NEWS 17/02/2007
First time out in the car this Saturday to make sure it works and it isnt going to fall to bits.
Well everything went pretty well for the first time out. The weather forecast was good despite it chucking it down all day Friday, so at least I knew it would be a wet track to start with. I left it to the last minute on Friday night to prepare the car for the trackday which saw me fitting the new wheels and tyres at 10 oclock and in the process noticed a big crack in the exhaust pipe. Out came the welder and the exhaust was welded up nicely.
Saturday morning came round very soon and the forecast was correct, nice and sunny. Well at least it was in Leeds, as I approached the venue a nice mist rolled in to keep the track damp for a bit longer.
Car offloaded and lined up for the sighting laps, well at least if I make round these that would be a bonus. The car performed well round the three laps and I managed to give the throttle a bit of a push to see what the performance would be like, it looked good!!
I came in and I let the first batch of cars out onto the track, I will bide my time I thought and let some others clean the track for me. I had fitted a new set of Toyo R888 for todays track day as I wanted to save my Avon hillclimb slicks for the competitive events and I also dont think they would last long at the abrasive surface at Elvington. My time was ready to go out so for the first few laps I took it steady just trying to listen to the cars noises and rattles to determine if all was o.k. I heard a rumbling noise when I turned left but not when turning right so my suspicions were a worn wheel bearing but I carried on pressing a bit harder with each lap. The Toyos were giving great grip even on a damp track and my confidence was building with each lap, the brakes were sharp and pulled up quickly and the engine pulled great with the twin carbs giving a great noise when at full chat.
But the thing that I was stunned with was the handling. I had a feeling the car would be good but I didnt expect it to be as good as this. I could literally throw the car into the corner and it just gripped and went around!!! I pushed harder with each lap and I was getting faster and faster, passed a few cars and nothing had passed me. GREAT
I came in for a breather and to give the car a quick check over. The wheel bearing as my suspicions had been correct was a little wobbly!! I thought it should be o.k. for a couple of sessions as long as I didnt go too mad. Back out for some more laps, getting faster and more confident as the day went on. I started getting a bit too confident with the brakes and had a few wheel lockups at the end of the straights, I noticed that the brakes then started going off a bit so I backed off and cruised round the rest of the lap to come in at the end of it. It was a good job because as I came to the end of the straight the brake pedal went right to the floor with not much stopping going on. Whoops.........
Came in for a couple of hours over lunch and let the car cool down for a bit. I thought I would go out for one last blast after lunch and hope the wheel bearing and brakes would hold out. the track was dry and I thought I would see what it could do. Well I to say I was pleased with the car would be an understatement, I went out and gave it plenty, unbelievable grip from the Toyos, engine pulling stongly and a massive grin on my face.
I had a few good battles with some very expensive machinery and came out tops with all of them. My favourite was a 300+ BHP modifed scooby that was trying his best to keep me from passing, but the 205 had so much more grip on the corners (without four wheel drive!!) that I could get onto the straight with a 10 - 15 MPH gain on him. The lad came over to me to enquire about the car at the end of the session, to see what I had under the bonnet and why he couldnt keep up :) All in all a very enjoyable day and very pleased with the car, the handling is phenomenal, I thought the MK was quick round a corner but the 205 is light years ahead.
Paul Smart