A look back at 2007

The racing season is now over and the two racing Datsuns have been laid to rest until the new season in 2008. In all due respect I honestly believe my brother Martin, deserves a thorough rest for all his efforts made and achievements accomplished during this last season. One can only expect, do and achieve so much in one season. Let me reflect back.

Shortly after the start to the season, Martin and his SSS were already making inlays and had a great start to the 2007 season. His race engines seemed to be reliable and were lasting given all the effort and time he spent in the previous off season preparing for a reliable season ahead. During a cold and wet spell in Cape Town and over a weekend he transformed his pure white SSS into the same colours as the legendary BRE Datsun of John Morton of former Brock Racing Enterprise. The car was immediately liked by all his existing SSS fans around Killarney who religiously supported his driving and determined racing style. Almost midway through the season and along came another entrant to the racing fold, that of a Datsun 1400 GX Coupe. Martin spent 2 solid weeks, sometimes late into the night stripping and preparing my car to such already well known expectations of his very own. He had a very simple motto....I would only allow my brother (me) to race this car if it was in a condition safe enough that he himself (Martin) would be prepared to race it in. It spoke volumes for me just knowing that I could go out there and give it my absolute all knowing that every last detail was thought of and taken care of. In a short span of time both Datsuns were running in the same race category, that of Classic Cars and were both achieving above average race results in their respective classes. We both did some away racing (Zwartkops Pretoria and Aldo Scribante Port Elizabeth) with great success and drew many a spectator curious as to what powered the Datsuns, especially the little GX Coupe. My personal racing achievements are largely thanks to my brother who gave me invaluable information, tips and driving lines which only an experienced race driver could provide. (Gary Player, the famous South African golfer once said, "The more I practice, the luckier I become"). I guess there's some truth in that saying.

Martin persisted throughout the long 2007 season, preparing both race cars meticulously before each and every race event, (man alone I might add) checking and re-adjusting the slightest discrepancy that he came across. The slightest worn parts were replaced unreservedly, all in the interest of race safety. Subtle adjustments were sometimes made here and there to improve handling, performance etc. all done with dedication, pride and for a specific purpose. It was most reassuring and above all, truly a pleasure to be a part of. Of course it did have its somewhat lesser moments as well. In my second ever race meeting I over revved my 'Dati' and bent a few valves which Martin promptly repaired two days later. My haste and carelessness in PE resulted in a damaged oil pickup which sidelined us in the 3 hour race. That Martin also repaired post haste as well which resulted in me further attending the non-championship invitation race of 3 December which I did not originally schedule. So far those have been my only 'misfortunes' to date with the Datsun 1400cc. Martin meanwhile had never stopped trying to further improve the race performance of his own car (Datsun SSS) and through new ideas, his trials and errors we landed up changing quite a few motors between race meetings in an effort to go just that bit faster. Failure was always going to be a possibility but was NEVER an option.

In the end, it was his 'ol faithful' L20 block and 8-valve head that in the very last official 'classic car' race of the season, that finally won him the class A title for the year 2007 by a mere 4 points. Such an achievement has never been previously accomplished (to the best of my knowledge that is) with a 4 cylinder engine and that being in the biggest and fastest class in our race category.

A remarkable achievement from a remarkable person, friend, mentor and brother. Enjoy your off season and well deserved rest. May your creative juices continue to flow during the quiet times and times of rumination . Next year is almost upon us.

Here's looking forward to the next season 'Boet'.

2007 Grand Finale

It wasn't supposed to happen but it did. The December race was a non-championship race for the classic car drivers and I was not to originally attend. However due to my mishap at the Port Elizabeth races I decided, bugger it, 'just one more'.

There was a practice session on the Friday and I managed a 1:33:1 which I was quite happy with. Just to give some perspective on race times, see the following table.

• Class C times are 1:30.0 - 1:32.9
• Class D times are 1:33.0 - 1:35.9

A second session later in the afternoon and I was down to a 1:33:8 after going down on tyre pressures. Maybe a bad thing, but then the heat and the wind had also increased as well.

Saturday, race day….there was no qualifying but a starting grid was made up from the previous events race times, juggled back to front and I found myself placed 5th on the grid for the 1st race at 14h00. The race was a rolling start and tucked right behind Charles Arton's BMW 530 I hung on until turn 1 which left me already ahead of any class D competitors. Only Arnold Lambert (RS2000) and Greg Sinden (Capri 3.0L V6) eventually past me on lap 4. I ended up finishing 7th overall in heat 1 and finished 3.02 seconds ahead of my closest class D competator, Jaco Lambert. After the race even the scrutineers asked me to open the bonnet just to check it actually was a 1400cc Datsun engine. I guess some still don't believe me.

