Stock S13 brakes(disks re-drilled to 5 stud) - I had some S14 calipers and discs lined up but turns out they are a bit seized and needed rebuild, and I had to get the car back on 4 wheels that day so went for the quick route
STL4! Was sick. Heres a few pics - Credit to Beasy Media, Lewis Simpson & Will Ashcroft {} {} {} {} {} {} Onboard from the day: Morning session - attempting backies Afternoon session - flat out in 3rd
I've said it once and i'll say it again, STL was ace! STL is a 2 day event, but I was only drifting the first day. So we got loaded up and headed up to Driftland on the Wednesday lunch time the day before, its a 5 hour drive so bit longer than we are used to(This isn't the only time we are doing it this year either)! Had to stop at Tebay services to grab a bit to eat and a toilet break. {} Got there and unloaded the night before and Hard Parked with the cool kids(excuse the number plate...was in a rush as it was late and I was starving)... {} The next morning we got to the track nice and early and Whilst unloading the car off the trailer the night before, I noticed it was struggling to go into gear and felt very stiff... Jacked it up and had a look. Found this... D'OH!!!!! {} Quickly found a bolt and got it thrown in and felt much better Went out for my first session and just did some nice and gentle laps getting used to the car - The new knuckles made the car feel really snappy and just how I wanted the car to be. I could not recommend them enough! They have tonnes of lock aswell, and I can get even more out of them if I get some kinked tension rods to allow for more lock but I think thats overkill tbh... The new Kenda KR20A tyres are also really good, the first session out in the morning you can really tell they are alot softer tire(300TW KR20 compared to 180TW KR20A). Even though I ran them at 40psi due to my lack of power, coming out of the chicane to get a nice run up the straight, they barely spun the wheels in 2nd gear meaning I could really hammer it. I really struggled to get to full lock throwing the car in with these even with super aggressive steering! Only managing when they were almost worn down to the wire and even then they were still really grippy! I also had my HSD Monopros set to 8 out of 16 dampening all day, so there is plenty of scope to gain ALOT more grip from them. Im excited to drive with them again and really try throwing the car about more on a track I'm more familiar with. Will Ashcroft got some good shots of my last few entries of the morning and this is full lock, let it slide for a bit and then back on power and its ace!! {} {} Laurie Southern also got a wicked picture aswell! {} This was after doing all morning on the KR20A and our first afternoon session. They lasted really well and wore extremely evenly. The right hand tyre has alot of camber wear due to the track being mainly right hand long corners with minimal left turns unfortunately and I run -1 Neg Camber in the rear. {} My first afternoon session out, all was going well until I went into the chicane a bit too lairy and had to slam on the brakes as I was heading off the track backwards at a considerable pace... the pedal went straight to the floor pretty much - boooo! I hobbled back into the pits using my handbrake to slow me down. Opened the bonnet and saw brake fluid everywhereeeee. I could see it dripping from the bottom of the brake line that goes from the Master Cylinder down to the joiner that goes to the rear of the car - very odd! {} Whipped it off and found this underneath...not even sure how this has happened as there is nothig near it and this was the bottom of the hose which would face the chassis rail...maybe a rock or something got inbetween and slowly rubbed away? God knows... {} Anyway, ran round for half an hour trying to find somebody else with a spare and had no luck! Was about to jump in the car and head to a local Pirtek shop and Harry Hudson came back off track so thought I'd chance it and ask him and low and behold he had the exact pipe that I needed!! It was a fully braided line that went from the master cylinder to the rear t-piece for the brakes. WHAT A LEGEND!! He even let me use his gazebo so I could hide from the rain a bit whilst swapping the line and re-bleeding the brakes etc... Amy got some pics whilst I was flapping fixing it so I could get back out on track. {} {} The red line is the new one that Harry gave me and as you can see it was extremely long haha, but it worked so I was over the moon! {} The rest of the day went smoothly, killing off a pair of KR20's in the process. The outer Driftland ring is real good, especially have a bit more power than last time I was here(when it was DE), and also having a real good lock setup - I could enter flat out in 3rd, dab of the handbrake and then just keep it pinned in 3rd for the rest of the corner! The car was creating a good amount of smoke. Laurie got a really cool panning shot {} Beasy got some good smokey shots aswell! I love how the car squats round here and tucks the top of the wheel lip - almost popping the drivers front wheel aswell! {} {} Chasing was the same, enter in 3rd, dab of the handbrake and then just run a really wide line flat out in 3rd with lots of angle and plenty of smoke! This particular session was really good! {} Driftland may be a simple track but I love driving here, Next year I will be pushing alot harder and definately try and rub the wall... We packed up and went home, back to work and then Driftcup Round 3 is this weekend(13/14th July) so prep for that incoming. {}
