CRMC Pembrey - 7th & 8th April 2012

The outfit was completed and ready just a week before the meeting with the engine having most of the attention during the closed season with the fitting of a 'new' cylinder head, a new clutch plate of a different type and a general going over. The chassis had a checkover and the rear wheel now features a cush drive.

The team travelled to Pembrey on the Thursday to ensure we would be ready for the test day being held on Good Friday. The first session went well with a couple of steady laps to allow everything to bed in and allow Grant and Ian to reaquaint themselves with the outfit following the winter lay off. They were soon upping the pace and it was clear that the gearing changes had made a huge difference as the engine was now working very well, revving nicely and allowing them to make the most of the power.

The second session out saw the team testing a small change in gearing as an experiment and it soon proved a step in the wrong direction as although there was massive drive out the corners the revs ran out far too soon!

Lunch came and the time was spent changing the gearing again but this time the other way to see what effect that would have. The engine was started and the outfit made its way to the assembly area but it was clear something was very wrong as it was missfiring very badly. On returning to the paddock work began to diagnose and rectify the problem. This proved to be very difficult as the ignition was changed, fuel pump swapped, new plugs tried and more all without success and the day ended without any further track time.

Saturday dawned bright and dry and the team were up early to work on the engine and solve the problem. With help form some fellow competitors the fault was finally traced to a broken wire linking two of the ignition coils. Once repaired the engine fired on all three cylinders again and it was game on!

Practice went well and the further gearing change proved to be the right choice as it was clear that we had a good turn of speed but still with plenty of low down drive.

Race 1 soon arrived and the team started from 16th on the grid. A good ride was had with them coming home in a creditable 7th place.

Race 2 and again a grid position of 16th saw us having to work our way through the field towards the sharp end. The flag dropped on an improved 6th place and with best lap time of 1min 15 sec - a great day!

Sunday soon came and again it was a dry if somewhat chilly start. There was a quick five minute practice first thing but we decided against it as no changes had been made and no benefit would be made.

Race 1 saw us draw an improved grid positon of 8th and another good ride saw us cross the line in 6th as the flag fell. A best lap time of 1min 14sec was brilliant!

Race 2 was a similar affair to race 1 with another 6th place from a similar grid position and although the fastest lap was not improved upon the team were very happy with how the meeting had gone.

There are a few jobs to do ready for the nest round at Cadwell Park in a few weeks time.