Race 2 was the last race of the day and was off at 17h30. Starting in 7th place I had a brilliant start again and again a dice with Jaco Lambert (Arnold's son) in the Escort MK1 right from lap 1. I kept ahead (only just) for the first 3 laps and in lap 4 Jaco managed to get past me going into turn 5 and lead me down the main straight. I managed to outbreak him while holding him to the inside and re-took him (Jaco) going into turn 1. In the mean time Dave Alhadef who had already managed to get past us in his Alfa (GT 2000) started slowing due to engine problems. The Datsun hounded the Alfa like a dog on heat but was not able to pass him throughout the race. In the mean time the dice with Jaco continued unabated. He hounded me relentlessly till the very end finishing just 0.28 seconds behind me. The next closest class D car was 28.5 seconds behind us. Great drive Jaco!!

Once again I have to give all the credit to my Boet who prepared my Dati to absolute race perfection 'AGAIN' and allowed me to at least finish off the 2007 season with an overall class D win for the day.

Will there be any more new tricks to this Dati for next season? Wait and see next season.

(Gary Player once said, "the more I practice, the luckier I get")

I can't wait for the 2008 season to begin.


Thanks CHAMP

No Cigar

My supposed last race was to be the 3 Hour LUK Coastal challenge held in Port Elizabeth. Practice was held throughout Friday in cool and overcast weather conditions and my best time achieved with the Dati 1400 was only a 1:19:4.

At the end of the day I made the decision to enter my 'Boet' Martin into the sprint races as well and he would then also share the 3 hour drive with me as our original third driver (Mike Moore) was unable to attend the event due to medical advice taken.

Saturday morning, up bright and early and qualifying was at 08h00 in the sprint races for the classic/historic class entrants. Martin put in a scary 1:16.1 qualifying time (second only to the Mazda Rotary of Chris Carolin with a 1:14:5) and more than a second ahead of the 2.0L Pinto's & Alfa's not to mention a monstrous V8 Ford Galaxy thereby securing 2nd place on the start grid.

The first race was off at 09h00 and the Dati and the Mazda ran away with the race often swapping places just to entertain the 'massive' crowd of about 50 spectators. They arrived into the pits in their 'hoards' wanting to know what was in the Green Mamba, someone even claiming that 'this six-cylinder only flies hey'. Of course to see their faces was a real delight as we revealed it was only a baby 1400cc 4-cylinder push rod Datsun motor.
The second race was off at 11h00 and was very similar to the first heat with the exception of a 'Lotus Super 7' being added. What is or was classic or even historic about that entrant remains a mystery as we were later to find out in PE. Martin finished behind the Super 7 in 3rd place with Chris Carolin in the Mazda Rotary taking 1st again. Overall Martin took 2nd place for the day in classic/historic cars .

After having completed the sprint races we changed the tyres with new slicks, replaced the front brake pads and I qualified the car 3rd in classics for the LUK 3 hour endurance race. After returning to the pits, Martin wanted to do a final check on the gearbox oil level, sump plug, exhaust mounting and a general under carriage check . I jacked the car under the cross member and must have NOT checked 100% that it was firmly under and probably not even 6 inches high the jack slipped off the cross member and onto the sump. The slightest of dent was made in the sump cover. I lowered the car and re-jacked it in the correct location. Martin performed all the necessary checks he wanted to perform and after closing everything and lowering the car we tried to start for a final check. My heart dropped as the oil light just stayed on with NO oil pressure registering on the gauge. Martin quickly recheck the sender unit, made some adjustment to the release valve but it was not to be. We were out. Martin just said, 'I won't take a chance and possibly destroy everything in the motor', lets call it a day. I was so disheartened having looked so forward to completing this last leg of the coastal challenge.

Back at his workshop and the assessment and cause of the oil pressure problem - a cracked oil pickup caused by the drop off the jack. I could have kicked myself. I will somehow have to find a way to forgive myself and accept that this is how racing sometimes goes. (Dumkopf)

Thanks again to my 'Boet' who perfectly prepared my Dati to race perfection and at least held the Datsun name HIGH in Port Elizabeth in the sprint races.