This weekend coming is Driftcup Round 3 at Teesside Autodrome(Middlesborough). So after last week at Driftland, I thought I best give the car a check over and an oil change. Up it went and did the oil change first off. {} Then took the rear wheels off to go change some tyres, and noticed some play in the passenger wheel and instantly thought FFS!! Had a look around and couldn't find anything obvious... {} Went to undo the driveshaft nut and noticed it wasn't very tight at all...tightened it right up with the breaker bar and re-attached the wheel. PHEW! Panic over, although I'm not sure how long it has been like this so fingers crossed it hasn't caused any permanent damage! Went down to AB Auto Work's and changed some tyres ready for Driftcup this coming weekend - If you are in the West Yorkshire area I would recommend these guys, they are extremely helpful and have many jap cars and know what they are doing/talking about. {} Last night I nipped over to a friends and grabbed a pair of 5x1 Skyline shafts off him as I have bought a 4.1 Skyline diff to go in at some point, one of the shafts had a split CV boot on the outer boot(nearest the hub). {} so whilst I was at AB Auto Works I replaced the CV boot aswell - Took the inner end off along with the boot and then took the knackered boot off {} Replaced it with a nice fresh new stretchy boot and bobs your uncle! These shafts feel nice and tight so fingers crossed with the new diff I won't have loads of play in my driveshafts anymore once it gets fitted! {} Then went home, did school run etc and washed the car ahead of Driftcup {} {} Just need to load it onto the trailer tomorrow and we're good to go I think! Hoping for a better result this time rather than a top 16 knock out for the 3rd time in a row! If you're local or have nothing to do and fancy a trip out then head up and watch some cool drifting!
Looks like I did just this... Absolutely mental weekend at Driftcup!! I will do a more detailed write-up later in the week But for now... Saturday - Unseeded Class I qualified 1st with a 90.3 on my second run, then battled my way to 1st place on the Podium!! Could NOT believe it, over the moon!! Words can not describe how happy I was at this point! Even now I still can't believe it!! {} We then had to find some last minute accomodation to stay overnight and then we competed in Sunday's Seeded Event. Huge shout to James Cross for giving me a pair of Kenda KR20 as I ran out on Saturday and didn't have enough to complete Sunday's event!! Even changing the tyres for me, what a legend! also Harry Hudson for letting me use his tyre machine!! {} Ended up qualifying 2nd with an 88.7 on my first run(stuffed my second run up trying to better my score and ended up destroying my rear bumper and debeading a tyre lol). Then battled my way to 2nd place on the podium!! {} Aswell as this, our Team(Low Power Potatoes) also won the Team Points for the weekend! My team mates were nowhere to be seen so I had to take all 3! haha {} So 2 days, 3 trophies! Absolutely stoked. {} This weekend could not have gone any better, Dreams came true! I am so so happy with my current setup! The car is flawless, I had 0 mechanical faults over the weekend, only opening the bonnet to check fluids and let it cool down after some hard battles! That was it! I also have a huge thank you to say to Amy, as she was with me the whole way, she has become an amazing spotter for me this year and is perfect! I could not with for anything else. I also have a few friends to thank for showing me support throughout the weekend even when not required, they stuck around and cheered me on!! Owen, Rob, David, Katy & many many more, it gave me so much confidence and I doubt I would have finished where I did if you guys weren't there! {} Also finishing in the Top 8 of Seeded Day meant that I got an invite to attend the next round of BDC at the NEC in Birmingham to try and gain my license... {} My car is currently down at AB Auto Works, as I'm working they are helping me prep it for BDC to pass scrutineering so I can atleast try and qualify!! I have an amazing group of friends and family and I would be stuck without them! They are so supportive and without hesitation offering support and advice left right and centre! I love you guys! Let's go get BDC!
