, this put the ECU into limp home mode, so I have been driving on track for months in "get you home safely" mode! (One of the problems with driving the Westie is that it feels quick even when sick after not driving it for a while) One of the things this does is shut off the boost control system so I was never going to get that set up properly.
We now had a healthy engine management system but it still didn't hold the boost! We did every test you could imagine, static pressure testing, running with no silencer (god that's loud, sorry Staffordshire), running with no
filter, running with the boost control disconnected to let the turbo go ballistic! Still no held boost.
Only thing it could be now was the turbo itself had a problem with its build, I had a new turbo after my last ring trip built for me, but using the original exhaust housing as the original turbo was only a few weeks old and had an inconel waste gate shaft (expensive). I had to replace it after switching it off cherry red when my oil pipe failed at the ring, cooking the oil in the bearing and killing it. I was unhappy with the boost from this original turbo also but thought it was just me not setting it up properly at the time.
I called the guys at the Turbo Shop that built my GroupA turbo up and they wouldn't believe it could possibly be faulty. After 2, 30 minute phone calls I managed to persuade them that they had to make me a new turbo for free as
it definitely was faulty! To there credit they reluctantly agreed, I can be very persuasive sometimes!
This left me with the task of getting a new turbo collected, me driving down to Daventry Wednesday evening and installing it before we set off for the ring Thursday.
I arrived at Harj's place at 8.30pm and put the Westie in the garage, some common RS200 was next to my very rare Westfield in there. [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif[/img] I let it cool a while and at 9pm got stuck into stripping the turbo from the car. I installed the new turbo and was just about to fire it up at 11pm when I realized they hadn't drilled the hole in the exhaust housing for the lambda sensor!! Having spoken to Ahmed in the past about how his Pectel P8 map works I made the decision that this would be safe, on WOT the lambda isn't read, above 3000rpm it isn't either so I was happy the engine would be safe if not a little annoyed by the cockup.
I warmed the car up for 15 minutes after priming the turbo oil system properly then took it for a spin to set the boost up, spanners in hand. I had wanted to use some 1.5mm jets on the compressor outlet pipe to the Amal valve but could only find my 2mm drill bit so I ended up putting one eye of preload on the actuator rod end instead of my preferred ½ eye. This was still OK but the less load on the waste gate the better when not running with an inconel shaft, which I now wasn't.
WOW is all I can say, with this setup I had 1.6bar peak and holding 1.5bar to 6500rpm then it dropped away to 1.3bar by 7200rpm. I could have put more preload on it to give me 1.7bar over boost but I didn't want to overload the waste gate shaft, they bend at very high temps with lots of preload on you see.
To say I now had a different car is a HUGE understatement; it totally transformed it from a laggy fairly quick car to absolutely barking mad instant response. I was very happy and looking forward to some seriously fast driving in Germany.
It was now time for bed, so after packing up my tools and getting it ready for the morning start I eventually got to bed at 2am.
Day1, Thursday 12th
I woke up at 4.15am, less than 2 hours sleep! Talk about knackered! We left Harj's house at 5am prompt. Harj driving the 22B with Richard Askew as passenger, Richard Squire driving his new baby, the RS200 with Joel as
passenger, Stef in CK1 and finally me in my Westfield Zei220 with its now bonkers 330BHP healthy engine. I had my luggage and some major waste gate chatter as company.
The trip down south was very uneventful, we then arrived onto the M20 and I decided to open it up a little and see what it would do on a fast corner, we are talking seriously quick cornering ability and it was pulling very hard. Without doubt the fastest by a long margin it has ever been. Harj then decided to see what the 22B could do and opened that up on a long straight, I was just tootling behind at about half throttle with the 22B on full chat when it threw a big stone up and cracked my windscreen. Bugger, huge split from top to bottom! We then decided to pull into the services on the M20 for some fuel. Richard and Stef followed me in but no Harj???
The phone call then came I was dreading, the 22B engine had failed, sounds like the infamous number 3 bearing from the description so Stef towed the sick 22B into the services. No external oil showing, no rods out the block
etc. so hopefully it's just the crank and bearings that need replacing? That's another story in the future no doubt.
We then had a bite to eat, arranged for the 22B to be shipped back up north on an AA flat bed and stuck Harj and Richards gear into the assembled cars that were steadily arriving at the services. It was a sad sight to see the 22B drive off into the distance but Richard took it very well, "at least the old girl let us down this side of the channel, very considerate of it" LOL
So off we all drove to Dover for the Seacat. We arrived very early so just sat around chatting killing time and getting to know each other, we now had a big group including the Rainbird rocket (540BHP sapphire cossie), RS200, BMW M coupe, BMW 330 Diesel (this would be a revelation), every type of scoob you could imagine (less a 22B) plus my pocket rocket. Quite a sight next to all the euro econoboxes!
We finally boarded the Seacat; I nearly lost my sump on the on ramp, as my car is very low. We then had a 40-minute crossing where the banter continued to fly. The engine on the seacat was seriously sick though, talk about an
over fueling diesel engine, we all ended up covered in soot from the pitch black exhaust gases!
