C, I told you!

Can you believe it, our last race was 2 month ago thereby most certainly making my arms somewhat rusty and lethargic. Well it finally came about and now it was time to to again don the race overalls, helmet and boots. In the interim the 1400 Datti again underwent surgery as you may recall it ran a bearing at the last race meeting on practice day. While at it we thought we may as well sort the vibration out and again try and fix the gearbox. So I went happy hunting for synchro's as none were locally available in Cape Town. Indeed they were and still are scarce but I did manage to locate first 3 and later another 1 from a JHB dealer. So I sent that down to CT by courier and had those installed and setup. The prop shaft universal joints were also replaced as a matter of precaution and again had the prop balanced. The engine was stripped, had the necessary done to it, fitted a new set of bearings (some tweaks) and was finished during the last week of August. Martin took it out on the Saturday of 29 August and did the necessary engine break in and proudly reported a vibration free Datti with a smooth gearbox and a motor that packed a serious punch. Proof of that was that he managed to beat my personal best of a 1:32.5 set in February this year and now stood at a 1:32.2.

In the meanwhile the 140Z only had some minor cosmetics done and didn't require any major needs or requirements. Now that's how I like it. So it was off to the track on Friday afternoon for a few laps of practice.

The 140Z only required a new set of brakes and only needed to be bed in prior to race day. Therefore no heroics were needed to be accomplished. I on the other hand need plenty track time to get back into it and get back into the groove. My 1st outing was very rusty and times were proof of that knowing that 32's had been achieved only last week. Given that the track was slow and dirty it did offer some comfort in being 1 second or so off normal pace posting a 1:34.4 at best. The second outing was more like it and with some more practice I manged to get down to a 1:33.8 which gave me a bit more confidence for race day. The maestro once again reminded me of some race lines to keep to. Your wish is my command, sir.

The evening was rounded off with a much welcomed and deserved 'braai' and was washed down with a few milos. 22h30 and we were out of there heading for some rest as 'boet' was still not 100's after the recent bought of flu.



Well race day arrived and it was up & adam early only to be greeted with a sopping wet track from light overnight rain. Qualifying was instead done from the current points table due to our session being red flagged. That meant the 140Z started 6th on the grid among the class A guys while the 1400 Datti was 3rd in class D and in 15th spot out of a field of only 27 starters. The usual rolling start was done and I found myself tucked up behind the silver tank of Andre Mouton in the V8 Studabaker Lark. I got off to a good start and found myself ahead of all the class D cars by turn 1. I held the lead in class D for about 3 laps when Jaco driving in dads class D Anglia eventually passed me on the back straight. Eventually the class B Mazda Rotary also managed to pass on the back straight and eventually took Jaco as well. I was now in a duel with the Anglia and the Mazda which was clearly off song and hounded both of them like a hungry wolf making up big time going through T4. I pushed Jaco as hard as I could eventually clocking a 1:32.9 before the Anglia finally cried enough and retired to the infield of the oval. The Mazda too came to a halt. As for the rest of the race I was out on my own with not a sole around or near me. Meanwhile the 140Z climbed his way into 3rd place after a nail biting duel with Chris Carolin in the Mazda Rotary who managed to pip him by 0.02sec to the finish line.

In race 2 the 140Z was now 3rd on the grid but with Rolino out 2nd place was now open while Rose still held pole with the Porsche. As for the 1400 Datti, I found myself in pole for class D and 11th on the grid with only Jonathan Bernstein now an outside threat as Jaco switched back to the Class C Escort. However next to me was the brand new BMW CSL of Derek Hulse who was in class X. Again I got off to a reasonable start and lead class D with Derek behind me through the tight back section. On the back straight he passed me half way down and was simply too strong against the Datti. I however stuck with him as best as possible as by now the closest was Jonathan who was way back by now (12 sec) anyway. I hounded the CSL through T1, T2, T3 and T4 on every conceivable lap finally breaking out on lap 4 by posting a 1:32.153. (The dangling carrot of 1:32.2 posted by my boet last Saturday was just too big not to take a grab at.) Eventually on lap 6 and after the CSL posted its fastest time on lap 6 of 1:32.287 I managed to pull alongside Derek in T5 but decided to let him go again as I had no threat from a class X competitor and in any case I had already done the time and paid the fine. He duly acknowledged such by waiving an apologetic hand coming out of T5 which was not even necessary. Lo and behold at the next corner T1, the CSL gave its last puff and finally pulled off with engine failure. So too did the Madza of Alan Dike and the V6 Capri that of Greg Sinden. And so the day ended on a high for the Datti. Meanwhile the 140Z held on and finished 2nd but not after having taken the lead from Rose and then being bumped going into T2 but also having to take evasive action when the Porsche missed a gear causing the 140Z to swerve so as to avoid hitting the back end of the Porsche and wiping out 2 cars. Instead, frontal damage to the spoiler resulted with it eventually being torn completely off. Another subject for another day.

So with the seasons end fast approaching we've now established that a 1400 can get down to class C times which gives us confidence for our plans next season. Meanwhile I'll try my best to be as competitive as possible in class C but will accept that the odds are now stacked heavily against me. Don't forget, other than for a modified engine, everything else from suspension the brakes to the gearbox to the diff is 'stock' standard and has really taken some extra effort on my part to get there. (If only I had more track time available to me!!)
I can only once again thank my 'boet' for the careful thought planning and efforts made in the engine department all while seriously suffering a bad bout of swine flu which literally put him out of action for more than a week and from which he has not yet fully recovered from. How he does it all I will never know but you can bet your bottom dollar, there's still more to come from BOTH Datsuns. In the meantime, class C here I come. Class A, watch out!!

THADULPHUKEM

Thanks 'Boet'