THADULPHUKEM

Wesbank racing is the BIG league in racing and to be chosen to be a part of the huge event which also includes Production cars, VW Polo Cup, Formula VW is always a privilege to be a part of. Saturday 26th September 2009 was no exception and the Mighty Datsuns were there as always. Due to the large number of championship events it was impossible to afford everyone equal track time and to a degree is understandable. The classic car brigade were afforded 90 minutes practice on the Thursday only with no other time to be afforded. Having only arrived on Thursday evening that put paid to any practice time for the Datti. It was also predicted well within the week that a 60% chance of rain was expected on race day and lo and behold it was on schedule as predicted.

Friday was pretty busy most of the day with minor checks and changes being made on the 140Z but more so in the lube department. It somehow felt it was taking forever but ever so frequently a head would pop in to say hello (pardon the pun), make some chit chat with even the odd youngster asking 'hallo unkle, can I take a pitsser of you ka', jusus is nice neh. You just have to love them!! (If Martin could have charged a rand for every photo taken this weekend it would have paid all the costs for his 2010 race season!!)

Among the visitors were none other than Sarel 'Supervan' vd Merwe who was mighty impressed with the 140Z but chose to rather donate the FWD sticker given to him to Terry Moss to put on his Citi Golf. Equally impressed and also somewhat taken aback at the effort to detail was Colin Clay who himself raced a Wesbank space frame version of the 140Z as well as the person who actually subsequently bought Colin's wesbank car (his name escapes me now). A mighty eventful day none the less. As for the 1400 Datti, well not much was required to be done other than a good wipe down (or so I thought). We were to officially qualify last of the day at 17h40 but due to some minor delays were only off at about 18h00. The light held up (just) enough to put in a quick lap or two. Not expecting too much given that no practice was afforded the 140Z got down to a 1:24.1 while the little Datti could only post a 1:34.0. Not exactly the greatest times by both cars but most certainly nothing to be ashamed about. It all comes down to delivering on race day. The subtle SMS's received during the week as to expect surprises from certain race quarters to trounce the 140Z was anxiously awaited.

Saturday, race day and the classic car guys were first up on the program and scheduled for 09h35. The 140Z managed to start from 3rd on the grid with the Rotary in 2nd spot and the Can-Am on pole. (Incidentally the Can-Am is officially the first classic car to break the 23:5 cut-off by more than 0.3 sec and therefore now falls into class X. His qualifying time was a blistering 1:22.8). A rolling start got the field off to a good start in somewhat cool weather conditions but the pace up front was everything BUT cool. Rolino was as usual all over the place with the power from the 'bucking bronco' Can-Am but hold on he did. The 140Z did manage to eventually squeeze into 2nd place but Carolin in the Rotary held on for dear life. The dual upfront was hot on every conceivable lap. Further down field the Datti was in a brilliant dice again with the class D guys (Jaco & Jonathan) and the pace was brisk. The Datti was unfortunately sliding all over the show which was somewhat unusual. This time the track could not be blamed for dirt, or lack of rubber and I had to take all the blame myself. As the weather continued to cool I guess I simply miscalculated for the cooler track conditions than usual and over inflated the tyres explaining the lack of heat & grip. In a tussle with Jaco (Anglia) I did manage to get down to a 1:33.6 but only on the 6th lap. The brakes were also playing up which we corrected for the 2nd heat. By then it was too late, Jaco had got passed me going through T3 and managed to hold on for the win. Me now being in class C and out of the points contention made it fruitless to try and over drive the car and settled for 2nd in class C with only Dave being ahead who beat me by 4.3 seconds to the finish. Meanwhile the battle up front continued unabated and finally resulted in Rolino taking the win from Carolin then Martin and then Rose and posting times of 1:23.7, 1:23.5, 1:23.93 and 1:23.96 respectively. It was later heard to be rated as one of the best (if not the best) races of the day.


