All action - and surprises

Well here we go, the madness has begun and the racing is underway.  The ‘double-header’ which started the ball rolling this season has been and gone and normal service will resume for the next few months as the countdown to the World Final begins.

Before I go any further I’ll answer the question everyone is asking me:  “How is the Duratech?”   The throttle response is awesome and the speed it carries at the end of the straight is almost scary.   It needs a bit of development to give it more speed out of the bends and I’m working closely with John Toovey to get this sorted.   For an engine straight out of the box I’m really pleased with it.   It’s easy to forget just how much development people have put into the Vauxhall over the years and the Ford after all, is a relatively new venture in the world of Hot Rods with very few people having had one.  With a bit of fine tuning it will be up there with the best of the Vauxhalls, and when it comes to getting more power and tuning it, the Ford represents a whole new chapter with lots of room for improvements as we go along.   It’s something I’m very pleased to be involved with and am looking forward to seeing the progress unfold in front of us.

When you last heard from me we still had two cars in the workshop and lots of work to do.   We got mine very nearly finished and in a position to go testing and headed off to Birmingham to give it a run.  Jason was there too and we spent the evening chasing each other around the track like a pair of hooligans before heading off for a feed at Big John’s (the main reason I think Dad likes Birmingham).  I can tell you now there is nothing better than getting into a Hot Rod you’ve been working on all winter and driving it again after a few months out of the seat.  This left John’s car in the workshop and after a couple of evenings’ work this was finished too, so we took it to Birmingham for a few test laps  before John headed off home with it.  Unfortunately this didn’t quite go to plan, with John discovering a bent propshaft as soon as he pulled out on track.  This put an early end to proceedings but it was definitely worth an afternoon out because the lads had brought me some doughnuts - in an attempt to keep me quiet I expect!

John has since sorted the car and done a few very wet laps at Lochgelly to test it.  He’s happy with it and ready to go for the re-scheduled season opener this weekend - weather permitting!

It had been arranged for some time that the World Champion himself and our friend Besty would be making the trip over from Northern Ireland to stay with us for the first meeting, so after work on Friday I fought my way through the traffic to collect them from Birmingham airport.   When we got back it was time to finish the set-up on my car and head off for an early night.  Not likely!  As soon as the car was done it was in to get changed before we headed off out to sample a few drinks in town.   Although there were only a handful of people in the club we had a good night, the beer and Jaeger bombs were flowing so we stayed until closing time.

The next morning it was off to Birmingham for the first meeting of the season.   The weather forecast was terrible but luckily the forecasters were proved wrong and even though it was cold it did manage to stay dry for the whole meeting.  We arrived early so I could do some practice and I did a couple of runs to get a feel for the car.  Glenn (Bell) jumped in and had a run too so if anyone saw me standing at the fence watching my car go round, that answers that question for you!   As we walked back to the pits we became aware of some noise and commotion coming from the back of the lorry.   As we got closer we were greeted by Adam Maxwell and a load of the Northern Irish boys who had hatched a very well kept plan to turn up and surprise us.  Seemingly the whole world knew apart from us three, so well played lads, and Corb - we are forced to say that you in fact do love to travel!

The meeting itself was pretty good with me getting a 5th and 6th in the two heats.   It was fairly action packed but with some much needed points scored.    The final wasn’t to be as successful, with me crossing the line 16th, so just outside the points.   A lot of the drivers moan about Birmingham but I look forward to racing there and I’m pleased to see that we have a couple more rounds there this year.  Once the meeting was over it was time to load up and head home ready for Sunday - after a stop at Big John’s of course and then leaving Adam and his posse to go and cause chaos in Birmingham city.

The weather wasn’t going to be as kind to us on Sunday and as we drove to the track the rain, sleet and snow had already begun.  Unfortunately it was set in for the day and was enough to make any race track a very bleak place.   My car has always been a handful in the wet, but having the ‘World Champ and rain master’ on hand soon had this sorted and in practice the car was the best it’s ever been in those nasty greasy conditions.  Even though the car felt good the day turned into a disaster for me.   Things were going well in the first heat until going into the bend I locked a brake and slid the car into the wall, taking all the outside corner off in the process.   This left us with a big rush to get it all back together in time for the second race.  This one was pretty uneventful - I was steady to start with but was on the pace by the end picking up a 12th.  The final was another disaster.   The car was locking the brake again for the first few laps and by the time it seemed to have sorted itself I was at the back!   For a few laps in the middle of the race the car was brilliant but with a rapidly drying track I was soon left with the wrong tyres and started going backwards again.  I ended up finishing out of the points but survived the last bend pile up so that’s something to be thankful for.