On arriving in Calais we all grouped together ready for a mega convoy to the ring. 3 corners out of the port and we got lost!! Some going up the motorway, some going into the town searching for fuel, what a cockup! LOL
Eventually we all met up again and headed off up the highway in search of Germany. We had a strict 100-mile fuel stop regime, any more and I would be out of fuel with my 27-litre fuel tank capacity. We had some serious fun on
the way up with other traffic, one guy in a Merc cut me up, the ensuing police style rolling roadblock by the guys in the convoy was hilarious. This plonker ended up surrounded by Impreza's who controlled everything he did for a mile of 2 as I sailed by with a big grin on my face. I think he got the message [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif[/img]
Mike Rainbird then decided to show me how much faster his 540BHP cossie is than my Westie accelerating from 70MPH, errrrrrrmmmmmmm wrong Mike, he was amazed to see me catching him up, with his foot planted to the floor. My Westie was quick before, now it's just unreal. It was fun to sit behind mike as he amazed onlookers with his flame show. Do you use AGP601P's or C57's in that back box mike?? LOL
We had a great run for most of the trip but somewhere north in Belgium the motorway was blocked so we were sat in standing traffic. I pressed my clutch down and felt it snap a little, Oh bollix, that's one strand of the clutch cable just failed! I now couldn't get it in gear with the engine running but it would just about release enough to not drag when stationary. I now had to sit with one foot on the brake and one with the clutch depressed during ½ an hour of stop start 2mph traffic. My leg was killing me.
We eventually made it to the other side of the accident and started rolling again, this was a huge relief to me and also Richard in the RS200, which has no cooling fan and a rather vicious clutch.
The rest of the trip was pretty uneventful. We met up with Ben Lovejoy at one fuel stop and he decided to join our convoy as leader. It was great to meet Ben, his website is superb and has been of huge benefit to many Ringers. We eventually left the final motorway and headed for the first town. As I went to change gear the clutch pedal went to the floor, cable snapped completely!! Damn, I had over 50 miles of small road and town driving to do and no clutch. Good job I can heal and toe, I spent the next 50 miles matching my revs to gears and actually enjoyed doing clutchless shifts by the end of the journey, good practice for the ring's fast downshifts! Only difficult moments were at traffic lights. Fortunately we only had a few we stopped at so I just started it in first gear and hoped the starter motor could cope, which it did with no complaints.
We arrived at the Hotel early evening in the dark, I was feeling ready for bed after just 2 hours sleep and a long drive in an open car.
I dumped my gear in the bedroom and headed straight down to the restaurant for some food and a glass of beer. This was going to be a quick meal, bit of a chat then straight to bed. How wrong was I on that one!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What happened after the meal is a complete mystery to me, I haven't a clue what I drank but it was a LOT!! I am not touching Tequila ever again!!! I remember saying this before some time [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif[/img]
Thanks Faye for taking me to my room [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif[/img] Stef you git, I'll get you back for that video one day!!!!
Day2 Friday the 13th!!!!!!!!
I woke up at 1.30pm, god my head hurt and not a cup of coffee or alka seltzer in sight. I was not well!! I then remembered I had a clutch cable to replace before I could drive the Westie to the circuit. I always carry a spare so I thought that would be a quick 30 minute job, easy peasy!! Ermmmm Nope...... I had somehow brought the wrong cable, it was way too long. I now had to work out a bodge to make a cable that would work. I eventually used 2 sockets, bits from the original cable, 4 washers and a load of tank tape to make a workable cable. 2 hours later I was ready to roll so I fired the beasty up. ****, I now had a small water leak up front near the radiator. I double clip all my water hoses but I still had a leak on one of the joints! To get to the hose I had to strip the front nosecone off and remove the intercooler and its ducting plates, what a nightmare.
1 hour later I was ready to roll so jumped into the Westie and headed for the circuit. As I neared the track car park I opened it up then let the waste gate chatter show my arrival. It was hilarious to hear a cry of "Felstead" from all the assembled scoobynet gang over all the engine noise.
I said hello to all the assembled gang, who all started to tell me how mad the night before was, I can't remember a damn thing???? Oops!! LOL
I then bought my 12-lap ticket, Joel strapped his camera to my car and I strapped Joel to my car and we headed off for my first lap of the ring since that dreadful moment last October when my oil pipe failed. I was a little nervous about it but as soon as I cleared the barriers I went into my usual track driving mode and everything else was just blocked out of my mind. WOW, is my car fast now, after the first few corners I was well into driving the ring again, watching Stef's tape had definitely helped me remember most of the blind crests. I had made some major changes to the suspension since my last visit also as it was a real handful in October, the car was working very well on these new shocks and springs, the ride height increase and toe settings were working very well too on this rather fast bumpy circuit.
I am not sure of my first lap time but the video showed it to below 9 minutes according to Joel and I was taking it very easy! This was looking promising. I spoke to Joel afterwards; he had flown in from Seattle and was over on behalf of Microsoft to get info on the ring for the Xbox Games Project. My car is the fastest cornering, braking and accelerating vehicle he had ever experienced; he seemed quite impressed by it all.
