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19/3/09

CSCC test day at Snetterton

Mark looking pensive!

This was a day of firsts! First time out for the team this year, first time driving the B in earnest for Mark and Matt, first time either of them had driven at Snetterton (playstation doesn't count!) and it all went pretty well. Unfortunately Mike and Sue had family commitments so we were unable to test the C, but Mike has driven Snetterton before so it isn't too much of a problem. Matt, Mark, Rob, Steve and Mick all made the pilgrimage to Norfolk.

Matt a few minutes into his first experience of Snetterton.

Mark was out first but only made 3 laps before he noticed the temperature was rising and the car seemed to be losing coolant, he coasted back to the pits and we discovered that a core plug was out which wasn't good. However it was soon established that we  had fitted the wrong type of core plug! Mick wizzed off down the road to MG Mecca who are about 5 miles from the circuit and was back within 1/2 hour with the correct core plug and an oil filter (the core plug was in the block behind the filter and we thought we might damage it taking it off). It took about 2 minutes to fit the core plug after which we ran the car up to temperature in the garage, then it was Matts turn. This session went much better, a good 15 minutes of track time (due to the large number of cars there were 3 groups doing 15 minutes each) after which we checked the car over and did some adjustments to the rear brakes to reduce pedal travel and rear dampers, which were set too soft, before Mark went out for what was really his first proper 'go'.

Nice blue stripe! (if you were there you would understand)

This time there were no problems and a few laps in Mark was looking comfortable and clearly enjoying himself and putting in some quite sensible times, including our fastest lap of the day at 1.32.66 which isn't bad for first try!

After lunch there was time for another session each as well as a bit of 'fettling' and general playing around with the car. on the last run we were going to do a pitstop practice, swapping Mark out and Matt in, when Matt felt a tiny hesitation under load in a fast corner! Check the gauges, water temp? Fine, oil pressure? Fine, fuel... Oh! We had been checking the fluids every stop throughout the day and we had looked at the fuel situation earlier but the gauge was reading empty now and you really don't want to run out on the circuit so it was a gentle run back to the pits and as it was approaching 5pm (and we didn't have any more fuel) we stopped.

A very worthwhile and enjoyable day for the whole team, Steve, Rob and Mick seemed happy that Matt and Mark were just about capable of being allowed out on track without adult supervision and the two drivers liked the car and managed not to break it (much).

Thanks to Richard, Tim and Vicki for all their advice and help during the day.

For more information about Snetterton Circuit go to. www.snetterton.co.uk

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