Bangers

Its been a while since Gary last raced but eventually we did on Saturday thanks to Dan for the top sign work picture to follow:

Heat 1 Going well in this one got around 50 Laps

Heat 2 Going even quicker in this one taking the victory with 51 Laps

Heat 3 Gary had some fun in this one with plenty of contact won the race agaibn with 51 Laps

Final Gary set off the front of the final and was winning the final up until the car came unplugged finished 4th in the end

Overall a good days racing

Next Meeting 20th December Urmston

Result 78 Laps

Heat 2

A better heat for Gary with the car going really well and was quick asd well but disaster struck just after half way when the neutral wire fell off the speedboard leaving Gary with no power.

Result 51 Laps

Heat 3

Damage repaired for Heat 3 and again Gary was going really well the car was handiling very well.

Result 86 Laps

Heat 4

Another good score for Gary could have put him into contention of going in the consolation, Gary again set off and was on a mission with the car handling superbly but the curse struck again this time snapping the servo saver of so end of race

Result Around 15 Laps Result not announced

Gary unfortunately hadn't got through so loaded up. Gary would like to congratulate Ben Harding on winning, Tony Smith Formula One Stock Car driver for sponsoring the meeting and all the Hathern commitee for putting on such a good show.

Mpre Reports soon

Yours in sport

Gary Osborne

Nora 21st September

This meeting was also the concluding round of the Northern Championship.

Gary arrived at Nora looking forward to a good meeting after the previous two meetings.

Practise went very well after Gary changed the amount of stagger on the car.

Heat 1 Gary set off and the car was going really well and Gary won the heat with 52 Laps

Heat 2 Confidence gained from winning the previous race Gary set off again but one of the steering arms came off so he finished 5th with 18 Laps

Heat 3 Gary set off again but was confused by the timings and was going really well pushing for a high finish when the car ran of fuel finishing 3rd with 40 Laps

Heat 4 No problems this time as Gary won the race again with 52 Laps.

Unfortunately Gary had not qualified straight through to the final but was in the consolation event.

Gary had a very bad start to the consolation putting him down the field but then started working through the pack winning the consolation with 50 Laps the 2nd place driver finishing 3 Laps behind him.

Final time and Gary was going going really well until the car cut out after a collision and struggled to restart but Gary finished in 5th place

Overall a good days racing plenty of close action between the drivers and Gary can look forward to the next meeting.

Till the next time

Gary

We had a days practice prior to the event which allowed us to ensure the car was set up for the track and also make sure there was nothing that could go wrong with the car. We detected a few problems that were fixed during the course of the day and feeling positive for the race meeting.

Heat 1
After the set backs at the previous few meetings it was nice to finish a race, with the car handling well. There was still room for a couple of small improvements to the set up but finished 6th with no damage.

Heat 2
After a few small adjustments to the set up the car handled better again. There were a few laps that were affected by interference which cost me time and places. However once it cleared I picked up a few positions to finish 4th only 4 laps behind the winner and luckily no damage.

Heat 3
Once again the car handled well, but yet again I suffered from some interference. After fighting with the car all race I was happy to finish 4th only 6 laps down on the winner.

Heat 4
With a good finish needed to qualify for the semi finals the race began. It was all going to place for the 3/4s of the race, having moved up into 2nd position I just needed to finish. However the earlier run-ins with the fence as a result of the interference started to affect the handling and took its toll. The finishing line was in sight and the rear suspension failed with just a few laps to go which meant I had to retire from the race and I ended up in 3rd place. I was not sure if that would be good enough to get me into the semi final, but news soon came through I had qualified!!!!!!

Semi Final
Again I started well and with the cars performance so far in the day there was a chance I could finish in the top 4 and qualify for the final. Unfortunately the dreaded interference hit me with vengeance, the car had a mind of its own and was not responding at one part of the track. I battled through the race struggling to keep in control of the car until mechanical trouble caused me to retire frustrated and not best pleased, but I did not finish last.

I have raised my concerns relating to the interference with the promoters of the meeting as there was a few other drivers that were encounting problems. They have agreed that this will be looked into and we will be doing a lot of radio checks over the coming meeting and closed winter season.

Meeting Summary
I really enjoyed my days racing, apart from the frustrating end and want to pass on my thanks to all of the other drivers who helped me and to the officials for running such a smooth meeting. I want to also thank Ian for working hard on the car over the recent months in preparation for this meeting.

I cant wait for the next meeting on the 14th September, with yet more improvements I am hoping for better things.

17th August – Topstox fun meeting, Eastrax

We took the trip to the East coast with the mind frame that we were not going to be finishing every race but ensuring that the car was ready in top condition for the following weeks European meeting. We had a good day finding different niggley problems with each race but by the end of the meeting I was extremely pleased with the car, I could have not asked for any more it’s the best it has ever ran.

10th August – Topstox promotional show, Buxton Raceway

Although I did not have the show shell ready I took the car along to the show. We have attending a few of the Formula 1 stockcar events at Buxton and we always get a good reception from the drivers, mechanics and the public. There was a lot of interest shown in the sport.

3rd August – Topstox national meeting, Eastrax

Had a mixed meeting today and as the car started to improve the servo that controls the speed packed up. Unfortunately I did not have a spare that would fit or work with the car, so I had to retiree from the meeting.

6th July – Topstox national meeting, Notts & Derby

As we are still working through the car locating and fixing various warn parts and getting a better understanding of the set up I was unsure as to how I would do at this meeting. The weather was dry to begin with but as we got through the meeting the weather turned and I would have been better racing a boat. Although the weather was against us the car handled well in the conditions and I was pleased with the way the day went and came away with some other modifications that I wanted to try. Due to other commitments I am not able to race again until August so plenty of time to get the car dried out.

World Championship - Eastrax - 7th September 2008

The big meeting had arrived and Gary was really looking forward to racing at this meeting. Gary set off on the Friday but due to the bad weather did not go to the track instead Gary arrived early Saturday morning to see how things looked at the track after the bad weather the day before, Gary was pleasantly surprised that the track was almost dry so Gary decided to wait a while for the track to totally dry out and Gary decided to try the new car.

After a couple of runs Gary was very pleased with how the car was handling and left the car to cool, in the meantime it had started to rain heavilly at this point Gary decided that due to the fact the new car hadn't been tried in the wet conditions the old car was prepared for a run out as Gary knew that this car goes well in the wet conditions. Gary was very happy with how the car went in the wet conditions and did not practise agasin that day.

Onto Race Day the weather was dry but the weather forecast had predicted showers throughout the day so the old car was chosen and put through scrutineering no problems there.

There was a small amount of timed open practise Gary had a few laps again happy with the car and then the heat you are drawn in you have a timed practise Gary went out and stayed out till very close to the end completing 49 Laps.

Heat 1 Weather still dry Gary set off and the carwas going really well and Gary completed 50 Laps at one point having a tremendous scrap with the defending World Champio.

Heat 2 Gary changed the inside front tyre but it wasn't working as well as Heat 1 but then halfway through the rain started to fall which made driving very difficult and Gary completed 41 Laps

Heat 3 Gary changed the inside front again but put the same tyre from Heat 1 on and it worked a bit of work on the engine had been done between rounds but this time it is the quickest it has ever gone and Gary completed 48 Laps.

Unfortunately Gary didn't get into the top 24 for the quarter finals but finally finished 36th out of 62 drivers which raced and Gary was very happy with this.

Many thanks to everyone who helped at the weekend Mick Goodhall who helped with the engine, Gary Gamlin and Ian Yarwood for all there help with set up tips for the car.

Congratulations to all the World Fianlist who had to endure a rainstorm before and well done to Johann Van Zoogel for winning the World Final and claiming the gold roof.

Next meeting Notts+ Derby 14th September the new car will be used at this meeting and some pics will be added to the site.

Till the next time

Gary Osborne

Congratulations to Jody Foster on winning the British Final.

Gary would like to thank all the people who helped him on the day but special mentions to Hil for taking the pictures on the day and Chris Bowskill who has said he will let Gary use one of his photos on this site.

Many Thanks also go to the Keighley Festival who sponsored the meeting and all the trophies and to all the drivers who made the meeting so good.

Next Meeting Nora 27th July

Till the next time

Gary

After a complete suspension overhaul and minor alterations to the chassis to reduce the overall weight I headed to Notts & Derby where the aim of the day was to complete the set up and handling of the car.

