In the world of motorsport, continuous improvements are needed to stay on top of the competition. Each race presents an opportunity to enhance both the car and the driver's skills. Round 7 of the Timeattack Pocket Rocket Series at Brands Hatch was another chapter in this journey, and it brought with it new challenges and triumphs that pushed me to my limits.
Adjustments for Success
Reflecting on my previous performance at Donington, I knew I had to make some key adjustments to remain competitive. Weight reduction was my first priority, to achieve it I opted for a Fibreglass bonnet which significantly reduced the car's weight. Its lightweight construction allowed the car to shed some weight and gain an advantage on the track.
Inside the cockpit, I replaced the passenger seat with a go-kart bucket seat, shedding even more weight. I would’ve removed the seat completely, but to align with the regulations requirements for the Pocket Rocket Class I need 2 seats to be present in the car. I removed excess dash plates to streamline the interior, creating a cleaner and more focused driving environment.
Unleashing Aggression
To further enhance my performance, I made adjustments to the car's suspension. This included camber adjustments adding more negative camber, toe-out settings, and fine-tuning of dampening. The objective was to achieve a more aggressive setup that would enhance the car's handling. I needed more rear-end rotation and more rear control, so I adjusted the Lohen Control Arms to introduce the adjustment to camber and toe.
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I also adjusted the dampening and rebound control on my Ohlins Suspension which was an easy fix, Ohlins make it simple, this adjustment is one easily accessible dial, and I opted for a stiffer setting.
Click Here for Ohlins Coilovers
Silverstone: Testing Ground for Success
Before heading to Brands Hatch, I needed to ensure my changes paid off. I was able to get track time at Silverstone which meant I could do a few test sessions and still have time to change the setup, if I needed to, before Brands. Driving around a familiar track helped me to get more comfortable with the new setup and helped me to feel the car’s movements going in and out of corners. The car felt more alive, and understeer became a thing of the past. The new setup was very promising as I set my eyes on Brands.
Aiming Higher at Brands Hatch
My goal at Brands Hatch was to surpass my previous lap time of 55.997 and secure another podium finish. I wanted to shave off at least one second from my previous record.
Warm-Up: Finding My Rhythm
As I hit the track for the warm-up session, I focused on understanding how the car responded to the changes. The new setup felt familiar, reminiscent of my successful experience at Silverstone. With increased seat time, I achieved a new personal best of 54.444, boosting my confidence for the day ahead.
Practice: Pushing the Limits
The practice sessions allowed me to experiment with the car's handling and performance around the track some more. The car felt better than ever, and I wasted no time pushing myself to fly around the track. Each lap brought me closer to my qualifying rounds, as I continued to refine my understanding of the new setup.
Qualifying: A Boost of Determination
Qualifying rounds were the true test of my preparations. I aimed for a lower 54-second lap time, but a challenge arose—my boost pipe blew off the intercooler, cutting my session short but I still qualified third for the finals. Examining the car after the loss of boost, I had to resolve the issue before finals and quickly. I managed to secure the pipe back onto the intercooler, restoring the loss of boost, with this fixed I was ready for the finals.
Finals: Battling the Odds
The finals were my moment to shine, my aim was to set my fastest lap yet. With being more confident with the track and the car, I headed out for the final session. I started to warm the tires and brakes ready for a hot lap and then realised that I had no boost in fourth gear which held me back. It impacted straight-line speed and made exiting fast-speed corners very difficult. I had to adapt my driving by block shifting from third to fifth to offset the loss of boost. The issue turned out to be the diverter valve which happened just after fixing the boost leak after qualifying rounds. However, despite the challenges, I pushed myself to the limit and managed a lap time of 55.100, securing third place by a mere 0.014 of a second.
Looking Forward to Snetterton: A New Challenge Beckons
My focus now turns to the final round at Snetterton. I plan to address the issues faced at Brands Hatch and upgrade to a Samco silicone hose boost kit. This will reduce the risk of failure of the boost hoses as they are tougher enabling them to endure higher temperatures and pressures.
Click Here for Samco Turbo Boost Hose Kit
I am also booking some Dyno time with Lohen so that I can make sure my adjustments and additions are working effectively, and also to diagnose any other issues that may have gone unnoticed.
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Having achieved an optimal aggressive setup that improved my times, further adjustments will be to get the car onto the scales so I can check the weight balance making sure my wheels are aligned and the tracking is good.
Click Here for Lohen’s Suspension & Geometry Service
Snetterton presents a new challenge, as I am unfamiliar with the track and the unpredictable weather conditions. I am hopeful for faster times and a dry race day, but I remain ready to adapt to whatever nature throws my way even though Snetterton is known for its wet weather this time of year.
Stay tuned for more updates and join me as I pursue excellence both on the track and off the track.