My next lap came some 30 minutes later and it started to snow as I set off out of the barrier. This was going to get interesting! The track was wet for the first half-mile then bone dry until the carousel; it then got "oh my god this is scary" slippy for the remainder of the lap. I was getting major wheelspin and had a few nasty breakaways as the turbo spooled up. 330BHP, snow, RWD, 700Kg and virtual slicks are not a great combination on the ring, huge fun, massive challenge but very dangerous.
I made it round to the finish at some pathetic pace but I was there to drive the ring for 3 days, not be a hero and stick it into the barriers on the 2nd lap.
That was all my driving over for the day, so we all headed back to the hotel, got changed then headed for the Karting track for a quick blast around. I think I got 2nd fastest lap to Ollie who is a very experienced kart racer so I am happy with that.
We then headed out to the pub for a meal and drink, I was strictly a coke man all night, I needed to detox badly as Saturday was going to be dry and I planned on giving it some on track.
Everyone else gave it large on the beer though, it was a top night and a lot of fun, your all barking mad!!!
Day3 Saturday 14th
I woke up at 8am, no sign of stef and his camera thank god although the buggers tried to break my door down at 4am to do a second filming, thanks guys, I slept great after that, not. I was sober Friday night so remembered to lock my room this time!
I arrived at the ring about 9.30 and strapped the next victim into the westie and was straight out on track. I haven't a clue what lap times I set but it was under nine minutes, I was taking it fairly easy and checking the track conditions out. The circuit had great grip, dry everywhere and nice and cold to aid my cooling of the radiator and intercooler.
I then let the car cool for 30 minutes, my cooling is a bit marginal so I like to get it nice and cold before I set off on a new lap. I plan on installing an F1 cored rad and front mounted intercooler soon, this should give me more consistent power even in summer. Right now by 2/3rds round the ring the intercooler is getting too hot, I lose around 30BHP I feel for the last 3rd of the lap.
The next lap was an 8min 25 seconds from bridge to gantry, again I wasn't pushing too hard and had plenty of traffic and yellow flags to contend with.
This went on for a few runs, with me doing the odd bodge in between on the clutch cable. I noticed one of my water pipes near the turbo started to melt so I wrapped that in some heat shield cloth after re-terminating it. I need to do a full heat shield job around the turbo area now; its producing so much heat now the boost is being held its risking melting the bodywork!
I took MikeR for a run then and my clutch bodge failed completely after the first series of corners so I did a lap without a clutch. Even so mike seemed pretty impressed with the improvements to the car I have made since he last had a run around snetterton last year. On returning I made a much more permanent job of the clutch cable, it was also starting to show signs of overheating so I went to the restaurant and stole some bacofoil from the kitchen, came back to the car and wrapped the clutch cable with that. It worked a treat, amazing what you do with a bit of imagination.
The next lap I strapped Richard askew in the car, he had been bugging me all day for a run but I had always promised someone else. I felt quite confident in where the road went now over the fast blind crests and corners so was starting to push the car a little harder. I was having a pretty fast run, keeping it flat over the fast crests and taking the corners with a pretty good level of commitment. My lines were no where near spot on but still going pretty quickly for a newcomer to the ring, which I am in no illusions about!
This is when I made a big mistake, I got 2 corners wrong in my mind, I thought I was approaching Breidsheid when I was actually approaching Wehrseifen. The entry to the two corners looks similar only Wehseifen is about 30MPH slower on entry and has a very tight exit, not for me it didn't!! So I come barrelling in there too fast, I had also just passed a bike and car round the outside so I was out quite wide when I realised my mistake. Holy ****, this could hurt!! I had 2 choices, either try make the entry line, which would probably spin me off into the exit Armco or try and straight line the curb and use the curb and then exit tarmac to slow me. I took the later which was a bit hairy but didn't really cause any problems, just scared the hell out of Richard who could see the barriers approaching not knowing what I was thinking or doing.
Anyway, that wasn't scary for me as I was thinking my way out of the problem, I made a mental note that I have a lot to learn still so keep something in reserve but I still then pushed on at a fair pace, the car felt fantastic. I passed more Porsche's etc than I can remember, most fun was the blue 911 with the huge wings, I took that round the outside on the entry into the big spectator area at brunnchen, that made me giggle to myself. I got held up a few times but was having a very quick lap, I completely forgot Richard was in the car. I always switch off once on track anything that isn't of importance to driving; the passenger is one of those things.
Coming down the main straight at the finish Richard showed me the stopwatch; it showed 7 min 56 seconds. I though I was going pretty quickly but not that quick! I had an onboard video running for the whole lap so I could verify it later but I thought maybe it was possible so I showed a few friends the time, like you do. [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif[/img] Looking at the tape later the lap was an 8min 20 which is no where near how quick I could do a lap I believe. I had forgotten about being held up badly at the start of the lap. When I watched the video I lost a good 15 seconds just in the first few corners due to traffic. I am certain now that on a clear lap with no passenger, even with my level of knowledge of the circuit a high 7 minute lap is more than achievable.
Richard exited my car very unsteadily, he hadn't said a word the whole lap so even after my near miss I was still giving it full throttle, god knows what he was thinking during the rest of the lap. It took him a good hour to look OK again, I think I scared him quite badly!