I'm Sorry 'Champ'.

A Class Datsun SSS

It did not come easy, but then victory without a battle is seldom sweet.

Friday's practice on 2nd November at 11h45 produced enough work and effort alone. Early indications were that the head gasket was faulty and the decision to replace was made. After having done the replacement, enough water to float the Titanic was used to merely fill the radiator hoses. Something was wrong. A check into the car indicated that the dry-sump tank had already overflowed with all the water having been put in, further indicating catastrophic block failure. Martin was disheartened, disappointed and felt he'd been through enough already this season with motor rebuilds, engine failures etc. and declared unreservedly 'that's it, I'm done for the season'. Like 'bloody hell' I stated. Always remember this I said, 'quitters never win and winners never quit'. It seemed to have struck a cord somehow!

We towed the car back to his workshop, removed the motor, stripped all the external parts we needed, removed the faulty head from the previous run motor, replaced the head gasket on that motor first, put it all together again, transferred all the race parts across to the spare motor, tightened everything up, dropped the spare motor in, fired the 'mother' up, cleaned up all the oil mess and we were back at the track by 19h00 ready for race day. A well deserved 'braai' and a few 'milos' were enjoyed by a handful of racing regulars.

Qualifying was done on Saturday morning in the wet and Martin managed to qualify ahead of his closest contender Charles Arton in the BMW 530M and put up the fastest time in class A, effectively giving another point ahead of Charles making it 5 points clear.

Race 1 was on a dry track and the Datsun held out for second place ahead of Charles who finished third (0.2 secs) behind Martin. That's another point, making it 6 points clear of Charles. Effectively Charles could no longer win but could still tie for 1st place providing he won the second heat.

Race two and the Datsun SSS gave it's all this time finishing in 4th place while Charles managed to finish second but not enough to hand Martin the class A winner for the season. This if my memory serves me correctly is the first time ever that a 4-cylinder wins overall in class A. History I believe has been made.

You deserve every accolade bestowed upon you my 'Boet'. Well done on a thoroughly deserved class win. More importantly, your true 'spirit of classics' has been achieved through shear persistency and determination.

Congrats My Champ.

You Absolute Beauty

This was the official last race of the season for classic cars and I was glad yet also in a way sad as I was just having so much fun and honestly I did not want it to end NOW. Friday's (2nd November) practice was scheduled for 11h45 and I went out and again tried my best realizing that I am now in class D for my last race of the season. To my amazement I managed a 1:32:6 on lap 5 (a class C time) and called it a day. I was astounded not so much with my own improvement but at this Datsun 1400's ability to get down to these times. Oh and believe me, I've still got PLENTY to learn with at least 3 turns still getting the better of me.

Saturday's official qualifying was at 10h00 and lo and behold at 09h00 down came the rain. Fortunately it did eventually stop at about 09h40 which allowed us to at least drive with our 'wets' on without the downpour. I am definitely not an experienced wet weather guy and much prefer the dry and only managed to post a 1:50:0 putting me 21st on the start grid out of 36 entrants and 7th in class D.

Race 1 was off at 14h00 on a rolling start with the sun shinning brightly, a dry race track and my slicks back on. With the red lights going out on the start and my rev-limiter red light coming on I was gone and already gained 3 places by turn 1 . For a while I had a nice dice with Jaco Lambert in his 1600 Escort MK1 but pulled a good gap (2.49 seconds) towards the end. I finished 14th at the finish and won class D comfortably.

Race 2 was the last event on the day at 17h00 and again I had a good rolling start holding Jaco for six laps before my brakes started fading slightly. The race times were still almost 2 seconds off pace (1:34:9) due to a strong wind blowing and track surface conditions and temperature not at there ultimate. My judgment sensed however that he would not get away from me and I eventually allowed him through in turn 1 (rather safe than sorry). Keeping right up his back bumper I stayed with him till the finish with him beating me by 0.4 seconds. Great drive Jaco.

This was still sufficient for me to take 1st overall in class D for the day due to the time difference when combined for the two heats. I had a brilliant day and a fantastic way to end the season on a high. I can't wait for the 2008 season to begin. My last race for the year will be the LUK 3 hour endurance race in Port Elizabeth on the 17th November 2007.

Thanks again to my 'Boet' Martin for preparing a real winning Datsun GX Coupe throughout this season.

Thanx CHAMP