At the secret test track!
Bluebell has a new engine and has been on Peter Baldwins dyno (for those who don’t know, Peter is a Guru when it comes to setting up cars like ours). The power figures were ‘satisfactory’ and we have also been to our top secret testing facility, deep in the Essex countryside to run the engine in and give the car a shakedown before testing at snetterton at the end of March.
The Whale has been undergoing a full rebuild to bring it up to the spec of the Red C. Including upgrades to the suspension, an engine rebuild and a full Sebring body conversion most of this work has been going on since the old websites demise and before the new site was up and running so it is fairly well along by now.
initially we thought that the shell was relatively sound however it quickly became apparent that there was much more corrosion present than we realised. in the event both inner and outer sills, the castle rails and sections of the floors needed to be replaced on both sides. In addition modifications had to be made to the roll cage and it mounting points and several smaller areas had to be repaired or remade along with some cracks in the bodyshell that had to be welded.
At some point the car had sustained crash damage to both the front and rear and the repairs, whilst sound,weren’t brilliant so we took the opportunity to sort these areas out also.
Once all the structural work was complete we could get on with the what we originally intentended to do, the fitting of the Sebring body and the mods to the running gear and suspension which is where we are upto now. The body panels are fitted (sounds easy if you say it quickly but in reality is a massive amount of work) and Steve has just got the shell in primer. We have most of the suspension components and for the engine new pistons are in manufacture in the USA and our secret engine builder has the rest of the bits ready to go back together.
The Whale in primer
Position: DriverLives in Jersey and jets to the mainland to race, the life of a Bon Viveur! A complete petrol head, he owns 3 MGCs, used to own a ‘semi’ race E type, still owns a couple of hillclimb/sprint Anglias among others!
He pilots the Red C and Bluebell
Some say; His nerves are actually made of steel and that, if you lift up his tongue, there is a label underneath with washing instructions, written in Belgian.
Position: DriverPaul is a Geordie from the ‘Up North’ and has been involved with Aquila since his time at Uni in Denmark. He’s a passionate petrol head and loves everything to do with motortsport. He passed his ARDS in 2015 and had a couple of outings in a Synergy that year. In 2016 he competed in a full seasons racing, sharing ‘Charlie’ our Synergy with Paul Watson.
Since then he has bought a Radical Clubsport… and taken it apart.
Some say: He faked his own birth and he cannot be seen by chickens.
Position: Special projects directorPaul is the proud owner of the Aquila CR1 which he says he sort of bought by accident. Having raced Formula Ford in the 90′s he has competed in the OSS in our Aquila Synergy in 2015 and 16, finishing class runner up in the 2015 season. He is a serial race car buyer and currently also owns a couple of other nice things including a Dallara F3 car and a historic formula Ford (which may also make an appearance in the future) while his future plans are working towards owning an historic F1 car.
Some say; His legs are sequential and that, if the wind is in the right direction, he can hear the colour blue.
Position: Team ManagerPaige graduated from BCU in 2016 with a First in motorsport engineering.
She is involved this season with preparing and running the cars, throughout race weekends she works on the cars and liaises with drivers/customers to make sure they are getting the support they need and is also part of the swinging sixties pit stop crew. She has also taken on responsibility for coordinating the team’s schedule to ensure we don’t miss any important briefings or indeed the race!
Some say; She can only say odd numbers and that potatoes worship her as their queen.
Layout: FR
Engine: Austin B series straight 4
Capacity: 1950cc
Power/Torque: tbc/tbc
Transmission: TranX SL72 5 speed/Quaife LSD
Driver: Matt Domin/Mark Lamont
‘Bluebell’ spent most of her life as a cosseted road car until 2006 when her then owner, Richard McKoen, modified her for sprinting, competing in the MG Car Club’s Luffield series. 2007 saw the car converted completely for racing, Richard campaigning the car successfully in the MG Car Club BCV8 series.
Snetterton march ’09, Steve hard at work, everyone else is just standing about!
Since 2009 we have raced Bluebell in class C of the CSCC Swinging Sixties Series, this extremely competitve and well supported class is for all four cylinder cars over 1600cc and our 1950cc engine places us in the middle in terms of engine capacity. We have upgraded the car during our ownership the biggest improvement being a new engine in 2011 and a 5 speed gearbox in 2014. With several class wins and a best race finish of 3rd overall at Snetterton in 2016 this is a competitive car!
Brands Hatch, May’ 09
Engine: Austin straight 6
Capacity: 2994cc
Power/Torque: tbc/tbc
Layout: FR
Transmission: Borg Warner T5/Quaife LSD
Driver: Mike McBride
Mike Bought this car in early 2008 specifically to race in the swinging 60s series, his first foray into racing!
The car runs triple webers, custom forged pistons and a one off steel crank and has had a 5 speed gearbox conversion the aim is to offer a nice balance between power and reliabilty. Adjustable dampers and wilwood four pot calipers at the front help it go round corners and stop.
Mallory Park May 2008
This is a really beautiful car that draws admiring looks wherever it goes, its also a well sorted and competitive racer!
The ‘Swinging 60s’ Paddock at Brands hatch.
Jordan has spent too much time with her Dad and as a result has developed a healthy petrol head obsession. She runs her own creative agency and so is in charge of keeping our millions of fans up to date via the magic of this website and something that ‘the kids’ call social media.
You can reach her at hello@curlywormcreative.com
Some say: Her food mixer has V8 power and that when she walks into Curry’s all the hair straighteners start to cry.
Layout: FR
Engine: Austin straight 6
Capacity: 2994cc
Power/Torque: tbc/tbc
Transmission: MG 4 speed/LSD
Driver:
Christened the “Grey Whale” by a previous owner, this is quite simply a superb old racer with a successful and long racing history.
Currently undergoing a full rebuild, including a Sebring wide body conversion the Whale is expected to emerge from the Scruffy Technology Centre in time to compete in the Swinging Sixties in 2013.
Watch the ‘news’ posts for further details.