The rest of the day carried on as usual; Stef and I did a great run in convoy for the CossieKiller2 video, this time he was holding me up! [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif[/img] I have to say following Stef is bloody brilliant fun, to see an Impreza going that quick just a few feet in front of me is just unreal, the footage is awesome from both cars.
I then got to give some of the regular ringers a run as passengers in my car, mainly as a big thankyou to mike and Lauren's for the help they gave me last October when dealing with the police over the incident with my oil pipe failure. It was great to meet those guys again and be able to say thankyou in person. I look forward to seeing them on my next trips over, really top people.
So that was that for the day, I never got a clear lap once but I had some pretty quick laps non the less, 8 min 30's are real easy, next time I expect to be doing my first 7 minute laps. I'll come with harder rear tyres though, now I have such good power they are going off by the carousel. I started the day with brand new rears; they are now below 1mm.
The night was fun down the bar; I allowed myself a drink or 3 this time as the forecast was for snow on Saturday night. We spent some time watching the videos from Stef and Myself and it was pretty amazing stuff to watch. When I am driving it doesn't seem quite so quick. It was great to see all the ringers in the bar watch my cars acceleration with open mouths, it really is like a superbike on 4 wheels. It was fun when they all started to cheer when I passed the blue Porsche round the outside, quite embarrassing actually.
Watching Stefs onboard footage of our lap together was a lot of fun too, that thing is so nailed on the corner exits, it's very impressive. Cossiekiller2 will be quite a tape!
The night ended with us fighting our way back up to the hotel through 6" of snow and Stef and I taking the piss out of Rainbirds rocket with some snow graffiti.
Day4 Sunday 15th
Snowed off!!!! Bummer!!!
Never mind, we all headed off to a local restaurant to watch the GP on a big screen TV. I thought the coverage was amazing. It was the new digital F1 TV that the Germans have access to and it made the race for me. ITV sucks ass compared to that, even in German!!!! Great to see ralfy get his first win, along with Williams, BMW and Michelin, they stuffed everyone big style. Montoya put in yet another awesome move, this time on truli. This season is looking great!
Rest of the day we just hung out. I swapped my pads back to the road spec pads; I was running on some IndyCar Hawk carbon metalics on track that have a great bite to them but are deadly on a public road when cold.
We all went for a meal together with some of the Belgium Scooby mates in the evening; it was nice to see Theo again although I didn't get to say hi for too long. Then it was back to the bar again for yet another session. Stef doing his Saturday night fever impressions was hilarious. Listening to him ordering a Vodka and Red Buuuuuuull was fun, every time it was a case of I don't want that red vodka, its only 15% you know, give me the proper vodka with my red Buuuuull. I think he fancied Claudia a bit too, not sure she fancied someone known as Collie Kisser though! LOL
Day5 Monday 16th
It was a case of convoy to Calais, we set off at 11am and just cruised our way at a sedate(ish) pace down through Germany, Belgium and France. We went through some serious rainstorms. It was quite frightening at times driving on my virtual slicks in the standing water, I had to be so careful with the throttle in that as the rears just lit up if I was too quick on putting the power on. We still set a cracking pace, stopping at the odd fuel station to fill up and do the odd doughnut! [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif[/img] *cough*
Just outside the hoverport in Calais my front mudguard bracket sheered off! I suppose they aren't really designed for the forces 155MPH can put on them, I am amazed they lasted so long! Half a roll of tank tape later I headed into the hoverport. We were delayed over an hour due to rough seas. I am glad we went by seacat and not ferry is all I can say.
We then had a 40 minute sail to Dover which wasn't too rough, everyone looked exhausted though, I cant think why? I was the last car off the seacat. Typical, I had the longest drive ahead of me of the whole group! I had to time my exit with the rocking of the boat so I didn't remove my sump as the ramp was going up and down like crazy, I got it off with no problems thankfully.
We then just cruised up the motorway to Daventry, I had a quick coffee then headed off back to Manchester, watching my front mudguard wobble away, tank tape doing a Stirling job of holding it in place at some silly speeds.
I arrived home at around 1am, totally frozen and totally exhausted. What a fantastic trip. I can't wait for the next one.
Thanks to everyone who came along, every single one was a huge laugh and were into the whole trip. I hope you all come on the next trip because it was great fun for me.
The westie performed superbly, only problem was the clutch cable, which I managed to work around, plus the mudguard bracket failing under the strain of all the high speed runs. I need a new windscreen too. It has 2 huge cracks in it now, one from the stone off the 22B and one from the strain put on it from the softtop at 130MPH trying to pull the screen out of the bodywork, instant crack!! I may fit an aero screen and add some more top speed acceleration to the beast, as the drag is very high from an upright screen. That should make it a quick car. LOL
piccies at [url="http://www.btinternet.com/~john.felstead/easterringtrip/"]http://www.btinternet.com/~john.felstead/easterringtrip/[/url]
| ArcticWRX | 04-18-2001 08:00 PM |
I would hate to guess what it must cost to overhaul the bottom end of that 22b engine!!
Looks like a ton of fun that's for sure!
Any chance a few video clips might show up over here?? puuhleezze![img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif[/img]!
