WEEK FIFTEEN

Monday, 24th February

Monday morning and the chassis looks fantastic. The colour I picked certainly looks the part. The wheels go back on, then the engine slots into place for the last time and is secured to it’s mountings.

The clutch is renewed, but judging by the performance of the last one :- one meeting fine, 2nd meeting slipping a bit & by the 3rd meeting, gone blue & stripped, we will be seeing a lot more of it this season as have decided to replace the clutch every 2nd meeting (thats 6 clutches for the season)

The diesel tank arrives from Sheffield and is offered up but has been manufactured incorrectly as only holds 64 litres instead of the 110 litres requested, so that goes straight back to Sheffield same day for a 2nd attempt. How about that then ! Imagine leading the race and running out of diesel on the last chicane and having to watch everyone else drive by and take the chequered flag, that would really do me in after all this investment !!

The gearbox is back from Bolton after a service, and is fitted up behind the engine and new clutch. The new specially made propshaft is then fitted to complete the driveline. It’s short but very, very strong as will have to deliver 1200 horse power to the rear tyres.

It will run at 6 degrees which is only 1 degree over the 5 degree working angle, my mate Martin who now lives in America advised me it should be after his years of experience designing and building large family amusement rides throughout the world. Yet again we’ll have to see later if it all holds together or will fly to bits under race conditions.

End of week 15. 5 weeks to go - under pressure !!