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gjoconnor92
Really Senior Member II The eyes have it Joined: 21-July-2003 Location: Kildare and Limerick, Ireland Status: Offline Points: 735 |
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The Rain Stayed Away We were very lucky with the weather at Carrick on Suir Motor clubs Hillclimb weekend. Rounds 5 and 6 of the Premier Machine Tools Hillclimb Championship were held at Millvale near Rathgormack on Saturday and Garryduff near Piltown on Sunday. Saturday had 3 entered in my class I managed to take 1st place even with my driving cautiously. I did not want to make it 3 events in a row wher I was bringing home a damaged car! Pictures from the Sunday can seen here. Page 4 IMG_7621 and page 7 IMG 7838 and 7839 are me in the Vee . I did not set up the my camera on the car. The Saturday Hill at Millvale is a combination of a slow start opening out to quick last section with a tricky right hander before the finish The Sunday hill has been nick named the M50, it is so fast the incline of the road is the only thing that keeps the speeds from going ballistic. The car that finished 5th overall was on max revs in top which equates 136mph. I doing about 102mph, the Beetle engine just did not have the grunt to hit max revs up that incline. Overall a good weekend. Next event Carlow Motor club Sprints at Bagenalstown Sunday June 3 and Athy Monday June 4 |
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Gerard O'Connor
1989 E30 320i for track day use 1972 2002 competition car project (delayed!!) Sheane Formula Vee My e-mail |
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gjoconnor92
Really Senior Member II The eyes have it Joined: 21-July-2003 Location: Kildare and Limerick, Ireland Status: Offline Points: 735 |
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Mechanical Woes Since the my last update I have entered the Carlow Car Club's event at Bagenalstown and Athy and Clare Motor Club's event at Ballyvaughan and Carron The first day of the Carlow event at Bagenalstown was long straight with 2 chicanes followed by a square right into a narrow twisty bit. That's the nice bit. The not nice bit is IT RAINED.The day was a big gamble so I started slow and set a reasonable time for the conditions on my last run. The second day was a narrow bumpy road near the Moate of Ardscull out side Athy. I was 2.6 seconds slower than last year which was frustrating, I am blaming gearchange problems see below A week later at Clare. More gearchange problems on practice and First Run. Second Run got off start line and no more gears. Caused a red flag as a result and had to rolled back to startline and out of the way. The next day I offered my services to the organisors and spent the day in glorious sunshine about 1/3 of the way up the hill as a flag marshal. Car going for gearbox repair soon and should be ready for next rounds of the Premier Machine Tools championship at Dungarvan 7th and 8th of July organised by Tipperary Motor Club |
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Gerard O'Connor
1989 E30 320i for track day use 1972 2002 competition car project (delayed!!) Sheane Formula Vee My e-mail |
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gjoconnor92
Really Senior Member II The eyes have it Joined: 21-July-2003 Location: Kildare and Limerick, Ireland Status: Offline Points: 735 |
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The rain didn't stay away The Dungarvan hillclimbs took place July 7/8 organised by Tipperary Motor Club. Each day began with the threat of rain. Saturday had glorious sunshine in the morning. The practice run was dry on the revised from last year course. The second chicane was abandoned for 2007 bringing back the high speed blast that the Dungarvan hill is famous for. The first chicane was changed from a 2 element to a 3 element, this did not change speeds through the chicane much. The single as a group had just finished their first timed run and were waiting at the top of the hill to return to the paddock when the rain arrived. Having learned from previous experience I keep a Black bin under the seat to provide shelter while waiting. On returning to the paddock every single seater driver put their car on the trailer. The saloon competitors continued for a further 2 runs although times were greatly reduced. My time was 82.01 seconds which I was quiet happy with. Sunday started overcast a practice and 2 timed runs were in the dry. The rain then arrived and runs 3 and 4 were wet only 22 of the 68 competitors did the 4th run. Again no single seaters went up in the wet. My time 81.91s Both days I was the only competitor in my class so took maximum class points. I now require only one finish from the remaining 6 hills (3 weekends) to secure victory in my class. Next event Limerick 4/5 August I had picked the car on Friday from the workshop where my suspected gearbox problem was repaired. The problem turned out to be the lightened flywheel had broken. What a standard flywheel looks like It can been seen from the machining and drillilling done that there was not much of the standard flywheel left in this lightened version There is still a 3rd gear synchromesh problem to be sorted
Edited by gjoconnor92 |
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Gerard O'Connor
1989 E30 320i for track day use 1972 2002 competition car project (delayed!!) Sheane Formula Vee My e-mail |
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AHEALY
Really Senior Member II Joined: 05-February-2004 Location: Ireland Status: Offline Points: 946 |
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Ger, that is a great result even if it was by default. If you were to win, will it be your first time ?. Have you any other wins in other classes etc ?. Good luck in the Limerick event.
