MANX CLASSIC 2014

Post updates/results of SAABs in racing
gmreider
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Re: MANX CLASSIC 2014

Postby gmreider » Mon May 05, 2014 9:26 am

Well Birdie, we are all in suspense about the final results? Did you complete the weekend without damaging the car? Did you scare yourself a little on the last run? We need to know !!! Some of us have not run an event yet this year , so we need a little " fix" until we get out on the track for ourselves.

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BIRDIEMANGO
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Re: MANX CLASSIC 2014

Postby BIRDIEMANGO » Mon May 05, 2014 1:53 pm

OK GUYS,SORRY TO KEEP YOU WAITING,BUT I HAVE HAD TO WAIT FOR MY SON,TO EDIT ALL THIS TOGETHER......

I HAD TO SWITCH ALL THE CAMERAS ON,BEFORE THE 2ND PRACTICE RUN,AND ALL THIS WAS RATHER EXPERIMENTAL...... :huh:

THE MAIN FOOTAGE IS WITH A DASH-MOUNTED(VIA GLOVEBOX LOCK BRACKET) FUJI FINEPIX S5800 DIGITAL CAMERA,BUT WE HAD ALSO FITTED(AT THE LAST MINUTE) 2 VERY SMALL LIGHTWEIGHT CAPTURE CAMERA'S,WHICH ARE DESIGNED FOR RADIO CONTROLLED MODEL AIRPLANES/HELICOPTERS.......

SO HERE GOES.....FROM INSIDE THE CAR

PRACTICE RUN 2@69.20 SECS TO CLEAR THE HILL,14TH OVERALL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DC3E3XVc ... Kn2CkQL2ig


AND FROM GLEN HELEN BEND OUTSIDE THE CAR...

PRACTICE 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_fcayxPE28

PRACTICE 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCWZ2d_NkdI
CARLSSON TO BLOMQVIST......

''WHAT IS THIS TERRIBLE THING YOU HAVE TAUGHT YOURSELF,YOU MUST UNLEARN IT.....''

LEFT FOOT BRAKING

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BIRDIEMANGO
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Re: MANX CLASSIC 2014

Postby BIRDIEMANGO » Mon May 05, 2014 5:12 pm

IDEALLY,THE IMAGES INSIDE THE CAR WOULD BE PICKED UP FAR BETTER,IF THE INTERIOR WAS WHITE......AND I HAD A ROLL CAGE TO MOUNT A CAMERA TO..... :dunno:

BUT THIS WAS ALL VERY 'LAST MINUTE'.....

ALAS,THIS IS ONE OF THE MANY PERILS OF HAVING A CAR PAINTED BLACK,INSIDE&OUT,EVEN MORE SO REGARDING HEAT TRANSFER,ESPECIALLY SUNSHINE.....

AT LEAST THE ENGINE BAY IS WHITE......WE CAN ALWAYS TRY POINTING A CAMERA AT THE TURBO :lol: :huh:


WITH BOTH PRACTICE RUNS OUT OF THE WAY,THE SERIOUS COMPETITION BEGAN.....

WE HAVE ONLY ONE TIMED AFTERNOON RUN,TO COUNT TO THE RESULTS.....

JUST SOME OF THE MORE,INTERESTING FINAL TIMED RUNS THROUGH GLEN HELEN,PRIOR TO ME HAVING A GO.........IN THE 99 TURBO......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zH9mmO_I ... Kn2CkQL2ig

FOR ME,IT WOULD BE............. ALL......OR,NOTHING.....

I HAD COME HERE,WITH THE CAR ON TRAILER,BEING TOWED BY THE 1989 9000T16.
IN THE PREVIOUS WEEKS,I HAD THE 9000T16 IN BITS, WIRING IN ADDITIONAL POWER POINTS FOR ALL THE MODERN TECHNOLOGY,WE WOULD BE TAKING WITH US,PHONES, SATNAV,LAPTOP,INVERTERS AND AN ELECTRIC COOLBOX,FOR KEEPING THE FOOD&DRINK.....

THE 99 TURBO ITSELF,HAD HAD, AN EXTENSIVE NUT&BOLT CHECK,AND HOURS OF LATE NIGHT METICULOUS PREPERATION......

I WAS 'ALL OUT' OF MONEY.....!!!!!!!

IT COST AN ABSOLUTE FORTUNE JUST TO ENTER, EVEN ONE .......OF THE 3 EVENTS RUNNING :dunno: .....BOOK THE RETURN FERRY,HIRE THE TENT,AND FILL BOTH CARS WITH FUEL.........

I WAS TRAVELLING TO THIS 'ISLE OF MAN' AS A VAGRANT....

I HAD BORROWED £100,TO USE AS EMERGENCY FUNDS.......I HAD A GAS COOKER, A BOX FULL OF TINNED FOOD, AND A LOAF OF BREAD......TO LAST 5 DAYS..

