Hammer man

iTrader: (25)

Thanks for the info Shaun.... Oh by the way, dont sell it,enjoy it!(track days,scoobysprint,time attack,)Thats what the car is made for..

Shaun

No problem mate.

BIG FUD

iTrader: (84)

Dam thats some write up kidda nice one. fancy the ring thursday for 4 days let me know have a break get away from it all lol

Shaun

Hi Mark,
I will be going back out to the ring later this year... probably Sept/Oct time. You make sure you have fun mate this weekend.

Ilya

great write up Shaun, subscribed

Shaun

AUGUST 2008 - ScoobySprint Round 4
As Michael Jackson said "This is IT!". Unfortunately shortly after he said that he passed away..... I hope that would not be the same fate for me or my car!

After spending time on the handling side of things, it was time to put this to the acid test and see whether or not it would have a positive affect on results at Round 4.

I was entering the latest round with a totally different mindset, as this time I wanted to keep running.... and not just give up at the first sign of trouble, just like I did at Round 3. That was stupid and totally crazy!

Again.... this next Round saw the onslaught of hot and great weather. Not sure what deal ScoobySprint have with "him upstairs", but it is working.

Round 4 was "Germany", based on a very very very tight circuit layout. I always knew what was going to be instore for me and car, but not until I saw the circuit myself, did I ever realise just HOW technical this course was going to be.

When I walked the course first thing this morning, I must admit, I had a sudden urge and thought "I'm ******". Not only do I need to drive well, but this would also push the handling set-up of the car to it's max. Both of these area's I was not 100% certain of!

Since the course layout was so tight, power was never going to be something of concern..... that was going to stay in "Low Boost" mode for starters. Secondly because of the twisty nature of the course and my new found knowledge in the handling set-up side, I decided to keep the suspension settings as they were. The car was currently set-up for road use, so running softer all round..... as the car would need to roll a bit with the slow, sharp change of direction to gain maximum grip, I thought it best to leave the suspension as is.

So.... off I went for the first run, as soon as the gates on the course opened!

I also struggled with the standing starts at Round 2 & 3, so this time I was not going to use the launch control and just do it manually, slipping the twin plate on start.

Sat at the line I got off to a great start.... the launch was perfect using the manual method.

I have got to be honest..... this course blew my brains. It was so hard around the first half with the tight twisties.

Simon was looking at me go round and he said I had gone very well compared to last time.... especially with the technical manner of the circuit. He also said the car looked very composed.

Practice Lap - 30.438 - 24 out of 36

OK.... not the fastest by a long stretch, but it gave me a stake in the ground.

First timed run straight after felt quicker.....

First Timed Run - 29.594 - 19 out of 36

That's better!

Second timed run straight after felt quicker again.....

Second Timed Run - 29.50 - 21 out of 36

Better still!

Third Timed run just before lunch.....

Third Timed Run - 29.219 - 20 out of 36

Quite happy that the times are going in the right direction.....

I immediately queued up straight after lunch for the Fourth Timed run.....

Now... for some strange reason I actually thought this was my last run. Not until I got home to look at the results, did I realise it was only my fourth. Since I thought it was my last run I cranked it up to full power and opened the centre diff right up!! **** or bust!!

Fourth Timed Run - 29.437 - 20 out of 36

BIG MISTAKE.... the car was on steroids and an absolute animal. Clearly too much for my lack of talent.

I was a bit miffed upon finding out when I got home, that I still had one more timed run left. Nearly as miffed knowing that I blue it, by turning the power up and opening the diff up!

All said and done I was very happy I did what I did and that the car was handling nicely. But of course the story does not end there!

Simon had a chat with me and said "You have done well mate", "You are driving better than what you were last time, especially on a technical circuit like this..... if I am honest I am surprised!".

After I had cooled down, I offered Simon a drive in the car. I had done all my runs (so I thought), so thought Simon might like a quick punt. Especially as I would of liked to have some feedback from him on the handling set-up now.

If I am honest, Simon was not really struck on the idea. Not sure if it was the fact he knew there had been handling problems with the car and also the pressure that he would be expected to do well.

