Sunday 31 May 2009

MOTORS TV ROUND 1 FOOTAGE

In preparation for the new website, we have started to load a few videos onto YouTube. This will be the first of the Motors TV collection. Click on the link to see Mikes first senior event as he leads the championship.

Thursday 28 May 2009

2006 AND VIDEO ONLY FOOTAGE OF ANOTHER SUPER 1 TKM VICTORY

As a favour Alan Taddei drove up to Rowrah to watch and test out his new Motors TV equipment for the 2007 season. Sorry but there is no sound track as it was just a video test.
PART 1


PART 2

SOME EARLY FOOTAGE OF MIKE DRIVING FOR MARANELLO IN 2004

Having won the TKM Festival in 2003 and three Super 1 rounds (but one being excluded for entering a transposed chassis number by mistake) and two runner up slots, Mike tested with Ben Hanley (2008 Renault F1 test driver?) and was almost as quick, so he secured a seat for 2004 in this ultra competative class, which at the time contained drivers who are now very well respected in the sport. F2 drivers such as Palmer, Surtees and Brundell and Formula Renault front runners such as Adam Christo and Stephan Wilson. Others are now in Formula Ford or Ginettas, which is probably where Mike should be with the right funding. We believe that these are in chronological order, but its 5 years ago. Buckmore shows just what was possible with the right set up.

Unfortunately YouTube only allows a maximum of 10 minutes, and some of these unedited races just went over that time, so we have roughtly split the footage in half. Mike finishes all the rounds and while there is always plenty of action in part 1, Mike often picks up places in the second half of the races.


Clay Pigeon

Fulbeck Part 1

Part 2

Rowrah

Shenington Part 1

Part 2

Three Sisters Part 1

Part 2


Buckmore Park

2003 AND EARLY FOOTAGE OF MIKE LEARNING KARTING SKILLS AT ROWRAH IN JUNIOR TKM 4 STROKE

This was the pilot footage by PSC production in early 2003 prior to covering the MSA Rotax Super 1 series in 2004. It's interesting to recall where it all began and see the improvements over the years. Footage of that series will be uploaded later as we have come across a pack of old video films supplied by Alan Taddei - many thanks for the memories.

Introduction and Heat 1

Heat 2

Heat 3

Final

Wednesday 27 May 2009

VIDEO FOOTAGE OF 2007 MOTORS TV ROUND 9

Another fine race in difficult circumstances please click on the link provided.

VIDEO FOOTAGE OF 2006 FESTIVAL WIN

Just click on the link to re-live some of Mikes famous races

ANOTHER PODIUM AT WHILTON

Mike and his driver Milan didn't bother to practice on Saturday as both had other commitments. Working as an independent outfit for the first time, they were quick immediately and following heat successes, Milan completed a fine day on the podium. Not a bad start. Unfortunately Mike is double booked on 13th June. He gas a long term arrangement to assist his sponsors that day, so Milan will be at Buckmore Super 1 without Mike.

Friday 22 May 2009

MIKE SAYS THANKS TO VENDUCT FOR THE WELDING ASSISTANCE THIS WEEK


With our garages being re-developed this month, Mike had a problem in repairing the frontal damage to his car, following Cadwell Park. One of Mike supporters, Graham who is a director of the company, kindly offered his help and some work space this week to complete the rebuild and Mike would like to extend his thanks for the assistance. A full range of their services can be seen on their website http://www.venduct.co.uk/

Information from their home page:-
Formed in 1986, Venduct Engineering Ltd is a dynamic company specialising in the delivery of high quality fabrication and precision sheet metalwork solutions to British industry. Based in Leicestershire in the heart of the Midlands with over 40,000 sq. feet of manufacturing space. Investment in the latest technologies and our accreditation to ISO 9001:2000 ensures our commitment to quality control and constant improvement. This also guarantees that the most cost effective solution meets our client aspirations.


All projects are inspected and tracked throughout the manufacturing process so an "assurance of quality is achieved and delivered right up to completion. Backed by a wealth of experience and knowledge, the Sales and Design team have the acumen to guide and support the client from initial enquiry and concept to a manufacturing solution which will always be delivered on time and budget. We also offer a range of traditional hand skills, and are able to manufacture components in a host of different materials. This is complemented by our powder coating paint shop, which also has a phosphate pre-treatment plant.

With such fabrication skills close at hand, next week Graham has kindly offered to producing a new alloy and foam filled 20 litre fuel cell for us to replace the standard 45 litre one. This will have the bonus of weight reduction, better safety and also have an anti-surge integral swirl pot to improve pick-up. Graham is a keen off-road competitor, so appreciated that safety and durability are they key ingredients to having a reliable and hopefully successful race season. Please give him a call regarding your airconditioning & fabrication projects.



