Some photos of the Rennwagens at the strip recently.... phot credits to Darren W.
Friday, 11 September 2009
Tuesday, 8 September 2009
VW Action/DD - Personal Bests and Broken Bits!
The weekend of the 5th & 6th of September saw the Rennwagens descend on Santa Pod raceway for the third UK Drag Day, hosted by VW Action. Among the runners was Jamie Palmer, Dave Wain, John Walklett, Kev Donlon, Steve Turnbull, Lisa Donlon and Mike Riley, along with a couple of club prospects eager to turn the required times and reach full club membership.
Saturday started well with Kev and Johnny both turning some blistering times, Kev being the first Rennwagen member into the 11's just pipping Johnny to the post. By the time the dust had settled, both John and Kev had run well into the 11's culminating in pb's of 11.4 for Kev and 11.6 for Johnny. It wasn't all good news for the guys though, as partway through a run Kev had an engine problem that has pretty much wiped out his motor and ended with an engine fire. John was a little more lucky, having only (?!) managed to break another race axle.
The carnage didn't end there though, as Steve Turnbull was doing really well, running a best of 16.8 in his 2028cc full weight caamper, before dropping a valve. Steve had just returned from a road trip to Devon in his bus with his family where the bus had performed faultlessly but had to make do with a tow home...
Jamie Palmer's Oval struggled with traction problems, and one or two mechanical issues (a slight oil leak and a carburettor that made a bid for freedom) but after numerous attempts and coming tantalisingly close to the aimed-for 'Twelve' with a 13-dead pass finally got the ticket he wanted turning the quarter in 12.8 @ 109 mph.
Dave Wain couldn't match previous best times, having to take it easy due to a loose oil cooler fitting, but still turning some quick 13 second quarters in the process.
Mike Riley had his gorgeous samba back out on the strip and ran a string of strong passes, but again, no new pb for Mike.
Lisa Donlon drove her 2276 early bay bus to the strip and back, but not before giving it a serious thrashing up the quarter and getting a new pb of 16.8.
Club prospects 'Stussy' Rich Moss and John Parton were both intent on running the times this weekend and I'm glad to say both were successful, JP managing a 14.8 out of his beautifully prepared Oval bug while still fighting one or two mechanical issues, and Rich with his hard-as-nails 2332cc '65 storming into the 13's running a best of 13.6. Welcome to the Rennwagens guys.
Well done to everyone who got their cars to the track and got new personal bests, and condolences to those who've traded running cars for piles of parts.
Pictures to follow.
Saturday started well with Kev and Johnny both turning some blistering times, Kev being the first Rennwagen member into the 11's just pipping Johnny to the post. By the time the dust had settled, both John and Kev had run well into the 11's culminating in pb's of 11.4 for Kev and 11.6 for Johnny. It wasn't all good news for the guys though, as partway through a run Kev had an engine problem that has pretty much wiped out his motor and ended with an engine fire. John was a little more lucky, having only (?!) managed to break another race axle.
The carnage didn't end there though, as Steve Turnbull was doing really well, running a best of 16.8 in his 2028cc full weight caamper, before dropping a valve. Steve had just returned from a road trip to Devon in his bus with his family where the bus had performed faultlessly but had to make do with a tow home...
Jamie Palmer's Oval struggled with traction problems, and one or two mechanical issues (a slight oil leak and a carburettor that made a bid for freedom) but after numerous attempts and coming tantalisingly close to the aimed-for 'Twelve' with a 13-dead pass finally got the ticket he wanted turning the quarter in 12.8 @ 109 mph.
Dave Wain couldn't match previous best times, having to take it easy due to a loose oil cooler fitting, but still turning some quick 13 second quarters in the process.
Mike Riley had his gorgeous samba back out on the strip and ran a string of strong passes, but again, no new pb for Mike.
Lisa Donlon drove her 2276 early bay bus to the strip and back, but not before giving it a serious thrashing up the quarter and getting a new pb of 16.8.