Looks like a ton of fun that's for sure!
Any chance a few video clips might show up over here?? puuhleezze![img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif[/img]!
| kelley nelson | 04-18-2001 08:21 PM |
That's quite an odyssey! Sorry to hear about the 22B misfortune.. ouch.
Great story, thanks for posting [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif[/img]
[This message has been edited by kelley nelson (edited April 18, 2001).]
Great story, thanks for posting [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif[/img]
[This message has been edited by kelley nelson (edited April 18, 2001).]
| montgog | 04-18-2001 08:55 PM |
Did you guys get to drive the old course or the Formula One? The old course is the only one for me.
I used to live in Ulmen. Thats about 15 minutes away for you folks here in the states. That place is awesome.
I used to live in Ulmen. Thats about 15 minutes away for you folks here in the states. That place is awesome.
| Spectre23 | 04-19-2001 07:44 AM |
I hate you so very very much [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/frown.gif[/img]
Sounds way too fun. Some day I will be rich enough to make a trip over there. I just hope I am young enough to drive still [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif[/img]
Sounds way too fun. Some day I will be rich enough to make a trip over there. I just hope I am young enough to drive still [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif[/img]
| johnfelstead | 04-19-2001 10:08 AM |
If you look at the map, you will see a little loop at the bottom left, thats the modern GP Circuit.
We drove the big daddy 13.5 mile circuit!!! the big loop!! Absolutely awesome!
Video Clips are of my mate Stef Reader in CK1 (cossiekiller), the fastest scooby at the ring, he can fly round there.
Footage from onboard my car is being converted as it was taped in US format, i'll post that when i get it online, its pretty awesome stuff!! [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
The following clip shows a fly-by of CK1 going through my favourite part of the track, Pflanzgarten 2. I cannot describe how much of a rush this sequence provides, it's simply awesome. [url="http://www.scoobynet.co.uk/video/stef/ring-1.mpg"]http://www.scoobynet.co.uk/video/stef/ring-1.mpg[/url]
The next clip shows the same part of the circuit filmed from in-car. In the rear seat is Mike Rainbird, owner of the fastest road-going Cossie in the country (genuine 540BHP) and therefore un-scareable.......right? (bit of bad language) [url="http://www.scoobynet.co.uk/video/stef/ring-2.mpg"]http://www.scoobynet.co.uk/video/stef/ring-2.mpg[/url]
Have fun. [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
[This message has been edited by johnfelstead (edited April 19, 2001).]
We drove the big daddy 13.5 mile circuit!!! the big loop!! Absolutely awesome!
Video Clips are of my mate Stef Reader in CK1 (cossiekiller), the fastest scooby at the ring, he can fly round there.
Footage from onboard my car is being converted as it was taped in US format, i'll post that when i get it online, its pretty awesome stuff!! [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
The following clip shows a fly-by of CK1 going through my favourite part of the track, Pflanzgarten 2. I cannot describe how much of a rush this sequence provides, it's simply awesome. [url="http://www.scoobynet.co.uk/video/stef/ring-1.mpg"]http://www.scoobynet.co.uk/video/stef/ring-1.mpg[/url]
The next clip shows the same part of the circuit filmed from in-car. In the rear seat is Mike Rainbird, owner of the fastest road-going Cossie in the country (genuine 540BHP) and therefore un-scareable.......right? (bit of bad language) [url="http://www.scoobynet.co.uk/video/stef/ring-2.mpg"]http://www.scoobynet.co.uk/video/stef/ring-2.mpg[/url]
Have fun. [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
[This message has been edited by johnfelstead (edited April 19, 2001).]
| ColinL | 04-19-2001 01:08 PM |
great story! I'll have to check the videos out at home this evening.
and why is it that so many people have stories that involve never touching tequila again? [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/lol.gif[/img]
and why is it that so many people have stories that involve never touching tequila again? [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/lol.gif[/img]
| direwlf | 04-19-2001 05:16 PM |
Killer story. Must be nice to have a car that would do the ring justice [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif[/img] I especially like the part about the scoobynet guys boxing in that guy who cut you off [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif[/img]
| Stef The Cossie Killer | 04-19-2001 06:09 PM |
John's novels are now legendary over here on Scoobynet! [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
I hope you all enjoy the video clips of CK1.
I'll post some of John's car soon too. [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif[/img]
Post number two of several thousand I hope! [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif[/img]
Stef.
I hope you all enjoy the video clips of CK1.
I'll post some of John's car soon too. [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif[/img]
Post number two of several thousand I hope! [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif[/img]
Stef.
| ColinL | 04-19-2001 07:21 PM |
ok, so now I've seen them. (they're not as big as I would have thought, coulda leeched 'em at work!)
Stef, you are hauling a lot more ass than the 911s!
Stef, you are hauling a lot more ass than the 911s!
| DLC | 04-19-2001 07:52 PM |
Very nice write-up John!
Oh, to have a true track even close to me...
Oh, and who's doing some movie conversions so we can see you in action?!
[This message has been edited by DLC (edited April 19, 2001).]
Oh, to have a true track even close to me...
Oh, and who's doing some movie conversions so we can see you in action?!
