MLRSS 2012 Report, Rd 5: MIRA
Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2012 7:00 pm
This was the MLR's first ever visit to the top secret MIRA Proving Grounds vehicle development facility, just off the A5, approximately 2 miles from Nuneaton-
Unfortunately, due to the sensitive nature of some of the vehicles on-site and pounding 'round the high speed bowl, any unofficial photography was banned (with an annoying blue sticker applied to cover up camera phones), so the only pics and vids we can post-up will be those taken by the MLR's approved camera guys.
The circuit-
The weather began dry and sunny, but the threat of showers was more a case of 'when' than 'if', so setting a quick time early would be crucial.
Practice over, and it was time to remove the R888's and switch to rally/full slicks.
Logan's Avon slicks were still covered in dead rubber pick-up from Kames, and the first run was wasted due to the lack of grip and vibration this caused. After scrapping off the old rubber, the handling improved, but it became clear that there was a huge amount of time to be gained by pushing the boundaries of the track- cutting across both the gravel rain gully's and even onto the grass to straight-line the chicanes. Logan's first try shaved around a second off his best, but before he could go out again the huge grey cloud that had slowly crept-up on the circuit finally gave us the downpour we knew was coming.
Gary struggled with his Michelin slicks not warming-up at all, despite running 700bhp through them, the lack of corners to generate heat and the short lap combined with the hard compound meant he might as well have been on road tyres. In fact, for his run before the rain shower we swapped back to the R888's and he instantly improved by nearly 3 seconds!
After the downpour, and two delays caused by a BMW crash and Scooby engine bay fire, he only had a single run left, and with no heat in the tyres he was unable to improve further.
Chris's goal for the day was a top 20 finish, and he peaked early- managing a time only 1.7 secs slower than Gary to put himself 14th on the MLR leaderboard before finding no further improvement.
Ross had another disappointing day, with his practice runs cut short by his 2nd clutch master cylinder failure this season, putting him out of any further running.
So, while it was a slightly disappointing day for Gary, Logan, Chris and especially Ross, it was an APT (and APT/Rosssport-supported) Class A 3rd place, Class B 2nd place, Class C win, and Class D 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th.
Unfortunately, due to the sensitive nature of some of the vehicles on-site and pounding 'round the high speed bowl, any unofficial photography was banned (with an annoying blue sticker applied to cover up camera phones), so the only pics and vids we can post-up will be those taken by the MLR's approved camera guys.
The circuit-
The weather began dry and sunny, but the threat of showers was more a case of 'when' than 'if', so setting a quick time early would be crucial.
Practice over, and it was time to remove the R888's and switch to rally/full slicks.
Logan's Avon slicks were still covered in dead rubber pick-up from Kames, and the first run was wasted due to the lack of grip and vibration this caused. After scrapping off the old rubber, the handling improved, but it became clear that there was a huge amount of time to be gained by pushing the boundaries of the track- cutting across both the gravel rain gully's and even onto the grass to straight-line the chicanes. Logan's first try shaved around a second off his best, but before he could go out again the huge grey cloud that had slowly crept-up on the circuit finally gave us the downpour we knew was coming.
Gary struggled with his Michelin slicks not warming-up at all, despite running 700bhp through them, the lack of corners to generate heat and the short lap combined with the hard compound meant he might as well have been on road tyres. In fact, for his run before the rain shower we swapped back to the R888's and he instantly improved by nearly 3 seconds!
After the downpour, and two delays caused by a BMW crash and Scooby engine bay fire, he only had a single run left, and with no heat in the tyres he was unable to improve further.
Chris's goal for the day was a top 20 finish, and he peaked early- managing a time only 1.7 secs slower than Gary to put himself 14th on the MLR leaderboard before finding no further improvement.
Ross had another disappointing day, with his practice runs cut short by his 2nd clutch master cylinder failure this season, putting him out of any further running.
So, while it was a slightly disappointing day for Gary, Logan, Chris and especially Ross, it was an APT (and APT/Rosssport-supported) Class A 3rd place, Class B 2nd place, Class C win, and Class D 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th.
Any feedback from Gary as to whether the rear bumper being cut down made any significant difference? I'm not surprised that the full slicks didn't come on song, but maybe some full wets would have done? (Some of the lads used to use them in the sprints when they needed heat in a hurry).