The BGT was already loaded with tools so it was just a case of loading the food & drink before setting off again to Croft. We arrived early so I could hopefully get the TA fixed before too much of the day was lost. We were so early, they hadn't opened the gates when we arrived.
Once we got in and parked up, I set to on the TA. With it jacked up and supported, off came the wheel and the drum securing nuts. The drum wouldn't move at all so it was out with the hammer. There is little space between the inner wheel arch and the drum so I couldn't get a good swing at it apart from at the bottom. The drum finally came off after over an hour of bashing, sweating and some choice words.
Getting the stuck handbrake linkage to work properly again took more time than expected but finally the shoes were sitting where they should and it was time to put the drum back on. It went fine until the last quarter of an inch and it wouldn't go any further. Much messing about and checking later a friend spotted that some areas of the drum weren't clearing the lip on the backplate. Doh!!! While bashing the drum off I had also bent the lip on the drum. This required readjusting which took an age. Finally some four hours after I started, it was back together again.
While this was going on we heard that the parade laps were cancelled because they didn't want to risk mud on the track. Just before I finished the TA, they were back on again but too late for us with the TA. The BGT was booked for a later one so all was not lost.
Now it was time for a rest before setting off to see what else had arrived for Sunday. The field was considerably fuller today.
Once we got in and parked up, I set to on the TA. With it jacked up and supported, off came the wheel and the drum securing nuts. The drum wouldn't move at all so it was out with the hammer. There is little space between the inner wheel arch and the drum so I couldn't get a good swing at it apart from at the bottom. The drum finally came off after over an hour of bashing, sweating and some choice words.
Getting the stuck handbrake linkage to work properly again took more time than expected but finally the shoes were sitting where they should and it was time to put the drum back on. It went fine until the last quarter of an inch and it wouldn't go any further. Much messing about and checking later a friend spotted that some areas of the drum weren't clearing the lip on the backplate. Doh!!! While bashing the drum off I had also bent the lip on the drum. This required readjusting which took an age. Finally some four hours after I started, it was back together again.
While this was going on we heard that the parade laps were cancelled because they didn't want to risk mud on the track. Just before I finished the TA, they were back on again but too late for us with the TA. The BGT was booked for a later one so all was not lost.
Now it was time for a rest before setting off to see what else had arrived for Sunday. The field was considerably fuller today.
Because of an accident in one of the mornings races, the timetable was way out of whack for a while and it was later than expected when we did our parade lap in the BGT.
A big surprise was when a couple came up to us and said that they used to own Numbum. They sold it to the friend I bought it from back in 1970. We'd met them once before in 1982 when they saw us on the Beamish Reliability Trial and had lost touch since. It was gratifying to know that they watch our videos to see what we do with the car. It was great to meet them and we had an enjoyable time.
We hadn't seen much racing at all so it was good to get sat down on the banking and chill out. One of the races was another round of the HSCC Bybox Historic Touring Car Championship with the Minis, Cortinas, Anglias etc. The track was dry today and as the Cortina driver said yesterday, the Cortinas were in front this time.
Finally, it was time to pack up & head for home. We helped to pack up the MG Car Club stand, threw he rest of our gear into the BGT and hit the road.
One of the things missing this year that we enjoyed last year were the bus trips round the circuit, but I suppose it's difficult to fit everything in. We had a great weekend despite the troubles with Numbum and our grateful thanks go to all who organised, marshalled both on the field and the track, and the drivers who gave us some great racing. Thank you all!!
Finally, it was time to pack up & head for home. We helped to pack up the MG Car Club stand, threw he rest of our gear into the BGT and hit the road.
One of the things missing this year that we enjoyed last year were the bus trips round the circuit, but I suppose it's difficult to fit everything in. We had a great weekend despite the troubles with Numbum and our grateful thanks go to all who organised, marshalled both on the field and the track, and the drivers who gave us some great racing. Thank you all!!
RSS Feed
