Mendip TC National 2010

May 17, 2010 · Posted in Racing, Touring Cars · by rob

Are TC Nationals more fun than Buggy Nationals?

Saturday started bright and early at 5:30 for the trip to Mendip on the west coast nr Weston-supermare and although a grey start the forcast was for a good day but rain on Sunday.

On arrival it appeared that nearly everyone had got there several hours before us so the only pit/camping spot was right near the main entry a good walk away from the track, but I like a walk and it was less hecktic.

Practice was great fun my car was nice to drive and fast with no issues that I considered worrying about. So after a few redbull’s to start the morning I figured it was time for a beer and drivers briefing, lots of drivers 80 prostock and 45 ish mod which is good to see in these times.

Round One – Nice and steady after afew sketchy first laps. 16 laps done.

Round Two – After a chat in the pits I decided I needed more speed so switched to a Tekin 10.5 car felt faster after a few sketchy laps but stopped on the last lap. Oh no I’ve killed the motor I thought but on in inspection the pinion had come loose, easy fix.

Round Three – Why are the cars so sketchy on the first laps? Not cleaning off the additive after cooking. Doh, clean tyres worked so much better. Flying run then the car stops about two laps from the end… hmmm too hot maybe… no time to check now beer/ pear cider and burgers to consume now. I was 50^th at his point with stu 56^th

Sunday started really far too early for me with the first spots of rain at 6 so I stumbled around in cold daze for a few hours drinking tea and eating bacon. The first pain of the day started as Stu attempted to start the rented Genni and broke the pull start, great no power.

First practice and Round Four was missed, far too wet for my dry only car.

The job of ‘fixing that’ was handed to me by Stu who waved the I’m an accountant banner so I started disassembly of the genni, 20 odd screws later the thing was apart and cord re-attached, great get it together and were off. It actually started first or second pull, happy days but then Stu moved it round the back of the car and it cut out, never to start again…. Bloody pile of rented #@?! Plan B swung into action and stu’s car became the charge station.

Round Five – So with about 2 mins of car prep I slung my slick tyred car out and slithered around the final round, I was actually really enjoying drifting round the sweepers but I was getting lapped by the wet tyre shod cars.12 laps oh dear.

So final positions Me pole in the G and Stu 9^th in the D, it clearly paid to risk the wet runs.

Final 1 – So the sun was out and the track nice and dry i slowly drove out towards the start line another keen racer decided I was far too slow and smashed me out the way thanks! My car now crabbed round to the start with a badly tweaked chassis and sure enough as the sounder went off my car slewed sideways round the first bend I was last last by turn three on the last lap the car cut out again but I still managed 5^th.

In the pits the Tekin motor was being very touchy and would sort of work then stop so back to the Novak and a quick read of the instructions revealed a very handy feature of the new SXX speedo a temp check! And sure enough the motor was showing the full 10 max temp reached Oops, speedo only on 4 tho. A quick rebuild of the rear shocks but no time for the fronts..

Final 2 – Proper cooked and cleaned tyres the speedo boost and feel turned down abit and the car was going well bit down on top end but good enough for 2^nd this time. Ricky Copsy (Xray) was leading the way and very nearly lapped me, what was he doing the G final!?

Final 3 – Right then last run, rebuilt shocks, boost back up, have it. I lead away from the start and held on for a few laps but ran out of talent and Ricky drove past but then rolled afew laps later so I nipped through but he was having none of that and passed again. 2^nd with an overall of 2^nd in the G. woop woop..

Stu geared up afew teeth for the last run and suddenly looked right on the pace, and put in a fine run to finish 6^th with an overall of 6^th in the D, good work. Ed Clark had clearly gone crazy with the boost for the last run and his Losi jrxs-r (what not blue!) car looked like a missile for three laps until it popped! Chris Granger won Mod in dominant style with his car clocked at 72mph down the straight.

So is TC more fun than buggies…. well no, it’s abit too much like hard work for this RClazy racer, or maybe less redbull next time.