santa pod 21/1/07

jungle-jim · Post by **jungle-jim** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 12:37 am

well what a brilliant day!!

we ( my son and i ) left norwich at 7:40am and arrived at the pod's gates exactly 2 hours later.

i met a few people from another forum and queued up with the few hundred other cars, allbeit nearer the front this time.

the weather was cruel to the pod recently making the prepping of the track extend to a disapointing 11:45am.

this was my second attempt at a good time after last october's clutch disaster!!

i was parked alongside a nice chap with a 200SX S13 with a T3 turbo apparently and about 280bhp atf.

i proceeded to beat him and as we went round to queue up again where we decided to swap lanes.

during this time i thought it wise to push my 1380kg car all the way back to the crossing at the top of the line.

after the second run which wasn't so succesful, due to too much revs and thus wheel spin, we lined up again. at this point we had no idea of times until a friend of mr. 200SX rang him and said he did a 15.80. i was in hope of getting a 14.90, but it wasn't to be.....

but after run three around 1:30pm i decided it was time to line my stomach with lard!!

i was able to collect my slips.

unfortunately my third run which i thought was my best of the day was lost due to power failure!!

so my first two runs were as follows...

run 1..... 15.07 @ 94.97 mph

run 2...... 16.2721 @ 93.55 mph ( this was due to too high revs for conditions but i was gaining on the S13 )

the parking of my car enabled me to come across trevor in his pulsar queueing for his third run.

we watched him put in a 13.55 ( http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?doc ... 9&hl=en-GB )

we both met back at the cars and had a good old chat.

unfortunately the rain came over and the crowds dispersed!!

90% of the visitors had gone, leaving about 20 cars to sit waiting from 3:20 pm until 4:50pm for the lanes to open up again.

so trev and i decided to have another go.

we both managed another 3 runs in the dark ( what an experience that is!! )

at 5:30pm they closed the lanes and i was able to collect my 3 other slips.

all i can say is i was consistent.

run 4..... 15.1299 @ 94.53
run 5..... 15.3988 @ 94.52
run 6..... 15.0640 @ 94.37

so without my 3rd slip i will have to admit defeat and settle for a best time of 15.06.

it was a very strong head wind blowing straight down the strips. i would guess gusts were 40mph?

trevor managed to crack the 100mph terminal speed he had been after with a 101.xx mph.

so we finally left about 5:40pm and got home at 7:15pm very satisfied compared to octobers disaster.

so please can i have my "drag monster" badge now? lol

pikkies and vids to follow.

thanks.

jungle-jim · Post by **jungle-jim** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 12:48 am

this saw plenty of action!!......

this didn't.......

this was probably the most interesting car to attend...

with the bonnet removed it showed a lovely V8 with a supercharger and charge cooler set up

Post by **Stuart** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 1:08 am

Well done Jim/ Nice write up and better luck next time for the sub 15 :thumb:

Well done to Trev too...........he should be pleased with that.

jungle-jim · Post by **jungle-jim** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 8:04 am

cheers stu. video finally uploaded....

http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?doc ... 0108430675

Post by **Ben** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 8:18 am

Great write up - it looked COLD there - may be next time ...

Post by **Stuart** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 9:43 am

I can't believe the queue's. For a meeting in January that strikes me as crazy, doesn't bode well for later in the year.

Jim, did I see you doing a baby wheelspin before the line on your second run? You were getting a bit excited matey........Trev's face was a picture, I know how he was feeling before he realised you were filming him. It's a balance being launching and driving hard enough to get a time and doing what that S2000 did

Hats off to those that get out there and do it. Whether its a 15 second run or a 10 second run, at least you're out there having a go :thumb:

jungle-jim · Post by **jungle-jim** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 10:23 am

cheers guys. yes it was cold. but the head wind coming down the strip and the lack of grip robbed me of a sub 15.

me and trevor couldn't believe how bloody slow the track driers were going!!

i think it will be busier nexy sundays RWYB due to people getting paid end of the month.

a little caterham also snapped a drive shaft....

that poor S2000. it happened in the last 5 minutes of ending aswell.

i didn't envy the poor sod who had to get recovery at 6pm at night on a sunday in the middle of no where.

he had been running very well all day too.

duncan · Post by **duncan** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 10:34 am

Nice write up Jim and sooooo close to the target of sub 15.

Next time

Tk · Post by Tk » Mon Jan 22, 2007 5:50 pm

it was cold but a great day, i was happy with 13.55 but i know there is more to be trimmed off as i had a bit of a bad start and had to get on the clutch to get it going, terminal speed was 99.7 mph, and this is the bit i find strange, my worst time of 13.9 had a terminal speed of 101 mph.
im very glad i went and now i have a time to beat next time.

good to see you there JJ shame there was not more from the club, and good luck for next time on a sub 15

highlight of the day was that jet car, what a noise the earth was moving,

and #-o the suprise camera :lol: it was a long wait for the last couple of runs

it was a good day though and im looking forward to the next event to test the little gti-r

kev@tga · Post by **kev@tga** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 5:53 pm

nice pics and write up jim :thumb: