Classic Thunder Build - Duracel79 - England

[Duracel79]

Some pics from Snetterton in May 2019:

[Duracel79]

Then before Silverstone June 2019, I fitted the front brake ducting:

[Duracel79]

Had some issue at Silverstone 2019 didn't go quite as planned. Did a free practice session and everything went really well with some good pace.

The in Qualifying I noticed the coolant temperature rising, so I eased off for a couple of laps and it dropped back.
Started another push lap and the temp rose again. Something was wrong. Checking after the session I realised the coolant had turned black and appear to have no flow in the header tank. With all the drive belts intact this pointed to a failed water pump.

So cut my losses and packed up for the weekend.

On returning I removed the pump and found the plastic impeller had broken and the friction had created black plastic particles in the coolant.

[Duracel79]

A new pump and multiple flushes saw the car back up and running and ready for Donington in August 2019.



This turned out to be a real test for the cooling system with over 30 degree celcius temperatures all weekend. The car ran faultlessly which was nice to see there were no issues with it running hot at Silverstone and I caught the issue in time.

[Duracel79]

September came and it was time for me to finally try out the British Nurburgring of Cadwell Park. Wow what a track, plenty of ups and downs twisties but also some straights. Pleased with my first time there steadily getting faster over the weekend:

[Duracel79]

Missposted

[Duracel79]

Finally got time to paint the grilles in the bonnet January 2020:

[Duracel79]

Getting ready for 2020 meant new tyres:
Set 1 - new set of Toyo Slicks in the Image splits


Set 2 - new set of Toyo R888R for intermediates on a refurbed set of MSW wheels


Set 3 - new old stock Toyo R1R for full wet on another refurbed set of MSW wheels


This was all great planning with a Trackday booked for 21st March 2020.
Everyone may be aware that the effects of Covid19 hit the UK around this time. With full lockdown coming into effect on the 23rd of March.

The Trackday went ahead and the shakedown of the car for me went well, bedding in new discs/pads and the tyres.
Even driving gently I went quicker than my previous race meeting at Lydden back in 2018 by about 1 second which over a 50s lap is quite a lot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1huwyJLS0k

[Duracel79]

So after all that preparation the 2020 season got delayed for a few months.

We finally kicked off at Cadwell Park in early July 2020. The first race event back after lockdown. New measures in place for social distancing and scrutineering etc. It all went very smoothly considering the situation.

Not many pic about due to the restricted access but I did get this one:


My laptimes improved from the previous visit as well, so pleased with that.
1.48 in 2019 down to a 1.45 in 2020.

Race onboards below for Cadwell Park July 2020:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rUgpqratjk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPJL41HyFmc&t=472s

[Duracel79]

Next up was Brands hatch again and it was a packed meeting with a 32 car grid on the little indy circuit. Had fun and again have improved my times.
Down from a 58.4s lap to a 57.2s lap.

[Duracel79]

My final meeting of 2020 was in September at Snetterton. Went reasonably well with a good qually and Race 1 but I have worn out my front pads so had to sit out race 2.

[Manitoba]

Great pics and stories! Keep on driving!

Greetz,
Walter.

[Smartie]

Especially the onboard on the English version of Nurburgring. Looks like great fun, but difficult.
Thanks for your time to write this up.

[uwbuurman]

Supercool, Ben!!

[Jeroen]

Wow, nice, thanks for taking your time to give us an extensive update Ben! Good to see how the car is developing, as well as the lap times! Any plans for the car, or for racing, for the near future?