THE TENT WAS VERY GOOD,BUT NIGHT-TIME TEMPERATURES HAD PLUMMETED,SO SLEEP HAD BEEN VERY LITTLE......

AND ABOVE ALL THIS,I WAS RACING IN A 'BORROWED' PAIR OF OVERALLS.....

I HAVE TRIED TO RECREATE THE ATMOSPHERE HERE,ON RACEDAY.....

THIS ISLAND ,IS A VERY POWERFUL PLACE......A PORTFOLIO OF OVER A HUNDRED YEARS OF MOTORSPORT,BOTH 2 WHEELS AND FOUR.......
IT HAS AN EMOTIONALLY CHALLENGING AURA,YOU CANNOT HELP, BUT TRY AND HOLD BACK THE TEARS......

MAYBE THIS IS JUST MY VIEW....? BUT I HAD GIVEN UP EVERYTHING TO GET HERE........

AND MAYBE PUT THE RECORD STRAIGHT,JUST A LITTLE........FOR SAAB,AND THE 99 TURBO....

COULD I HOLD IT ALL TOGETHER,FOR THE LAST RUN.....?
Attachments
BASIC RATIONS.jpg
BASIC RATIONS.jpg (55.86 KiB) Viewed 9029 times
IT HAD PISSED DOWN SO MUCH IN THE NIGHT,WE HAD TO USE THE RAMPS FROM THE TRAILER.....TO GET IN,AND OUT THE TENT....jpg
IT HAD PISSED DOWN SO MUCH IN THE NIGHT,WE HAD TO USE THE RAMPS FROM THE TRAILER.....TO GET IN,AND OUT THE TENT....jpg (70.79 KiB) Viewed 9029 times
9000 POWER POINTS.jpg
9000 POWER POINTS.jpg (62.74 KiB) Viewed 9029 times
CARLSSON TO BLOMQVIST......

''WHAT IS THIS TERRIBLE THING YOU HAVE TAUGHT YOURSELF,YOU MUST UNLEARN IT.....''

LEFT FOOT BRAKING

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BIRDIEMANGO
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Re: MANX CLASSIC 2014

Postby BIRDIEMANGO » Mon May 05, 2014 6:12 pm

SAT ON THE START LINE,THE MARSHALS POSITION THE SAAB,SUCH THAT THE 'TRAFFIC LIGHTS' ARE ENGAGED.....

I WAIT.....

'THOUGHTS' DISSAPEAR OF POSSIBLE MECHANICAL FAILURE,AND THE MIND FOCUSES ON THE 'JOB IN HAND'......

I AM ABOUT TO EXPERIENCE THE FASTEST,RUN IN THE 99 TURBO,THAT I HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED,IN ANY OF MY CARS,IN OVER 20 YEARS OF 'CLUBMAN MOTORSPORT'....IN ONE OF THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS EVENTS ON THE MOTORSPORT CALENDAR....

THE LIGHTS FLICKER TO GREEN....

I SHOOT BACK TO CHILDHOOD MEMORIES, WATCHING BLOMQVIST GO OFF THE LINE,ON THE RAC RALLY IN THE 'ALL NEW' SAAB 99 TURBO.....

CONTRARY TO ALL OTHER COMPETITORS STARTS.....I EASE THE,THROTTLE AND CLUTCH,JUST TO GET A LITTLE MOMENTUM, ALL 1140 KG OF IT MOVING,BEFORE I LET THE TORQUE RUSH IN,100 YARDS OFF THE LINE........STRAIGHT INTO SECOND,FLAT UP THE HILL,THIRD....THEN FOURTH

ALL THE WHILE,WE ARE NEARING 100 MPH.....AND I AM DESPERATLEY TRYING TO MEMORISE,WHICH BEND THE RED/WHITE CRASH BARRIER,IS AROUND......

CARRYING MORE SPEED,THAN THE LAST RUN,I HUG THE INSIDE EMBANKMENT FLAT IN FOURTH,LIFTING MOMENTARILY,AS THE BLIND LEFT HANDER THROUGH THE STONE WALL BRIDGE,TIGHTENS.....

THE BACK END STARTS TO BREAK FREE,AND ALL I CAN SEE HAPPENING,IS THE THE INSIDE EMBANKMENT COMING INTO VIEW,THROUGH THE CURVATURE OF THE NEARSIDE WINDSCREEN,AS THE 99T GRACEFULLY STARTS TO SLIDE...... :huh: :bawl: UH OH !

I AM CARRYING TOO MUCH SPEED,BUT THE ONLY WAY I CAN BRING IT OUT OF A 90 MPH SLIDE,IS TO BURY THE THROTTLE AND HOPE THE BASTARD PULLS THROUGH THE BRIDGE......

