December 2012 saw a scheduled non-championship race being afforded for classics and I made the effort to come down for the last time and just have some fun and once again meet up with all the locals and racers. 'Mr Datsun' had managed in the interim to put together a motor with the last of the spares available for the season. On the Friday we only wanted to do one session just to see that everything was setup and we got to the track by around 12pm. A setting of the timing was performed as well as the tuning and balancing of the carbs. In doing the pre-test checks it was noticed that the oil pump was playing games as it was discovered that the release valve was at times sticking. That was soon sorted but remained of some concern. I took to the track in windy conditions and at best managed a high 1:30 in the wind and somewhat dusty track but hey it was good enough for a fun day. As a precaution we had a new oil pump on standby just in case.
Well as 'Murphy 'would have it we arrived early at the track on Saturday, re-torqued the cylinder head, checked the tappet clearances, checked the oil levels, fueled the car, pumped the tyres and finally fired it up....................again the oil pressure gauge remained on zero. So with plenty of time to spare the pump was once again stripped and cleaned, the relief valve piston was cleaned and smoothed to ensure it did not stick, put it all back, started up and still no signs of pressure. So it was removed yet again and replaced it with the new oil pump. Sorted!! At least we thought so.
Qualifying was out at 09h45 and although the wind had died down the temperature had climbed into the mid 20's by 10h00. Try as I may I could best only post a 1:30.5 some 1.3 seconds off my best time. We now had to wait until 13h15 for our 1st race of the day in some 33 degree heat.
Race 1 was off on schedule and the heat was a bugger. I managed to stick with the bigger engined cars initially but times were somewhat slower in such heat. By lap 4 the car was sliding a lot on the 55 degree track surface. In my review mirror I now had a very determined Toyota Celica whom I had not on previous occasion had the opportunity to go door to door with. On lap 6 coming out of T5 the Celica and I were door to door down the main straight, through T1 with him holding the inside line up into T2. I managed to close up and again door to door we went through T2, side by side through the kink and I eventually backed out going into T3 as the outside was not worth the chance or risk. I slowly fell further and further behind as I felt the car slowing. By the next lap going into T2 there were signs of a very brief oil light flicker. On the last lap again going through T2 the light came on and then again going through T3. I took T4 and once again the oil light flashed and I merely backed out completely with tell tale signs of early bearing failure. Back in pit 'Mr Datsun' confirmed that it was indeed bearing failure. I was happy to now sit out having had a stint out on track and my final one for the year. That's not an option in 'Mr Datsun's' book and with some paperwork clearing and approval of the CoC it was out with the Datsun SSS, down to scrutineering and in next to no time it was ready to take to the track. I had never ever before raced this car and it was all new to me being the first time. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4cLteK3Aqs
Race 2 was the last race of the day with slightly cooler conditions to cope with. I was to start from the back of the grid being in a new car which I did not mind at all. I was warned in advance that the rear independent suspension setup was not 100% and probably towed out when under load and that it would be twitchy through the corners. As this was a fun race I had no intention of wringing its neck and driving on the very limit in a strange car so to speak. At lights out I took it cautiously by not forcing my way through the field. I waited patiently and then took 2 cars going into T2 only to loose it again as I could not hook 3rd gear smoothly. No problem we'll try again. I eventually passed the one or 2 slower cars still battling with gear selection on the down shift but it did get better as the race progressed. My aim was to at least catch the class B cars and with some luck beat them. By lap 6 I had them well in sight and was within 40m. I noticed the catch tank breathing ever so slightly but was no concerned to me of the small amount escaping into the cockpit. On lap 7 heading up to T2 I was now right behind their bumper and pushed them through the kink and through T3 with hardly a gap between us. I was now planning on taking them down the back straight and hopefully by T5 I could head for the flag with a stolen class win. Heading up to T4 and tucked right up the Celica's bumper the radiator water expansion bottle let go and sprayed water which I could see coming out in front of the windscreen and must have also gone underneath the car putting me into a 180 spin in T4. My game was over. It was the second time on one day that I failed to finish on the very last lap of both heats. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTyKu2jxpLE
With suspected head gasket failure this was indeed 'Double Trouble'.
A great day all said and done and a great big thanks to my boet for making all the effort to get me back on track not in one but two cars on the same day. I cannot begin to thank him enough for all the dedication and hard work done for me throughout this season but rest assured we'll both be back to do it all over again for 2013.
Thanks 'Boet'