When the meeting was over we were all left cold, soaking wet and in the case of the Irish boys - full of beer!   We just wanted to load the car in the truck, turn the heating up and head home.   The truck obviously had other ideas though and decided to uncoil the winch cable leaving us with the challenge of pushing the car into the back and then jamming it in place so we could strap it in.   Not a major drama, just not what you want after a particularly bad day.

So that’s it - I didn’t get the results I had hoped for but the car felt good and I really do have a sound base to work on over the year.   It was great to see everyone and I was quickly reminded just how many things we’ve planned for the year already!

We have a lot to do back at #27 H.Q. so I’ll keep you informed of progress.

Thanks as ever for reading.

Until next time

Mikey

The end is in sight

I’ll let you into a little secret  -  I’m sitting in the kitchen typing this wearing my racesuit!  It’s been a winter of eating, drinking and merry-making and this morning I suddenly had this worrying thought that my racesuit might not still fit.  It’s a snug fit at the best of times and there wasn’t much room for expansion, but all’s well - it still fits and a crash diet has been narrowly avoided!

I will begin with my car.  After many long hours in the workshop and many more by TPR Signs it is nearly ready.  I have a few silly little jobs left to do, then a big setup and it will be ready for a shakedown test to make sure there are no major problems before I can set it loose in anger and give it some proper testing laps.  With the work that’s gone into it and all the changes I’ve made it will be like having a brand new car, so I’ll have to learn to drive it again.  The engine is all in and running now and I have never heard anything else quite like it in a National Hot Rod.   Much to my father’s delight it sounds like a BDA in a rally car and if it goes as well as it sounds I have definitely made the right decision!

I know I’m biased but I always think the car looks pretty smart when I bring it out at the start of the year and improving it this time was always going to be a challenge for Jay. Well, I can safely say that he has done it.  He spent literally hundreds of hours on it and the end result is truly stunning.  I’m very lucky to have Jay and Sarah not only as sponsors but as friends, and if things go to plan we have a couple of ideas on the go that will hopefully be seen at some point over the coming months.  Watch this space!

As well as my car, John (Sibbald)’s has been parked in the workshop waiting for some attention, and with time rapidly escaping us we had to get on and finish it.  I picked John up from the airport on Thursday night and dropped him off again on Sunday afternoon and with thanks to Ross and my Dad we took it from a bare spaceframe to a complete car in that time.  While I was at work, John headed off early on the Friday morning to collect his engine from Anderson’s, and then in the afternoon we set about getting it back together.  By bedtime Friday all the suspension was sorted and fitted, the chassis had been touched up and the engine was sat in the hole.  Saturday morning saw John being a scrap-man in the morning followed by a couple of hours fishing in the afternoon.   The fact we had very little time and a car nowhere near finished then kicked in, and it was time to start burning the midnight oil.  After a late night Ross had all the panels on and John and I had finished the rest of the car (except a disaster with an oil filter) and it was ready for Dad to begin setting it up on Sunday.  When I dropped John off at the airport the car was very nearly done and another evening working on it should see it ready to take to the test track as well!

I must admit it’s lovely to walk into the garage and see the two cars sitting there ready to go.  It’s been such a hectic winter and I’m looking forward to both cars being back on the track.  There are so many people I would like to thank, who without their help and support it wouldn’t have been possible to get everything done… they know who they are and that I really appreciate it!

The plan now is to finish the cars, load the spares into the lorry and do some testing. Don’t ask me where or when as I have no idea yet but it will all sort itself out I’m sure. It’s less than two weeks until the first meeting, so time to get organised and make a plan I suppose.   Until I met John I was the most organised person in the world but his disorganised ways must have started rubbing off on me!

Before I go I just want to say a massive “congratulations” to Hot Rod driver Robert McDonald and his partner Lauren on the birth of their daughter Ayla.  She’s lovely and I can’t wait to meet her.  Only ten years and we’ll be building her a Mini!

I’ll be back before the first meeting with a final update.

Thanks as ever for reading.

Until next time

Mikey

Plenty to keep us busy!

There certainly isn’t any rest for the wicked and since you last heard from me things have been absolutely flat out!  The car’s coming along nicely now and it won’t be long till it’s ready for the first testing session.  All the paintwork is done, the panels are back on and all the ancillaries are fitted.  It’s got a new exhaust from Simpson Race Exhausts, which is a ‘work of art’ and an absolute pleasure to look at.  The car is now sitting in the new TPR Signs HQ getting stickers done.  This is my favourite part of building a car and I love seeing all the designs and watching the car come together as Jay sends me pictures of it.

