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Home > Show Us Yours! > OT: Going Racing (again)

AlexB
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The boring bloke who runs this place.

Berkshire

So, I sold the race BMW at the end of the last racing season and decided to have a year or two out, so I could concentrate on my business, work hard and actually earn some money without wasting it all on motor cars.

That plan was going well until I did a trackday in my Elise, and I realised two things.
1. Trackdays are flippin' boring.
2. I needed to go racing again.

So now, I've gone and bought a Lotus Elise racer - a previously race winning car that needs a good tidy up but is fundamentally sound. I picked it up on Friday just gone, and have set to work making it good again..

I'll be racing in the Elise Trophy, and I'll try and keep this thread up to date.

The spec is pretty simple on the trophy cars - production class, so glass windows, and sensible modifications. They run at about 700-735kg, and have 180ish bhp.

First round is in just six days at Snetterton, on Saturday the 19th. Eek! Lots to do..


Edited by AlexB on 13th Mar, 2016.


AlexB
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The boring bloke who runs this place.

Berkshire

So today was SUPER productive. After writing the to-do list, I was sure there would be loads of things remaining come darkness - and there are - but nothing serious.

Firstly, I got the car up on stands and decided to tackle the awful gear change - I couldn't get 1st at all, and it all felt rubbish. I fitted a new eliseparts linkage kit, and adjusted it so everything lined up as it should and now the gears are all accessible. I still hate the short-shift lever, but I'll replace that once I find a standard one.

I then changed the brake pads for the now mandatory Performance Friction jobbies, which was an easy task.

After that I sorted a bit of interior mess, wiring and rattly bits, and also found some other minor issues that were soon resolved. Whilst I was busy, Nicky, my lovely wife was working hard removing all of the stickers and black marks from the car. I'd never have done such a good job of it, and she really made it look great. I took some yellow duct-tape to the bare fibreglass broken bits, just to seal it up until I have it repaired. Shame the yellow doesn't match, but I can live with it!

I can't wait to get my own number, the series 2016 stickers and my own stickers on the car - it'll really feel like it's mine then!

Working on the car today was actually a pleasure - the car looks very beaten up on the outside, but it's immaculate underneath and where it matters - the moving components such as wishbones and suspension were all brand new in June last year, and everything comes apart very easily. Lovely.

A few pics:



madmk1

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Double hard bastard

brookwood woking

It was that early start that got you fired up lol.

Car looks cool mate!

I have started posting on Instagram also my name on there is turbomk1golf

Nothing is impossible it just costs more and takes longer.

On 1st Nov, 2007 Ben H said:
There is no such thing as 'insignificant weight saving', it all adds up.


JT

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Looking good mate

My build thread..

http://www.turbominis.co.uk/forums/index.php?p=vt&tid=542985


gr4h4m

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Chester

Looks very nice

I run a supercharger and I don't care the TB is on the wrong side.
VEMS + 12 PSI + Liquid Intercooler = Small Bore FUN!


vegar

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That is great. I always liked the Elise. And I guess your pretty lucky to. My wife would not used her day of cleaning my race car :(

www.shag.no


D4VE

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lowestoft suffolk

Really like that! Look forward to the write ups

On 24th Oct, 2015 jonny f said:
Nothing gets past Dave lol

NOTHING GETS PAST ME!! *tongue*

1/4 mile 14.7 @ 96mph 12psi boost
Showdown class A 2nd place 18.6 @ 69mph


e5tus

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Dorset

Just the ticket that. Good luck!


AlexB
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The boring bloke who runs this place.

Berkshire




On 13th Mar, 2016 vegar said:
That is great. I always liked the Elise. And I guess your pretty lucky to. My wife would not used her day of cleaning my race car :(

Absolutely. I literally spend every spare penny we have on cars, and she still puts up with me - amazing! She's a good cook too....


tadge44

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Buckinghamshire

Really got the bug now !

Good luck and have lots of fun.


WRLondon

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looks like great fun!
love the central tow strap sticking out like a tongue *hehe!*

Reading up on RTS Clutches

On 21st Sep, 2006 Paul S said:

Go on, be brave, put it in the car and tell us how it works.
Pity your bollocks are in line with the flywheel!
On 27th May, 2013 robert said:

putting my testicles on the line for turbo mini owners everywhere ,and they still work !


