It's a BIG thank you from me!

[Lolat492]

Ran yesterday in the Midland Champ's at Prescott where on my second run the NS rear suspension suddenly failed approaching Esses...

After giving the bank a big kiss the car literally ground to a halt.

The actions of the immediate marshals and the total control of proceedings and a nice bit of 'de-fusing' banter saw the Lola picked up on the Tonka and most helpfully the driver took it all the way suspended to my trailer and promptly popped it down millimeter perfect ready to take home with no extra scratches!

The car is all apart now and the culpit is easily identified. Some looney welded the upright ages ago and then ground the welds invisibly smooth leaving a hairs bredth of weld to do all the work.

It could have been so much worse, but i will be back.

Please accept my sincere thanks again. Great bunch!

Graham Loakes.

[guilleracing]

I am very pleased to hear that you have not been injured in this incident. It just goes to show how good the rescue services in the UK are.

This is one more example of why crack testing is an absolute must when it comes to lightweight uprights.

I hope you will take the opportunity replace the upright with a new one or have it welded by a properly certificated technician and have the other ones on the car properly crack tested! X Ray inspection is the best method.


Good luck and best wishes.

Greg.

[jo white]

You were very lucky Graham, shame i hadnt taken my mobile tig plant as i could have seemingly mended more than 1 upright. Hope you get it sorted soon and take Gregs advice on crack testing the others

[Lolat492]

Thanks for the thoughts.
I am being pushed by the wife(!) to have two new rears, and although Magnesium new one might be available I fancy going for steel fabrications (by someone who knows how to weld). Feelers are out already.

The 'drop' took out 5 rose joints, 3 x 1/2" one snapped off and two 3/8" ones bent.

I'm renewing the lot.

I had the uprights crack tested!

Never mind, it is only money this time.

Graham.

[pistonbroke]

Glad you're OK and the problem was quickly diagnosed, Graham. I must say you were remarkably phlegmatic at the time!

With Martyn's gearbox woes at Loton, Ralph's (second) inversion, and your incident, the marshalling fraternity are beginning to think there's a jinx on Hagley committee members. You've not upset any witches recently have you?

[Lolat492]

Just before my run I saw Mick Harriman and Kieth Edwards cowering over something on the ground, does that count as i woke them up...

The incident was incredibly sudden and that was quite a surprise! Woke me up to say the least.
These things happen, but Jon Rescue dude asked Jim G if he could send the other Hagley members home asap! I thought that quite funny.

Does this mean Ralf gets another Hooligan T shirt?

Rear bodywork repaired! Front bodywork desparate and need a witches spell to fix. won't be pretty.
Parts on order, but getting the new uprights will take time....