Build Information

Given the TMC frame we had to set about building the vehicle around it. This involved sourcing of parts, choosing of parts, fabrication of body work, welding of brackets and all of the other general engineering tasks that go with it. As we build the car we are continually welding brackets / supports etc to the frame and so once the vehicle is finished we have to take it apart again so that the frame can be powder coated. Once this happens then the panels can be sprayed parts cleaned up and our thoughts turning towards the final build of the vehicle.

The good news is that the racer was driven last year for the first time and following on from these initial tests we were please to find that everything was working well. The only exception to this being the gearbox which broke, a replacement has since been sourced.

Following this successful test, and completion of a few more finishing touches of the body work and general fine tuning we were able to begin the strip down. this completed the frame was dispatched for coating panels sent for spraying and the final build begins.

The good news is that this re-build doesn't take long! In fact since it began on the 6th March 2006 great progress has been made and our thoughts are already turning towards the potential of completing the build within two weeks (20th March 2006).

Build Week 1
So it begins on Monday the 6th March and the process gets off to a slow start. A camera is set up on the wall of the workshop to record the progress. And we start to organise the parts. The floor pans are prepared and a couple of panels to go around the gearbox tunnel are fitted.

Sadly I was then struck with a very bad cold, followed by a trip to Ireland and so on my return (Tuesday the 14th March) was pleasantly surprised to find a great deal of progress has been made. Some new(ish) recruits have been assisting in the build, Paul and Ed in my absence and Ben put in some hours over the weekend. The result is that the Diff's / Transfer Box and Prop shafts are fitted. Wiring loom is in, pipe work, gear box oil cooler, floor pans fitted. Further to this the engine has been stripped and cleaned / checked and put back together, the new gear box has arrived and so engine and gearbox are ready to be fitted.

Build Week 2
Things are progressing well, the engine and gearbox are in as is the radiator and exhaust system. The drive train is complete, and all of the suspension wishbones are in place.

The brakes are now plumbed in, calipers fitted, including the handbrake. We have received some of the panels back from being sprayed, and so over the weekend we fitted the rear panels which will enable us to finish the wiring and fit the fuel tank this week. All going well we should have the engine running soon!

Build Week 3
Nearly finished. Another successful and busy week has seen us fire up the engine for the first time. After some minor issues with a flat battery the engine burst into life and ran up brilliantly. Given that a final tune is still required the engine idled extremely smoothly and has shown incredible capability to rev hard and fast! We have also engaged the transmission and proven that all is working well. We have also received the rest of the panels back from being sprayed and so are ready to finish the build.

Also our film company MBM (Matt Burley Media) have been busy filming the construction of the racer, we are all looking forward to viewing their footage.

We should finish the build this week, so we can commence testing over the weekend. It's our last weekend before the first race. The pressure is on!

Testing
The TMC is finished! So we have started a week of intensive testing prior to our first event. Preliminary tests have gone very smoothly. During tuning we spotted a small fuel leak from the fuel rail, which was quickly resolved. We then ran out a good few miles and so far have revealed no major issues, a slight vibration from the transmission under deceleration needs investigating. We were concerned about the high indicated engine temperature and so cut the test drive (after about 30 min's) short to investigate, but it seems its an anomaly in the instrumentation and engine temperature was fine.

We will be undertaking further tests throughout the week and will be finding somewhere to get it muddy as soon as possible.