Mid-season break finally over

The two-month break in the 750 Motor Club calendar finally comes to an end and the Team returns to their favourite Circuit for the three-hour 'into the evening' CARTEK Club Enduro race this coming Saturday (8th July).

With the addition of one hours racing to the usual two-hour format and the expectation of running towards one of Anglesey's famous sunsets the Team have spent the past two months wisely.

True to the team name - Together, We Progress - the driver debrief points from the first two rounds have been actioned and the Mk1 MX-5 has seen some major airflow modifications as well as alterations to both driver position and visibility.

The Team will also be changing their race strategy - specifically for the Anglesey round - by running both their Mk1 and Mk3 MX-5s in a relay format rather than as two separate grid entries: "We've been extensively testing the new Mk3 build but a three hour race on an unknown chassis (in terms of race miles) would be unwise, foolhardy even" said Team Principle Jon Earp. "Better to walk before running and break the Mk3 in gently with a shorter mid-race leg sandwiched between two longer stints for our drivers in the race-proven Mk1". 

Weapon

What all the testing has proven is that the Mk3 is an incredibly stable platform; a lot of work has gone into the aero design - with many of the lessons learned from the Mk1 build.

For the Students that have spent 18 months designing and building the car to hear the test driver describe the car as an 'absolute weapon' it was fair reward for their hard work and time investment! Referring to the commitment, Team Student President Aaron Hissey said "we've worked hard to build and present a car that we can all be proud of. When the car returned from APM Customs with the wrap to match the Mk1 we were all blown away, but to know she goes as good as she looks is a great feeling!"

So, onto the weekend; new to the TWP ranks, Stuart Brittle will start our three hour campaign whilst Will Earp will take the shortened middle stint with Nick Dougill - enthused by his outing with the Team at Snetterton - taking the final leg and the flag. The drivers will be running long (and making good use of the extended range tanks!) as the Team aim to throw just the two - compulsory - pit stops during the race.

Social Contribution In keeping with the Team ethos of real-time learning the Students have not just been spending the summer months in the Performance Car Technology laboratory but have also been busy engaging with local Schools - often taking one of the Team cars - with team building, inspirational presentations to younger Students.

2017 Race Calendar:

750 Motor Club CARTEK Club Enduro

19 Mar Donington 2hr 23 Apr Snetterton 2hr 08 Jul Anglesey 3hr 20 Aug Silverstone (Int) 2hr 01 Oct Spa Francorchamps 2hr

750 Motor Club Birkett Relay

28 Oct Silverstone GP 6hr

BARC / Mission Motorsport Race of Remembrance

11/12 Nov Anglesey 12hr

That's 29 hours of racing!!!

TWP: Together, We Progress. In partnership with Wrexham Glyndwr University.