With wet weather forecast I wasn’t sure what to expect. The first few heats were spent ironing out small problems and getting the car set up to my driving style, which paid off in my last heat with a hard fought win which resulted in qualification for the semi final. Just before the start of the semi final as other drivers warmed their tyres up the heavens opened with two minutes to go before the start of the race. With my wet tyres already out my mechanics changed them quickly and had the car on the track with time to check we had chosen the right set up for the very wet conditions. The car handled well and I was very disappointed to find that I had missed out on qualification for the final by one lap.

Overall the day went well resulting in a good set up for the car been obtained and no damage incurred.

Sunday 27th April - National Round Kings Lyn

I travelled to Kings Lyn on Saturday for a practice to get use to the new car set up. The practice went well, I ran the engine in and was very pleased with the way it went.

Arrived at the track early on race day, keeping everything crossed that the weather would stay fine. I was very optimistic and raring to race. On getting the car scrutineerd I was advised that it fell outside of the weight limit, it appears that the new body-shell brought was a slightly different version and was a lot heavier that the one I had used previously. Every effort was made to get the weight down, but this was just not possible on the day.

I would like to thank Paul for opening the track for practice and all his help to get the car set up for the track and to everyone who offered help to get the weight of the car down. I have ordered another shell and will have this painted up ready for the next national meeting.

Jane

Saturday 19th April - Urmston Saloon Mixed Formula Meeting

I attended the non-points meeting to alter the car and get it set up for the track. I changed the set up on every race and changed the front axel, but nothing seemed to improve. I have a good supply of tyres so hoping to have the car running a lot better at the next meeting.

Sunday 11th May - Notts & Derby Topstox Fun Meeting

As I had not raced the car since the end of last season and hoping to be racing at the British in a couple of weeks I decided to go along to the fun meeting and shake off the cobwebs. GG Racing had spent a day checking over the car and repairing my engine over the close season so I knew that once I got the car to start, fingers crossed nothing drastic would go wrong, although I was expecting niggling teething problems. I was also using a new radio gear that was a higher spec to the one I used last year.

All heats had 5 cars in them.
Heat one, I came 4th, with 41 laps which was 5 laps behind the leader with my fastest lap 6.113 seconds.
I was very impressed with this, the car had suspension problems so after the race had finished Gary (Not Osborne) took a look at the car and changed the settings.

Heat 2, I came 1st with 39 laps, fastest lap was 5.750 seconds.
What a result! Car was handling great

Heat 3, 4th with 32 laps fastest lap 5.388 seconds.
This was also a close race drivers in 2nd - 5th were all on the same lap so it was down to lap times to determine the positions. I was not 100% happy with the engine and breaking so this was looked it after the race and it was running perfect ready for the last race.

Heat 4, 3rd with 41 laps, 4 laps behind the leader fastest lap 6.876 seconds.
Following the tweaks to the engine I was expecting another good performance. The engine was still not right it kept cutting out during a stoppage and was not quick on the re-starts. Also the front steering arm came loose so at the end of the race I had no steering so had to retire.

Final 7th out of 10 with 31 laps.
With 10 cars it was going to be a busy race with plenty of action and stoppages. I avoided most of the crashes and was pleased with how the car went although I was still experiencing problems with the engine.

Following the good days racing I am going to be racing at the British in a couple of weeks. I am going to get the parts I need for my second engine and get it ready so if I am still having problems I have the option to change it.

Gary set off trying the car and after a bit of engine tweaking the car was going really well but after inspection after a practise run the carburettor had come loose, this mean't that the engine was taken out the carburettor removed from the engine and resealed. The sealant set luckily so Gary could take his place in Heat One

Heat One

Gary missed the start due to the car stalling on the start line and was running last when the car stopped again after an incident with Tony Nevin.
I am unable to give any laps due to computer problems at Notts+Derby but i guess around 30 laps completed.

Heat 2

Before the next race Gary looked at the throttle linkage on the engine and made a sligfht adjustment before starting Heat 2

Heat 2 started and Gary was on the pace and steadilly going round but as the race progressed the car started to slow but Gary kept going as he was up with the leaders.

Result 2nd Place 46 Laps

After the race Gary inspected the car and the carb had come loose again it was decided not to risk the sealant again and the engine was given to Forty Six Oval Spares to be looked at so Gary decided to put the other engine in. Problem being the engine did not fit for some reason so with that Gary decided to pack up for the day and get both engines sorted properly but there are other developments (see News Page)

Next meeting Eastrax Sunday 27th April

Regards

Gary