Finally Simon decided to take me up on the offer...... just for a couple of runs mind you!

Now.... when Simon last drove my car, which was ScoobyLive May 2008, the handling was crap and the turbo was knackered. Not only had he not driven the car about 18 months, but last time he drove it he had very bad memories. To be honest I had some reservations about him driving it again, as I knew that if the car failed to perform this time, all the hard work that everyone had put in to would fall under another black cloud. The curse of ScoobyNet would strike again!! But you know.... both Simon and myself thought **** it! Richard Bulmer ragged the backside off it at the last event, even with the previous handling issues and managed to come fourth. I was adament that the handling had been improved (as had Litchfield Imports and AST UK who had both had a hand in correcting it since), so I was hoping the risk would be less this time.

Simon wanted to take the car for a quick spin on the road, to ensure it was handling better, so off we went for a quick spin. As soon as Simon hit the road he stated that the handling was much better than what it was like when he last drove it in 2008. My fingers were crossed!!!!

Simon lined up at the start line and after we had a conversation about the boost, he decided to keep it in "Low Boost".

Off he went for his practice lap

Practice Lap - 27.515 - 2 out of 36

HOLY ****.... Simon said it was handling well and that he was in the "zone" now.... he wanted more!

First timed run straight after.....

First Timed Run - 27.344 - 3 out of 36

I have gotta be honest..... I was getting a bit excited now!

Second timed run straight after.....

Second Timed Run - 26.937 - 3 out of 36

This was now getting VERY serious! Simon was on the ball and he was very pleased with how the car was going...... not half as pleased as I was!! I said he could do one more run, as this would be four runs on the trot and the inlet temps were gong through the roof!! He decided to try high boost this time.

Third Timed run straight after.....

Third Timed Run - 26.938 - 4 out of 36

Whoops..... high inlet temps and high boost was not the best thing to do!! Time for a rest me thinks and a return back to "Low Boost".

Fourth Timed Run - 26.812 - 3 out of 36

This aint doing my heart much good! The man is doing well..... and so is the car!! Simon had explained to me after the fourth run, that he was not giving it death. I explained that was his goal.... just do it! We just had enough time for a final timed run before the showdown..... Simon had already done enough to get in the finals, but he wanted one more run.

Fifth Timed Run - 26.703 - 3 out of 36

Both Simon and I were over the moon. This gave Simon joint 3rd overall and joint 3rd for the final shootout.

The final shootout was a total Tracktive walkover, with three of the five finalist Tracktive Tuned and supported cars.

These were:

*Richard Bulmer in the Tracktive Solutions Ltd car
*Rob North in his Tracktive Solutions prepped car
*Simon de Banke in my Tracktive Solutions prepped car

This was it.... the FINAL! Simon explained that he was going to push the car as hard as he could, as he ahd previously held back. This was going to be difficult, but I was over the moon that Simon had reached the final anyhow.

First off was Kevin Horsely for ScoobyClinic, who posted a 26.844!

Second off was Simon!

You could tell at the bottom section that he was giving it death and low and behold Simon managed an awesome......

26.438

He was now FIRST overall.....

Next up was Richard Bulmer, who posted a great 26.781. Simon was now AT LEAST going to get 3rd overall! My heart was going ten to the dozen.

Next up was Rob North, who posted a great 26.968. Jesus.... Simon would at least get second! I can't take no more!

Finally it was Andy Harvey's turn in the stripped out racer from ScoobyClinic. Could he beat Simon?! Oh no... he has over cooked it and posted a time of 27.812!

Simon had won the final shootout, with his fastest time of the day....... in MY car!!

After over 2 1/2yrs, you can't believe how much this meant to me. FINALLY, the car has achieved a well deserved win!

I am over the moon. Not only because the car has finally shown it's worth, but it has done it with a spec that is totally road biased, in full weight mode, stereo and subs, normal pump fuel, no NOS..... oh, and still running LOW BOOST (1.5bar)! Going up against stripped out sprint or track cars and coming out on top, is exactly what this latest round of project work has been about.