Club prospects 'Stussy' Rich Moss and John Parton were both intent on running the times this weekend and I'm glad to say both were successful, JP managing a 14.8 out of his beautifully prepared Oval bug while still fighting one or two mechanical issues, and Rich with his hard-as-nails 2332cc '65 storming into the 13's running a best of 13.6. Welcome to the Rennwagens guys.
Well done to everyone who got their cars to the track and got new personal bests, and condolences to those who've traded running cars for piles of parts.
Pictures to follow.
R.I.P. Alison Hughes
Its with great sadness that we say goobye to our good friend Alison who lost her fight with terminal illness in the early hours of Sunday morning. Our thoughts are with husband Dave and the rest of her family. We will miss you immensely Al.
Friday, 4 September 2009
DRAG DAY II
A couple of us headed up to York raceway at the weekend to put our cars through their paces. Due to a tow car problem in the end Stussy Rich couldn't make it to the track with his 65, which just left me with my turbo 54 and Poe with his turbo 64 heading up to race, but a few of the local lads Peach, Steve M, Kev D and Sue and Matt & Gaz Lawton headed up for moral support and cups of tea (thanks Steve!).Both Paul and myself are still shaking down our setups, in particular mine - which was still in lots of small pieces just days before the racing - being an unknown quantity. After some fun and games on day 1 where Paul & I traded wins against each other (culminating in a best of the day for me of 13.25 @ 107, and 13.3 @ 90 for Paul) we ended the day with some beers with the chaps from the Air Cooled Eliminators. Top day, and for me mission accomplished, having got the car to the track and successfully from one end to the other. The day wasn't entirely plain sailing though as I had an 'incident' mid track which saw me off the road and into the field... no harm done though, just my pride dented....
Day 2 started a bit cloudy with a wind that varied from tailwind to side wind, so we both took it easy. First pass of the day for me was a 13.6 and Paul was around the low 13's. Paul then went on to click off a couple of VERY good launches back to his old form, the bet of which saw him pulling wheelies in 1st AND 2nd gear and crossing the line in 12.14 seconds. I dropped my tyre pressures and played with launch rpm a little bit, still struggling with lots of wheel spin, but managed a new pb of 13.1 seconds @ 110 mph.To say I'm pleased with the results is an understatement - at those kinds of speeds with the right launch I'm easily into 12's so for this weekends fun at VW Action I'm strapping on some bigger tyres and we'll see what happens. If any of you lot are attending drop by to the pits & say hi!
I'll not bother updating the ET board because (drum roll), this weekend we're back off to the strip, this time for Drag Day III at Santa Pod raceway. With Kev and John gunning for those elusive 11 second quarter mile times, and me aiming to break into the 12's it doesn't seem worth the time spent modfying it this week!
Day 2 started a bit cloudy with a wind that varied from tailwind to side wind, so we both took it easy. First pass of the day for me was a 13.6 and Paul was around the low 13's. Paul then went on to click off a couple of VERY good launches back to his old form, the bet of which saw him pulling wheelies in 1st AND 2nd gear and crossing the line in 12.14 seconds. I dropped my tyre pressures and played with launch rpm a little bit, still struggling with lots of wheel spin, but managed a new pb of 13.1 seconds @ 110 mph.To say I'm pleased with the results is an understatement - at those kinds of speeds with the right launch I'm easily into 12's so for this weekends fun at VW Action I'm strapping on some bigger tyres and we'll see what happens. If any of you lot are attending drop by to the pits & say hi!
I'll not bother updating the ET board because (drum roll), this weekend we're back off to the strip, this time for Drag Day III at Santa Pod raceway. With Kev and John gunning for those elusive 11 second quarter mile times, and me aiming to break into the 12's it doesn't seem worth the time spent modfying it this week!
Monday, 3 August 2009
Congratulations to Steve Turnbull & family
Congratulations to you all on the arrival of your daughter Grace from the Rennwagens Steve!
Tuesday, 21 July 2009
Bug Jam
Bug Jam was a great weekend for the Rennwagens, with a new pb set by John Walklett, a brilliant day tuning a new setup by Kev Donlon, and two qualifying ET times being run by club prospects.