As well as my car there are plenty of other jobs to keep me busy.  John’s engine found its way into my pick-up at the N.E.C so Dad and I had a trip to Anderson’s one evening after work to drop it off for a rebuild.  I had arranged with Robert to pick his car up from SHP, for him in return bringing a Transit van down from Scotland for me.   At the same time John’s Hot Rod came down and is now sitting in my workshop awaiting an engine and a rebuild.

Swapping all the vehicles around turned into a military style operation.   We ended up with the Transit in our yard, Robert’s engine and various other items that would be heading back north on the front of his lorry, our Range Rover loaded onto the back and his spaceframe on the trailer!   John’s car in the meantime had acquired two flat tyres and had to be man-handled into my trailer at home. There was no chance that all this shuffling around of vehicles could take place in our drive so we went and caused a few minutes of chaos in one of the side streets opposite our house, no doubt leaving the residents of this usually very quite cul-de-sac wondering what on earth was going on!

When all this was done it was time to pile into the lorry and head to Stoke on Trent to attend former National Hot Rodder Iain Grayson’s 40th birthday party.  When we arrived at the hotel we had another mission: unloading the Range Rover so we could get to the party and I had a means of getting home next day - plus backing the trailer up onto the back of Robert’s lorry ready for the trip back to Scotland.   With all that done it was time to get changed and head off to the party.

Seeing as most of us were driving next morning and with Robert and Lauren’s baby due any day we were all pretty sensible and were back in the hotel by 1am.   It was a very good party though and we had a great night  . . .  but hopefully Gary will be able to remember the words to ‘The Gambler’ next time he decides to sing it in front of a room full of people!

I now have my new racing lorry and my Mum spent a very busy (and cold) Sunday peeling all the signwriting off it so I can get it re-done my way.  I have a few jobs I want to do to personalise it but I’m really pleased with it - and it will certainly be much better than lugging the trailer around everywhere.  The old lorry is coming together pretty well too and hopefully after a few more evenings’ work it will be ready to go on eBay and find itself a new owner.   While the car’s missing it will give us chance to try and finish it and also do some of the other jobs that get neglected whilst the car’s on the ramp.   I desperately need to sort my wheels out before the start of the year and all the spares need loading up into the new truck.  John is heading down in a couple of weeks and we aim to get his car pretty much finished and ready to go.  So you see, there’s certainly enough going on to keep us all busy!   Next time you hear from me I should have a finished car so I will upload some pictures and show you everything,

Thanks as ever for reading.

Until next time

Mikey.

The Party Season

It’s fair to say the last few weeks have seen some pretty intense partying and since the last time you heard from me I’ve had some of my best nights out in a long time.  After a quiet and relaxing Christmas at home I headed up to Scotland to see the New Year in.   I was there for eight nights and I think we went out for five of them - and the only thing slowing down the other three was the fact that I went down with man flu.  This mixed with a horrendous hangover made me a very sorry state for a couple of days.

The ‘big party’ on New Year’s Eve was absolutely brilliant and a really great way to see in the New Year.   Most of my friends were there and everyone had a great time.  It was well after 6am when we finally threw in the towel and decided to go to bed!  No one is safe though as my camera was doing the rounds all night and I’m sure out of the hundreds of photos taken, a lot of them will find a way of getting onto Facebook!

I could fill pages about all the various antics that happen while I’m in Scotland but it’s worth mentioning two legendary go-karting trips.  From experience I have decided that go-kart staff across the country feel their hearts sink when people walk in with their own helmets.  I’m sure both these times were no exception and the chaos that ensued on both occasions no doubt proved me right.  I think that everyone ended up in the wall at some point and it was a real laugh, even if everyone was a bit sore the next morning!

After the madness of Scotland it was home and back to normality for a couple of days before the N.E.C. was upon us once again.  It’s the first year for a long time that I haven’t had the car up there and I regretted not being there racing when I sat and watched the live action from the stands.   It’s such a good spectacle to watch and they turn it into a great show.    I can honestly say that from the minute I picked Siobhan up from the airport to the minute I went home the whole weekend was total mayhem.

We were staying in a hotel on Broad Street, right in the middle of Birmingham where all the pubs and clubs are situated.   Glenn, Adam Maxwell and a lot of the other notorious ‘Northern Irish party animals’ were staying there too.  The next two nights were brilliant even if there were too many Jaeger Bombs - thanks Adam!   How we didn’t get thrown out of the hotel I have no idea and I really do feel sorry for anyone else that was staying there for the weekend.  There are many tales to be told about the weekend but most of them are not suitable to put in print.  However, I hope Raymond really enjoyed his birthday and his Champagne!