MY FEET ARE EVERYWHERE,TRYING TO CHANGE DOWN INTO 3RD,AND BOUNCE BACK ONTO THE THROTTLE/BRAKE TO STEER THE SAAB......AS IT SLITHERS,SKEWED UPHILL AROUND 'GLEN HELEN' BEND......WITH MINIMAL STEERING INPUT....

THE STEEPEST PART OF THE CLIMB NOW,UP TO 'SARAHS COTTAGE', RIGHT HANDER ,OFF CAMBER.......AGAIN I AM CARRYING TOO MUCH SPEED.........HUGE MOMENT,AS I APPLY A TOUCH OF OPPOSITE LOCK,AND SLIDE TOWARDS THE EMBANKMENT THAT CLAIMED THE LITTLE TVR,ON THE PREVIOUS RUN.....

AND NOW FLAT OUT,INTO FOURTH,AGAINST THE GENTLER GRADIENT, LIFTING FOR A SPLIT SECOND,OR TWO,AS I CAN HEAR THE ENGINE 'KNOCK'(EVEN WITH HELMET ON) HITTING WELL OVER 100 MPH,ON FULL BOOST ACROSS THE LINE......


BUT, WAS IT ENOUGH......?


LINING THE SAAB UP,THE BLUE TRIUMPH DOLOMITE SPRINT,IS THUNDERING UP THE HILL,BARELY 20 SECS BEHIND ME......THOSE HUGE CARBURETTORS,ALMOST SUCKING THE TREE'S IN AS,IT GOES......

THE GREY HAIRED PILOT EMERGES FROM THE DOLOMITE,AFTER IT CROSSES THE CHEQUERED FLAG....

THE LOOK ON HIS FACE SAID IT ALL

''I WAS BLOODY GLAD TO SEE THE FINISH LINE..........''
CARLSSON TO BLOMQVIST......

''WHAT IS THIS TERRIBLE THING YOU HAVE TAUGHT YOURSELF,YOU MUST UNLEARN IT.....''

LEFT FOOT BRAKING

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Geoff
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Re: MANX CLASSIC 2014

Postby Geoff » Tue May 06, 2014 12:15 pm

Whew! You had me going there for a minute! Glad you made it to the top without any damage.

BIRDIEMANGO wrote:HUGE CARBURETTORS,ALMOST SUCKING THE TREE'S IN AS,IT GOES......

:lol:

Your experience just getting to the event and staying in the tent reminds me of some rallies I've been to. The first rally I competed in involved pulling together all my saved money, borrowing my dad's credit card in case of emergencies, borrowing a box van and trailer, filling said leaky van with oil every 50 miles for 400 miles, and sleeping in the back of the box van along side the spares for four nights. But what a hobby!
The kind of dirty that doesn't wash off :eyebrows:

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BIRDIEMANGO
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Re: MANX CLASSIC 2014

Postby BIRDIEMANGO » Tue May 06, 2014 4:00 pm

OK GUYS,FINALLY GOT THE FOOTAGE OF THE FINAL TIMED COMPETITIVE RUN THROUGH 'GLEN HELEN BEND'.......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsPbrwvf ... Kn2CkQL2ig

GO FULL SCREEN.....

WE ARE FLAT OUT.....ON THE EDGE :crazy:

AND HERE,IS THE IN-CAR.....

WATCH FOR THE 'MOMENT' GOING INTO THE STONE WALLED BRIDGE.... :-O
YOU CAN JUST ABOUT MAKE OUT THE SPEEDO NEEDLE AND REV-COUNTER THROUGHOUT......THE ORANGE ILLUMINATED SWITCH,I HIT AT THE START IS THE INTERCOOLER SPRAY.....


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOMcnpza1GU


HERE IS SOME FOOTAGE OF THE CARS RUNNING IN REVERSE ORDER,BACK DOWN THE HILL,TO THE PADDOCK......WHICH GIVES A DIFFERING VIEW OF THE SEVERITY OF THE BENDS AND GRADIENTS....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-PbZlbRy_E

BIRDIE
CARLSSON TO BLOMQVIST......

''WHAT IS THIS TERRIBLE THING YOU HAVE TAUGHT YOURSELF,YOU MUST UNLEARN IT.....''

LEFT FOOT BRAKING

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BIRDIEMANGO
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Re: MANX CLASSIC 2014

Postby BIRDIEMANGO » Tue May 06, 2014 6:10 pm

BY NOW,IT WAS QUARTER TO FOUR IN THE AFTERNOON,THE ORGANISERS HAD TO GET US ALL BACK DOWN THE HILL,AND GET ALL THE SPARE PARTS,WHEELS AND TYRES (AND MY IGLOO) WE HAD LEFT BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN THE MAKESHIFT PADDOCK, BACK INTO THE COMPETITION CARS....