I am certainly very lucky to have the help of many different people, and I am pleased to have worked with the following companies over the past 12 months:

Tracktive Solutions, for building me a monster engine and mapping it, together with all the other help given and providing me with constant support at events!

AET for supplying me one hell of a turbo!

Litchfield Imports for showing me a guiding light on the handling front!

AST UK for loads of advice and help with the handling!

And by no means least, Simon de Banke for delivering what was needed to pull this all together "on the day"!!

I will get some images up from today's event as soon as I can.

At least now, I can rest with the knowledge that the car is finally working as it should and that I will surely spend more time and money on the driving tuition, in the hope that I can drive this car to what it is undoutedly capable of!!

Stay tuned for further progress..... it's serious now!

stevebt

iTrader: (8)

So is that the end of modding on this car ??? I have said it countless times on mine and I'm currently looking for a bigger turbo. Did you enjoy your sccobysprint time??/ Just because your not as good a driver as you hoped in the bends does not mean ****! A lot of people couldn't handle the power of a big powered scood as they would a normal car You know the wedge you have ploughed into your car your just as trapped as me and it always needs to go quicker Would you believe it I have blown my head gaskets ?? No warning they just went so its doubtfull my car will make the next scoobyshoot out??
Why don't you use the launch control? I have always found this to be great fun and can't see the reasoning in doing a manual launch

shawy1976

iTrader: (8)

well done shaun the car sounds like a real beast, excellent results there in a bigger heavier car

Shaun

Steve,
That's a real ****ter about your headgaskets mate! Been there and done that, so I know what it feels like. How many miles had it done before they let go?

As for me and modding..... this car really does not have to be any faster for what I need. I can't handle the power as it is and at least Simon has shown me new found faith in it's potential. I have a long, long way to go to get to needing more power. The handling whilst so much improved, could still do with time being set-up for competition with further testing time. Simon thinks the car has another second in it, based on the performance today on that circuit. So it can be improved even further.

My driving is the biggest issue.... that is what I need to concentrate on now.

I really enjoyed today, even before Simon got behind the wheel. I just to keep practicing and improving.

You are in to drag runs and whilst I may give this a go a ScoobyLive, it does not really float my boat....... getting in to drag runs WILL cost me cash, but to what end?!?

I have struggled with Launch Control as increased inlet temps when continually doing back to back standing starts on the sprints, kill my ignition and the car bogs. Every standing start I did today was bang on, so I will keep with the manual side of things for the time being. It worked for me (manual launch) when I was getting consistant 1.6's to 60ft on the 2ltr engine, so I can see no benefit in changing to LC.

Shawy,
Thanks very much.... it's nice to know it did what it did, even with the weight against it (compared to the other cars in the final).

utaka

would be good if they did sprint days like track days but on tight coned courses so people can practice for things like scoobsprint they do handaling days for caterams but we all own subaru's

Shaun

Some airfield days are probably the closest you will get to experiencing ScoobySprint type layouts.... but even that is going to be quite far removed. To be honest I am using ScoobySprint as my practice ground...... at the price, you can't go wrong imo. Back this up with more time on proper circuits, can only keep helping me. In my limited experience, I find sprint circuit much harder than track.

I was up at Cadwell on Friday, albeit driving my mates car. I will get up to Snetterton next month for a good work out.

stevebt

iTrader: (8)

Shaun, I think I have done say 2k miles in the car? There was no warning either . Oh well it's only new gaskets on the bright side

Shaun

Steve,
Sounds strange.... that was the set-up I had on my original Cosworth engine and that took a right pounding for circa 10k miles.

Something must be at fault some where..... as they should of lasted longer than that?!

Shaun

A couple of images from Sunday's ScoobySprint Round 4:

(Images taken by Kevin Horsley)

Hammer man

iTrader: (25)

Its good to see that my "red bull flying wings magic powder" that i sprinkled over your dump valve worked in the end.....

Shaun

Ahhhh... was that what you did!!!

You must of done that between my last run and Simon's first run then. I always knew it was not my awesome driving ability at fault!

