News
18th October 2007
It appears Mike made a mistake re: the name of the artist on Saturday. His name was actually Billy not Ricky and the perpetrator of the foul act of changing his name to Billy A R S E was another F1 fan who's' name I won't reveal .
Best
of all (you lucky people) the perpetrator also videoed Billy's' offence and
it's here
BILLY VID
16th October 2007
After the Skegness staged British drivers Championship (see report on meeting reports page) I have now taken the car back to the garage to assess the damage. As I suspected the damage, although nothing too individually serious, will mean I will be calling it a day for 2007. Work commitments will keep me away from the garage this week and with only 2 further tar meetings to go this year I think it’s better to steal a march on the closed season rebuild. Keep an eye on the news page for news and photos of how we are doing throughout the closed season.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my first season, I have done more meetings than I set out to do and I fulfilled my aim of scoring a few points. The whole thing would not have been possible without 100% backing from my family, friends, sponsors mechanics and everyone else who has contributed to the effort. There’s too many names to mention here, you ALL know who you are and to each and every one of you thank you and see you next year for an assault on a yellow roof!!
Mike
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13th
September 2007
Garage Report
Went up to garage tonight to split the gearbox and continue checking for damage after the problems at Birmingham 08/09.
Richard came along and was joined by Cath (of Hil and Cath fame)and between us we set to with the job in hand. I decided to remove the flex plate and ring gear off the back of the engine along with the starter for checking and cleaning. On removal it's obvious that the ring gear will have to be replaced as there's a bald section approx 20 teeth in length which isn't good at all. Also the gear off the front off the starter is badly chewed up and will have to be replaced at the same time. Richard and Cath split the box in half
and by that time I was hovering about eager to see the internal damage. Several drive gears have teeth missing, the nose snout is snapped in two, both synchros are split and a thrust washer has also split which is probably the route cause of the damage. Add to that the gearbox casing which is badly damaged and things didn't look too good.
A quick call to Murray Harrison confirmed my fears that this was going to be a "dear job", Murray gave me a few options ranging from repairing my own box using as many original parts as poss to a new complete unit. I've now got to have a weigh up and a check of the finances before I decide which path to go down.
Items
needed for repair are:
Gearbox repair or replace
New triple plate clutch assembly complete replacement
Starter motor repair or replace
Flex plate/ring gear replacement
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22nd August 2007
During routine maintenance, I found a crack in my oil filter housing. As I won't be able to get the part until probably the early part of next week I've had to cancel my booking for this Saturday's Birmingham meeting. I don't want to risk a temporary repair as it's such an integral part of the lubrication system.
Mike
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4th August 2007
My next meetings will be both at Birmingham on the 25th August and 8th September.
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6th
August 2007
F1...#278
Richard and I took the car along to Birmingham last Saturday in an attempt
to get a set-up in the car which allowed us to run tar tyres on the car. I've
previously had to resort to varying amounts of shale tyres to get the car
to handle on tar but having spent a day at Birmingham now I'm much happier
with it on tar tyres now. Richard and I tried several changes to the suspension
and steering etc and we both feel the day paid dividends but the next test
will be at Birmingham on the 25th which is my next meeting. Thanks go to Richard
for coming along for the day and the NFR team or allowing us to gatecrash
their driving school day.
V8...#404
The Radforth brothers also turned up at Birmingham to deliver the V8 that
Kirsten is due to start racing soon. The car has come from the Stuchbury garage
and should give Kirsten a competitive car from the outset of her senior career.
We came across one or two teething problems with the car on the test day but
Kirsten managed to get in quite a lot a laps to familiarise herself with the
car. the car is now at the NFR workshops where we will make some minor modifications
to the seating position and look into sorting the car hopefully in time for
Kirsten to make her debut at Skegness this Thursday (09/08/07)
Huge thanks go to Dave Wood of the Swinton Car Project for giving Kirsten the opportunity to race one of their cars and to the NFR team for all their help.
Mike
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1st August 2007
Wayne Helliwell has decided to no longer race my car on shale. I'm sure Wayne hasn't made this decision lightly but the imminent arrival of his and Jo's first child and other factors must have had a bearing on his decision. I will continue to use the services of Wayne Helliwell Racing whenever needed and, of course, we will remain firm friends. Wayne has now taken on the upkeep and maintenance of his brother, Marks, F1 so I'm sure he will remain a regular fixture around the tracks.
I'd just like to take this opportunity to thank Wayne for all his efforts
and help over the last few years with both the F1 and the Ministox and extend
that thanks to Dave, Ian, Mark, Beryl, Jo and Mary, simply wouldn't have been
in this mess without you...LOL
Mike
1st August 2007
Having now competed in more meetings than I initially intended I am going to have a short break until the 25th August meeting at Birmingham. Things will not be quiet though as we will be going to Holland with team 218 for our annual race and temperance weekend!!