Wednesday 20 May 2009

MIKE AT WHILTON MILL THIS WEEKEND

Mike will be assisting his Rotax 177 driver, Milan Mach, at Whilton Mill this weekend as part of their build up for the next Super 1 round. This will be their first meeting as an independent entry.

ANOTHER CLIENT TAKES TO THE TRACK - THIS TIME IT'S AN MX5 AT AN ELVINGTON AIRFIELD MX5 MEET


Under his trading style of Allandale Associates (AA) - T/A Michael Comber Racing, Mike has been advising one of his clients on the preparation of their MX5. He has sourced improved brakes from EBC and air-intake from K&N as a start point, and via his links with MAGNECOR and RED LINE, ensured that Stephen Bird had an enjoyable first track session with his lovely MX5. For more information ;- http://racingmx5.blogspot.com/ Mike currently provides track-side support for Super 1 177 Milan Mach and once his new garage complex has been completed, will offering Car & Kart preparation/servicing solutions.

Monday 18 May 2009

CADWELL PARK WEEKEND VIDEO ACTION 1960

GOT 10 MINS, THEN CHECK THIS OUT!

Sunday 17 May 2009

Norwich Union support Mike.


On account of the number of hits this site gets, this week as part of the name change by Norwich Union. Their advertising agency collected data on the site performance and have apporoached Mike to get involved in some promotional work to announce their name change on June 1st.

LARKHALL THIS WEEKEND - WHAT A JOURNEY

Mike travelled up from Leicester straight after a full days work At SAAB on Thursday and arrived at gone midnight. On Friday 3D had booked the track for private testing, so just the team were there, but it allowed Mike to get out into the middle and coach Milan through some of the bends. He improved his time by almost a second durng the day, and for a 177 Rotax driver, was only just off the pace of the team's Rotax Senior pilots. With no 177 grid, testing on Saturday was with the Senior Rotax, which was no fun, so Milan flew back home Sunday morning.

Friday 15 May 2009

CADWELL PARK WEEKEND VIDEO ACTION


Many thanks to those competitors who had video installed. We will have our kit ready for the next round, but for now here is a taster. This is the final broken onto three films due to YouTube limitations. Mike starts off getting squeezed out at the start with plenty of body damage. He is the black car with the two silver stripes.
Initially he is overtaken by the yellow SAXO, which he follows to the end and through out seems to keep a few cars ahead of the camera car, but lacks pace down the straights. The exhaust is clearly chucking out unburnt fuel, indicating that SPOOX had set the mapping slightly too rich. This had also been evident at Castle Combe, and we should have sorted it as it was worse here with the slower corners. Eventually after just a few laps Mike inevitably got passed down the back straight. Afterwards, he said he could have defended, but chose to gain experience from watching someone elses lines for a few laps.

So, Mike gets taken by the video car, but then as planned, keeps the pressure on. In the second film, just look in the rear view mirror for the dayglow chevrons after you have clicked onto:-
Many thanks to Darren B in his speedy 205 for the footage, but even he eventually he goes off under pressure from Mike. It's interesting to see the ragged lines often being taken by the cars on video, and also the amount of work Darren is going on behind the wheel to get the 205 round the course. From my view, he seems to be locking up to frequently and needs to get his brake bias sorted. Judging by the amount of time Mike was in the rear view mirror, he was obviously quicker up past the clubhouse through the slower more technical sections, but slower on the straights, which would again indicate a serious lack of acceleration and top end power, but fortunately also indicated a well balanced chassis? As soon as Mike hits the start/finish straight Mike goes from view, but then catches up in the braking/cornering. See what you think, as once Mike has passed, he shows how much smoother can be, and soon gets onto the yellow SAXO, but never quite out of Darren's reach. So much unburnt fuel as he brakes - no wonder Mikes car only does a litre of fuel every two miles - just 10mpg for a 1600cc road car - something wrong?

Finally in the third film, Mike started to pull in some quick laps to catch a few up. Jake in the orange SAXO was soon dispatched, but Mike was slightly delayed in getting back onto the yellow SAXO. Would he have enough time to pull off a pass?

Fingers crosed the links will work. With a couple of laps to go, an orange 106 that spun early on, starts to come through, but hardly with a smooth driving style - poor Darren who has to watch the performance. It's obviously got a quick engine as it soon gets past and tries to chase down Mike. The shorter Rallye box is making the difference in getting up the hill and when being used for engine braking, but it seems to unsettle the back end. The same drive had similar problems last year at Oulton in the wet, when Mike had to ditch his car to avoid him, when he was out of control. A mental note - someone to avoid in traffic?

As you saw from the final video credits, Mike would have been place 17th, with 14th a probability with one more lap.Being beaten by just two class B cars, both of whom were Cadwell 'specialists', was satisfying and an improvement over his previous meetings.
Just found this - only worth watching the two minutes - then he's gone! This proves Mike is sometimes awake at the start! cutting in front of this video car and taking another at the first corner and then two more at the next! Note the blue smoke on the first bend from the exhaust - must sort the mapping out!