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Ado
'97 523i & 95 M3 97 Subaru Impreza WRX Sport Wagon (sold) |
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gjoconnor92
Really Senior Member II The eyes have it Joined: 21-July-2003 Location: Kildare and Limerick, Ireland Status: Offline Points: 735 |
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Last year too many Formula Fords meant the only time I got a third place was when one of them had sticking butterfly in one choke of his carb. This year all the Formula Fords moved to other classes bar one Declan McNamara. Only 2 other cars entered class 5A (both Vees) this year. Dean was quicker than me at Ballyallaban and I broke the car trying to beat him on the last run ! Nuisance these competitive urges. The other Vee driver Fran has a less developed car so has been no challenge to me (so far). Declan has missed a number of events this year so I have won 7 and Declan the other 5 of the 12 so far in 2007. In the Ritmo when there was a Ritmo class I used to regularly pick up 3rd places after Des Cullen and Tony Murtagh. Except for one glorious day when I beat them. Laragh had a spot where drivers who had done their run could spectate. Des said afterwards I would never repeat the way I took the last few corners, 1 of them on 2 wheels! Back in 1995 in a race I was running in a new engine, so taking it handy. A major deluge came and I continued driving handy. If I had known that the car passing me on the last lap was passing me for the lead I would have made it difficult for him. Everybody except me had fallen off the track at some stage so I actually led the race for about half a lap!
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Gerard O'Connor
1989 E30 320i for track day use 1972 2002 competition car project (delayed!!) Sheane Formula Vee My e-mail |
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AHEALY
Really Senior Member II Joined: 05-February-2004 Location: Ireland Status: Offline Points: 946 |
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Ger, under that cool exterior beats the heart of a lion, or maybe its a maniac
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Ado
'97 523i & 95 M3 97 Subaru Impreza WRX Sport Wagon (sold) |
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gjoconnor92
Really Senior Member II The eyes have it Joined: 21-July-2003 Location: Kildare and Limerick, Ireland Status: Offline Points: 735 |
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Time to rest At the Limerick Hillclimbs on the 4th and 5th of August, I only competed on the Saturday. I just needed the points from that day to clinch victory in Class 5A in Premier Machine Tools National Hillclimb and Sprint Championship. The Saturday hill is near The Old Mill outside Newcastle West. It is a quick course with only one slow corner near the start and fast kinks after that. I drove practice and 1st run cautiously to gather my points. Dean Laffey also in a Vee was only competition in the class on the day, so on Runs 2 to 5 I tried my hardest to beat him, but in the end he beat me by 2.1 seconds. Final Result Dean 47.68s me 49.84s Sunday I marshalled on the Boula hill near Broadford on the Limerick Cork border. One of the drivers when walking the hill said that I had the most significant corner on the hill and it should be interesting Boy was he right. First a Corsa couldn't straighten and mounted the ditch across from me, then an Uno spun just before that spot and finally a Puma ended up in the spot that Corsa had been in previously. The rear wheel drive saloons were very entertaining with their tail out antics. There are 4 rounds (2 weekends) left in the championship. Donegal 1/2 September where I intend to relax and spectate and MEC 15/16 September near Ashford Co. Wicklow where I have offered to do startline timekeeper for the weekend. After that will be the championship prize giving and then roll on 2008
Edited by gjoconnor92 |
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Gerard O'Connor
1989 E30 320i for track day use 1972 2002 competition car project (delayed!!) Sheane Formula Vee My e-mail |
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gjoconnor92
Really Senior Member II The eyes have it Joined: 21-July-2003 Location: Kildare and Limerick, Ireland Status: Offline Points: 735 |
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The 2008 hillclimb season has started The first of the event of the year was at Barntown outside Wexford town. Saturday started very wet and dried as the day went on. I finished 2nd of the 6 drivers in my class. The winner was a younger driver in a Formula Ford (about 30bhp more than my Vee). Sunday had one shower in the morning but cleared up. Same result as previous day. Before that I had tested in Mondello with the end result of a broken valve spring. I helped some hillclimbers at the Formula Libre testing at Mondello recently. As a thank you I got to drive one their cars (slowly!). The car was a 2 litre mid 1990s Formula Renault with wings and slicks. Comment, I want one! The grip of the slicks was amazing. As I said I drove it slowly, the regular driver was doing 57/58 second laps I was doing 63/64 second laps, not helped by a fuel starvation problem on the first part of the Esses. Only about a litre of petrol in the tank when I finished. But I have to admit I thorougly enjoyed my 15 laps Next event Galway Motor Club at Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare 19/20 April (next weekend) Edited by gjoconnor92 |
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Gerard O'Connor
1989 E30 320i for track day use 1972 2002 competition car project (delayed!!) Sheane Formula Vee My e-mail |
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beemerchris
Really Senior Member I Joined: 08-December-2006 Location: Dublin city Status: Offline Points: 388 |
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Hi ger
good to see you are at it again would love to come out and see the next run but have to finish the last paper for my degree (hand in date is 24.4.08) for sure will go and watch one later this year
best of luck in Galway chris |
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Chris
3rock-Car-Electronics-Services Cars.: e34 540t 6sp e24 635csi |
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kbannon
Admin Group E39 525i Sport Individual Joined: 09-October-2002 Location: 64 Zoo Lane Status: Offline Points: 15508 |
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Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor
Previous: 1989 E30 320i SE 1997 E39 523i 2003 E39 525i Sport Individual |
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denishogan
Really Senior Member II What’s this title thing about then? Joined: 29-March-2005 Location: Limerick, Ireland Status: Offline Points: 814 |
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I remember that! Apparently the park isn't on this year - shame, it's always great craic. See you in Ballyvaughan Ger. Edited by denishogan |
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kbannon
Admin Group E39 525i Sport Individual Joined: 09-October-2002 Location: 64 Zoo Lane Status: Offline Points: 15508 |
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Why? Or is just off for now?
