Well, here's my story about Triumph Tartar (semi-cooked).
...19 year old kid just getting his TR 4a on the road - no paint and all...
drove like a maniac...decided to go Solo II racing so I could keep my
license.
Last event of the year, being videotaped for the awards banquet...Dave goes
out on a killer run (well, killer for a "beater" on old original Michelin X
radials) and pulls off half way through.
I had bumped the column mounted light switch during the run and I guess the
stupid revs + bouncing around did something under the dash. Next thing I
know there is acrid black smoke pouring out the dash vents - I thought the
car was toast (literally). Being on the far side of the course it took a
while for the guys to realize why I was waving at them for a fire bottle.
Rest of story - it was the rheostat and it took out the entire lighting
circuit - unfused, of course. my dad flat towed me home 5 miles. To this
day I still find fire extinguisher dust in the car - and it is completely
apart for restoration!! Since then I carry a hand held all the time.
Story 2.
GT6 racer that was involved in the AH3000 (afterwards an AH 2500 and a GT4)
incident.
I got my car back together within the month by using ONLY a new frame, 3
corners of the suspension, hood and all attached, water pump, alternator,
tranny and engine mounts etc. The last road race was exactly one month
after the D day and that same (now 30) kid with the TR4 wasn't about to let
his car win over his irrationality. It was in the high 30's (f) and rainy -
perfect LBC weather, not great for racing or camping. I was arriving
mid-afternoon as I had a C.F.P. exam that morning. So, everybody was
already there and occupied with race stuff.
WITHIN SIGHT OF THE TRACK THE GT COUGHED, THEN DIED, THEN FILLED THE
CABIN WITH SAME SAID SMOKE. Thankfully, as a racer I just pulled the kill
switch and that stopped that (most electrical fires are fueled by a
continuation of the current).
for the second time in a month, my car was pulled into the paddock on a tow
hook! This time, I walked in near freezing conditions, with no weather
protection, about 1/2 mile just to get to the gate Marshall.
Top that guys! TWO stories involving racing. Perhaps I should paint flames
on my newly bondoed bonnet!
Dave T
|