Also Kirsten (F1 and V8 #404) is due to make her V8 debut at Skegness on the 9th August. Kirsten has received kind backing from Dave Wood of the Swinton Car Project and it's one of their cars that she will be racing. We are going testing the V8 this Saturday at Birmingham and next week will be spent getting the car sorted fully so Kirtsen is comfortable with seat, pedals and controls. If all goes well she may also race at Belle Vue on the 12th August and may appear in the car several times this year before we decide on which path she takes after that.
Keep an eye on this website for further updates.
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14th June 2007
Been up to the garage tonight to strip the car down after the Scottish trip. One of the first jobs was to remove what seemed like 1/2 a ton of gravel from behind all the panels, guess I'll just have to go back again next year to take it all back!! On inspection of the car I've managed to find a couple of jobs that need sorting. We need a new king pin and wheel bearing in the OSF hub, a new prop as the wear in the existing one is getting a bit excessive and we need to address an oil leak we have sprung from the Doug Nash box. Also there's the sheared NS half shaft to get repaired so I can keep it as a spare and I think a couple of new tyres might not go amiss.
I've decided to give Ipswich a go and while I'm that way on we might as well do NIR as well (damage permitting), see you all on the weekend of 23rd/24th June!!
Quick update on Wayne Helliwell. I've spoken to Wayne again tonight, he's still a bit sore but feeling much better after his Coventry shunt earlier this month. Due to still not being 100% and the fact he's very busy at the garage he's decided not to book in for the next Cov but he'll see how things are later in the month.
Mike
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13th June 2007
Now we have the car back in the garage after Scotland, I've decided I need
to address a few issues with the car. Mainly we have an ongoing problem with
bell housing bolts coming loose, a couple of issues with the rear axle plus
we need to carry out some general maintenance (makes a change from damage
I suppose!!).
It's possible the rear axle and engine may have to be removed to carry out these jobs, Ipswich and NIR and now doubtful, I've not heard from Wayne regarding whether he wants to race the next Cov so the next time the car may be out is the Buxton semi-final meeting at the end of July. The break will also allow me to get some funds back in the pot to carry on racing.
Keep an eye on the news page which will be updated when I know more.
Mike
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7th June 2007
No meeting report from last Saturday at Coventry. Wayne did race at the meeting
but unfortunately had a spin on is second lap and got collected hard by a
passing car.
We suffered some damage, the car was made raceable by myself and Tony for the consolation but more importantly Wayne was not feeling at all well and decided not to take any further part in the meeting. I have spoken to Wayne a couple of times this week, he is much better but still feeling the after effects of the incident, get well soon mate!
Damage
to the car on close inspection at the garage was:
Bent back axle
Bent NSR wheel studs
Bent NSR calliper bracket
Destroyed NSR wheel
Destroyed NSR shocker
Sheared bell housing locating dowells
All the above has now been repaired by myself, Derek, Tony, my dad and Andy Williams. The car has been re-set for tar and dad has been attacking the car again with his paint brushes.
I am booked in for both Cowdenbeath and Knockhill, the car is being transported up for me by Neil Fitton of NFR along with the two-seater stockcars which will be doing match races both days.
Mike McAshcroft
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15th May 2007
I will next be racing at Buxton this Sunday (20th May), here’s to a SUNNY day!!
I will be carrying a limited amount of F1 stock with me on behalf of NFR whenever the NFR sales unit isn't going to be present. I will carry the basics: rose joints, starters, radiators, fuel tanks, braided ends, fuel pipe plus a limited amount of Racewear. I will also be more than happy to deliver any orders people place with NFR to any track at which either Wayne or I will be racing at.
Regards
Mike (still sore but on the mend!)
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9th May 2007
Mike will be racing at Skeggy this weekend, May 12th and 13th and is booked in for Buxton Sun, May 20th but not Northampton Sat May 19
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30th April 2007
Mike will not be racing this weekend, neither will Wayne
Mike will be out next at Birmingham 21/04/07 and Hednesford22/04/07.
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10th March 2007
Just
had chance to draw breath from yesterday!
The Buxton practice was well worth it for me. Had a few minor braking problems
in the 1st run but overcame those and got steadily more comfortable and quicker
(I think) as the day progressed. A lock nut on the clutch fork wound itself
off on my second run manifesting itself as a solid clutch pedal as I came
to change back down to 1st. Again this was soon sorted even though we took
the gearbox out for no reason in the end (good practice though!). Bit more
serious was the fact that I (yes this is an admission of being a complete
numpty) had left the drain plug loose in the gearbox which eventually wound
itself out during practice 4!!! I then proceeded to drop 2 litres of 90's
gearbox fluid all over the track causing mayhem for my fellow drivers (the
1's were out with the V8's at the time - sorry guys). Got that fixed with
some bits and bobs borrowed of V8 151 and some gear oil courtesy of Alex Fletcher
(F1 144) and a quick check revealed no damage to the box...phew. Of course
team 278/218 managed to completely ruin me for the remainder of the day with
jibes and wise cracks for which I am eternally grateful!!!
Kirsten thoroughly enjoyed her outing in the V8 as well.
