Yup, had my first retirement of the year this weekend, at the last race of the season

Got down there on Saturday, at around lunch time to watch a few friends race in a Classic Modified Saloon race - Neil in his Starion, and Andy in his M3. Missed Qualifying, but Neil hit the Pole, with Andy 2nd. Neil Made a bit of a mess on the start, and Andy got away cleanly - though it only took Neil a couple of laps to warm his tyres up, take the lead, and finish with a good lead.

Sunday was a different kettle of fish! Horrible weather all saturday night (Thank god we took the Travel Inn option )

We where 2nd out after Formula Fords at 11:35, but the weather delayed things, and we where to go out first at 13:30!!

Track was soaking wet and the Toyo888's where aquaplaining in a few places where there was standing water. After a few laps I was finding some very strange lines where giving me a lot of grip, and I put the car 4th on the grid out of 18

Unfortunatly though, by the time the actual race came, the track had dried out, and all the big power cars that struggled in the wet went past me in the first couple of laps I dropped to about 9th, and was starting to catch the Rover Tomcat in 8th when I lost all drive coming out of Luffield

Ive yet to inspect the car, but I suspect either a snapped shaft, or more likely a CV joint failure...

Anyway, heres a couple of pics of Neil and Andy, Ill post more if I find any of me

Andy - Demon Start!!



Neil clawing it back...

Gutted for the retirement Stu but have to say for putting the car 4th on the grid out of 18 - at least you know you can easily handle the wet. If nothing else, I'm impressed

Yea, nice one for the 4th place mate....Must have had some bigger balls than a lot of the others.

I know how it feels bout the retirement hahaha...dont worry bout it. Its not surprising that you havent looked at it yet..put it to the back of your mind. Least it wasnt down to driver error...it can all be fixed...

Well, Ive looked at it, and sorted it

When I fitted the shaft, I didnt check it over properly, and the circlip on the end had been damaged at somepoint. TBH Im lucky its lasted this long as the shaft must have been working its way out of the CV all year. So, fitted a new circlip, new pair of CV boots to be safe, and all is well again.

Thankfully all its cost is a retirement, and a 10p part....

excellent news. Just a shame seasons now over....


Thought bout what your gonna do over the winter...track days etc ??

Theres a "Test" day followed by a Winter race day at Angelsea at the end of November - Will do one of the days, just a bit undecided which yet.

I say the Anglesey Winter race, cos theres a chance youll do the coastal track with the amazing Cork Screw

well done on getting up to 4th Stu, shame about the retirement.

check it over properly next time lol

...thing is, its actually lasted all year - I replaced the shaft before I started racing the car.

Unfortunatly, stripping shafts down between races aint something ive ever heard anyone do...