First track day back after Covid and lockdown 3. I was lucky enough to be able to get on the opening event on the very first day once the lockdown restrictions were eased.
This event was a shakedown event for many new upgrades the car has under gone in the last 6 months. The initial upgrade was a full turbo conversion. which took place September to November last year. The initial build was completed in October but there were mapping issues, later sorted and then remapped by someone else - Dan @ Bofi Racing. Now making 242bhp I was pretty happy. Despite being completed in November last year this was the first time I was able to hit the track due to Covid.
Many other modifications have been completed such as custom aero, brake cooling ducts, full suspension make over including poly bushes, bearing, joints, coilovers etc. This session was to test the lot.
Despite there being many things that could have gone wrong due to teething issues none of them did, it was something I hadn't expected to cause an issue that did - the brakes. New pads were fitted a few days before the event but they just couldn't cope with the new power and the max speed I was braking from and I struggled with brake fade from the very start. I knew brakes were on the 'to do' list but I didn't expect this kind of issue.
The issue didn't stop there though. 90mins into the morning session and heading into the fastest section of the track at the hardest braking zone I had COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE as my pedal went straight to the floor braking from over 100mph! Luckily somehow I managed to scrub enough speed off to then hit the grass at 50mph and narrowly avoid the huge grass banking. There's not much to hit at Bedford yet that was the one corner you didn't want to go off at!
The problem turned out to be a ruptured brake line, the one that leads from the front of the car to the rear. Not often you see a stainless steal brake line fail but mine did, right beneath the drivers seat.
Luckily thanks to the partner in crime I was at the event with we (he) was able to make up a new line and fit it over lunch so I was back on track for the afternoon session. Thanks Mick!!!
Despite having my camera on all day there was no really good lap to show you guys. This one is the best of a bad bunch TBH. Every lap was hampered by either my driving, brake fading, traffic, waiting or some other reason. At least this video is able to show the difference the turbo as made to the car, especially it's speed (135MPH down the back stright!!!!).
At the end of the video is the brake failure moment, doesn't look too bad on camera but believe me at the time it was 'code brown'.
A huge thanks goes out to all involved in getting this car to where it is today, Matt, Andy, Dan @ Bofi Racing and Mick (and not just for saving the day @ Bedford).
PS. A whole new brake set up has been ordered ;)