Race 2 was then last of the day again and was off at 17h45. This time however the weather had changed and rain was the rule of the race resulting in full wet weather tyres being required. Unfortunately not everyone had a set available and the field was reduced to 16. This time as a result of Rolino (Can-Am) not starting along with Carolin (Mazda Rotary) and Momberg (Capri) it was the 140Z who found himself on pole with Rose (Porsche 911 RS) second and the likes of the 2 FWD Sirocco's in 3 & 4 spots on the grid. The Datti found himself in 6th spot on the grid alongside Alhadeff (Alfa GT) in 5th place. Again it was a rolling start after initially having formed up on the start finish line grid with the 140Z blistering off as if it was a dry & glorious sunshine day. The rest of the field tried as best to keep on the wet black stuff. The Datti managed to pass Dave coming out of T2 and through the kink albeit somewhat hair raising moments but the Datti performed above expectation. This time around I learned from the first race, when cooler, go lower. And by midway through the race I was out on my own, however not until the unexpected Meisner Y151 tried to out do the 1400 Datti. I allowed him through with full knowledge that this was a class A car after all and stuck behind him. It was soon evident going through T2 that the car was in control and not actually the driver and then later on the main straight again almost collecting the wall. I decided this was not the best place to be and managed to out drag the Class A Escort from T2 as my wets were now at there best and I never saw him again. With all due respect to Louis, 'marie biscuit' intermediates just didn't cut it in those weather conditions and he finally managed finishing in 9th place. It was during the 6th lap when believe it or not mister 140Z actually LAPPED me coming out of T5 and I was then in lonely 5th place. What can I say!! When you're good, you're brilliant. The supposed onslaught from the German FWD brigade never even materialized and they were finally trounced to a 56 second hiding in the WET!!

THADULPHUKEM or like someone else said, 'DATTILPHUKEM'.

Having beaten Dave (who finished a most respectable 8th) by 15.5 seconds during the 2nd heat it thereby afforded me in my very first outing, an overall class C win. They say that in racing you need luck. I just had GOOD luck. (In Yiddish its called 'glick')

Well done to all the drivers who took part as I don't either recall any unfortunate offs or oopses. We now have a long wait again until the last and final race of the season only in November. Till then, stay well!!


Thanks 'boet'.

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'

Wet, Wet, Wet

My car spent a while in the panel shop (Cape Motor Repairs) and was restored to it previously looking shape and colour. Magnificent job I must admit. More amazingly was the time in which it was accomplished and then finally being returned to Martin's Auto Repairs on the Tuesday evening before the race. Martin rolled up his sleeves on the Wednesday (voting day) and put all the bits and pieces back (man-alone I might add) which included the engine, gearbox, exhaust, gauges, seat etc. By Wednesday night it was finished and was fired up. Thursday morning at 06h30 the sign writers delivered the decals and all the previous signage was returned to their original looks.

I'm almost lost for words for the efforts made to get the Datti back up and running given all those holidays in between. A big, big thank you to Gunter from G & A Promotions, Selwyn Moodley from Cape Motor Repairs and Martin from Martin's Auto Repairs.



All the signs were there but some locals were in denial saying it would not rain. Ironically it did hold off for the Thursday and Friday during the day but came Saturday at 08h00 precisely, the rain made its presence and never once let up. My qualifying was at 08h00 and with a light drizzle attempted it on slicks. I managed to only post a 1:52.4 putting me 14th on the grid and 3rd in my class. As the morning wore on, so the rain became more and slightly heavier. Our first race was off at at about 10h15 due to some hold ups from earlier collisions and biker offs. It was 'full wets' weather and luckily I had mine on.

Conditions in race 1 were atrocious and in some places somewhat dangerous but I managed to truddle around putting in a best time of 1:50.8 some 17 seconds off normal pace. Having the advantage of using the full wet tyres I made up 7 places and finished 7th overall and 2nd in my class having been beaten fairly by Peter vd Poel in the front wheel drive Renault R12.