Tom Fenton
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Fearless Tom Fenton, Avon Park 2007 & 2008 class D winner

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Rotherham South Yorkshire




On 14th Mar, 2016 AlexB said:


Absolutely. I literally spend every spare penny we have on cars, and she still puts up with me - amazing! She's a good cook too....


You are selling her short here mate....massively.....


On 29th Nov, 2016 madmk1 said:


On 28th Nov, 2016 Rob Gavin said:
I refuse to pay for anything else


Like fuel 😂😂


giannoutsos

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Athens Greece

Sweet little car, good luck with the racing


PhilR

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Birmingham

Very nice. Hope you got the camera mounted and ready *smiley*


JPA

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I wish I had one like that... um... same goes with racecar and wife

75' Mini special deluxe.
1275 A+ engine with turbo on the way...


AlexB
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The boring bloke who runs this place.

Berkshire

Another good evening spent on the race car, and more progress has been made. I think she is pretty much ready to race.

I've spent a huge amount of time checking things, tidying things, securing wires and trim. I like my race cars to be tight and without rattles or distractions.

I've also put a few stickers on - both the mandatory series ones and a few of my own. I've also taken some off - the small Applecado's on the doors are gone as they looked stupid.

I'd still like a bit of time to re-fit the diffuser as it's only held on with three tiny bolts in the middle, and I'd like to add some ducting and a heat shield on the alternator.

I also spent a few minutes after it got dark being a pansy and adding a lotus sport logo to some sheet carbon fibre and making a steering wheel centre, along with some new black bolts to replace the tired silver ones. For no benefit at all. *happy*


Edited by AlexB on 15th Mar, 2016.


AlexB
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The boring bloke who runs this place.

Berkshire

Well, it's not the top step, but it'll do for the 2nd weekend in the car..

Full update here: http://www.alexballracing.co.uk



Evoderby

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C-O-O-L !!!


wil_h

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Betwix Harrogate and York

Good stuff. I got my first pot in the single seater last weekend too. Always puts a smile on your face.

Fastest 998 mini in the world? 13.05 1/4 mile 106mph

www.twin-turbo.co.uk

On 2nd Jan, 2013 fastcarl said:

the design shows a distinct lack of imagination,
talk about starting off with a clean sheet of paper, then not bothering to fucking draw on it,lol

On 20th Apr, 2012 Paul S said:
I'm mainly concerned about swirl in the runners caused by the tangential entry.


AlexB
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The boring bloke who runs this place.

Berkshire

Nice work Wil - didn't even know you had one!!


wil_h

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Betwix Harrogate and York

Had it a few years, been developing it, now really getting there. Up against the big boys i the British hillclimb champ in a couple of weeks

http://www.turbominis.co.uk/forums/index.p...id=526062&fr=25

Fastest 998 mini in the world? 13.05 1/4 mile 106mph

www.twin-turbo.co.uk

On 2nd Jan, 2013 fastcarl said:

the design shows a distinct lack of imagination,
talk about starting off with a clean sheet of paper, then not bothering to fucking draw on it,lol

On 20th Apr, 2012 Paul S said:
I'm mainly concerned about swirl in the runners caused by the tangential entry.


AlexB
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The boring bloke who runs this place.

Berkshire

Not the worst weekend..



MikeRace

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Force Racing ICT Dept Manager Miglia Turbo Am frum Yokshyer tha noes!

Nice one Alex

1/4 Mile 14.3secs 96Mph Terminal 10psi of boost.


Fibreglass Parts? - http://www.tdkracing.co.uk/
Split Rims? - http://www.force-racing.co.uk/


D4VE

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lowestoft suffolk

Good going!!! Must be chuffed

On 24th Oct, 2015 jonny f said:
Nothing gets past Dave lol

NOTHING GETS PAST ME!! *tongue*

1/4 mile 14.7 @ 96mph 12psi boost
Showdown class A 2nd place 18.6 @ 69mph


tadge44

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Buckinghamshire

Experience counts !

Excellent stuff.

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