Susan,
I am the person who was at the helm of the Spitfire and know the whole story.
All suspension parts were uprated well beyond the strenth and design
parameters of the original components. The axles were not stock as an
uninformed lister mentioned, nor did the car land and come to rest on it's
roll bar. I know this, I was in it.
As a result of advanced safety components I am fine after 4 roll overs. In
the true Vintage days, I would have died as a result of the safety equipment
of the day.
I don't understand how some folks unaware of what has transpired at an event
feel obligated to go on about it, usually with misinformation and
conclusions arrived at under false assumptions. Dick was way off base on his
account which is strangely unique given that he had no idea of how to wire
brake lights until my crew assisted him and did it for him.
Vintage is where this car and many others belong. If we wanted to drive at
30 mph we would drive our cars to the local pub and crow about it's past
history. We are helping to continue the history of these cars. As an aside I
have been involved with Triumph sportcars since I was 16, some 30 odd years
ago, I have over 25 examples of the cars in my possesion and work very
closely with a number of large suppliers in testing replacement parts. The
Spitfire in question is a vehicle I saved from the wreckers yard and was
built up from scratch. I know every bolt and square inch of the car, I
replace the hardware each year with aircraft grade fasteners and spend more
time preparing the car for a race than most folks spend in maintaining their
cars over their lifetime.
Vintage racing is one of the finast venues to exercise these cars imaginable.
By the way, how long have you been racing and what vintage events have you
attended in the last 5 years?
Perhaps I'll see you at the track
Russ Moore
Spitfire #49
President and Founder of the Fingerlakes Triumph Club
At 06:17 PM 5/24/97 -0400, you wrote:
>Roger Garnett wrote:
>>
>> On 24 May 97 at 8:35, Dick Rothman wrote:
>>
>> > One would think that at the very least competition axles would be
mandatory on
>> > any vehicle that could lose a wheel if the axle breaks.
>>
>> While a good thought, this could get pretty deep, and put many cars of the
>> track for good if parts are not available. While part of truely good
>> preperation is to use upgraded parts where possible, they are often very
>> expensive, or not obtainable. Hey, not even professional teams can catch them
>> all!
>>
>> There are numerous places that such failures can occur, many of which require
>> modifications, some which may or may not be "in the vintage spirit", or may
>> change outward appearence. Also, while some mods are covered by suppliers, or
>> in books about a peticular car, others are not. Many such mods might require
>> custom fabrication.
>>
>> This might be a good subject for some web pages, and I'd be glad make a
section
>> on the vintage racing web for any pages folks are willing to send me about
>> reccommended mods to their favourite cars. (Or, is anyone else is willing to
>> compile examples?) Some quick examples (how many does your car have or not,
>> and which ones might your club not allow?):
>>
>> Larger diameter wheel studs- requires modification of brake drums, hubs &
>> wheels.
>>
>> Wire wheels- higher spoke count wheels, higher quality spokes.
>>
>> Disk wheels- use modern alloy wheels, no "old fatigued" steel wheels, or even
>> older alloys?
>>
>> Spridget: double bearing hubs- reduces stresses on outside of 1/2 shaft.
>>
>> "Competition" 1/2 shafts. (higher grade steel)
>>
>> Uprated front spindles, steering arms, links, etc.
>>
>> What else folks?
>>
>> ________________________________________________________________________
>> Roger Garnett (rwg@autox.team.net) http://www.wayward.team.net/
>> Team.net Webmaster http://www.team.net/www/
>
>What is this telling you? go slower! or go elsewhere!
>If you want to race, go to a race club (i.e. SCCA or PSR). If you want
>to have fun with your vintage car, preserve it and enjoy it for what it
>is. You guys are taking these old parts far faster than they were able
>to go when new.
>JMHO
>Susan
>
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