Although the show itself wasn’t as good as it has been in previous years, it was a brilliant weekend - great to see everyone, and I’m sorry I doubted you when you said it would be amazing, Siobhan!  I made some great new friends and confirmed just how mad some of my old ones are!

Back in the real world and things are coming along nicely here too, the car is back from SHP, the engine is bolted in place, the chassis is painted and all the panels are away being painted as I type.   Everything else is in hand too and hopefully it will all be looking a lot more complete by the end of the week.  Jay has started to design this year’s stickers already and the car is booked in to go to Simpson’s at the start of the month for a new exhaust.   Once this is all on and fitted I’ll include some photos so you can see what it’s all about.

We’re picking up the new lorry this coming weekend and we have John and Robert coming the following one to do a car swap, as long as Robert and Lauren’s baby doesn’t make an early appearance!   We have plenty left to do here as well and with time ticking away it’s not going to be long until we’re back out racing.

I have a few of my racing calendars left here if any one would like one - get in touch and I will sort that out for you.

I just want to say thanks to all my friends for the last few weeks - they have been brilliant and I can’t wait to see you all again soon.

Thanks as ever for reading.

Until next time

Mikey

The secret is out

Well that’s another Christmas already upon us.  This year has flown by and I know we’ll all be getting ready to go racing again before we know it.  After a very hectic few months I’m looking forward to having a couple of days off and not doing anything car related!  Then I go back to work for two days before heading north to see the New Year in with all my friends in Scotland.  It’s going to be great!

I was going to sit this week and look back over the last season and all the fun I’ve had but it’s going to have to wait until I’m back now as I’ve decided to let everyone in on a little secret I’ve been keeping for the last few months! I have mentioned a few times in recent weeks that the car has been away at SHP and I have always avoided the reason as to why. I’ve heard all sorts of rumours lately so here, straight from the horses mouth is exactly what I will be doing next year.

Firstly I have not bought Robert McDonald’s car or any other car for that matter and I shall still in theory be running the same car next year - the one big difference will be the engine. Rather than the Vauxhall that everyone has been using we are going to try running a new Ford Duratec. I know a few people have run it before and after much conversing with John Toovey and Sonny we have decided to go for it and give it a try.

The car has obviously had to have a few modifications to get the engine in. The biggest difference being the fact that the exhaust is on the opposite side to the Vauxhall. The new engine is also running wet sump so removes a lot of pipes, a pump and a tank out of the engine bay. The engine is very similar in power to the Vauxhall but the big advantage is the weight, being an aluminium block it is considerably lighter.

I have complete faith in John and Sonny and I would like to thank them both very much for all the time and hard work they have put into making it all happen. Also thanks to everyone else who knew and kept it under wraps! I’m really looking forward to getting it all back together and going out and giving it a try.

While I’m on the subject I would like to thank all my sponsors, family and friends for everything this last year, especially my parents because without them the racing would never be possible. In some ways it’s been a terrible year - but in others it’s been great. I’ve met some amazing people and had some great times along the way. I also want to thank John Sibbald . . . I’ve spent nearly as many nights at his house as my own this year. I’ve lost count of how many trips I’ve made to Scotland and it seems fitting to see this year out and the new one in up there!

So that’s it, the secret’s out and I would like to wish you all a “Very Merry Christmas and all the best for 2013.”  Thanks for continuing to read my blog. Something tells me there will be plenty to write about over the coming few months!

Until next time

Mikey

A new floor and a nice surprise

Once again lots has happened since you last heard from me, and what is meant to be the quietest time of the year has in fact turned into one of the busiest.   As far as the car itself is concerned there’s not really much to report at the moment - but there certainly will be over the coming weeks.  It is however, race related things and work that has kept us on our toes recently.

It was all arranged that last Saturday Robert McDonald came down for the weekend with his car so that I could drop it off at SHP when I collect mine.  Again, more on that in the coming weeks too, but I can’t begin to tell you how shocked I was to return home from work to find Robert, John and Gareth sat around my kitchen table.   After an afternoon of moving things around - unloading Hot Rods and starting the epic clear out of the workshop - it was into town for a meal and a few drinks.  We had a great night and it was a fantastic surprise - seemingly everyone knew about it apart from me!  It was just like being out with them in Scotland - the only difference was it was a twenty minute trip home, not six hours!