You are now a member of the official "Disabled Class" service crew!

gussy

iTrader: (2)

As I have had said on the scoobysprint forum well done Shaun results at last....mind you simon did have a few practice runs in the beemer quite funny to see that smoking its way round in the morning I would hate to see his tyre bills

Shaun

Gussy,
Thanks mate.

Perhaps the two runs in his beemer, offset the fact that he has not driven my car for nearly 18 months.

I can honestly say that at no time, prior to me throwing him the keys at about 2pm, did either of us envisage that he would be driving the Spec C. I heard he raised a few eyebrows after his first practice lap.

It was good to know Simon's parents attended and saw their son "do his thing". I am sure they were very proud. I know I was.... I nearly kissed him! roflol

Anyway, enough of that crap ..... here are some pictures of the man in question:

(Images taken by Kevin Horsley)

rickya

iTrader: (18)

Congrats Shaun on the win in the Spec C & Simon on his ace driving!!

Shaun

Rickya,
Thanks..... but I would suggest it is all in the car and nothing to do with Simon! Hold on... I was slow though.

I have certain people whispering in my ear to get the car "serious" for the ScoobySprint Final / ScoobyLive in September. Of course I would like the car to do well again, but not sure it is worth the stress. The good thing about Sunday, is that I just turned up with no expectations and it just so happened that Simon had a drive. Everytime I expect or plan for something, it all goes "Pete Tong". Best left alone and carry on having a laugh I think.

I may even have a blast down the 1/4 now I am happy with my launches..... but again I don't expect to do well, as my gear changing is not the quickest. We'll see.

Since the car doesn't "need" anything doing to it between now and the next event, why bother complicating it. I decided that the car needs to be about fun and knowing when to stop all the messing around. I am happy that the car is now a good all round package.... not the best, but good for what it is, so time to start enjoying it perhaps.

Shaun

Prep Work for the ScoobySprnt/ScoobyLive Final
Just been up at Tracktive today to discuss with Richard about odd's and sod's for the final in September.

Nothing actually needs doing, as I could just turn up and run again tomorrow.... but you are always in a position to look at the "nice to have's", or "finishing off" scenario's.

1) Flat gear shifting will be finally set-up.
This is more for the drag strip, so I don't have to take my foot off the loud pedal between gear changes. My gear changes are not the quickest in the world, so any help with this will benefit me.

2) Launch Control will be disabled, since I feel fine that my manual launches (after last Sunday's event) are good.

3) Adjustment to the breather system.
I actually took my catch tank/separator off on Sunday and emptied it (had nothing to do over the dinner break period). It was the first time the tank had been emptied since it was put on (over 12k miles) and it only had about a 1cm of oil in the bottom. I have never suffered with breathing issues on this engine and breather set-up. Anyway... the vent to atmosphere side of the tank is directed against the bulkhead, but I can smell the vapour within the car when giving it beans. This pipe needs to be extended and re-routed to go underneath the centre of the car.

4) Fuel lines in the boot for the swirl pot and external pump.
These need to be changed to teflon aeroquip, since you smell fuel in the car when the car has been stationary for some time. It soon clears, but is just one of those things that I want to sort. I suspect that this won't be done until after ScoobyLive though.

I am not planning on Simon driving again at the Final, as to get the best out of his ability and car, the suspension needs proper testing/set-up time with him behind the wheel (based on his feedback, plenty more could be done to get the car quicker in this department) and proper slicks (remember the car is in PRO class, so these are allowed).

Basically the spec will be "as is" for the final, as I can't be arsed with the stress prior to the event organising stuff or the stress on the day. If I plan for it, it will go wrong as I have learnt in the past!

I just want to have a bit of fun in my road car..... that way I can just look forward to enjoying the day. At least I know now, it's all about me and not the car anymore.

Wonders will never cease, but nothing discussed was about achieving more power! I'm not even interested in trying E85, which I was contemplating. I just can't be arsed and the car is plenty quick enough for what I want, as it is.

gussy

iTrader: (2)

Thats nice to hear shaun just leave it as it is and enjoy it all the hard work has been done on the car and as you have said earlier the rest is up to you,see you at the final.