Wednesday 13 May 2009

CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE IN STOCK HATCH

The latest table is out following the weekends results, and Mike has lept from 70th to 32nd. Most drivers above him competed in the opening two rounds at Snetterton, which we had to miss as the engine was still being built. Those above him have all competed in 5 rounds, while Mike has just the three. Working on an average of 30 points per round, Mike could easily have 60 points more by now, and that would have pushed him up to about 17th. If he manages to compete at this standard or better for the remaining rounds, his worst two results can be dropped, which will elevate his position further up the table.

Our target this year would be to get into the top 15, with regular top 10 positions in the finals, but the class is so close and most have several years of experience more than Mike, so anything better than the top 30 and getting into every final would be a bonus.

Anglesey Entry Form submitted for 6/7 th June



The next round of the Stock Hatch Championship will be close to Holyhead, a round trip of almost 500 miles. Mike considered that Cadwell Park had been a huge success in terms of getting to know a very difficult circuit quickly and being competative with the mid-pack runners. With more practice before the next round, Mike hopes to be on mid-pack pace at the start and then work towards the pace of the front runners. It looks like another technical track, but having seen it a few times on TV with 5th Gear, Mike is looking forward to getting close to a top 10 finish next time. Planned improvements to the car will be a new down pipe as the current one broke following a rear shunt in Saturdays heat, plus a re-map at SPOOXs. If time allows Mike will fit a new alloy fuel tank, as he currently has the standard one and runs with it full, making him well over weight. A tank half the size will possibly save upto 20kg, which has to be worth a few 10ths?
After Anglesey we have Brands, before which we need to get the car corner balanced and possibly lowered to the limit. Mike has been there before and getting the centre of gravity as low as possible is key because there are several adverse camber bends!

LARKHALL THIS WEEKEND

Mike is due to be back assisting Milan this weekend at Larkhall in Scotland, which is over a 600 mile round trip! Milan had a decent result last week at Kimbolton in the club event, so with Mike's help, should hopefully continue his success in the Super 1 practice round.

Monday 11 May 2009

CADWELL PARK RACE IMAGES




http://s558.photobucket.com/albums/ss26/SAXO_58/SAXO_58%20RACES/CADWELL%20PARK/


We could do with being sponsored by Duck Tape!

See the video from the clubhouse - how sweet is that new exhaust?

Sunday 10 May 2009

CADWELL PARK WEEKEND

Never having seen the circuit or any footage, Mike entered the practice at 9am Saturday with a map of the circuit in the car. After just 5 laps, Mikes best time was 1min 55secs compared to a 1.49 lap record, which was OK, but put him towards the back of the grid of 28 in the heat. With just 9 to qualify, Mike managed to get up to 8th when the red flag stopped the race. On count back to the previous completed lap, Mike was 10th, so was a reserve for the final. Mike consistently lapped in 1.55.

On Sunday, as the grid positions were based on Saturday practice, Mike was again at the back, but this time managed to get 6th place with an average lap time of 1.50 - a 5 second improvement from Saturday. Unfortunately the car took a knock to the back on Saturday, and a much harder knock to the front in the heat, requiring plenty of Duck-Tape to keep the bonnet down and the headlights from falling out. In the final, Mike started from 22nd, but despite getting both doors crushed in on a startline squeeze, he managed to lunge a few cars and brought it home in 17th, with a consistent laps in 1min and 49 secs.

On the next visit here, if Mike can start with times of 1min 49 secs, he should progress into the top ten. Here is the link to the results http://www.750mc.co.uk/images/uploaded/04_Cadwell_Park_9-10th_May_Stock_Hatch.pdf

Friday 8 May 2009

CHAMPIONSHIP POWER BATTERIES AT CADWELL PARK

As a result of a recent support package, Mike will be using his new lightweight battery (3kgs weight saving) and producing 14volts of power! More images to follow.

CADWELL PARK 9/10TH MAY

Just a reminder that Mike will be racing at Cadwell this weekend. It will be his second outing in the car and his first visit to Cadwell near Louth. The fan club may have more details regarding tickets etc, but any support both watching and in the pits will be appreciated. Qualifying is at 9am on Saturday, with a heat at about mid-day and final towards 5pm, with the next round being a repeat of the scheduled events on Sunday providing the car stays competetive.

The journey from Leicester/Loughborough is only 90 minutes along the A46, for those followers who are considering making the trip. The car was a second off the pace at the last round, but a change in the exhaused/catalyst has released an extra 5 bhp and we have managed to shed about 20kg in weight from the car, so having found his way round and lodged a qualifying time, he should get quicker as the weekend progresses.

Images will follow.