The next morning after breakfast they set off on their long journey home, and Dad and I got stuck in and started clearing out the workshop.  My long-standing sponsor Allfloors of Oxfordshire very kindly offered to lay a new floor, and in order to do it they needed everything moved out.  Now at the time it seemed like a pretty straightforward task, but as we got into it we started to realise just how much stuff is in there, and how heavy some of it is.  Eventually, with the front workshop and a van we brought home from work crammed full, it was ready for the work to begin.  Two days later when I walked in and saw it finished, all that effort was worthwhile.   It looks amazing with a blue and silver checker board pattern all over it.   It’s perfectly level now too, rather than having a raised piece in the centre where the car sits.  It really is a credit to Allfloors and I can’t thank them enough.



With the flooring finished it was time to start putting everything away again.  It was a similar job to before but with the added challenge of doing it without damaging the tiles.  A couple of evenings of moving and sorting out got it all back in place though and has left us with all sorts of forgotten treasure destined to go on eBay!  I love having the workshop at home because it makes working on the car so easy, and now it’s finished and as I want it, I’m really pleased.    The big challenge now will be getting Dad to keep it tidy!

There isn’t really much to report at the minute about the car itself.   We finished taking the panels off and took the chassis to work and gave it a jet wash off to tidy it all up and make it a bit nicer to work on.   The new panels are here now too, and will hopefully go and be painted this week so I can have them back before Christmas.

One bit of good news recently is the European Championship at Lochgelly in April.   I have absolutely no desire to get involved with the politics of it all - I am simply looking forward to going and spending the weekend with my friends and having the chance to race whilst I’m doing it.   I don’t need much of an excuse to go to Scotland at the best of times but this seems like the perfect reason to go and take advantage of Mr Sibbald’s generous hospitality once again.   It is also good to see Mendips on the fixture list for next year, and I’m looking forward to going and trying out a new track.  It’s a shame there’s no Skegness though!

My plan for next year is to try and qualify for every major championship.   I don’t know how achievable it will be though, with money and our hectic work schedule being the ultimate deciding factors, but you’re only young once and I would love to make the best of it whilst I have the opportunity.

I have plenty to do between now and Christmas and I will be back next week and have a look back over a few things from this year.

Thanks as ever for reading.

Until next time

Mikey

 

The Winter Plan

We don’t waste any time here and the car is now in a million pieces scattered around the workshop.  The panels are off, the engine and transmission out, along with any other bits that come undone.  What we are basically left with is a mass of bars, some shock absorbers, a set of brakes and some wheels!

It’s amazing how dirty the spaceframe gets.   It’s only a few meetings since it was jet washed clean but everything is caked up in dirt again.  This, mixed with all the oil from the engine hanging on to everything, has left it looking a bit of a state, so the next job is to put my wellies on, get the jet wash out and give it a bit of a clean down.

All things considered the car was still relatively tidy come the end of the year and although it had the expected scrapes and scratches there were no completely knackered panels.   We have some new ones for next year so they can be painted and put on to make it tidy again.  The chassis is going off to SHP shortly for a few little adjustments - but more on that in the coming weeks.

I seem to have collected a pile of bent wheels so I’m going to have a session of rebuilding them at some point.   I’m also going to have to strip my beloved Compomotives and rebuild them, as the brake dust has got into them and turned them from white to a horrible off-grey.

As well as the car we have a few things to finish off on the lorry before it’s sold, and then a few little bits to do to the new one as well.   The trailer we have been using is also for sale.   We had it brand new just over two years ago and if anyone is interested please get in touch with me.

One of my long standing sponsors Allfloors are coming in next week and laying a new floor in the workshop, so Dad and I have the epic task of moving everything out of there before they arrive.  Although it’s all quite well organised there is still a lot of stuff to move - and some of it is going to be heavy and equally awkward!  It will certainly be worth it in the end though, and I can’t wait to see the finished job.

There is plenty more happening over the coming weeks too so I’m sure I won’t be short of things to write about.   Robert McDonald is heading down next weekend and I am heading up to John’s for New Year.   We’re in the stages of planning my birthday night out and then of course there’s the NEC in January!  I won’t be racing there this year, firstly because I don’t want to risk damaging the car like Jason’s terrible luck last year and secondly, with everything else that’s going on the car won’t be ready in time.

There should be some new updates to my website (link above) in the coming months along with the launch of a few bits of merchandise.  Next year’s calendar has been designed and ready to be printed so let me know if you’d like one. Thanks as always to TPR signs for keeping the website up to date and putting up with me and all my silly ideas and then turning them in to something great.

Thanks as ever for reading.

Until next time.

Mikey