Val des Terres, hillclimb Mon 25th May 2009

An early start - there for 7:30 so scrutineers can check over the vehicles. We passed without a problem, although the chap did shake his head at the stripped down lambretta pocket Rocquette racer, saying "you must be mad taking that up the hill".

We did and continued to throughout the day until we took the class record, held since 1995. A press interview at the end and half page picture in the press, a success I think and what a great day - weather kind to us with only a few spots of rain for the last run, anyway details of the day below.

Practice run, I go up to the first corner, camera ready and have a clear view of the start line. The tannoy says the scoot is up next and I can hear the engine reving at the starting line, light goes green and Jez whacks the throttle open - then bang... the  spark plug blows clean out of the head.

Back to the pits and we realise the head threads are knackered so quick trip to his workshop which is only 10 mins away. We decide to take the sprinter engine (just in case) and the head of another freshly built 250 motor. We speed back as there is not much time left until the next run.

Back in the pits we take off the head, calculate squish and are ready for second run - all goes smoothly without a hitch although the time was only around 46 seconds.

Jez not happy with the riding position moaning that it difficult to control so we move the seat forward and adjust the angle of the handlebars.

Also not happy with gearing we decide to change the front sprocket - not much time left until the next run so stress levels high. We put the stripped engine back together at break neck speed and realise a few engine casing bolts are missing... sh*t. A quick check around and we can't find them - too late to take the engine casing off again so fingers crossed they are not floating around in the engine oil. This would mean a possible seize and serious damage to engine. We decide to start the scoot and a few revs on the throttle all seems ok so lets risk it up the hill.

Third run Jez struggles to keep the front wheel down and the scoot is all over the place with the new gearing and loses valuable time off the line. I can't remember the time but it was not good although the front sprocket change means the gearing is much better.

Last run, good start, fast through the s'es and me and Tim at the end to watch Jez accelerates through the line to take the record of 43.58 seconds.

Well done, time for a well deserved beer.

New motor:Under development The next motor is based around a TS. The stroke is 64mm with a 120mm Rotax rod. To achieve this the cases needed a considerable amount of welding and machining to ensure that the crank fitted but also retained stength as a very deep channel is needed in the cases for the conrod to have clearance. Additionally the cylinder needs to be 11mm longer than standard, using a Wiseco Suzuki TS250 piston. Read more here...