John ran hard all weekend, and after being beaten to club no.1 spot by Kev Donlon pulled all the stops out to regain the top spot and ran a 12.07 @ 108 mph. Ah well Kev, you had it for a few hours at least!
Kev's new setup showed its potential with a number of blistering 12 second passes, culminating in a 12.19 @111 mph pass. A small engine fire put paid to further racing, but Kev assures me it was nothing serious and he'll be back out in no time.
Mike Riley didn't manage to equal his previous pb, but put in a number of string 16 second passes in his show standard Samba, running a best of 16.86.
Steve Turnbull had his quick Bay window out, but again didn't manage to equal his pb running a series of mid 17 second quarter mile passes - still very quick for a full weight camper!
Carl Whitehurst hit the strip for the first time in his red & black 1960 camper, managing a 17.25 second pass.
Lisa Donlon's lovely early Bay made its first trip up the strip too, managing a 17.42 second pass @77 mph. No Slouch!
Lisa and Carl have both been subsequently voted in to the club and are now full Rennwagen members. Well done!
John ran hard all weekend, and after being beaten to club no.1 spot by Kev Donlon pulled all the stops out to regain the top spot and ran a 12.07 @ 108 mph. Ah well Kev, you had it for a few hours at least!
Kev's new setup showed its potential with a number of blistering 12 second passes, culminating in a 12.19 @111 mph pass. A small engine fire put paid to further racing, but Kev assures me it was nothing serious and he'll be back out in no time.
Mike Riley didn't manage to equal his previous pb, but put in a number of string 16 second passes in his show standard Samba, running a best of 16.86.
Steve Turnbull had his quick Bay window out, but again didn't manage to equal his pb running a series of mid 17 second quarter mile passes - still very quick for a full weight camper!
Carl Whitehurst hit the strip for the first time in his red & black 1960 camper, managing a 17.25 second pass.
Lisa Donlon's lovely early Bay made its first trip up the strip too, managing a 17.42 second pass @77 mph. No Slouch!
Lisa and Carl have both been subsequently voted in to the club and are now full Rennwagen members. Well done!
Tuesday, 7 July 2009
Wednesday, 24 June 2009
Steve's bug, ride height adjusted!
Steve's bug with a cal-look rake - WAY COOL! And a picture of how it looked when he got it in its resto cal guise.
Friday, 19 June 2009
Steve Millwards Bug
Steve has been gradually upgrading the Bug ready for the hi-po plans which are to be played out at the end of the season - it already looks one of the toughest cars out there, can't wait to see it with the power to back it up!
The wheels are genuine Porsche items and have been blasted and powder coated. They look awesome Steve!
Monday, 8 June 2009
Friday, 5 June 2009
Friday, 24 April 2009
54 Bug - Countdown to Drag Day
The short block is back together and various minor jobs have been done in readines for the engine installation... tick tock tick tock.Monday, 20 April 2009
Club Meet
... this Wednesday the 22nd, the Wulstan Pub, Wolstanton, 8.00pm onwards. Club members can pick up camping passes for Big Bang too!
And good luck to Lisa Donlon who faces the MOT tester today with her bus.
And good luck to Lisa Donlon who faces the MOT tester today with her bus.
Thursday, 16 April 2009
Nearly Big Bang time....
Should be an exciting weekend with Paul Beardmore back out in his turbo bug looking to use some of the cars 10-second quarter mile potential. Lisa Donlon will be out looking to be the first Gal to join the Rennwagen ET board in her 2276cc powered Bay. Kev Donlon is working hard to get his 64 Bug in one piece running the 2332 EFI/Turbo motor which pushed his Bay camper to a 14.3 ET, plus another two hot buses set to join the Rennwagen ranks with fighting talk already emanating from Mike Riley's Samba ready to take on the newcomers! Significant revisions to John Walklett's bug have also been made, so watch out for a serious tussle for the no.1 spot between John and Paul! Dave Wain will be looking for quicker times in his super straight black '66, now equipped with a new close ratio box so he'll be looking to beat his 13.6 from last season.
Bring it on!!!
Club members: please contact me for your club camping passes.
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