Snetterton 11/12th September 2004

We needed a good weekend to make up for the appalling weather and consequent disastrous farming season we are having.

The rain had at least enabled us to find time to fit the latest rear suspension modifications that Eric Purcell had designed and manufactured in the USA.

A new bell crank and revised mounting enabled us to lower the spring rates; we also had a re-valve of the Quantum shocks. Eric had run this set-up on our car in the States and was pleased with the result.

We had no opportunity to test the revised set-up before qualifying; the spring rate and shock settings were from the calculations Eric had made.

Track conditions were good and Nik was given instructions to drive carefully for four laps and then come in to report. I watched the timing screen as he went around the circuit, on the second full lap he was on Pole with a 1.14, two laps later on a 1.12 and into the pits. He reported an excellent driving car but too much rebound on the shocks. I took six sweeps off and he went out again, we had only fitted old tyres, as I wanted real feedback not masked by new rubber.

The times dropped lap after lap, to finish with a staggering 1.10.0, nearly a second under the lap record.

For the race on the following day we changed very little, a gearbox problem kept us busy for a total of five hours with five rebuilds, a selector was causing a problem.

Nik was dropped to third off the start but soon passed Bates and Rodger, pulling out a big lead and was never challenged.

The car is at last showing its true potential, Nik is thrilled with the drivability of the new changed package, he has now set new lap records with ease and looks forward to the remaining races in the UK and the Runoffs in the USA.

Rupert Russell has fitted the wider suspension and some of the other updates. Rupert now leads the Pinto championship with another win this weekend at Snetterton.

I hope the other racers are taking note of the improvements we have made and will be looking to the Van Diemen if they are in the market for a new car.

When I write the next report we will know the results of the Runoffs, I wish Nik and David Ferguson our American Van Diemen owner/driver, the very best of luck.