AT 16.15 HRS THE ROAD MUST RE-OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC,AND BE EXACTLY IN THE STATE,WE HAD BEEN GIVEN IT AT 09.15 THAT MORNING......WITH NOT A TRACE,THAT WE HAD EVEN BEEN THERE....!!!

AND REMEMBER,IT HAD TAKEN 130 OFFICIAL SIGNATURES,TO GET THIS ROAD CLOSED IN THE FIRST PLACE.......

THIS BEING MY FIRST VISIT TO THE ISLAND....?

THE PARLIAMENT HERE,ARE LIKE NO OTHER I HAVE EXPERIENCED.....RESIDENTS ON THE ISLAND ARE PERMITTED TO CARRY OUT 'HOMESTAYS'...

THAT IS,(I BELIEVE)THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY CAN RENT OUT A ROOM,OR THE WHOLE HOUSE FOR SOMEWHERE FOR PEOPLE TO STAY,DURING THE MOTORSPORT EVENTS,ETC.....

AND AS THE OWNER OF THAT PROPERTY,YOU GET TO KEEP ALL THE CASH,TAX FREE.....!!!!

I HAD THE OFFER,OF THIS FACILITY FROM MANY A COMPETITOR,DURING THE DAY AS WE WERE TALKING...... :huh:

SO EVEN THOUGH THE 99 TURBO WAS FIRMLY SAT AMIDST THE 4WD TURBOS,V8'S AFORE.....AND PORSCHE 911,TVR'S BEHIND.......?

THIS DIDN'T SEEM TO UPSET THE HOSPITALITY,OF THE LOCAL ISLANDERS,WHOM WERE ONLY TO WILLING, TO GET US TO COME BACK NEXT YEAR?......... :thumbsup:

AS ALL THE COMPETITION CARS DISPERSED,A ONE-WAY SYSTEM HAD BEEN PUT IN PLACE,SO ALL MOTORSPORT TRAFFIC COULD ONLY TRAVEL DOWNHILL......THIS ALLOWED ALL THE MARSHALS,TO COLLECT THE SAFETY EQUIPMENT,RADIO'S,FLAGS ETC......


I TRUNDLED DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL,AT THE CROSSROADS,AT TYNWALD HILL,AND TURNED THE SAAB AROUND......WHEREUPON THE ROAD WOULD OPEN UP, IN FIVE MINUTES........THEN I COULD,GO BACK UP THE HILL, PICK UP THE MISSUS,AND MY SON,FROM THE CARPARK OF THE 'GLEN HELEN INN'.....AND HEAD BACK TO THE CAMPSITE FOR A CELEBRATORY BEER AND BBQ....

THIS WAS REALLY,THE FIRST TIME ALL DAY,I HAD TIME TO PROCESS THE DAYS EVENT'S...

I STILL HAD NO IDEA,AT THIS POINT,WHERE WE HAD FINISHED...

BUT THE ADRENALINE WAS STILL THERE(AND STILL IS A WEEK LATER!)........I TOOK A MOMENT,JUST TO REFLECT.....

I COULDN'T HAVE HELPED OBSERVING,THROUGHOUT MY TIME ON THE 'TT' CIRCUIT,SEVERAL WOODEN CROSS,PUSHED INTO THE STEEP GRASS VERGES BY THE ROADSIDE ,ADORNED IN FRESH FLOWERS......

LUCKILY IN TODAYS EVENT,EVERYBODY HAD COME AWAY,NEAR ENOUGH INTACT.....

BUT IT IS ALWAYS THERE.........? IT IS JUST SOMETHING YOU PUSH TO THE FURTHEST REACHES OF YOUR MIND,AND BLANK IT OUT.....

SO I SWITCHED OFF THE ENGINE........ TOOK A MOMENT......AND A SOLITARY TEAR,FELL DOWN..... :bawl:






INTERRUPTED,BY ONE OF THE MARSHALS,WHOM HAD BEEN PART OF THE STARTLINE CREW.......AND WANTED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE CAR.... :lol: :lol: :lol:
CARLSSON TO BLOMQVIST......

''WHAT IS THIS TERRIBLE THING YOU HAVE TAUGHT YOURSELF,YOU MUST UNLEARN IT.....''

LEFT FOOT BRAKING

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BIRDIEMANGO
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Re: MANX CLASSIC 2014

Postby BIRDIEMANGO » Tue May 06, 2014 7:11 pm

UP AT THE 'GLEN HELEN' CARPARK,I TURNED IN......LOOKING FOR THE MISSUS,AND MY LAD.......?

THEY WERE HUDDLED, UNDER SOME LARGE CONIFERS,WITH A GROUP OF OTHER BLOKES....

THESE BLOKES CAME OVER,IN THE POURING RAIN(BY NOW)AND ASKED IF THEY POSSIBLY SEE UNDER THE BONNET?

