Super Trax Day, Zwartkops Raceway, 9 December 2012

Nothing strange, track side before six am. This is a special day, Fossa is fitted with her first set of semi slicks. Despite the weather office promising rain, we were very happy with the sun shine!

Fossa, towing / wet wheels off - semi's fitted and ready for action

We expected a low turnout – and the biggest turnout we have ever attended pitched. As per http://tuxracing.com/super-traxday-what-is-it/ ,  “B” Class was so big that it had to be divided into two groups.

Annalie takes first ride!

Eventually we get our chance and Annalie elects to take first stint on the brand new untested semi slicks! The seat is set far back so that Annalie can not dent the floor pan attempting to brake. On the corners I notice hands flailing for holding place. All goes well, no fireworks with regards to times, but I was very wary of how the tyres would co-operate! As seen in above photo Annalie was not tied down as she could fly the Ford flag on our final lap!

Annalie’s impressions, pride abundant. And she wanted another stint to make up her mind!

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Then it was the turn of our first visitor of the day, Gerdus Smit. Gerdus races Locost C Class. Clearly not “normal” having jumped from a plane the previous day and then pitching for a “suicide ride” in Fossa.

Gerdus Smit, aka, Queen Victoria, strapped in for the unknown, his second time in two days

Is that a strange form of fear in his eyes, nope, Gerdus soon to be certified crazy or stuntman.

Gerdus Smit, navigator and the day's advisor.

Will he do it all again? Time will tell.

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Visitor number two, photographer slipped up, no photo. Mari Ducasse and her father Gavin. Mari pitched for her second and longer stint in Fossa. We spent time having some interesting chats including HHO. Keep an eye out for Mari on the historic circuit in the future. We were however very disappointed with the extreme turnout and Mari decided to try her hand at gymkhana on the skid pan. Eventually Mari left without her stint. We will attempt this again on the 13th of January!

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Then our next visitor of the day, Jacqui Laffite makes an angel appearance in a white outfit. Jacqui did not get the memo, she was supposed to bring her “pink” Mini and racing gear to come and play with Fossa. Unfortunately she is still in the process of completing her Mini.

Jacqui Laffite popped in, wearing an unusual racing outfit, is that legal?

 

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Then our third visitor/s. My, my ain’t Fossa popular! A facebook friend who has made a few short fly-by’s in the past, Alex Thompson and his wife Joan. This time however we were able to convince Alex to park their camping chairs in our camp.

Alex and Joan Thompson, Fossa supporters

We had nice chats in between stints. Good to “REALLY” meet at last!

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Fossa exiting corner eight

In the remaining stints, Chris “Roach” accompanied me with Annalie taking the last outing on track for 2012.

Fossa showed signs of improvement

And then, the results of the day. Fossa’s road holding shows improvement, she attained a slightly better top speed and a lap time of 1:34.92. That is on the way to a three second improvement. Might be all we need not to be lapped on race day! So many things to still do, would have been cool if all our neighbors would go on holiday!

See a very short video here.