[This message has been edited by DLC (edited April 19, 2001).]
| Charge | 04-19-2001 08:26 PM |
I just showed that clip to some friends of mine, who claim my car is slow(which it is, compared to most, no delusions here). They don't think my car "could" be fast,even. Well, at least they didn't, until they saw Stef's beast! WOW!!
Now that's a car...
If I saw that and the Westie coming up behind me on a road, I think I'd cry!
Neil
Now that's a car...
If I saw that and the Westie coming up behind me on a road, I think I'd cry!
Neil
| Volvorules | 04-19-2001 08:37 PM |
John, great story there. Makes me long for cars like that and the money to buy them...and oh yeah, not living in the US where they'd be restricted to the tracks. Next time you go, can I ride along!! [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif[/img]
| OnTheGas | 04-19-2001 09:18 PM |
Those clips are just incredible!! To follow up on what Charge said, I'm keeping those to show folks why I bought my Impreza. (Not that mine is in that neighborhood, performance-wise.) It's a nice rush to just watch the video. I am wanting a copy of the video's that make it stateside!
| kaos200 | 04-20-2001 12:26 AM |
those vids are great
someone in vid 2 has potty mouth,... for shame! naughty driver[img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] j/k
someone in vid 2 has potty mouth,... for shame! naughty driver[img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] j/k
| Stef The Cossie Killer | 04-20-2001 03:25 AM |
DLC.
Once the tapes have been sent back to me from the US I will get them converted to PAL and post some in-car clips of John up. In the meantime I have some footage taken from my car whilst I'm following (being held up by.. [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif[/img] ) him so I'll post that asap. The lap we did together actually worked out really well. I followed him at the beginning where I'm (surprisingly) quicker and then he followed me from half-way where he's (surprisingly) quicker, so the footage is very close-up (until the last mile or so that is! [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif[/img] ).
OTG.
Once I've got some NTSC copies produced I'll work out the best way of getting them over there. I'll send Subie Gal a copy to 'review' and then hopefully the orders will come flooding in! [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif[/img]
Stef.
[This message has been edited by Stef The Cossie Killer (edited April 20, 2001).]
Once the tapes have been sent back to me from the US I will get them converted to PAL and post some in-car clips of John up. In the meantime I have some footage taken from my car whilst I'm following (being held up by.. [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif[/img] ) him so I'll post that asap. The lap we did together actually worked out really well. I followed him at the beginning where I'm (surprisingly) quicker and then he followed me from half-way where he's (surprisingly) quicker, so the footage is very close-up (until the last mile or so that is! [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif[/img] ).
OTG.
Once I've got some NTSC copies produced I'll work out the best way of getting them over there. I'll send Subie Gal a copy to 'review' and then hopefully the orders will come flooding in! [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif[/img]
Stef.
[This message has been edited by Stef The Cossie Killer (edited April 20, 2001).]
| DLC | 04-20-2001 06:30 AM |
Sounds great Stef, chalk me up for a copy (NTSC of course).
| stimpy | 04-20-2001 08:01 AM |
You guys are having way too much fun out there. Glad you shared it with us [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif[/img]
-Jon
highly anticipating more videos
-Jon
highly anticipating more videos
| remarcable | 04-20-2001 08:34 AM |
I used to work for a local video production shop and I am pretty sure they would let me come in and convert from PAL to NTSC. The only problem is their equipment only does PAL for BetaCam tapes, not standard VHS.
Oh well. And DAMN that impreza was flying.
Nice.
Oh well. And DAMN that impreza was flying.
Nice.
| TR | 04-20-2001 09:14 AM |
<IMG SRC="http://www.btinternet.com/~john.felstead/easterringtrip/5amstart.jpg" border=0>
talk about a sick garage. [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
when I get home I am going to check out those videos!
talk about a sick garage. [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
when I get home I am going to check out those videos!
| johnfelstead | 04-20-2001 10:05 AM |
Nothing sick about that garage. [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
There is a combined BHP of 1185 BHP there. [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
Probably a value of around $180,000 [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/cool.gif[/img]
Get on with it Stef, get my footage up, its bonkers. [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
There is a combined BHP of 1185 BHP there. [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
Probably a value of around $180,000 [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/cool.gif[/img]
Get on with it Stef, get my footage up, its bonkers. [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
| johnfelstead | 04-20-2001 10:35 AM |
[quote]The lap we did together actually worked out really well. I followed him at the beginning where I'm (surprisingly) quicker and then he followed me from half-way where he's (surprisingly) quicker, so the footage is very close-up (until the last mile or so that is! [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif[/img] ).[/quote]
Close-up! we nearly had a westaru a few times stef. [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] Pity i had to wait around for 10 seconds whilst you negotiated a little miata (MX5 to Stef [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif[/img] ) [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img] [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] LOL
Stef left me on that last jump as its pretty hairy in a little 2wd car like mine, i dont yet know the ring as well as stef so self preservation took over [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/eek.gif[/img] I was back up his bumper at the end of the lap though. [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/cool.gif[/img] [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
Cossiekiller at the ring 1 is a great video, cossiekiller 2 will be just mindblowing.