ONE OF THEM,HAD DONE THE EVENT ,BACK IN 2007.....HE HAD WON IT(FASTEST TIME OF THE DAY)IN A SUBARU IMPREZA....ALBEIT,ON A DIFFERENT PART OF THE 'ISLAND'.......

SOMETHING WAS MENTIONED, ABOUT THEM BEING PRETTY IMPRESSED WITH 99 TURBO ..... o_O :huh:

THESE GUYS HAD SPENT THE ENTIRE DAY,SAT ON THE EMBANKMENT NEXT TO MY MISSUS,AND SON..........SO,THEY NOW KNEW THE WHOLE STORY,ABOUT THE BUILD OF THE 'BLOMQVIST REPLICA TURBO'......WELL,THEY DID ASK?

BUT GOING BACK TO THE GUY'S IMPREZA,I WAS EAGER TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE SPEC OF HIS CAR.......

HE HAD INVESTED MORE THAN £46,000 IN IT,PUSHING OUT 552 BHP,TO GET THAT WIN..... :-O

WE SAID OUR FAREWELL'S,AND CLIMBED INTO THE 99T....

''FIT A BIGGER TURBO,FOR NEXT YEAR...........!!!'' HE SHOUTED,AS WE ACCELERATED INTO THE DISTANCE.......

ALL I MANAGED TO FIND OUT THAT NIGHT,IS THE PROVISIONAL RESULTS..........WHICH STOOD TILL 09.45 THE NEXT MORNING,PENDING ANY 'PROTESTS' THAT CAN BE LODGED BY FELLOW COMPETITORS.....


2ND IN CLASS,BEHIND THE BLUE TRIUMPH DOLOMITE SPRINT....... :thumbsup:


THIS TIME LAST YEAR,WE WERE GETTING READY TO SET OFF ON 'MAMMOTH ROAD TRIP' ACROSS EUROPE .... OVER THE 2500 MILES,TO NORWAY, SVERIGE AND BACK.....THE 'CLARION BLOMQVIST REPLICA' RAN PERFECTLY..

AND NOW,I HAD JUST GIVEN IT THE HARDEST 4.5 MILES OF IT'S LIFE SO FAR.....CHANGING JUST THE DRIVERS SEAT,AND FITTING THE 'LUKE' HARNESSES....

VERSATILE,PRACTICAL AND BLOODY QUICK TOO......

OVER 3 YEARS,EVERY NIGHT,WEEKEND AND 'GOD GIVEN' SPARE MINUTE....I HAVE SPENT,BUILDING THIS CAR...

I THINK,CONSIDERING,WE DID GOOD......... :thumbsup: :yay:


A MASSIVE THANK YOU,TO SEVERAL OF THE OTHER CHAPS BACK IN BLIGHTY WHOM HELPED TO MAKE ALL THIS POSSIBLE.....

'MIKE' FOR THE LOAN OF SOME SUITABLE OVERALLS
DAVE PARRY (FOR HIS TIME)
DAVE&ANGE BARROW(THANKS FOR BEING A GORILLA&EARL GREY)
DAVE VIVYAN(THANKS FOR BEING A TAXI)
DAVE MILLS(THANKS FOR THE WIRING!)
CHRIS&SHARON FOXLEY(THANKS FOR THE BOLTS!)
NUTCASE(THANKS FOR THE SILICONE HOSES)
MY BROTHER,NEIL(ALLOY&TIG WELDING)
MY SON(THANKS FOR THE FILMING&BEING THERE)
MY MISSUS(THANKS FOR BEING THERE)
ME MUM( PUTTING UP WITH SAABS ALL OVER THE GARDEN.....)

AND YOU GUYS,HERE ON 'SAABRALLY'......

SO MAYBE THAT'S IT,UNTIL NEXT YEAR?


BUT,THERE WAS STILL DAY 3,OF THE EVENT THE STEEP&TWISTY 'LHERGY FRISSELL' HILLCLIMB,TO COME.........FOR ALL THE OTHER COMPETITORS?

THE AWARDS,FOR DAY 1&2 WOULD BE HANDED OUT,AT THE START LINE,DURING THE 'LUNCH BREAK' AT THE VERY NEXT DAY'S FINAL COMPETITION....?

SADLY,AGAIN INTERRUPTED BY THE SIRENS,OF THE AMBULANCE....

AN HOUR BEFORE WE HAD GOT THERE, I BELIEVE A TR4 HAD LOST IT ON THE PRACTICE RUN,AND GONE AROUND 60 FT OVER THE EDGE,THROUGH THE BARRIERS,POSSIBLY INJURING SOME SPECTATORS......

THE EVENT WOULD CARRY ON THOUGH,AND I MANAGED TO GET MY HANDS ON A SET OF TIMES FOR FINAL RUN AT 'CREG WILLEYS'......

