Annalie our tea-m manager and me have taken leave for Thursday through to Monday. Thursday after dropping the “Roach” off at work we head to Zwartkops Raceway, Fossa Ford Anglia in tow ….

On arrival we do the necessary documentation and scrutineering. A BECT from the Chicane Lounge and with the Kyalami problem sorted, I reinstall the side drafts …. Target off the day achieved, we head home.

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Friday morning, repeat, drop the “Roach” off, head to the track. Check all the vitals, head out on track, three laps in “Kyalami” challenge returns. Power loss and I coast Fossa Fossa into the pits. Not knowing the cause much chance to do anything I tamper here and there, replacing perfect looking fuel filters ….. etc. Fossa starts first try.

Not hoping for too much, we head out to qualify. Two laps done, Fossa is car down again and I only just make it to the bottom of the pits. Fossa refuses to start and we are stranded downhill from our pit ….

Eventually we have Fossa back in her pit. Course of action, well we know we are running the carburettors dry. Head off to a nearby spares shop, buy a new battery, just in case, some rolls of cable and a length of fuel hose …. Head back to the track. I replace the cabling powering the fuel pumps and ignition system. Head home ….

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Saturday morning. We are scheduled for the first race. Arrive trackside at 05h00, first task, replace the fuel line. Now we can only trust it will solve the challenge.

Race one: A few competitors decide not to go out as it is raining. This delays our start as well. We get the green flag and head out. Having run Zwartkops in the extreme wet with success before, for some or other reason I do not feel that brave. Maybe it was a good choice as there were a few spills out front with us having to take evasive action as our route was suddenly altered by a car parked across the track. During the race we are overtaken by a light blue Volvo (driven by an Irish gent?) under double waved yellows. Maybe they have different rules. A question that has to be asked is just how is it that a Mk2 Escort is allowed on track with the Pre66 Little Giants? What is going to be next? In my view it has damaged the image of the series.

At least Fossa Ford Anglia completes the race with no fueling problems.

Race two: We head out on a much drier track. Improved lap times indicates a trust in the traction offered to the rubber binding us to the track. I am surprised as I expected quite a few cars to pass and a challenge from the Kelly/ Botha MG. Highest priority, Fossa finishes the second race problem free. Of the ten competitors in class we manage a fourth overall for the day.

The immediate future. The next race is scheduled for Redstar Raceway on the 11th of March. A different challenge though, attempting to start Fossa two weeks ago had her wiring in her engine bay catch on fire. A quick fix is probably possible, but a total rewire is on the cards in the future …… ‘Till next time, cheers