I was entered in the VX and looking forward to seeing what I could do with the new car.
Last year I entered my trusty standard 106 Rallye (1.6) in Class 2 (under 2.0 Litre road modified) and had a reasonably sucessful season beating many modifed cars in class 2 and whilst usually managing around 74 to 75 seconds per run I finished with a PB of 73.62. There is also a speed trap on the final straight where I constantly recorded 63mph in the Rallye no matter how hard I pushed it.
For reference, the Class 2 record is held by a guy called Bobby Fryers in a heavily revised Clio Williams 67.55 !!!
So this year in the VX I was placed into class 5 (replica and kits - non ferrous chassis, over 1700 cc) and was up against two guys shareing a Caterham, a Westfield and much to my surprise none other than Mr Bobby Fryers
He has sold his all conquering Clio over the winter and was entered in Class 5 in guess what...Brand new Lotus Elise 190 Sport
This would be an interesting day
I took my two morning pactice runs easy whilst I re-familiarised myself with the track, honestly guys, I can heartily recommend Harewood to all of you it really is like the best stretch of well surfaced empty B-road you can imagine.
Click the map link below whilst I guide you through a quick run...
http://www.caterhams...uk/harewood.htm
I found the best getaway was with 4000rpm dialled up and a brisk clutch take up (any more revs can lead to spinning up on the concrete start area) then the limiter in first into second and you are already nearing the turning in point of the first 90 degrre right "Clarks", a lift or slight confidence dab will set the car up nicely and when grip is established you can take a late apex whilst feeding in the power as you begin the descent (yes downhill
) of "Thompson" Straight into 3rd and flat for a few seconds before hauling enough speed off with a quick Heel and Toe into 2nd before an entry into the esses complex, this right, left, cannot be rushed and you need to hold a line tight after both of these apexes to set yourself up on the left hand side of the track as you enter the long speed sapping right of "chippys".The exit of "chippys" is really wide (this was the start of the old hillclimb course) and you can go flat through the exit and up the brow (just on the limiter) just as you begin to brake for the 90 degree left Country, back on the power for the next short straight with a lift before the long right sweeper of willow and then up from 2nd into 3rd before a feathered throttle to turn into the first left of the Orchard complex, I use the short straight before the right hander to brake and get it back into second, the exit of orchard is quite steeply cambered and you can carry a lot of spped and make full use of all the track on the exit.
The next short straight takes you through the farm buildings and i'm nearly on the limiter in 2nd as I dab the brakes for Farmhouse bend, this very long constant radius left is where you really start to climb (the entry must be about 15 ft lower than the exit) and finding an apex proves tricky, this really is one where you just want to carry as much speed as possible through the exit for the long steep run up the final straight, into 3rd and through the speed trap (where I later find I'm pulling 71mph
) to the last corner.Quarry corner is VERY challengeing, it is a double apex, unsighted, uphill right hander. There are various schools of thought on this one and I was attacking it far less in the VX than previously in the Rallye, so it was a slight lift as you turn in for an early apex and then straight line under braking (and H & T into 2nd) into the furthest part of the corner and then a 90 degree right for a apex clip and over the line. PHEW !
Throughout the day the VX was really up to the task feeling nimble, quick and grippy, I throughly enjoyed myself especially as times tumbled run after run.
I finished 4th (of 5) in class - beat a Caterham
(I will post the full results when they appear) but the big encouragement for me was how close I was to Bobby in the 190 EliseMy best was 70.54, his 69.95. Not bad for a first outing.
I have also been speaking to our Eligibility Secretary, he told me that they would be prepared to run a VX only class at the August 24th meeting with just 6 entries - could be the inauguration of our potential championship for 2004 ? - what do you reckon ?
If the Reliant Scimitar Owners Club (there yesterday BTW) can do it, so can we.
http://www.harewoodhill.co.uk/
cheers
Jamie
Minime, ricky, thorney and Jamie, Any more nutters out there, only 2 places left.
cheers 
I suppose the extra torque counts for a lot on a hillclimb. The Sport 190 would need a very close ratio g'box to keep the engine on cam perhaps 
Let us know the date of your next event, and I'll make the effort to come down for a look around. I've already started planning the mods to my NA for track use, and would be keen to have a go in August.
Gary
PS I'm not nominating myself as a nutter though 
