Print Page - On track at Castle Combe

Title: On track at Castle Combe
Post by: DaveCollins on October 12, 2013, 06:40:51 PM

I had booked in to do a trackday at Castle Combe last week with my GT40 however due to a transmission problem (ZF being rebuilt with new CWP-ouch) the car was not ready. So instead I thought why not use the RX-7, it wasn\'t quite the slowest car amongst some very interesting cars including McLaren MP4 12C, various GT40 rep and a host of purpose built track cars and historic race cars, but it certainly attracted some attention and positive comments.

The car seemed very stable with it\'s new shocks all round but could definitely do with a bit more power if used for this sort of thing on a regular basis, although it was still pulling just before 7K in third which is something I have not done for some time on the road! I did not even notice the steering play which is very obvious on the road. Maximum speed was just below 110mph before Avon Rise once I had sorted how to get through Camp at a reasonable pace.

All in all a great day and good to use the car rather than just driving to and from shows. May even be tempted to do a few more. No trouble with noise as I was told it was 79dba at 5000rpm (although that does sound a bit low).

Most people\'s vote for most interesting car of the day however was a 1905 steam car called Whistling Billy. This was running with reduced pressure of 600psi however was still capable of reaching 60mph around the circuit. Apparently when the engine is rebuilt it will take more pressure and ran at up to 1200psi when being used in competition when new.

Dave

Title: On track at Castle Combe
Post by: clive on October 12, 2013, 08:38:02 PM

Really great to see you out on track, 110mph is no slouch Dave :3gears-rh

Title: On track at Castle Combe
Post by: Grant Monkhouse on October 12, 2013, 09:14:13 PM

Brilliant. Using the car the way it was designed.

Oh and love your GT40:D

Title: On track at Castle Combe
Post by: Brett on October 12, 2013, 10:20:40 PM

Great stuff :)

Any more pics of the steam car?

Title: On track at Castle Combe
Post by: mpk490p on October 13, 2013, 11:18:53 AM

Nice, I always found my preferred the track so much more, just felt so much better when pushed a little ;)

Title: On track at Castle Combe
Post by: Casey on October 13, 2013, 02:55:45 PM

Brilliant Dave, many thanks for posting up news and pictures of your outing to Castle Combe. Well done for taking the FB out on track. Crumbs, 110mph into Avon Rise - clearly the brakes were working well too!

Title: On track at Castle Combe
Post by: David Nock (RIP) on October 13, 2013, 07:14:43 PM

Glad Maz is still looking the business.

Nice pics Dave.

Title: Steam Car
Post by: DaveCollins on October 16, 2013, 08:15:33 PM

For those interested I checked out the other pictures I had of the steam car.

Historical information can be found at http://www.steamcar.net/billy.html

Dave

Title: On track at Castle Combe
Post by: fil_auto on October 22, 2013, 12:22:37 PM

Superb to see :)

Title: On track at Castle Combe
Post by: Kash_ on October 22, 2013, 01:41:51 PM

You have a GT40? That is such an amazing car. Do you attend any shows?

Mazda Rotary Club

Cars by Model Type => 1st generation RX-7's => Topic started by: DaveCollins on October 12, 2013, 06:40:51 PM