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Re: New rear disk brakes

To: mgs@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: New rear disk brakes
From: Eric <eric@erickson.on.net>
Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2004 23:53:03 +1030
MGBnutt@aol.com wrote:
> 
> Eric,
> Well, sounds like you had almost TOO MUCH fun out on the race track.  So, is
> there a proportioning valve installed to balance the braking force between the
> front and the new rear discs?  Sounds like you've got as bit too much braking
> in the rear!  I was recently looking into a rear disc conversion for my "B"
> but it seemed like too much trouble (hardware, hand brake, proportioning 
>valve,
> etc...) for the limited amount of street driving I do (no racing).  
> 

I ran out of money before I could do anything fancy with a manual or
auto proportioning valve - a manual adjustment would be ideal, but only
if I had plenty of practice time to play with the brakes.  Auto would be
ideal if it worked :-)

Further analysis (over a beer with witnesses) seemed to indicate that
the seriousness of the problem was due to a combination of factors; too
much rear brakes AND my rotten borrowed rear tyres (which were not a
soft compound and really just could handle the stresses they were put under).

> Is one of
> those dash mounted proportioning valves race legal?  I saw one of those on my
> mechanic's rally car.  Might help you dial in the brakes under track
> conditions.

For what I do and in my "modified" class now, yes they are legal (should
be bloody compulsory).


James Schulte wrote:
> 
> I would have had to change my underwear several times with what happened to
> you.  Hope the ride home wasn't to uncomfortable (-;


I have left this track on almost every corner over the past six/seven
years - I consider them "lessons to be learned from" and nothing all
that tragic.  I haven't hit any immovable objects or other vehicles so
you have just wrecked you run rather than your car.

When someone else asked me how scared I got I actually thought about it
and realised that, when it is actually happening, you (well I) actually
feel no fear whatsoever.  You are too busy working out where you are;
where other people are; where the walls are; and what you are going to
do next.  This time, for the first time, however, I have to admit that I
noticed I had the adrenalin shakes a little after I got out of the car
in the paddock and took off my gloves (and especially after I thought
about the incident and others described it to me).  Pity it wasn't on
tape somewhere.

Oh well, it was a good shakedown and let me know what I have to consider
for next time - just leaves you feeling less than satisfied with the day.


-- 
Eric
'68MGB MkII
Adelaide, South Australia





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