Doune Hillclimb 16/17th April 2011

[Competition PZ]

The RX-8 will be running in the Scottish Hillclimb Championship rounds at Doune this weekend if anyone fancies a day out to come see an \'8 in anger

One of the great historic hillclimb tracks in the UK it has it all. Narrow high speed between trees, open sweepers, blind crests with turns in em and finally a scary series of esses between the trees.

Running softer tyres this outing and expect to scare myself even more than normal.

My \'8 is a PZ and is entered in the "production class" and is completely bog standard ( except for the tyres ) As is my norm I will drive the car to and from the event !!

Sadly the winning modified production championship winner from last year has been sold to now compete in Holland ( YES, my first thought was "what hillls" . IT made the ususal glorious brap and the \'8 sadly sounds feeble in comparison .... BUT at least I can drive it in comfort away from track

So, drop me a note if anyone is thinking of coming or just drop round in the paddock for a chat

Last year .... http://www.youtube.com/my_playlists?p=7A8158C7F3B79A58

[Competition PZ]

Sorry, for those not sure of what or where Doune is !!

http://www.dounehillclimb.co.uk/

http://goo.gl/maps/M6fn

and maybe some may know the nearby castle better as it was the castle which housed the French Garrison in Monty Python the Holy Grail and was unsuccessfully besieged So can combine family day out to castle AND motorsport

Looks like could be interesting cars to see and enjoy too.....

To compliment the day The Roll Royce Enthusiasts Club (//www.rrec.org.uk/) will be providing a display in the show field. As the 17th April this year is "Drive it Day" (http://fbhvc.co.uk/drive-it-day/) for all classic car enthusiasts we expect there to be a large collection of interesting and unusual classic cars present along with the usual fantastic array of competition cars, featuring everything from road saloons to single seater race cars, entry is only £5 per day for spectators, children under 15 and car parking are free.

[bobster]

I didn\'t think they still ran events at doune... I may be up that way this weekend so If I can I\'ll try and pop in for a nosey.

[Competition PZ]

Not as many as in it\'s hey-day, bobster.
As a kid I seem to remember being up every month ( was a long time ago so either different times or selective memory !! )

This weekend is looking it could be a little special if lots of classic car owners turn up for their chance to drive the hill

The April meeting will be the Doune Historic meeting with special classes for all pre 1976 cars, 500\'s and FJ\'s.

If you make it be good to chat, if not this weekend then other dates are
- 18/19 June 2011
- 17/18 September 2011
My attendance at later events depends on getting back from European trips in time.

[RotorHeid]

good luck peter, enjoy it and will see you there.

here\'s info about Doune Hilllclimb, love it or hate it and myself\'s canna get enough of it>>

http://speedhillclimb.com/the-hills/doune-stirling/

[Competition PZ]

Well day one a success.
Most important stayed on the black stuff and away from the trees, walls ... and horse ( yes the event was held up for 30 mins while they sorted out a horse in the field )
ON top of that managed FOUR Personal Best times and hope to repeat the same tomorrow !!
Missing the sound of Ian\'s (rotorheid) special RX-7, but nice to see him presented with last years award for Class C7 champion for a Mazda.

[RotorHeid]

nice to see you again peter, doing well there today and tomorrow\'s looking good.

at last, my 2010 Class championship winner trophy collections came to an end today.
and me too, missing the N/A rotary sound and your\'s good but too quite for my liking.(joking)
 good luck again.

[Competition PZ]

nice to see you again peter,

ditto

at last, my 2010 Class championship winner trophy collections came to an end today.

2012 in the Jasag the return then

and me too, missing the N/A rotary sound and your\'s good but too quite for my liking.(joking)

Know you meant to type quiet ProDrive exhaust is the quietest of the "performance ones"
Did think about sourcing a Borla JUST for competition
But cant stand driving around daily with the throb !!

good luck again.

It ain\'t skill

[RobMatthews]

I was passing doune yesterday and did almost stop to watch a few hours but time was against us :-(
Hope you do well again today.

Ian(rotorheid)was it you and your son i met yesterday in little chef whilst bringing back my new toy?

rob

[RotorHeid]

yes it\'s me and great to see/met you at the the carpark with your trailing 4 too.
I was not racing there,it\'s Peter does race a RX8 and doing well.
it was good to watch there and there\'s a few car crashed against the amco barriers.
 bit disppointed to see 1000+hp Evo with a failed gearbox and that\'s a amazing car got a raw twin charged engine.
a good day out.

[bobster]

Lovely day for it too... Myself and Robertio were there for the last few hours.
Didn\'t get a chance to say hello sadly as the one time I did see you you were getting ready for a run up the hill.
Got to love those quiet RX8\'s

I quite fancy having a bash at hillclimbing... looks like a gentlemans sport

[RotorHeid]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7383374@N02/  chick Doune 2011/Crashed along the amco pic\'s
 The Driver was okay, got spare wishbones, wheels and went back again later in the day...

[Competition PZ]

Nah, Ian, Stuart went home and didn\'t run any more that day or Sunday.
He was fine though and pic at  http://www.flickr.com/photos/ravydavy1980/5627072554/in/photostream shows him sitting only a little bemused and no doubt a "wtf happened there moment" at http://www.flickr.com/photos/ravydavy1980/5626486369/in/photostream
He said the tub\'s fine and parts ordered to get it back ready for Ingliston !

Doesn\'t look to be any pics of the \'8 in action (AGAIN! ).
Need your advise for next Doune run ... didn\'t get much improvementon Sunday despite trying many alternatives. The car was just a real handful. The "old lags" were telling me to "let the hill come to me", but no matter what I couldn\'t get a handle on it. DO think it may be mind tho\' as the last corner the armco is sticking out like a tin-opener waiting to catch

Weather was great and shame all who didn\'t come out and enjoy Scottish grass roots motorsport ..... and support a rotary. Could have got you to take pics of the only Mazda left competing in the Scottish championships !!!!!!!

It was looking so naked with no sponsorship stickers, I decided for Sunday I needed to add my voice of support for the Nurburgring Nordschleife politicking.....

[RotorHeid]

got your pic\'s but it was a group return from the top.
my son didn\'t heard the mazda coming( honest) and missed it.
 your car should handle well and my experience on kumho tyre that your\'s too low pressure and caused it wobbled.
will give you adviced next time when I see you.

[Competition PZ]

Thanks Ian.
Front left on first day was balling up with speed through meadow.
@31 psi. Second day took them up to 34 and check using pyrometer and temps were even right across the tyre and all 4 were balling up then (but not so bad)  --- but I was twitchy up the tunnel but stable through esses
Dropped back to 32 for last run and no difference.
Consensus from folks watching was that I was pushing too hard and they said that\'s when the hill bites back ..... a few minor grass excursions dont help I know
Would really appreciate assistance on the tyres for these short events !!!
Talked to Sandy about whether the softs would be better and he said they woudl but lucky to get an event out of them -- so not an option