Racing My P15 On The Beach...

[Robin (UK)]

In a few weeks, I'll be taking my car to Pendine, in South Wales, to take part in the first annual Hot Rod Races at the historic Pendine Sands, which was the home of Land Speed Record attempts, prior to Bonneville.

Should be a lot of fun.

Here's some information...

http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/Hot-rods-rev-sands-racing/story-19686401-detail/story.html#axzz2cdkYCxO2

Edited August 21, 2013 by Robin (UK)

[Chester Brzostowski]

Hi Robin,

 

Make sure you take lots of pictures.  What are you expecting for your top speed? 

 

Chet...

[greg g]

Last year I attended as a spectator the 1st annual Race of Gentlemen.  This event featured prewar cars and motorcycles doing drag racing on the sand just south of Asbury Park, NJ.  fastest speeds were in the high 40's.  The sand was a bit squishy near the surf line at low tide.  The 2nd annual is coming up in October, they have moved the location further south to Wildwood, NJ area, and the sand is reproted to be much firmer and for a wider area than the first location.  From observing the cars last year, here are of couple hints for you Robin, when you finish your run and are turning around to return to the start area, turn toward the water not away from it.   Also it helpls to lower the air pressure in your tires for a bit more floatation. 

 

Here are the threads for the first and upcoming, I will post the link for your event to the new thread.

 

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=717724&highlight=race+of+gentlemen

 

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=815578&highlight=race+of+gentlemen

Edited August 21, 2013 by greg g

[greg g]

Hey Robin, keep a sharp eye out.......................................

 

 

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) acquired Pendine Sands during the Second World War and used it as a firing range.The beach is still owned by the Ministry of Defence; prominent signs warn of the dangers of unexploded munitions and public access is restricted. Monday to Friday part of the beach is closed off because of MOD operations. Between 9 July 2004 and May 2010 all vehicles were banned from using Pendine owing to safety concerns, but since May 2010 cars have again been allowed access

[Robin (UK)]

Chet - I wouldn't want to guess the top speed but it'd be good to break the UK speed limit (70mph).

I've had a tip that I may have the only registered car in my class (flathead, 6 cylinder, normally aspirated, full bodied car) so I could become a record holder. How funny would that be?

I'm really just doing my bit to help the VHRA to lay down markers for future years. They are a great bunch of guys and I'm pleased to be a member.

 

Greg - thanks for your messages. The Race of Gentlemen looks great. I think Pendine will also be memorable.

Reports are that the sand is very hard, so times should be quick.

I hope the guys look out for unexploded bombs... a blown flathead is good... a blown-up flathead is bad!

[greg g]

Watch out for these guys

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10138767

[knuckleharley]

In a few weeks, I'll be taking my car to Pendine, in South Wales, to take part in the first annual Hot Rod Races at the historic Pendine Sands, which was the home of Land Speed Record attempts, prior to Bonneville.

Should be a lot of fun.

Here's some information...

http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/Hot-rods-rev-sands-racing/story-19686401-detail/story.html#axzz2cdkYCxO2

Robin,speaking as someone who grew up learning how to drive on the sand dunes and beaches of the Outer Banks of NC,I can tell you there is no surer way to rust your car out than run it on the beach. This is especailly true if you run it where the sand is still wet with salt water because the wet grains end up thrown around under your car and getting in places where you can't see it or get to it.

 

You might want to see if you can find a place like a cattle dip where you can fill it with clean non-salt water up to a level of the bottom of your car,and then drive your car through it several times to flush away the salt water sand before it dries and starts the rust process.

 

Or maybe even a lift where you can get under the car and spray it thoroughly with a high pressure water hose.

[mrwrstory]

I've driven my Roadster on the salt at Bonneville twice.  Before I did, I liberally sprayed the whole underside with PAM, an aerosol cooking spray.  You should be able to get it at your local grocery.  It's very thin and weeps into the cracks and crevices and leaves a waxey residue.  Has no solvents that attack paint.  That was about 6-7 years ago and I've seen no evidence of corrosion. 

[Dan Hiebert]

I've driven my Roadster on the salt at Bonneville twice.  Before I did, I liberally sprayed the whole underside with PAM, an aerosol cooking spray.  You should be able to get it at your local grocery.  It's very thin and weeps into the cracks and crevices and leaves a waxey residue.  Has no solvents that attack paint.  That was about 6-7 years ago and I've seen no evidence of corrosion. 

Kewl. PAM works great on the tines/augers of snow-blowers, too. Helps keeps the "sticky" snow from clogging them up. I'm sure "snow" isn't a welcome topic right about now, but here it is for "hip-pocket" info in a few months.

[martybose]

I had no idea that PAM was so useful!

 

Marty

[Don Coatney]

Hard to believe that smoething you can eat right out of the can works well on so many things.