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Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor
Previous: 1989 E30 320i SE 1997 E39 523i 2003 E39 525i Sport Individual |
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Fey!
Bavarian-Board Contributor Funs over, Scotty; beam down my clothes! Joined: 28-February-2005 Location: Galway Status: Offline Points: 4161 |
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Ger/Denis; be nice to the locals in Ballyvaughan; Digweed will be the bike marshall on both days, and I'll be somewhere between starter/paddock/everywhere for the 2 days! Denis; make sure you come up and introduce yourself this year. Ben O'Brien; are you coming up to spectate again this year? Ger; hope you keep the nosecone on this year! |
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Ben O Brien
Really Senior Member II Joined: 12-August-2004 Location: Limerick,Ireland Status: Offline Points: 1205 |
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@ David, yeah i hope to take a spin up on the sunday, its between this or the drifting in mondello, i should really be studying for my college exams in 3 weeks but its overrated! |
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99' 740iL
99' 728i Sport 98' E39 M5 - Avus Blue, Dec Car! 96' M3 Saloon - Estoril Blue 94' M3 3.0 Convertible 91' E34 M5 - 3.6, Macau Blue *E36 M3's Breaking* |
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gjoconnor92
Really Senior Member II The eyes have it Joined: 21-July-2003 Location: Kildare and Limerick, Ireland Status: Offline Points: 735 |
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I am a wee bit more cautious since then. Can't be too cautious though with 6 in my class at Wexford, maybe more at the weekend |
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Gerard O'Connor
1989 E30 320i for track day use 1972 2002 competition car project (delayed!!) Sheane Formula Vee My e-mail |
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denishogan
Really Senior Member II What’s this title thing about then? Joined: 29-March-2005 Location: Limerick, Ireland Status: Offline Points: 814 |
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I don't know tbh. It was mentioned on the radio last week. @Fey!: Will do. If I don't see you before the event, good luck with your side of it!! |
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nn_dd
Really Senior Member II Joined: 07-October-2004 Location: Co Clare Status: Offline Points: 602 |
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Eventually made it up there to see 2 runs. A hillclimb virgin, was good fun to watch as each car got it's own focus of attention, but the event passed by very quickly. Met Ger briefly beforehand - only got to see one of your runs though, Digweed on the bike (who was pretty busy and probably posted a good time himself !) Think I saw Fey after the event, not sure what he looked like and I'm a bit shy.......That white MkII Escort was absolutely nuts, there is definetley something else in that tank other than petrol, 2.4L 300+++ bhp,600kg and the noise..... Although Denis's M3 was by far the loudest car there - didn't meet him either. A lovely MKI escort bit the dust which was a pity. Have a couple of photo's, if ever get upload working for Vista I'll post up.
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E39 530d Touring
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denishogan
Really Senior Member II What’s this title thing about then? Joined: 29-March-2005 Location: Limerick, Ireland Status: Offline Points: 814 |
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Think I saw you driving up the hill after the event... is yours the blue four door M3?
The white MkII Escort was driven by Simon McKinley - some machine alright, and he's well able for it. Apart from brake trouble and poor grip, the M3 went well. All things going well, we'll be able sort out the brakes and get some new tyres before the next hill in Clare at the start of June. I hope to put up some of my in car footage during the week if I get time. Thanks to Fey and Digweed for all the hard work - really enjoyed the event. I only got to chat with Fey briefly - didn't get to meet Digweed at all. |
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Ben O Brien
Really Senior Member II Joined: 12-August-2004 Location: Limerick,Ireland Status: Offline Points: 1205 |
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Didnt get a chance to head up, ended up working 12 hours a day since thursday! In my limited experience of the hills they are good crack, much more fun behind the wheel id say!!
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99' 740iL
99' 728i Sport 98' E39 M5 - Avus Blue, Dec Car! 96' M3 Saloon - Estoril Blue 94' M3 3.0 Convertible 91' E34 M5 - 3.6, Macau Blue *E36 M3's Breaking* |
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Fey!
Bavarian-Board Contributor Funs over, Scotty; beam down my clothes! Joined: 28-February-2005 Location: Galway Status: Offline Points: 4161 |
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We were definitely kept busy all weekend! Not everything went 100% to plan, but it was still a very good weekend. Met Ger a couple of times, and spoke to Denis briefly (the doctor even remarked on his car). Also saw that lovely blue e36 4 door M3 passing by me. As for McKinleys escort, he had to refuel on the line at one stage because he had started and been brought back to the line by Digweed so many times. Not sure if Digweed got to post a time, but it would have been interesting to see! NN_DD; I was the guy driving the green freelander (doing the lunch run, cementing the oil spills, general dogsbody...) |
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