Big thanks go to Dave Pierce and the Buxton team for running the practice event and running it so well and to everyone who turned up to lend a hand on the day. Firstly my mentor, big Al Bateman (slave driver), Derek Fairhurst who chipped in with advice and help even though Lee was out in the 151 F2 of Gary Maynard's, Chris (driver 106) who just gets on with the job, Gary (Lofty) Loftus, Ian Connelly of the 218 team, Andy Williams, Trish, Kirsten and Anna.
Thanks also to Bozz282 and the V8 guys for pulling out all the stops to get Kirsten and Anna out on track in a V8. The car earmarked to be used had electrical problems I think but Richard Arrowsmith volunteered his immaculate car to the cause and the girls weren't disappointed...great gesture!!!
Yet more thanks, this time to Martin (V8 132) who took loads of photos of the day and my car in particular which will be used for sponsors etc.
Mike
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15th January 2007
With
the paintwork now complete, the car has now been returned to Widnes where
work will continue to get the car ready to practice at Buxton in March. Jobs
still to do include:
Fabricate a osr top shocker mount adjuster (currently being done at the Helliwell
workshop). Strip, clean check and repaint all suspension components + axles
(Kirsten’s’ job!). Finish off interior aluminium panelling (after
seat mods). Source and fit new shockers and springs where needed (being collected
this weekend from NEC show). Source “new” wheels and tyres where
needed. Sort some spares for the stuff I’ll be bending and breaking
along the way! Sort out F-R brake bias handle and cable (Derek has been swapping
these back and for the past season-tight git! So I haven’t got one).
Source some new brake linings and a couple of hubs/discs. Strip and re-build
gearbox with all new syncros’, gaskets and circlips (parts being collected
from Murray Harrison at NEC). Check starter motor as it sometimes plays up.
Change engine oil & filter. Tidy up/fit inner strengtheners for bonnet
plus make a new grille + wing end blanks to finish off front. Re-seal exhaust
and make any new brackets that may be needed. Find and refit all the bits
and bobs we took off the car before we painted it, probably the biggest job!!!
Generally check every nut bolt and washer on car before we take it out on
track for the 1st time.
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6th January 2007
Went to Speedys' signs today and up to that point had been having secret doubts about my choice of colours. When I arrived at Dave's I have to say I was more than pleased, it's just about how I would have wanted it. The car has now been taken back to Boundary Garage where we will apply a coat of lacquer to the paintwork before returning it home to Widnes for the winter refurb to continue. Many thanks to everyone who has helped so far, you know who you all are. There's still plenty of work to do before I can take the car out on track but at this moment in time I am aiming to practice the car at Buxton on either the 3rd or 10th March (or maybe both!!).
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31st December 2006
Work has been carried out on at a pace to get the 278 car ready for painting over the Xmas period. It was all a bit last minute (as usual) but the car was taken to Boundary Garage in Bury on Saturday 23rd of December where my mate Chris Johnson and I have been getting the prep and paintwork sorted. Decided to keep the blue chassis as it would have meant a much bigger strip down job to change it but have painted the body in white. All the paint and materials were kindly donated by Standox (paint manufacturer) and Autocol Ltd in Bury who are their factor. Boundary Garage (my employer) donated the garage space and have put up with me doing the odd disappearing act to work on the car for the last week. The paint and facilities are, as ever, greatly appreciated as having the facility to carry out the work in a proper environment and the product to do the job are a real bonus.
The car was booked in at Speedy's on the 15th Jan but a quick phone call brought
about a revised date of the 2nd so it's off to sunny Newhey on Tuesday night!!
There's still a lot to do on the car once it's signed but I hope to debut at the 1st Skeggy of the season and, damage, permitting a certain Mr Helliwell (261) may be making his come back the night after at Cov. Wayne will hopefully be seen regularly at the wheel of the car next season, we'd like to get him in a semi but the main aim will be to get out there and enjoy ourselves without taking it all too seriously.
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23rd November 2006
The ex-218 shale car has now been stripped of its' rear bumper and nerf rails and is currently in the workshop being refitted for a Christmas repaint.
Wayne Helliwell has been busy making bumpers and nerfs like there's no tomorrow and we have all been busy doing various jobs around the car.
The seat has been removed and re-positioned to give me a bit more "growing" room, the pedal set-up has been altered and the car has had a Helliwell rear bumper and two nerf rails tacked into place.
We have made a start making a new bonnet for the car and hopefully this should be sorted over the next week or so.
There's no garage time this weekend as it's the F1 drivers do on Saturday so next weeks jobs will be to finish of the bumper and nerfs, finalise the templates for the bonnet so they can be formed out of ally and generally make a start stripping it to a point where we can start thinking about prepping it up for the re-paint.
With any luck I should be getting the paintwork done over Christmas while the Fairhursts' enjoy a well earned break in NZ (jammy sods!!)
The 218 tar car is currently parked up and the teams attention will no doubt turn in that direction in the early part of the new year.
Personal thanks go to Derek, Brian, Tony, Jack, Ian, Wayne and my dad Keith
for their help so far.
