Think Racing

Let’s see this vision become a reality

It has been quite frustrating at times as I have tried to plot a reasonable course to accomplish my overall vision of becoming a vintage MGB race car driver.

Originally, I was going to build a car and then I found a car that was closer than a ground up build. Then I figured I would enjoy the car utilizing PDX and time trials as a means to get on track experience all the while continuing to build the car up to spec for SVRA/HSR style vintage competition.

So over the winter I put a tremendous amount of time and energy in building the car to meet SCCA’s Vintage time trial rules. This included buying all of the necessary safety gear that I would have to don for both TT and on track wheel-to-wheel racing.

So, I got it done, registered for my first event – the Rush to the Rock Time Trial – at Rockingham Speedway and prayed for good weather. Well it did not rain, but the event was cancelled because of a lack of interest.

Here is where I came across an important crossroads. I was talking with my dad and it became apparent to me when he asked me what my long-term goal was that I should quit fooling around and just focus on the big prize.

So I took my remaining money and dumped it into purchasing a fuel cell, as well as the necessary plumbing. In addition I have sought out several SCCA driver’s school and have been given permission to drive my Vintage spec car in their schools providing it meets the minimum standard provided in the both the 1972 SCCA GCR and the SVRA rule book.

In addition, dad helped me with the purchase of a straight cut, close ratio gearbox sourced by Hap Waldrop at Acme Speedshop (www.acmespeedshop.com). While at the PDX at CMP last year, my current stock transmission kept popping out of gear at high revs. I had planned to just rebuild one of my several spares, but dad came to my rescue and helped me get the real deal. It contains a new Jack Knight set and will go in the car soon.

In addition, dad and I have a research trip planned for this June. We are going to the Gold Cup again at VIR to research the racing MGB’s on hand. I need to look at and take pictures of several design, safety and performance components of these cars for use in my own build. Besides this being the second year in a row that we have gone to this event, it will also represent the one year anniversary since I made the commitment to go racing.

I think I have made good progress considering everything else going on in my life.

So in addition to the new fuel cell and gearbox, I have also installed a fire suppression system, quick disconnect steering wheel, aluminum racing seat, rebuilt the entire rear suspension including the install of a Fabtek rear adjustable sway bar (www.fast-mg.com) and a hybrid rear end built by Hap Waldrop and featured on the MG experience forum (http://www.mgexperience.net/phorum/read.php?41,507209). I have also included a number of nice features such as new raydot rearview mirrors, a center mount sportscar mirror, racing windscreen, master cut off switch, push button start, 7/8” front sway bar with solid mounts and a number of other items.

As of today, I will keep working hard to finish the car, find someone to tech it and then register for the DC Region’s driver’s school at Summit Point Raceway in October.