Thanks dude! I was extremely surprised when I kept winning hahaha Big difference haha! Just need to up my driving again now...
How did you find driving against stu from driftworks in his e36 ? A seen a video in YouTube of you beating him then video ended lol. Goes to show you don't need a mega budget to do the business
Congratulations are well deserved. Youre absolutely ripping this season and I look forward to seeing how you get on in the BDC
Thanks man! Car feels the best its ever felt, its amazing! Haha I did wonder!! His car is stupidly fast!! I was lucky to keep up on the straights! but once sideways it was pretty equal, he couldn't pull away and I couldn't gain on him, wish I had better tyres though to match his 265 westlakes!
Your what i love about drifting homebrew beats££££ well done love your thread and your and family's support
So, think whilst I've got a bit of time I'll go through my weekend at Driftcup... It started out on the Friday evening, we arrived at the track just before 7pm and instantly unloaded the car and unpacked everything so we didn't have to on Saturday. {} *Boring text incoming re Clutch/Gearbox issues I've been having* During the day Friday I had been speaking to Dan Joyce about my clutch/gearbox problems of having difficulty going into gear... After we had unpacked etc, I got underneath the car and checked the play in the slave cylinder, confirmed with Dan and he said that was normal, so then he advised to correctly adjust my pedal - first set the height with the big 14mm bolt/nut at the front of the pedal, and then once that was done, crack off the nut on the rod from the master cylinder and adjust that until the pedal only had about 15mm of play in it - this way it gives the slave its full stroke of motion! Did this, took it for a quick spin, instantly noticed a difference! No clunky gear changes, it went in smooth every time without fail - you wouldn't think such a small change could make such a noticeable difference, and my biting point wasn't right on the floor either. We then packed up and went to the hotel for the night. Arrived at the track early Saturday morning and signed on, briefing and then checked the car over and went out in Practice, about half way through the practice session, I entered a bit fast and took a trip into the gravel trip, apparently all 4 wheels came off the ground! How cool! Unfortunately this removed the rear bumper and debeaded one of my tyres. Not ideal. {} Limped back to the pits and re-fitted my tyre, then went out and did a few more laps before qualifying kicked off - with my number in Driftcup being 107, it meant I was 2nd to qualify as the numbers ranged from 100-199. {} I will keep the rest short and simple 1st Qualifying Run I got a score of 79 which I was mega happy with, my highest of the season so far! 2nd Run I went out and nailed a 90.3 putting me at the top! 1st Place QualifierI was so happy! {} Top 32 Battle was against Ben Mears which was a good battle, both making small mistakes, but it was EXTREMELY close and I'm not sure how we both ended unscathed! I went on to take the win! {} Top 16 was against Danny Herald in his SR E36 - Another close battle but we went to a OMT and I took the win! The level of driving was unbelievable to say it was the Unseeded Class of Driftcup! {} Believe it or not I am actually in this photo... {} Top 8 was against Stuart McLellan in his crazy Supercharged E36 running 650hp and 265 Semi's... Over the 2 runs I made less mistakes and was more consistant giving me the win! {} Top 4 was against Damien Choppen in his wisefabbed 1jz E46 compact on Semi's...although he had issues with his prop we went OMT after the first battle {} After the OMT battle I came out on top putting me into the finals!! At this point I could not believe it, It was beyond anything I thought could happen! {} I was against Marcus Clare in his immaculate RB26 R32(Later found out that it was running 750hp on 255 street tyres!) {} It was an extremely close battle but I went on to take the win! I was gob-smacked and had no words!! {} Finishing in the Top 4 meant I could compete the next