Race 2 saw the withdrawal of many entrants, especially all the V8's and the class A guys due to dangerous driving conditions and reduced the field to only 15. By now conditions had further worsened and only the mad and the brave tempted to race. On the 1st lap Mike Napoli (still on slicks) cried 'enough' and withdrew leaving 14 to risk it all. It is absolutely no pleasure for me to drive in such wet conditions but in lieu of my previous 'race rolling' escapade I had to push on and bag whatever points were up for grabs. This time around I only managed a pathetic best time of 1:54.9 on wets which to some degree says it all as for the deteriorating weather conditions and still I however managed to finish 5th overall having once again been beaten by Peter in the Renault.

The plus side was the Datti finished in one piece and afforded me 2nd place in class D for the day while only a few minor mechanical issues where picked up which will require some attention for the next race. Again I must give thanks to my 'boet' for preparing a 'great finisher' given the weather conditions beyond any one's control.

Thanks 'Boet'

Door 2 Door Racing

Well it's been a long time since the last race of December 2008 and the wait had become almost unbearable. It finally arrived for me on the 6th February and boy was I eager. The arm joints needed some loosening up and the racing skills honed for the start of the 2009 season. Well during the off season absolutely nothing was really done to the Datti other than to repair the cylinder head which was damaged on the last race of 2008 and some re-greasing of the wheel bearings.

Fridays practice was slotted at various times during the day but I settled for my first one at 13h45 after sorting out the required documentation and then performing my usual routine checks on the car. The Datti made all the right noises at the right time but I soon discovered I was either VERY rusty having not been active for a while or the Datti was just not making power. No matter how hard I tried, I could not do sub 1:35. In fairness I did consider the slight wind as well as the temperature which was pushing towards the 30 degree mark. I settled for the latter as a reasonable assumption. The next practice slot again was at 16h15. Again I tried my damdest but faired even worse not being able to this time better 1:37's and became somewhat frustrated. By the time Martin had arrived I gave him my run down and told him I personally felt the car was simply just lazy out of the corners. We left it for then and headed home.

The next morning early we were back at the track and 1,2,3 Martin was in think tank mode. Off with the tappet cover and some adjustments were quickly made. Then it was out with the spark plugs and a new set of race plugs fitted. The timing light was hauled out and a quick adjustment and resetting of the timing was done. "Try that and let me know if it's better" he said.

Qualifying was at 10h35 and I was eager to see if I could post closer to my previous best times as in all fairness the track was near perfect with lots of rubber on the deck and temperatures were good. By the end of my first qualifying lap I could already feel and see the difference. The Datti was crisp again and that 'edge' had returned.

I qualified with a best of 1:33.1 again putting me on pole for class D. I was chuffed. Due to the very busy weekend race schedule my first race was only off at 17h00, so for the rest of the day I spent chatting to fellow racers and also sat in T3 watching the other various race categories.

My first race turned out to be an absolute blast and the pace was fast. I had got off to a bad start due to some sleepy race souls ahead of me in Class C and Mike (Napoli) got the gap and got ahead of me. We all managed to get through T1 OK and like a pack of hungry wolves we all stormed for T2 not anyone giving an inch. Mike was this time caught in traffic and I took him going through T2. He hung on to my rear for dear life but again traffic in T5 resulted in Mike coming off second best. I held him off for the rest of the race beating him by a comfortable 3.7 sec margin.

Race 2 was scheduled for 12h05 on the Sunday and temperatures were somewhat cooler while track conditions had improved even further with all the racing that had again taken place. A slight thunder shower on the Saturday evening was welcomed which somewhat brought down the temps just a tad. Race 2 was an absolute cracker with Mike this time 1 row behind me. Mike had a great start and beat me from a rolling start squarely getting by on the outside. We got away from the pack behind us but their cars were definitely quicker. English competitor Lee Moulden in the Gunston coloured Capri was eventually all over me finally taking me going into Turn 1 on lap 6 and splitting Mike and myself. We still raced on one another's bumpers as if we were glued to each other. Paul Ammann in the Scirrocco also got involved with him passing me down the straights only for me to out brake him again in the corners. Paul did eventually get passed and that’s how the 4 of us finished, nose to tail stuff with only 1.2 seconds separating the four places (Mike, Lee, Paul and myself). In the interim I also landed up posting my fastest time ever at a 1:32.57 thereby also incurring my first official breakout. (That I know of)