BLUE TRIUMPH DOLOMITE SPRINT 68.01 SECS

SAAB 99 TURBO 69.05 SECS

WE HAD COME 2ND IN CLASS 21ST OVERALL,JUST ON A SECOND DOWN,ON THE BLUE TRIUMPH DOLOMITE 16TH OVERALL.....

MY EYES QUICKLY SCANNED DOWN,THE LIST,TO SEE WHOM HAD ACHIEVED 20TH PLACE........

CAR 36..... 1935 WOLSELEY HORNET SPECIAL ...1685 CC SUPERCHARGED.....68.46 SECS...DRIVEN BY TIM GREENHILL

I COULD NEVER HAVE BEEN HAPPIER,TO HAVE BEEN BEATEN BY SUCH A CAR.......
IT HAD TAKEN MY VERY EYE,THE VERY FIRST DAY ,AS I HAD WANDERED AROUND THE PADDOCK.......





''VORSPRUNG DURCH TECKNIK'' AS THEY SAY.........?

I DON'T THINK SO......

:yay: :yay: :yay:


BIRDIE
Attachments
I SAY OLD BEAN,WHY NOT JUST STICK A BLOODY GREAT BIG BLOWER ON IT.JPG
I SAY OLD BEAN,WHY NOT JUST STICK A BLOODY GREAT BIG BLOWER ON IT.JPG (74.55 KiB) Viewed 8988 times
WOLSELEY HORNET SPECIAL.JPG
WOLSELEY HORNET SPECIAL.JPG (102.99 KiB) Viewed 8988 times
SUPERCHARGED FORCED INDUCTION.JPG
SUPERCHARGED FORCED INDUCTION.JPG (92.13 KiB) Viewed 8988 times
CARLSSON TO BLOMQVIST......

''WHAT IS THIS TERRIBLE THING YOU HAVE TAUGHT YOURSELF,YOU MUST UNLEARN IT.....''

LEFT FOOT BRAKING

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Re: MANX CLASSIC 2014

Postby Fraser » Tue May 06, 2014 9:17 pm

Fantastic stuff man ! Felt a whole range of emotions reading and watching right through your post. Ive got a hill climb in 2 weeks and Im feeling the jitters already . Might go practice that left foot stuff to keep that crazy lag at bay ! What do you think of 2nd gear starts !

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Re: MANX CLASSIC 2014

Postby BIRDIEMANGO » Wed May 07, 2014 1:04 am

HELLO FRASER,
THIS LEFT FOOT BRAKING LARK,ESPECIALLY WITH THE WIDE WHEELS,ALLOWS ME TO KEEP THE CAR,WITH MINIMAL STEERING INPUT AND CHANGE VEHICULAR DIRECTION,WITH MY FEET......

IT SUITS THE 99 TURBO VERY WELL....

I FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO LEARN.....

THE FIRST TIME I TRIED IT,25 YEARS AGO.......IN MY VERY FIRST 96V4 RESULTED IN ENDING UPSIDE DOWN.... :rolleyes: AND MANY TIMES AFTER THAT....!!!
THE ADVANTADGE WITH THE 96,IS THAT IN 'FREEWHEEL' YOU CAN CHANGE THRU THE GEARS,WITHOUT EVEN TOUCHING THE CLUTCH........AND KEEP BOTH FEET,ON THE BRAKE/GAS

ONCE YOU GRASP THE IDEA,AND REALISE THAT ACCELERATING INTO TROUBLE,RATHER THAN HITTING THE BRAKES......?
IT CAN PRODUCE PRETTY AMAZING PERFORMANCES,FROM SUCH AN UNORTHODOX WAY OF DRIVING.....

I HAVE AN ARTICLE HERE,FROM THE MID 1970'S,STATING THAT BOTH 'BLOMQVIST AND EKLUND',HAD DIFFICULTIES ADAPTING TO THE DRIVING STYLE OF THE 99 EMS RALLY,REGARDING ''LEFT FOOT BRAKING'',AFTER BEING SO USED TO THE 'CLUTCHLESS' GEARCHANGE IN THE 96.......

I RECKON,THAT IF I HAD BACKED OFF A LITTLE(AND NOT BEEN ENJOYING MYSELF SO MUCH :lol: ) KEEPING THE LINES THROUGH THE BENDS.....I COULD POSSIBLY HAVE BEEN UP TO HALF A SECOND QUICKER....

NOT ENOUGH,TO CATCH THE DOLOMITE SPRINT,THOUGH.......OR THE WOLSELEY 'HORNET' SPECIAL...

BLOMQVIST 'ALLEGEDLY' USED 2ND GEAR STARTS,IN RALLYCROSS WITH A SEVERLEY LIGHTENED SHELL,IN THE 99 TURBO......NEARLY 300 BHP,AND THE DOG 'BOX......