My onboard footage is being used by the guys at MS on the XBox project, they strapped a camera on my rollbar and the resulting footage is just amazing. As soon as my copy arives i'll get some on the net for you. It will also be in cossiekiller2. [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
Close-up! we nearly had a westaru a few times stef. [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] Pity i had to wait around for 10 seconds whilst you negotiated a little miata (MX5 to Stef [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif[/img] ) [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img] [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] LOL
Stef left me on that last jump as its pretty hairy in a little 2wd car like mine, i dont yet know the ring as well as stef so self preservation took over [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/eek.gif[/img] I was back up his bumper at the end of the lap though. [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/cool.gif[/img] [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
Cossiekiller at the ring 1 is a great video, cossiekiller 2 will be just mindblowing.
My onboard footage is being used by the guys at MS on the XBox project, they strapped a camera on my rollbar and the resulting footage is just amazing. As soon as my copy arives i'll get some on the net for you. It will also be in cossiekiller2. [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
| J Colman | 04-20-2001 10:56 AM |
Awesome stuff, nice vids as well
| DLC | 04-20-2001 01:09 PM |
Is CK1 still available?!?!
So, you're going to be in an XBox game? Damn! That is very, very nice man. The whole world can see how wicked-fast your car is!
So, you're going to be in an XBox game? Damn! That is very, very nice man. The whole world can see how wicked-fast your car is!
| johnfelstead | 04-20-2001 05:08 PM |
CK1 is just being converted to NTSC so you guys can buy it.
The demand for the video has been huge over in the UK and germany, i think you guys in the US will be blown away by it!
My car wont be in the XBox game, they used my car to get a good impresion of the entire circuit and its charicteristics, boy oh boy did they get one hell of a wild ride.
Check out CK2 when its available, you'll understand what i mean by that. [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
[This message has been edited by johnfelstead (edited April 20, 2001).]
The demand for the video has been huge over in the UK and germany, i think you guys in the US will be blown away by it!
My car wont be in the XBox game, they used my car to get a good impresion of the entire circuit and its charicteristics, boy oh boy did they get one hell of a wild ride.
Check out CK2 when its available, you'll understand what i mean by that. [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
[This message has been edited by johnfelstead (edited April 20, 2001).]
| Stef The Cossie Killer | 04-20-2001 06:03 PM |
"I was back up his bumper at the end of the lap though."
Not according to my footage you weren't John! [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/tongue.gif[/img]
If you like, I'll post that clip up for everyone to see you get your butt kicked by a proper car!! [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
Stef.
Not according to my footage you weren't John! [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/tongue.gif[/img]
If you like, I'll post that clip up for everyone to see you get your butt kicked by a proper car!! [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
Stef.
| DLC | 04-20-2001 06:38 PM |
Ah, rivalries!
Post ANYTHING!
Post ANYTHING!
| Scooby South | 04-20-2001 07:21 PM |
Was Squire with You????? [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
| pio!pio! | 04-20-2001 09:44 PM |
johnfelstead:
do you know what the game is gonna be called?
do you know what the game is gonna be called?
| johnfelstead | 04-21-2001 01:20 AM |
[email protected] you muppet [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/tongue.gif[/img][img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
get my bloody footage up, me leaving you for dead out of some of the tight corners would be good. [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
Stef makes up his time when following me mainly on braking, the AP's on his Impreza are awesome. I have to contend with pidly little 285mm disks and NO ABS so it takes a little bit of car control to keep it in check. [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif[/img][img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
Looking forward to Cadwell Park next week Stef, I think you'll be gobsmacked m8. [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
(in case your not sure, Stef and me are good mates, we have a good banter/rivalry going which is 100% fun, we both kick the asses of anything else on track. The footage of us both slicing past 996 GT3 porsche's will stun you, makes them look very slow [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img])
No idea on the game release dates i am afraid.
get my bloody footage up, me leaving you for dead out of some of the tight corners would be good. [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
Stef makes up his time when following me mainly on braking, the AP's on his Impreza are awesome. I have to contend with pidly little 285mm disks and NO ABS so it takes a little bit of car control to keep it in check. [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif[/img][img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
Looking forward to Cadwell Park next week Stef, I think you'll be gobsmacked m8. [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
(in case your not sure, Stef and me are good mates, we have a good banter/rivalry going which is 100% fun, we both kick the asses of anything else on track. The footage of us both slicing past 996 GT3 porsche's will stun you, makes them look very slow [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img])
No idea on the game release dates i am afraid.
| Stef The Cossie Killer | 04-21-2001 03:09 AM |
John.
You want me to post clips of your 400bhp/ton rocket leaving my 200bhp/ton spaceship on the straights???? Hmmmm, typical Cossie owner! [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img] [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
I don't recall you ever pulling a 100 metre gap out over me though, even on the straights! Maybe I should post that clip? [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif[/img]
Cadwell will be great, we've got to get more great footage. I'm sure you'll get your revenge, you need to for your sake! [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif[/img]
Stef.
