Classic Alfa Forums

Hi Guys,
There are a few Alfa’s racing the pre83 group this weekend.
Brgds
Simon

Hi guys,
It’s a bit wet here! The car passed scrutineering
And is ready to go.Qualifying in just over an hour will be the first real test for the car. The scrutineer liked my ballast: Met up with Richard Ibrahim who has his Sprint back. Great he is with the CTCRC.

All the best,
Simon

Richard has fitted his wet weather tyres!

Hope it all goes well - looking at the times in qualifying it obviously stayed wet and slippery!

Hi Bryan,
You are kind. My qualifying time is pants but I am happy. Here are my excuses:
First time out in the car anywhere.
Gear changing needs mastering. It’s catching me out.
The tyres were new and not scrubbed in. Very slippy for the first three laps.
90 deg to the track at one point but recovery was surprisingly easy! It has a quick rack.
It has bags of torque and you have to quick shift and use wide throttle settings with great care.

Anyway enough of that. I am very happy for the first time out and no mechanical issues. Looking forward to this afternoon come rain or shine.

All the best,

Simon

Well the race was much better. I had a bad start going from 1st to fourth but then started to settle down. The car can get a bit sideways but the quick steering allows you to keep it under control. It looks like it will be a quick car on the straights and around the corners with good braking. I have never been on row three for a start! Cant wait to get the engine from JMR that will have and extra 20-30bhp to play with. Hoping for a dry day tomorrow.

Brgds,
Simon

Have a good day Simon, looking good.
Looking forward to this season.
Is that Duncan's old Sprint?

Hi Keith,

My first race car at 50 in 2014 bought from Richard Ibrahim then Malcolm drove it, then Dunc bought it. Then Richard Ibrahim bought it back and racing with the CTCRC today!

Brgds
Simon

Hi Guys,

Mixed day today. Couldn't find second on the grid today and the whole pack passed me. Got going and the car was flying. Good handling, great under braking. Passed about 8 cars (half the pack) and then started suffering fuel starvation and retired. I had plenty of fuel in the tank and the starvation was in the bends and on the straights. Very happy with the recorded lap time for the first outing in the dry.
I will sort out the gear change and fuel system. Video to follow.

Great to catch up with Tim today!

Brgds,
Simon

Here you go.

https://youtu.be/4IJPCSyH7dk

Brgds,
Simon

Shame about your niggles Simon, but it is clear she is a flyer and you can pull a tight line on the bends.
Shame I could not get over.

Hi Keith,

Malcolm found footage from virtually a camera car!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpidO-o4VJY

Next one for me is Rockingham but Tim is going to Croft.

Brgds,
Simon

Personal camera car, nice touch.
That Camaro really started to hook up as things warmed up.
Your Golf does corner really flat and looks very promising. I will try and get over to Rockingham.

Hi Keith,
Someone told me the Camaro engine has been refurbished so it is much quicker now. Hmmm, sounds a good idea.

Brgds
Simon

Hi Guys,
Got a chance to check the Golf over this morning to rectify issues from the last race.

On emptying the tank, the pump delivery flow seemed low.

After removing the pump to replace it you could see the issue: And after unscrewing the Union: They are bits of shiny aluminium from the breakdown of the pour in anti-slosh tank baffles. New pump fitted and new foam filled tank ordered.

Brgds
Simon

What a weird design Simon. She will fly now when you fit the new tank.
Good that you have found and sorted the problem.

Hi Keith,
Its really nice to find something that is almost certainly the cause. I sorted the fuel system end to end on the Trofeo and it was the distributor starting to break down at higher revs.
The ignition system on the Golf was sorted end to end - new coil, distributor, leads and plugs so that should be fine. So for the fuel system it will be new foam filled tank, new tank to pump delivery line, new pump, existing braided line through the car (aluminium bits didn't get past the pump filter screen), fitment of a filter king filter and pressure regulator set to 3.5psi, twin 45 DCOE carb overhaul and check of float level (12mm), new 60mm inlet trumpets as the existing are corroded, new carb to manifold rubber o ring gaskets and stud rubber washers (stops float chamber frothing due to vibration), fit a heat shield between exhaust manifold and bottom of the carbs.
Thats it for now.

Brgds,
Simon

Wow, that's enough to be getting on with.
Will you have it done for your next race or might you have to miss any?

Hi Keith,

I am missing Croft which was this weekend but will be going to Mallory Park on Monday 28th May as the next race for me.
Oh I also need to fit the JMR remote gear change so I can find first and second! Brgds
Simon

It's a wonder that pump moved enough fuel to keep things running as well as it did Simon!
Remote linkage looks like it'll rid you of the Golf's Achilles heel with all those linkage weaknesses.
Are you out at Cadwell for the Wolds Trophy next month?

Hi Kev,
Cadwell is great but the Golf is too modern for the HSCC as far as I can see.
Also, on carbs it’s not standard.
Brgds
Simon

Just watched your Silverstone race on Motorsport TV. Some proper racing going on there.

Hi Sud 145,
I was lucky to get so many mentions.
I am excited about the Golf because it is quicker than the red Capri and the Silver Firenza. Later in the race when the fuel issue was starting things changed from me pulling away on the straights to them overhauling me!
All good fun though.
Brgds
Simon