I HAVE TRIED IT WITH MY 99 TURBO,BUT THE POWER TO WEIGHT RATIO IS NOT FAVOURABLE ENOUGH....

WITH THE CAR SET UP,AS IT IS NOW.......

I GET NO TURBO LAG,WHATSOEVER....

AT JUST 1800 RPM,I HAVE GOT OVER 180 LB/FT TORQUE RUSHING IN...

WHICHEVER GEAR I AM,THE CAR JUST PULLS&PULLS..... :thumbsup:
CARLSSON TO BLOMQVIST......

''WHAT IS THIS TERRIBLE THING YOU HAVE TAUGHT YOURSELF,YOU MUST UNLEARN IT.....''

LEFT FOOT BRAKING

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Re: MANX CLASSIC 2014

Postby BIRDIEMANGO » Wed May 07, 2014 1:20 am

THIS CHAP 'MARK HIGGINS' IS AN ISLANDER HIMSELF.....

A FEW POSTS BACK,YOU SAW HIM WITH BLUE SUBARU(AND MY LAD)....

JUST 2 WEEKS TO GO NOW......

BEFORE HE TRIES TO BREAK HIS OWN RECORD,OF AN AVERAGE OF OVER 115 MPH AROUND THE 'TT' CIRCUIT.......DURING BIKE RACE WEEK.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFlSG9_Ue4A

I HAD A RATHER STRANGE DREAM,THE MORNING BEFORE WE CAME HOME......?

IT INVOLVED A BEAUTIFUL SUNNY DAWN AT 04.30 HRS,STRAPPING MYSELF INTO A 'CLARION 99 TURBO',MY SON AT MY SIDE MAP READING........

A LAP OF THE FAMOUS 'TT' CIRCUIT,WHILST EVERYBODY ELSE SLEPT..........?

BUT THEN,I HAVE A TERRIBLE HABIT,OF MAKING MY DREAMS COME TRUE.........

I HAVE ALSO DREAMT,OF COMPETING IN THE ''RALLY OF THE MIDNIGHT SUN''......... :crazy:

NOW WHAT, CAN YOU GUYS TELL ME ABOUT 'PIKES PEAK'?...... :lol:
CARLSSON TO BLOMQVIST......

''WHAT IS THIS TERRIBLE THING YOU HAVE TAUGHT YOURSELF,YOU MUST UNLEARN IT.....''

LEFT FOOT BRAKING

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Re: MANX CLASSIC 2014

Postby BIRDIEMANGO » Thu May 08, 2014 5:42 pm

JUST A FEW PHOTO'S OF MY OLD SAAB 99 EMS STAGE RALLY CAR......

ON THE LAST DAY,WE AGREED TO MEET UP.............
IT'S PRESENT OWNER , OWNS A GARAGE/WORKSHOP ON THE SOUTH OF THE ISLAND......IN PORT ERIN.

IT WAS LAST OUT,RECENTLY...... BEING USED AS THE COURSE OPENING/CLOSING CAR...

BUT HE IS DOING SOME WORK ON THE GEARBOX,AT THE MOMENT....
Attachments
DO YOU LIKE THE LICENCE PLATE.....JPG
DO YOU LIKE THE LICENCE PLATE.....JPG (52.48 KiB) Viewed 8948 times
ENGINE AND 'BOX OUT.JPG
ENGINE AND 'BOX OUT.JPG (78.66 KiB) Viewed 8948 times
DAVE PARRY IN SAAB 99 EMS RALLY.jpg
CARLSSON TO BLOMQVIST......

''WHAT IS THIS TERRIBLE THING YOU HAVE TAUGHT YOURSELF,YOU MUST UNLEARN IT.....''

LEFT FOOT BRAKING

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BIRDIEMANGO
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Re: MANX CLASSIC 2014

Postby BIRDIEMANGO » Thu May 08, 2014 5:48 pm

JUST BEFORE WE LEFT THE ISLAND,I ADDED A LITTLE SOUVENEIR.......


AND I THINK,THIS MUST BE THE MOST EXPENSIVE PIECE OF SLATE,I WILL EVER OWN......
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WE WOZ ERE.jpg
WE WOZ ERE.jpg (52.34 KiB) Viewed 8948 times
MANX SLATE.jpg
MANX SLATE.jpg (45.75 KiB) Viewed 8948 times
CARLSSON TO BLOMQVIST......

''WHAT IS THIS TERRIBLE THING YOU HAVE TAUGHT YOURSELF,YOU MUST UNLEARN IT.....''

LEFT FOOT BRAKING

gmreider
Posts: 326
Joined: Fri Jul 13, 2012 8:28 am
Number of Saabs currently owned: 6
Location: Boyertown PA

Re: MANX CLASSIC 2014

Postby gmreider » Fri May 09, 2014 5:46 am

WELL DONE !! You make us all proud of your efforts to promote and preserve SAAB heritage.

