Trials and Tribulations

Freezing wet December then...
Bloody January again!

With the season nearly over we thought that we ought to provide a brief update on the past few months' activities and a look ahead to the 1998 season.

Since September we have managed to complete three events with the rebuilt engine, which certainly provides considerably more power, however the torque curve is definitely higher up the power band. Further short-comings exist as it is prone to overheating, which accompanied by out of balanced carbs has meant that we are often trailing the field. The good news is that with the Class Index approach this has meant that we have still managed to bring home some "pots" at the last two BTRDA rounds - Colin gaining a class win at the BTRDA final held at Kidderminster; and Michael a class win at the first 1998 BTRDA season round at Kensworth. The other major achievement in recent months was Michael scoring his first clean sheet - the third member of the family to do this - at the 750MC Thistle Trial.

Looking forward to 1998 the main news is that as predicted the BTRDA and RAC have changed the Class structures for the next season, with more emphasis being given to tyre pressures. The RAC have also taken on our advice to award points based on Class positions with a bonus point going to the overall winner of each round on Index. This certainly is a more appealing formula and hopefully should encourage more entries and more interesting competition. Michael and I certainly will be giving it a go.

To do this we are currently in the process of building up a new Mini, having just acquired a Mini 1000 as a donor car. Hopes are to have this ready for the first round of the season. Our only dilemma is whether to run it with a 998 or 1275 engine. Latest thinking is perhaps to initially run two cars which should at latest reduce the number of "non finishers". Having at least got the shell on all four wheels the challenge is now to get it on the road before Christmas - we will keep you posted of the outcome.

The last major challenges this year are for Colin to try and secure an ACSMC class award; and Michael to secure the ACSMC Clubmans award. With two events to go the Class is still wide open with Andy Clarke, Arnold Lane and your two scribes all capable of taking victory. The odds must however be in favour of Arnold whose car is really now well sorted and whose driving ability is first class. For the Clubmans Michael is in a head-to-head with David Sheffield in his Midget, with the odds slightly in favour of Michael.