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Post by Taffy on Sept 7, 2013 5:45:59 GMT -5
David, to say it in your own words: I´m probably nearer to Southend on Sea and to you, than to Bavaria :-) But yes, Bavaria is a very nice region for holidays. It was it in the 70´s, and still it is.
Off topic: there is one thing, I want to say about the WWW: back in the 90´s, I´d never imagined to be in contact with people around the world concerning my hobby, to change things, pictures and thoughts. And never I would have thought to send my slotcars to any place in the world for a proxy race. So I hope, the world might become a more peaceful place, because people come closer together all over the world and pack there national interests beside (even, if the "dark side" will use the same options, too)
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Post by David Lawson on Sept 7, 2013 8:32:38 GMT -5
Staying off topic for the moment. I agree with you Taffy, the internet is a very positive tool and has brought together hobbyists from all around the world. In many cases real frienships are struck not just virtual contacts.
Back in the pre 'net days you would write or read an article in a magazine and then possibly exchange letters and some telephone calls with one or two fellow slot car enthusiasts but we could never have imagined the hundreds of like minded people that are now able to keep in contact and develop their interest and skills in scratchbuilding as a result.
David
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Post by David Lawson on Sept 7, 2013 11:32:34 GMT -5
Back on topic. Mel Ault's Brabham BT20 arrived safe and sound from Oxford this morning. Once again here is a picture to prove it is in pristine condition. The car has some lovely detailing and I particularly like the very delicate front and rear suspension arms and springs/shock absorbers which don't show up in my picture but which the concours judges will enjoy studying close up. Another lovely slot car. David
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Post by David Lawson on Sept 8, 2013 5:27:46 GMT -5
I can now declare my own car is completely finished a week ahead of the deadline, this makes a change for me I'm normally still working on it the night before. This morning I fitted and trued the race tyres, put my name on the chassis and added a couple of sew on patches to Bianchi's overalls. At last I can get it off the bench and start on something else. David
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Post by Mark Huber on Sept 8, 2013 13:33:54 GMT -5
Nice to see Mel's Brabham and David's Cooper BRM (now finished). David--thanks so much for taking pictures of each car from the same perspective. Those will look great in our commemorative album (if you grant us copyright privileges of course!) Also, where did you find those miniature uniform patches... Shell and Firestone? I found a Firestone decal for my Graham Hill figure, but it spreads almost completely across his chest since it was meant for the car not the driver. Now if you tell us you hand painted the logos, I'm going to give up!
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Post by David Lawson on Sept 9, 2013 3:40:22 GMT -5
The postman was weighed down by a pile of boxes this morning as he delivered these three cars from Australia, USA and Somerset. They all survived the journey without incident. Tony's Lotus 49B has lots of detailing and painting including the engine cam covers, exhausts and delicate rear suspension which doesn't show up in my photo. I haven't weighed it but Tony's car is definitely the heaviest in the field so far. Mark's Lotus-BRM 33 is very nicely put together and is one of those slot cars that just "looks right". Nigel's Ferrari 312. I was particularly looking forward to seeing this balsa carved slot car and it hasn't disappointed. The lines and proportions as well as the surface finish of the shell and the detailed exhausts make this an excellent slot car and another one that has "the look". Three very nice slot cars indeed. David PS - Mark The tiny Firestone decal on Bianchi's overalls were from a sheet I got from Colin Spark at RS Slot Racing. The sheet comprised all the 1960s F1 team logos and badges. The Shell patch is a small square of red decal with a splodge of yellow paint to try and give an impression of a shell.
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Post by Mark Huber on Sept 9, 2013 17:03:22 GMT -5
It's nice to see the cars safe and pristine on David's table.
I think I might have a set of sponsor decals from RS Slot Racing somewhere. If not I'll check to see if they are still available. Thanks.
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Post by EM on Sept 10, 2013 22:53:25 GMT -5
Well, it was a near thing. As I scanned through the photos of the entries en route or already arrived, my immediate reaction was to avoid embarrassment by returning the Eagle to the shelf and making my apologies. In the end I decided to brave the slings and arrows of outraged scrutineers and let the Eagle fly from the nest.
In an earlier post on this formum I commented on the behavior reported from last year’s race – apparently near orbital speed but no retardation whatsoever. This was the first item to be corrected. I changed both motor and gears. The motor is simply a fresh example of the 050 can motor that was originally fitted. The gears were changed completely and, at least in one respect, should be an interesting experiment. The gearing was originally 12:33 with a 64 DP crown gear and a 72 DP pinion. The new gearing is, to the best of my ability to count the teeth, 9:36 but the departure here is that it is the first time that I have used 80 DP gears. We shall see how well they withstand the rigors of competition.
I had great plans for the body which included cutting out the molded in driver figure, adding a proper instrument panel and steering wheel along with a more realistic driver, redoing the chrome Alclad finish on the exhaust pipes, redoing the decals and lowering the body by perhaps a millimeter.
As some of you know, I’ve had some problems with my hands recently (although the most recent intervention is showing some promise). After struggling to simply reassemble motor and years with the proper spacer to establish gear lash, I became convinced that any of the body surgery noted above would most likely result in a pile of broken plastic pieces on the floor of my shop either due to a misstep in procedure or an ill advised venting of frustration. Thus, aside from a bit of chrome paint brushed on the exhaust pipes (I can’t manipulate my airbrush at the moment) it is on its way with all the dings and blemishes of a multiyear racing history – shall we call it “patina”?
Please put it in the back in any group photographs where it can benefit from a slightly soft focus.
