PumaThunder
Member
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2016
- Messages
- 40
Hi Everyone,
A friend and I have got together to have a bit of fun on Track Days, After quite a lot of searching on the classifieds we've found ourselves with a 2001 Puma Thunder 1.7. We bought it back in March with these upgrades/changes:
AP Coilovers
Stripped + Rear cage
TSW 19" Alloys
Cherry Bomb back box :roll:
Race seats and 4 point Harnesses
It also has racing stripes and a rear wing for optimum downforce(!)
The drive home from Hull to Oxford was going to be a good test, and it managed with no problems at all. Over the last couple of months we've just given it a good tidy up and changed a few aesthetic features before spending too much , then looked into booking our first track day!
After picking a date and location not to far away, we ended up at Bedford Autodrome GT yesterday (20th June), the weather couldn't have been wetter but the car was healthy and we were raring to go. Our only concern was noise - Bedford seem to have a reputation for being strict, and it's one strike and you're out. Our static test was 99.3 db, a whole 1.7 under the limit, on we go...
Sighting laps were a good chance to get to grips (or lack of grip as it were) with the 3.8 mile circuit. My first tuition was at 09.35 with Mark from Javelin who was great, but 2 laps in and a "Noise!" board appeared so we had to go into the pit area to have a chat. One of the mics picked us up just 0.3 db below being sent home, they advised we should see if a local exhaust shop had something to help us out. We thought we could get it sorted and be back out after lunch at least, that was until we gained a misfire on the way to the garage. The day was not looking like it would be our day! Our priority then was to make sure it was fit to just get home and admit defeat, back to the track to say goodbye before heading home very disappointed.
Luckily Javelin allowed us to swap the Puma for my Clio Trophy and we used that in the afternoon, so not everything was wasted.
Next for us is a quieter exhaust (Any recommendations?!) and new ignition system bits, then back to the track!
A friend and I have got together to have a bit of fun on Track Days, After quite a lot of searching on the classifieds we've found ourselves with a 2001 Puma Thunder 1.7. We bought it back in March with these upgrades/changes:
AP Coilovers
Stripped + Rear cage
TSW 19" Alloys
Cherry Bomb back box :roll:
Race seats and 4 point Harnesses
It also has racing stripes and a rear wing for optimum downforce(!)
The drive home from Hull to Oxford was going to be a good test, and it managed with no problems at all. Over the last couple of months we've just given it a good tidy up and changed a few aesthetic features before spending too much , then looked into booking our first track day!
After picking a date and location not to far away, we ended up at Bedford Autodrome GT yesterday (20th June), the weather couldn't have been wetter but the car was healthy and we were raring to go. Our only concern was noise - Bedford seem to have a reputation for being strict, and it's one strike and you're out. Our static test was 99.3 db, a whole 1.7 under the limit, on we go...
Sighting laps were a good chance to get to grips (or lack of grip as it were) with the 3.8 mile circuit. My first tuition was at 09.35 with Mark from Javelin who was great, but 2 laps in and a "Noise!" board appeared so we had to go into the pit area to have a chat. One of the mics picked us up just 0.3 db below being sent home, they advised we should see if a local exhaust shop had something to help us out. We thought we could get it sorted and be back out after lunch at least, that was until we gained a misfire on the way to the garage. The day was not looking like it would be our day! Our priority then was to make sure it was fit to just get home and admit defeat, back to the track to say goodbye before heading home very disappointed.
Luckily Javelin allowed us to swap the Puma for my Clio Trophy and we used that in the afternoon, so not everything was wasted.
Next for us is a quieter exhaust (Any recommendations?!) and new ignition system bits, then back to the track!