User avatar
BIRDIEMANGO
Posts: 580
Joined: Sun Oct 23, 2011 4:38 am
Nickname: BIRDIE
Number of Saabs currently owned: 8

Re: MANX CLASSIC 2014

Postby BIRDIEMANGO » Sun May 11, 2014 2:06 pm

HELLO GM REIDER,

WHERE IS YOUR HILLCLIMB AT...?

DON'T FORGET TO GET SOME PICTURES,FOOTAGE ETC......

THE IMPORTANT BIT,BEING THAT BOTH ME&THE CAR ARE STILL IN ONE PIECE..... :thumbsup:

HERE ARE THE RESULTS/TIMES FOR 'CREG WILLEYS'....


http://www.manxmotorracing.com/download ... ESULTS.pdf



FOR YOU GUYS,THIS SHOULD BE MORE UP YOUR STREET


HERE IS THE ''OUTSIDE,LOOKING IN....''

FROM ANOTHER COMPETITOR :crazy:

http://www.classiccamaroclubuk.com/phpB ... 3b4b2a9011




IT IS GOOD TO KNOW,THAT THE GUY WHOM HAS MY WHITE 99 EMS RALLY,ALSO HAS A DEAD 99 TURBO ROUND THE BACK......

IT IS NOTFOR SALE,BUT I CAN HARVEST BIT'S OFF IT,IF I NEED THEM TO KEEP THE 'CLARION 99T' RUNNING WHILST I AM OVER THERE....... :lol:


NEXT YEAR,WE ARE HOPING TO GO BACK WITH A LIGHTER CAR....

I HAVE TO CHECK,ON THE CLASS REGULATIONS.....THEY ARE COMPLETLEY DIFFERENT TO THAT HERE IN THE UK.... :dunno:

I RECKON I CAN LOSE 75 KG,BY REMOVING ALL THE SEATS AND ANOTHER 10 KG BY REPLACING THE GLASS WITH THIS STUFF.....

DUMP THE SPARE WHEEL,THE GALLON OF WATER AND ALL THE TOOLS...... I THINK WE CAN LIGHTEN THE CAR BY 100KG.....

THING IS,DOES THAT MEAN WE COULD BE LEVEL WITH THE DOLOMITE SPRINT?

IF I CAN ADD SOME RACING SLICKS,AS WELL.......RATHER THAN,THE BRIDGESTONE ROAD TYRES?

BUT NEXT YEAR COULD BE A WHOLE DIFFERENT BALLGAME.....

I KNOW THE SAAB,IS VERY,VERY QUICK IN THE RAIN.....

A FEW YEARS BACK,AT A LOCAL 'CLUBMAN' SPRINT,ON A SMALL CIRCUIT,WE CAME 3RD OVERALL,ON THE DAY.....IN RELENTLESS RAIN..

BUT HOW WOULD I FEEL ABOUT,DOING 'CREG WILLEY'S' IN THE RAIN? :huh: :thumbsup:

THERE IS NO GUARANTEE,THEY WILL RUN 'CREG WILLEYS' AGAIN,SOME OF THE VENUES MAY CHANGE,AND THE ''ADVERSARIES'' WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY OF A DIFFERENT NATURE.....

QUESTION IS,HOW WILL WE DO ACROSS ALL THREE COMPETITIVE DAYS.....

I AM GETTING THE CAR READY,EVEN NOW....... :-O


GUY MARTIN

''JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE BREATHING,DOESN'T MEAN,........... YOU ARE ALIVE''


THIS CIRCUIT IS REALLY SOMETHING TO BEHOLD.....

THE MOST DIFFICULT DECISION I HAVE TO FACE...

IS WHETHER,OR NOT ......TO GET ON THE BACK OF MY BROTHERS R6


BUT THAT OPENS UP, WHOLE NEW DOOR.....

I HAVE NEVER BEFORE, EVEN SAT ON A MOTORBIKE........?
Attachments
LIGHTWEIGHT WINDOW KIT FOR CLASSIC 900,CAN BE MADE TO FIT 99.JPG
LIGHTWEIGHT WINDOW KIT FOR CLASSIC 900,CAN BE MADE TO FIT 99.JPG (50.59 KiB) Viewed 8911 times
GENUINE 2 DOOR 99 TURBO ON THE ISLAND.jpg
GENUINE 2 DOOR 99 TURBO ON THE ISLAND.jpg (53.64 KiB) Viewed 8911 times
CARLSSON TO BLOMQVIST......

''WHAT IS THIS TERRIBLE THING YOU HAVE TAUGHT YOURSELF,YOU MUST UNLEARN IT.....''

LEFT FOOT BRAKING


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