VF-Racing - Eurosaloons

[Jonathan F]

Vaughan Fletcher No: 16 @Silverstone GP 24th March 2012

BRSCC Eurosaloon Championship Rounds 1 & 2

The Silverstone circuit in Northamptonshire has in recent years been on the receiving end of a multi million pound investment, in order to make it one of a handful of “world class” circuits, and home to the British Grand Prix for a further 15 years.

Originally a World War Two airfield, the circuit was opened in 1948 following a period of inactivity after the war ended.

From an original layout marked out by straw bales and rope to the hi-tech circuit known to us all, Silverstone has always been a part of motoring history.

Pre Race:

A combination of things goes into making a race car competitive, but for 2012 we have decided to focus on improving the cars power to weight ratio, whilst looking to maintain the reliability that we have been so fortunate with in previous years.

The team at “Scoobyclinic” were tasked with the removal of the engine and gearbox, to prepare for the work ahead.

The body shell; which has already been stripped of the majority of unnecessary luxuries, was checked again to see where any extra weight could be lost whilst still remaining within the weight limits laid out by the race championships.

Extra weight has been removed from the doors, redundant wiring has been stripped out and the battery has been relocated to the boot in a carbon fibre box. In doing so this has the benefit of helping to lower the car’s centre of gravity as well as improving access to the engine and improving the airflow into the engine bay.

The engine has been rebuilt using a fresh closed deck block and a long throw steel crank. The engine built by Scoobyclinic’s engine supremo’s Mark and Andy has now grown to 2.33 litres and has been fitted with the best components to help make this engine one of the best.

The new engine has been teamed up with a rebuilt gearbox, which has been fitted with a full PPG gear kit to help keep the power flowing to the wheels.


Race Day:

Lining up against a lot of last year’s competitors, we also found ourselves alongside some exotic and blisteringly quick cars that had joined the series for 2012.

Having not raced on the new GP layout before, it would be a sizeable task to become familiar with the daunting circuit and confirm the cars set up in just 20 minutes of qualifying.

The suspension was adjusted to take into account the circuit’s mixture of tight curves and long straights. The lap times and driver feedback would tell us if we were close or a million miles away.

Slick tyres were fitted, and the pressures set accordingly, with the aim for them to reach optimum temperature and pressure after a lap or so.

Race day dawned foggy, but this soon lifted to reveal a glorious day.

The car was given a final once over and enough fuel added for the session. With a long lap, and a new engine, we had to work out the required quantity of fuel that would see us finish the session, but without carrying excess weight.


Qualifying:

Class A was made up of:

03. Jonathan Faull Mitsubishi Evo 8
06. Andy Robinson Ford Falcon
07. Darren Dowling TVR Sagaris
08. Steve Putt Mazda RX7
14. Doug Ellwood Marcos Mantis
16. Vaughan Fletcher Subaru Impreza RA
18. Rachael Finney Porsche 944
33. Ian Roberts Mitsubishi Evo 5
36. Keith Butcher Ginetta G50
63. Tony Soper Harrier L9
75. Barry Squibb Mitsubishi Evo 9

With serious competition in Class A, plus a plethora of ex BTCC and WTCC touring cars thrown in for good measure, we knew the odds were stacked against us.

The layout used for the Eurosaloon/Britcar event was the full GP circuit, which stretches for 3.660 miles in length. As the longest circuit in the UK, a lap this long would mean that given the 20 minute races, the number of laps would be less than 10.

With an entry of 31 cars, and the majority of them running towards the top of the grid, we needed to get the best qualifying time possible in order to have a good starting position for race 1, however, we would not be alone in this challenge.

With a lap estimated to take around 2 min 20+ sec, we’d have a maximum of 9 laps to record our best time. However with having to take the time to warm up the car and tyres, as well as learn the track, there wouldn’t be a lot of time left to set a quick time.

By the end of the out lap, everything looked and felt ok, and Vaughan was able to push on.

It wasn’t long though before an issue came about, as the BMW of Ian Craig dropped oil around the circuit, but critically on the racing line making fast laps somewhat difficult. With time running out, it was now or never, and everything was put into one last lap.

When the results came in, it was found that the last ditch attempt had produced the goods.

Qualified 3rd in class
Qualified 3rd overall
Fastest lap: 2.19.403 sec on lap 8 of 8

Everything looked to be coming together for a great first race, with only a fresh set of brake pads, checks on the tyres and refuelling needed to get the car ready.


Round 1:

With the pole sitting TVR of Darren Dowling choosing to start the race from the back of the grid, we were promoted to 2nd place on the grid.

With the out lap complete, and the course car safely off track, the lights went out and the grid roared across the start/finish line and headed for Copse.

Andy Robinson shifted in high gear and made for the horizon at a blistering pace. The Evo 9 of Barry Squib hung onto Robinson through Copse and passed us to take 2nd place.

Although quicker on the straights, Vaughan and the Subaru remained in contention with the more powerful Evo and closed the gap under braking and cornering.

A race long battle ensued, which saw the pair trade places as each car played to its strengths.

Half a dozen or so laps in, and the orange TVR had carved its way through the pack, and passed the Subaru and Evo pairing effortlessly, dropping each driver back a position.

Just as the race looked like being a success for the team’s first race of the year, trouble raised its head, with an all too familiar problem.

The boost gauge began to spike over to 30psi, causing the engine’s ECU to cut power levels, and performance. Despite efforts to rectify the issue by trying different boost levels, the problem persisted and the damage was done as the Evo pulled out a comfortable cushion. Thankfully there was a large enough gap back to 5th place due to the rapid pace up to this point, that 4th place remained safe.

Finished 4th in class
Finished 4th overall
Fastest lap: 2:16.451 sec on lap 8 of 9


Back in the paddock, everything was done to try and identify the root cause of the problem.

With calls to Scoobyclinic’s tech team, all the hoses were checked for damage or leaks, and everything else thinkable was looked at.

With the engine cooled down, the car was run up within the confines of the circuit, and all looked promising for the start of race 2.


Round 2:

Back on the grid, everyone lined up in their respective slots and followed the safety car around the circuit for the start. With a good start, any progress was short lived, as the over boost issues from race 1 re-appeared.

Not wanting to risk any engine damage, Vaughan piloted the car in the direction of the paddock.

DNF

Summary

Even though the weekend was over for us, it had provided a welcome return to circuit racing.

Up until the issues in race 1, the new set up was proving to be very effective, with noticeable performance improvements.

The car is already back at Scoobyclinic, where it will have the ECU interrogated in an attempt to identify what caused the issue. Early indications point to a faulty wastegate.

We will be back at Silverstone in 6 weeks for our first outing in the “Classic Thunder” championship.

[the youth]

Nice write up , good luck for the rest of the season


steve

[adam46]

Good write up, Do you know what happend to the AAA Saloon series since your car would be perfect for it if it is still going?

[Peter Dixon]

Nice write up as always. Wow, Barry Squib, haven't heard that name for a long time, is that Barry Squib the ex rallycrosser? I remember watching him at croft when I was a nipper!

[andy robinson]

yip thats him Peter, I used to watch him too, Red gartrac escort ??
Proud to stand next him on the podium

[Peter Dixon]

Originally Posted by andy robinson

yip thats him Peter, I used to watch him too, Red gartrac escort ??
Proud to stand next him on the podium

Aye, thats him, think I remember seeing him out when Gollop had his bi-turbo 6r4, welch with the Astra and Rennison in his RS200, happy days!

Watched the vids of the falcon in action, looks good round silverstone, plenty of room to give it full beans!