You want me to post clips of your 400bhp/ton rocket leaving my 200bhp/ton spaceship on the straights???? Hmmmm, typical Cossie owner! [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img] [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
I don't recall you ever pulling a 100 metre gap out over me though, even on the straights! Maybe I should post that clip? [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif[/img]
Cadwell will be great, we've got to get more great footage. I'm sure you'll get your revenge, you need to for your sake! [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif[/img]
Stef.
| johnfelstead | 04-21-2001 02:11 PM |
I dont need to do anything matey. It's all a giggle to me. [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
Just remind me again, how many laps (13.5 miles remember!!) of the nurburgring have you done? about 60 isnt it.
I have done a mind boggling 16, i think you have a slight advantage on the blind corners mate, (which is most of them [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/eek.gif[/img] ) [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif[/img] LOL
If you read the info on the ring sites, they recon you need over 200 laps to do a sub 10 minute run. They must be slow learners in europe. [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
Come on, where's my footage?? [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif[/img]
Cadwell will be a giggle m8, we have even experience there. [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img][img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif[/img]
hope your video has an auto zoom feature because its going to need it round there. [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif[/img] And no, i dont mean for the mirror cam [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] LOL
Oh, get your facts straight, i have 471BHP/Tonne [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] but only 2wd, no ABS, no Antiroll bars (sway bars to our american cousins), no power steering, more power than grip by a huge margin, double the aerodynamic drag, 1960's design of chasis and suspension, sit 4" off the ground so can see feck all over the crests.... blah blah blah [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] LOL
I love my westie, its a drivers car. [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
Just remind me again, how many laps (13.5 miles remember!!) of the nurburgring have you done? about 60 isnt it.
I have done a mind boggling 16, i think you have a slight advantage on the blind corners mate, (which is most of them [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/eek.gif[/img] ) [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif[/img] LOL
If you read the info on the ring sites, they recon you need over 200 laps to do a sub 10 minute run. They must be slow learners in europe. [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
Come on, where's my footage?? [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif[/img]
Cadwell will be a giggle m8, we have even experience there. [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img][img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif[/img]
hope your video has an auto zoom feature because its going to need it round there. [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif[/img] And no, i dont mean for the mirror cam [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] LOL
Oh, get your facts straight, i have 471BHP/Tonne [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] but only 2wd, no ABS, no Antiroll bars (sway bars to our american cousins), no power steering, more power than grip by a huge margin, double the aerodynamic drag, 1960's design of chasis and suspension, sit 4" off the ground so can see feck all over the crests.... blah blah blah [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] LOL
I love my westie, its a drivers car. [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
| Stef The Cossie Killer | 04-22-2001 01:02 PM |
YAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWNNNNNNNNNN! [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
I've done 50 laps. It's not my fault you're a wuss!!! [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/tongue.gif[/img]
And don't start with this 'the time's not important' nonsense. I've never taken a photo of a stopwatch before!!! [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
Stef.
I've done 50 laps. It's not my fault you're a wuss!!! [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/tongue.gif[/img]
And don't start with this 'the time's not important' nonsense. I've never taken a photo of a stopwatch before!!! [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
Stef.
| WRSport | 04-22-2001 04:43 PM |
You guys crack me up. More Footage less mupetshow!
Cheers,
Chris Brunell
Cheers,
Chris Brunell
| johnfelstead | 04-22-2001 05:40 PM |
LOL
no stef, you show everyone your video instead m8. [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img][img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif[/img]
Roll on cadwell park.
Now wheres my footage??
piccy of my westie in action at the nurburgring. [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
<IMG SRC="http://motopartner.de/pics/010414_ostern/DSCN8662.jpg" border=0>
[This message has been edited by johnfelstead (edited April 22, 2001).]
no stef, you show everyone your video instead m8. [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img][img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif[/img]
Roll on cadwell park.
Now wheres my footage??
piccy of my westie in action at the nurburgring. [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
<IMG SRC="http://motopartner.de/pics/010414_ostern/DSCN8662.jpg" border=0>
[This message has been edited by johnfelstead (edited April 22, 2001).]
| johnfelstead | 04-23-2001 11:32 AM |
Horahhh
some video footage from Stefs car of my westie.
It's a clip from inside CK1 following my Westie through the 'Foxhole' and up into 'Adenau Forest'. We are travelling in excess of 130mph as we hit the bottom of the dip!!!
Watch for the nice flame at 8 secs too!
A higher quality version will be availalble later tonight.
[url="http://www.scoobynet.co.uk/video/john/jf1.mpg"]http://www.scoobynet.co.uk/video/john/jf1.mpg[/url]
Enjoy!
P.S. I feel for Stef tires, they were not happy [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
some video footage from Stefs car of my westie.
It's a clip from inside CK1 following my Westie through the 'Foxhole' and up into 'Adenau Forest'. We are travelling in excess of 130mph as we hit the bottom of the dip!!!
Watch for the nice flame at 8 secs too!
A higher quality version will be availalble later tonight.
[url="http://www.scoobynet.co.uk/video/john/jf1.mpg"]http://www.scoobynet.co.uk/video/john/jf1.mpg[/url]
Enjoy!
P.S. I feel for Stef tires, they were not happy [img]http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
| WRSport | 04-23-2001 02:05 PM |
Once again you have motivated me to go drive the piss out of my car.
| J Colman | 04-23-2001 06:26 PM |
Nice video
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