Goodwood

CKL Track Day – 22nd April 2013

Second Shakedown, Testing and new Drivers Initiation ‘Ceremony’

I have an old saying that goes, “It all in the preparation”. This is particularly apt when it comes to racing old classic cars and this car is no exception.

In addition and, those who know how much I dislike OIL LEAKS. It covers up many potential problems that may loom further down the line. More of this later!

First new addition to the Driver Line up

The objective for this Track Day, was to introduce my new Father and Son team Chris and Andrew Keith-Lucas, from CKL Developments, who will be racing with me this year.

Out of the Chicane with a slide on

The day started bright and sunny at 06:30 hours when I headed towards Goodwood.

After our Track Day briefing I thought I would take to the circuit and warm her up and do some initial checks such as, Tyre Pressures and Temperatures,
Brake Drum Temperatures et al.

However, on my return, I found that I had picked up a puncture on the near-side rear tyre around the valve.
The wheel was duly changed and out I went again, this time with Andy Keith-Lucas. I have to say, that Andy took to the car like a duck-to-water and mastered the old Moss 3 Synchro gearbox very quickly. His driving is fast and smooth and he seemed to like the car.

I must admit I was a little nervous as a passenger with a ‘Sprog’ for a driver’ (Sorry Andy!!), but I was very impressed.

Andy ready for action!

Chris was next in line for a fitting and we duly took to the track and I endured the same level of nervousness. But all was well and I think we will race well together this season!

07:45 hrs and a beautiful day ahead, I hope?

One of my own personal achievements of the day was experimenting how fast I could go through the ‘Kink’ called ‘Fordwater’. This can be a tricky bend in what otherwise is almost a straight. At a 100mph Fordwater is fine. At 105mph the car squirmed a little! At 110mph it was almost on the limit, but I achieved 112mph, which I now believe is the ‘Terminal Velocity’ for this car through this bend, as I thought I was going to lose her. I suppose, it’s down to wind, big 16” wheels, high profile Dunlop CR65’s and a certain lack of stiffness in the suspension.

Maybe next time I will stiffen the shock absorbers to their max and try 120mph???

Returning to the subject of oil leaks! All three of us certainly put the car through its paces and, after oil and water top-ups, the gearbox is certainly leaking oil into the passenger foot-well and the Cam Cover is still leaking top-end oil. This will definitely need to be rectified before Donington next week as, dropping even the smallest tad of oil on to a hot exhaust can lead to black smoke that can lead to ‘Marshall Worrying’ and potentially a Black Flag.
 

So, there’s some work to do before getting her ready for next weekend’s race event.

Andy giving JDR a bit of a race driving lesson around Goodwood!

It was very busy day, with nearly 25 Jaguar XK’s and E-Types, including journalists from the RAC and a Swedish Car Magazine who commandeered the Clair Keith-Lucas Jaguar XK150S for on-track video footage.

Andy Keith-Lucas readiying JDR for the Fun Fair

MWS brochures were being requested and advice given on Chrome Wire Wheels and whether to send them to the workshop for polishing or buying new etc. etc.

My first race event of the season is next on the agenda at the:

The Donington Historic Festival on the 3rd to the 5th May

My race, the RAC Woodcote Trophy is now oversubscribed with 41 entries with a maximum of 36 cars for this size of circuit.

Will we see you there? I hope so!

All the best!

John

John Davies Roberts