328i Sport track project - Cadwell June 09

[Tommy]

A little update:

At last, after three long weeks the final parts have arrived for Phase 2 - the seats



I sat in one (Corbeau Sprint XL - it's a bit wider than the non-XL) before and am pleased that it's not too big for my skinny frame and cocoons me nicely :agree:

Over the weekend I removed the sunroof but haven't managed to split the sunroof skin from the frame it sits on due to not having an angle grinder (nor the time, come to think of it). That's a shame because there's a good couple of kilos sat in it.

So tomorrow it's off to SHP Motorsport for the rollcage, seats, floorplates and harnesses to be fitted. I reckon the next week of waiting is going to feel even longer than the last 3 put together!

[Stuart]

Good choice of seat Tommy

I am sure the car will be transformed when you get it back. If you thought it felt like a track refugee beforehand, you just wait until it's all caged up

Good luck mate. Keep us posted.

[Tommy]

I dropped the car off yesterday after a terrible journey in torrential rain with some poorly secured bin bags covering up the hole left by the removed sunroof panel! I didn't actually get wet myself but a few drops turned into a big puddle in the passenger footwell during the journey. Not good considering the wiring running along that part of the floor.

When I arrived at SHP I was really grateful to see a very professional, quality company environment with clean and tidy workshops and offices. I only decided to go with SHP on recommendation from Duncan - I hadn't actually done much research on them. Now that I've been there and done some web research, I realise they actually build the spaceframe chassis' for two different race series - T cars junior saloon car championship and pickup truck racing. (BTW the pickups are ballasted to 865kgs without driver!) So, I believe my car is now in good hands 8) Seems a shame that I'll be brush painting the cage when I get the car back.

[Tommy]

The excitement builds.....................
Just got off the phone with SHP and the car is just about ready. The cage has been tacked in, the floorplate tacked in, a firewall tacked in and the sunroof fully welded in and sealed. They removed the old seat runners and had to cut out and reverse the rear flanges so that the new runners enable the seats to line up properly with the pedals and steering wheel. Tomorrow everything gets welded in proper and I'll be picking her up on Monday. Then it's a case of sorting out the suspension height for the new weight of the car, 4 wheel alignment and new trackday tyres and she's ready for Cadwell - sweet.

[Ben]

superb Tommy - sounds like it's becoming a proper track weapon

[Mr Fletcher]

nice one tommy looking forward to seeing this 8)

cheers

jason

[Tommy]

Jason, I'm picking it up on Monday evening if you want to see it at that time? I hope to get a train that will get into Ely before 6pm. Sonny was then going to pick me up.

[Mr Fletcher]

tommy if you want to save sonny a trip i can collect you as i will drive past ely station on my way to shp , just drop
me a pm if you want

cheers

jason

[Tommy]

The car is finally back from Boot Camp!

Needs a good clean, tidy and some paint but here's some photos to show you what's happened.


Seats - only one harness fitted at the moment



Rear part of the cage

Roof

Where front strut meets floor



Firewall

Ally floorplate (still covered in protective plastic

Side impact bar

Where main hoop meets floor

[Stuart]

Looks like quite a nice cage that, well done Tommy :thumb:

I'm looking forwards to having a good nose around the car when I see it next. Make sure you paint that cage as soon as you can mate.