Shaun

Don't get my wrong Gus....... the car is never "finished".

gussy

iTrader: (2)

Your starting to sound like steve b now shaun .......

Fai17

iTrader: (2)

Shaun i haven't read your thread in ages

It would be a dreaded shame to sell your car as your car now is at the peak of what it can be.As you said you have so much time and money on her but why sell up just when it's going good?

Congratulation on winner the finals even tho you didn't drive it to get there but still it's your car and the potential is there to do well at any event.

What i say is"Keep your car,keep it well mantained and enjoy it until you've had enough then put an even better on it"

Welldone...

Shaun

Thankyou Sir!

I will remind you of what you have just said when you are hanging from the rafters, with all the stress your car put's you under! OK... I am not wishing that on you, but I hope you understand where I am coming from.

I fully appreciate your sentiments as regards to the car now and in a way you are right. I do not expect the car to be the best or even one of the best...... that is a total mindset change for me! Certainly it can be improved, especially on the handling side, but for me I feel safe in the knowledge that the car is at least competant.

Over recent months I have been blowing my brains on what to do and ultimately the main sticking point has been "Will I regret getting shot of it?!". Once it goes there is no going back. OK, it has cost me a shedload of cash over the years, but I have always treated cash spent as being written off immediately. Since last October it has cost me circa £7k. When you add that to what it has already cost me over the previous years, you are talking some serious wedge! Such is life and getting what you finally want is not always going to be cheap.

The Spec C is a second car, compared to my daily work horse, is rarely used. I was willing to spend another £30k on it's replacement..... but what can I get for that kind of cash, that will be used as little and will be no where near as good?! I tried to justify that by buying a hatchback and completing a project on that, thinking it would satisfy my hunger..... but again, ultimately, the car would not be as good..... unless I threw another £25k at that one. NO WAY!

It was even suggested to me that it would make more financial sense to throw another £15k at the Spec C....... Mmmmmm, what could I do for £15k! As you could lose that on depreciation alone with it's potential replacement over two years. The gap between the replacement and what the Spec C could become, would be even greater!!

To me a second car needs to be special. I suspect that something "special" enough (in my eyes) to replace the Spec C would have to be a Super Car. I immediately think of a 997 911 Turbo or a GTR. I am not prepared to blow £60k+ on a second car (but believe me, I have come VERY close!). I feel anything less would leave me feeling short changed, for what gives me the horn.

Perhaps I am making my own case to keep it! Life should never be this difficult!

utaka

after all you have done and all the ups and downs of your journey with this car it would seem wrong to sell it. your 911 aston whatever will only keep you happy for so long then you want more, if you stick with the scoob and you spent even another 20k on it you have a subaru which will outperform most super cars which in my opinion is a far more enjoyable. there is a great social sie to owning a subaru too as you well know from competing in scoobysprint, with time effort and dedication by next year you could have that car being really competetive, you obviously enjoy competetive driving so if the subaru is only a play thing and not a daily driver dedicate it to motorsport, enter time attack scoobysprint next year with a competetive car and unleash its full potential a couple of lessons will get your driving up to speed. then you will get the real enjoyment your seeking and at the quarter of the cost of a super car that after a year wont be so super. after everything you have done with the car thus far would seem a real shame to give up on it now.
good luck with whatever you choose

shawy1976

iTrader: (8)

you have a awesome car there shaun but for £30000 over the last year or 2 there has been the old zen car and terryb's car at less than the amount above before the c/c.

Shaun

utaka,
Not really interested in TA because of my lack of driving ability..... need more practice first. Nor interested in anything serious, competition wise.... too much stress!

Shawy1976,
Can you repeat that in plain english please?

utaka

then maybe a super car is for you mate, if track driving or competetive racing and driver improvement isnt on the menu then perhaps get something more special than a subaru and less track/rally orientated so you get all the things your looking for in a luxury fine weather motor. bmw m3csl merc c200 amg new jag theres loads of choice. with 10k from sale of the scoob plus 30k of your own coin you could get something very nice