Entered a vintage race this past weekend, I'd got the alignment and corner weights set, and a fresh set of tires in an effort to make the top three overall. We were running a new configuration, most of which I've run and during the first session it quickly became apparent I was one of the faster cars in my group. In the second session as soon as we went out on track I started passing cars right away looking to get as many clear laps as possible. I got past 4 cars by turn 3 first lap and then in the next few laps got past 3 Formula Vees. After that I got three clear laps in and could see I was catching the cars that lead the group. Round about lap 7 it was clear I would catch up front running cars but alas running through the esses in 3rd gear the car made a horrible rock crusher sound and shook my molars loose. Third gear was toast, I pulled off at the next station and then limped back the the pits at the end off the station. The salt in the wounds was when the time sheets came out I was fastest of the 18 cars at a 2:56.3 with the next car, a BMW 2002 turning a 2:59.6 and all the other cars were above 3:00.

There were a couple of pluses over the weekend; Datsun was the featured make and I did manage to get in on the group photo, we were pitted next to John Morton of BRE fame and we got to chat with him a little. Also automotive journalist / racer Rick Titus (son of Ford Trans Am driver Jerry Titus) gave my driving a huge compliment while talking to my 21 yr old son and bascially asking how the heck I got a 1200 to go 5 seconds faster than a Formula Vee.

The bright side is I've sourced a ultra close 4 speed to replace the busted mid close 4 speed.

I have disassembled the box and the cluster gear is trashed. As to why it failed either the tail shaft leaking and resultant low fluid levels did it in or as the input shaft bearing and cluster gear bearings seem to have varying amounts of radial play that could be the cause. This is the second cluster gear I've done in. The last one was about 5 years ago, to be honest I just swapped out the damaged parts and never checked the bearings. It's also possible that the A15 motor now makes enough power and torque to do in the box (it is a 56 series)...........anybodies guess is as good as mine.

Tom