Alea Iacta est
EM
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Post by David Lawson on Sept 11, 2013 1:32:13 GMT -5
We have our first casualty of the series. Charles's Cooper arrived yesterday morning, my apologies for the delay in reporting this but I was out all day and last night my computer was running so slowly I gave up trying to load pictures. When I opened the box Bonnier had lost his head and the right hand engine intake mesh was sitting on his lap. Quite how this mesh could have flattened itself out I have no idea. A few minutes later the head was glued back in place and the mesh had been reshaped. Charles reckons this is a rush job but it shows very little sign of that, it is a lovely slot car with a mirror like paint finish, superbly crafted exhausts and it is all built very neatly displaying his model-making prowess. I wouldn't think you have any need to feel your car is unworthy EM, as I've mentioned before I have had the pleasure of driving your Eagle and it is a very nice slot car. Let's hope your mechanical mods have made it more driveable for the four tracks in this proxy. I look forward to it landing in the UK and having the pleasure of re-acquainting myself with the car. David
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Post by David Lawson on Sept 12, 2013 8:22:14 GMT -5
The Eagle has landed, sorry I couldn't avoid the cliché. She flew quickly from Baltimore to Southend on Sea having left the US on the 10th September. It was nice to see the car again and as Al has explained circumstances prevent him from doing all of the updates but it has a lovely well used and travelled patina, the chassis is a work of art and so nicely engineered so I expect it to be a quick car. David
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Post by Mark Huber on Sept 12, 2013 8:57:25 GMT -5
That car still looks really fast! It was a rocket last year, as Alan explained. I think it looks very handsome. (David, please add about 30 grams of lead weight drag to the back end)
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Post by charlesseattle on Sept 16, 2013 11:33:24 GMT -5
David,
My apologies for my late reply. Thanks so much for the repairs. Of all the things to fall off, Jo's head was the last thing I was worried about. That left rear wheel has very little axle support ,... hopefully Jo will at least keep his head!!
thanks again ...
all my very best charles
Gentlemen.... what beautiful cars!!!
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Post by David Lawson on Sept 20, 2013 7:47:57 GMT -5
This morning all the cars were scrutineered and briefly track tested at Earls Hall Park, my home track.
They are now travelling to Dave Wisdom and will arrive by 1pm tomorrow in readiness for the first round on the 29th September.
David
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Post by Dave Wisdom on Sept 21, 2013 7:02:28 GMT -5
The teams have now arrived safely at Forest Hall Circuit in advance of Round 1 of the GPd2013 Proxy Championship. Press conference is scheduled for later today. Pictures to follow.
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Post by Dave Wisdom on Sept 21, 2013 17:36:08 GMT -5
First of all, please accept my apologies for the delay in posting the latest news from Forest Hall Circuit here in Northumberland. It’s been a full day (since 8.30am) of teams unloading their transporters amidst a general high buzz of excitement around the circuit and surrounding areas. First to arrive all the way from Maranello was the Ferrari 312 of John Surtees (Dave Jones). A late entry, but ironically the first to enter the circuit, the 312 unfortunately refused to fire up. Ferrari mechanics were visibly distraught, especially after their long trip across Europe. Despite continued efforts throughout the day the team was unable to breathe life into the V12 and consequently Surtees became a spectator amidst the Bandini pit crew. Reports on performance and driving characteristics from the respective drivers are as follows: Lotus-BRM Graham Hill (Mark): Hill reported to his much relieved mechanics the Lotus handles well around this circuit. Front end was a little on the light side out of the corners, but the rapid pace down the straights managed to put a smile on his face. Tyres and grip were good, although a little tail happy out of the corners. Cooper-Maserati Jo Bonnier (Charles): Jo declared himself very pleased with performance, reporting grip and pace very good; especially straight line speed. There were concerns regarding the gearbox towards the end of the session. However the team was confident this would be resolved in time for the Grand Prix. Lotus 49B Graham Hill (Tony): Graham reported he felt the Lotus performed very well around Forest Hall. He commented that grip may be an issue on race day, but for overall pace and handling declared himself very satisfied. No other issues to report, apart from confessing he was very relieved Jackie Stewart was not entered for the race. Ferrari 312 Lorenzo Bandini (Nigel): Despite the problems within the Surtees pit, Lorenzo ended the session with a smile on his face. His 312 performed well and looked very good throughout the session. A couple of moments were experienced going into the corners, but tyres and grip were good. Looking good for race day. Brabham BT19 Guy Ligier (Mel): Guy began this session very competitively, but struck gearbox trouble towards the end which is reflected in his lap times. However the team is confident the problem will be resolved in time for the Grand Prix. Otherwise Ligier was very happy with the pace and performance of the car with tyres and grip being particularly good. Cooper-BRM Lucien Bianchi (David): Being one of the first to take the track today Bianchi helped shatter the Northumbrian silence with the V12 BRM howl. Lucien reported back to the pit that everything seemed to be working as it should and finished the session content that all being well, the set up looks very good for race day. Gurney Weslake Dan Gurney (Alan): Gurney took to the track looking like he meant business and it was clear to see the handling and grip of the Gurney Weslake is well suited to Forest Hall Circuit. Dan reported some concern regarding the clutch and gearbox, but the team declared this will be resolved for the Grand Prix. BRM V12 Pedro Rodriguez (Taffy): BRM arrived with an air of confidence following last year’s GPd2012 victory and once Pedro took to the circuit one could understand why. Rodriguez took little time in breaking the 4 second barrier and emerged top of the qualifying times. The team reported the car had taken to the circuit very well; handling and grip were very good and no problems were reported. The Ferrari mechanics ponder over the Surtees 312 bemused by its refusal to ignite all 12 cylinders. Teams take to the track in early preparation for next weekends Grand Prix. Hill pits during his early afternoon warm up. Ligier exits the pits. Qualifying under way as Bianchi crosses start/finish line in his Cooper-BRM. More pictures to follow soon.
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