Track developments

[SPAXIMUS]

So following on from my last post it was time to go to see Dave Gallop at Track developments. This is located not far from Castle Combe Circuit on a farm based industrial site. Now if you are the sort of person who needs to see shiny things as soon as you get there you will be turning around and leaving as the building is uninspiring but Dave gave me a warm welcome and guided me onto the platform where all the adjustments are made.
After a nice cup of coffee made by Ben who spends some time here, it was down to doing the first initial measuring. I have my own tracking gauges and have made a camber gauge so was feeling pretty confident it would not be far out and indeed for a road car it was just that, not far out.
Dave then discusses what the car will be used for and then entered all the settings into a sophisticated spread sheet to work out what needed doing. First item for attention was the ride height and here is where the first problem was found. With the standard Westfield springs the car was too high and there was no more adjustment left so we needed two new front springs, which is why being close to Combe and Merlin is handy. At this point I would have just ordered shorter springs and that would have been a mistake! Using his spread sheet he worked out I needed shorter springs with a different spring. These went from a 9" 275lbs to an 8" 325lbs spring. The reason for the poundage change is that as the units are on a lean you have to compensate for the leverage effect this gives.  With these ordered Dave removed the coil overs whilst Ben and I collected the new units from Merlin.
These were fitted and the ride height was adjusted front and rear. Then we made sure the car was square front to back and then the adjustments could start. The camber on the front was increased by one turn on the ball joint on each side. If I had the adjustable sliding link that are fitted on the wide track units, this adjustment could have been degree perfect but as usual there are tolerances that come in during manufacture of the wishbones but it is close to perfect.
With these changes made the final setting could be worked on which was tracking and the corner weighting. The corner weighting is done with the driver in the car and aims to balance the weights on each wheel. This is done by adjusting the collars on the coil overs slightly until they are equal. Everything finished it was time for a run back home.
The difference was huge, the car feels a bit darty on the road but the turn in and road holding is much improved. The dartyness is due to making the car want to turn into corners and change direction, quicker on track. It is not bad or dangerous but noticeable.
The great thing about Dave is that they have all they need to do the job and much more. He was explaining everything step by step and demonstrating why this was necessary. There was no hard sell just honest advice.
There is a BKCC day arranged on the 19th of May which is sold out but would be worth going to watch as you will learn something. As I said if you are the sort of person who expects to see flashing lights and lasers then this is not the place. If you want well set up cars it is. Costs for what was done were very reasonable indeed but each car will be different depending on what is required.
If you are going to Stoneleigh, Dave is a guest speaker at the Complete Kit Car workshop session on both days' worth seeing.
Once again I have no connection with Track Developments just a very satisfied customer.

Jeff

['The Gaffer']

Nice write up. Dave does know his stuff.

Discounts to BKCC club supporters too

[fullpint]

I MUST get to see Dave, after all I only live a few miles up the road from him and my Mk could do with a little DTLC 

[Iainl]

Just booked my Aries Locoblade into Track Developments this afternoon, now keeping my fingers crossed it's going to be dry on 10th May.

Iain