The last and final race 3 was off at 16h30 with a slight mist now having come in from the sea and bringing some cool relief. This time both Mike and I had good rolling starts and we soon were out on our own with Mike leading due to a 3 car start lead he had from the finish in the second race. Never once were we more than a cars length away from each other and it became a duel to the last lap. Having watched and observed for 5 laps being behind Mike I picked up on some weaknesses and I eventually made a move and took the lead from him going into T1 on the start of lap 6. It was door to door racing, never once touching and only allowing each other enough room to hold our lines. Mike tried all the tricks he had and on 2 occasions pulled next to me going down the back straight into T5 only for me to out brake him and hold my position ahead of him. Coming out of T5 for the last time it was bumper to bumper as we dragged each other to the finish line with the Datti taking the win by a mere 0.173 seconds and the closet other class D car behind Mike some 16 seconds behind. What a cracker it was and much to the joys and delight of the crowds. Thanks Mike for a great days racing between two classic cars.

That’s what racing is all about and I can only again say a BIG word of thanks to Martin who once again had the winning trick tucked up under his sleeve. I was just the nut behind the steering wheel throughout the whole weekend.

Thanks ‘Boet’

Enough is Enough

December 6th was the last race of the season to be held at the big K and the 'classic car' brigade was afforded an extra race which of course counted for no points as the championship had already finished. This therefore gave some of the old classic die-hards and thoroughbred racers another chance to 'do it one more time'.

Martin had already decided long prior to the race that he would be sitting out entirely as the minister of finance gave strict instructions to 'tighten our belts' and save where we could. This sounded like a good opportunity to do just that and instead he decided to sit in T3 and watch the clowns put on our show.

Qualifying was afforded to the classics unexpectedly and was most welcomed. The Datti was sounding as sweet as ever even although she now had a full and hard race season behind her. The track temperature was already good at 09h20 and the weather conditions near perfect. I thought to myself, do I or don't I. What the hell, just once more. I gave it my best and qualified the Datti in second place with a time of 1:33:2 and was actually quite chuffed I could still post such a time after all the racing the poor motor had already completed during the season.

Race 1 was off at 11h50 and as per usual the Datti performed effortlessly as she had always done throughout the season finishing second behind Jaco who had now decided to race dad's Anglia for a change. I returned to pit and did the necessary race prep for the next heat off at 16h20. I then was off to T3 and watched the rest of the days race precedings from there.

Having enjoyed and spent time out at T3 I returned to pit, put on my 'baby grower' and took the Datti to the pre-race paddock and parked in my start position. There I warmed the car to just on race temperature and cut the engine. While waiting for the race before us to finish I put on the rest of my race gear and as per norm entered 'focus' mode. We started up and proceeded on to the track and as per norm started scrubbing the tyres to warm them up and clear any previous cool down debris. Having not even reach turn 1 I suddenly heard a noise coming from the engine which I was not sure of but it did sound rather terminal and evidently it was. I slowly returned to pit while the rest passed me by on there rolling start lap. A quick inspection at the pit indicated that the problem was in the head but due to my limited knowledge of the internal combustion engine, I was unable to diagnose exactly the cause. I just went back to T3.

Sunday morning we returned to the track and by means of a fancy camera used in the motor industry we (Martin hello) determined that the inlet valve seat in No1 cylinder had disintegrated and was the cause of the problem. Well, I was somewhat relieved that it was not anything much worse and accepted the fact that after continuously revving the Datti in excess of 7000 RPM at each race something had to eventually give.

Evidence of the damage in No1 cylinder.









Having already achieved far more than was ever expected during the season I bid the ol' Datti farewell till next season. In the meantime the motor will be redone and some suspension work is definitely needed for competition in 2009.

Once again I bow my head with gratefulness for all that my 'boet' did and achieved with the 1400 Datti.

Thanks 'Boet'