day in the Seeded Class, we had a late start and turned up just as the morning briefing was starting, then we went for a 30 minute drive to fill up, then came back and I did about 5 practice laps in total just because I felt pretty confident from all the seat time the day previous and I was running low on tyres! Qualifying came round and on my first run I nailed an 88.7! Mega happy with that {} 2nd run I did the same as the day previous and thought fuck it - threw it in and went a bit wide, ripped my rear bumper off AGAIN and de-beaded a tyre...AGAIN {} Overall I came 2nd in qualifying! My mind was blown that I was able to score so high 2 days in a row! Battles - Top 32 was against Mark Chapman in his Turbo'd E30 Touring - it was fast! Had a good strong battle and again I came out on top taking the win! {} Top 16 was against Steven May in his 328 E36 Touring, for the first time all weekend I had the power advantage! This was a fun battle and on my chase I felt really confident to be able to stick it to his door and keep it there! I took the win. {} {} Great 8 was a repeat of the previous day's final! Me and Marcus Clare! {} It was close and we went OMT! {} Again I had the slight advantage and took the win advancing onto the Semi-finals!! At this point I still couldn't believe that 2 days in a row I was in the semi-finals... In the Semi-Finals I was up against Chris Parnham in his gold RB S14.5, I felt pretty confident with this battle! I put down a good lead run, and on my chase I felt I was very consistant and stayed close to him throughout! {} I took the win again advancing into the finals for the 2nd time that weekend!!!! I was against yesterdays Semi-final battle, Damien Choppen in his 1jz E46 compact - this time he had fixed his prop issues and he was ready to fight! He fitted fresh tyres which is exactly what I should have done. But I didn't, instead I decided to sit in my car and roast in the heat whilst waiting for him, silly move! {} {} It was a fairly straight forward battle, and on my lead run, Damien was all over my door, and on my chase run I was miles away from him, I couldn't keep up at all. He took the win and I came 2nd - I was still extremely happy and couldn't even care that I didn't win!! After the final battle, we got asked if we wanted to do a 4 car train for 1 lap! We decided that would be a great idea and it turned out very good! I think the spectators loved it! {} Ontop of this I got invited to take part in the next round of BDC at Birmingham NEC, which I have agreed to and will put up another post shortly regarding it! Alot of prep is required! Huge shoutout to the photographers who got some amazing shots over the weekend!
BDC - Birmingham NEC - WOW When I get some more time I'll try do a full write up but fuck - I only wanted to qualify on the Saturday. {} Managed to qualify 19th and go on to take 4th on Saturday, meaning I could join the Pro's on Sunday! {} Then went and qualified 5th, got a bye run into the Top 16, and then knocked myself out of competition by dooring the lead car when I was chasing! Idiot! {} Honestly can't believe how this weekend has gone, absolutely overwhelmed with the amount of support I had throughout the weekend, my phone was going berzerk!! Even my 2 sisters came down and watched and brought Scarlett and their littles ones along! It meant alot! {} I can't wait to do a full season of BDC next year with a bit more power and alot more grip, that will be nice. I quickly realised my car has no pace compared to some of the lads out there! Time to start saving and make my car the best it can be for next year - nothing crazy though Will go through my onboard footage at some point aswell! Here's the damage the car sustained from the weekend... {} {} {} {} {} Even managed to split my lip! {} For now - speak soon! {}
Top driving man! I guess now I can say I’ve had a passenger ride with a BDC driver Are you gonna be at the three sisters round as well?
Really well done Charlie. Congratulations on the epic performance and your driving. Looking forward to seeing your progression in future! Least those rear lights survived!
