Rennwagens @ DDIII, Personal Bests & Broken Bits!

The weekend of the 5th & 6th of September saw the Rennwagens descend on Santa Pod raceway for the third UK Drag Day, hosted by VW Action. Among the runners from the club was myself, Dave Wain, John Walklett, Kev Donlon, Steve Turnbull, Lisa Donlon and Mike Riley, along with a couple of club prospects eager to turn the required times and reach full club membership.

Saturday started well with Kev and Johnny both turning some blistering times, Kev being the first Rennwagen member into the 11's just pipping Johnny to the post. By the time the dust had settled, both John and Kev had run well into the 11's culminating in pb's of 11.4 for Kev and 11.6 for Johnny. It wasn't all good news for the guys though, as partway through a run Kev had an engine problem that has pretty much wiped out his motor and ended with an engine fire. John was a little more lucky, having only (?!) managed to break another race axle.

The carnage didn't end there though, as Steve Turnbull was doing really well, running a best of 16.8 in his 2028cc full weight caamper, before dropping a valve. Steve had just returned from a road trip to Devon in his bus with his family where the bus had performed faultlessly but had to make do with a tow home...

My Oval struggled with traction problems, and one or two mechanical issues (a slight oil leak and a carburettor that made a bid for freedom) but after numerous attempts and coming tantalisingly close to the aimed-for 'Twelve' with a 13-dead pass finally got the ticket I wanted turning the quarter in 12.8 @ 109 mph.

Dave Wain couldn't match previous best times, having to take it easy due to a loose oil cooler fitting, but still turning some quick 13 second quarters in the process.

Mike Riley had his gorgeous samba back out on the strip and ran a string of strong passes, but again, no new pb for Mike.

Lisa Donlon drove her 2276 early bay bus to the strip and back, but not before giving it a serious thrashing up the quarter and getting a new pb of 16.8.

Club prospects 'Stussy' Rich Moss and John Parton were both intent on running the times this weekend and I'm glad to say both were successful, JP managing a 14.8 out of his beautifully prepared Oval bug while still fighting one or two mechanical issues, and Rich with his hard-as-nails 2332cc '65 storming into the 13's running a best of 13.6. Welcome to the Rennwagens guys.

Well done to everyone who got their cars to the track and got new personal bests, and condolences to those who've traded running cars for piles of parts.