Caerphilly race driver Graham Cole endured a frustrating debut at the Silverstone Historic GP meeting after a mechanical failure ended his weekend after just four laps of qualifying.
Cole and the GCC Racing team had travelled to the Northamptonshire circuit earlier this month full of confidence after successful testing at Wiltshire’s Castle Combe in preparation for the event.
The Richwest Engineering-backed BPS7 Prototype had recently undergone a number of changes over the winter – including the installation of a new 2.4-litre naturally aspirated Honda engine to replace the car’s previous turbocharged setup.
Newly-designed wheels were also created by Richwest Engineering so they could accept wider tyres.
Cole explained the changes had been made to reduce the car’s weight and improve lap times around fast, flowing circuits such as Silverstone.
“It was these components we were testing at Castle Combe and in that regard all went very well,” he said.
“We also took the opportunity to finish the car’s mapping – matching the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) to the new engine we built over the winter.
“The turbo engine and its associated components added around 40kg to the weight of the car. That’s probably half the weight of an average adult, and while that’s insignificant in a road car it’s a highly significant increase to a lightweight race car.
“So that in a sport where additional weight means added lap time we’d found that the car was some two seconds a lap slower with the turbo engine, despite the greater power. Hence, the switch to the 330 brake horsepower naturally aspirated Honda motor.”
Despite having raced at Silverstone before, the team had never previously competed on the full Grand Prix circuit configuration.
“We were pretty upbeat and confident of a good result,” Cole added.
However, the team’s hopes were dashed early in the first qualifying session when the car suffered a dry sump oil pump failure.
on to a recovery truck
The failure caused the drive belt to snap, resulting in an immediate loss of engine oil pressure and forcing the car out of the session.
Cole said built-in engine protection systems may have prevented more serious damage.
“Luckily, we had mapped in a set of oil pressure versus engine speed cut parameters, which are designed to stop the engine instantly in such an eventuality, so we are hopeful the engine is OK,” he said.
“We will though be stripping it down as a precaution before the next race.”
The setback meant the team’s first appearance on the Silverstone GP circuit ended on the back of a recovery truck.
Despite the disappointment, preparations are already underway for the team’s next race at the Val de Vienne circuit in France.
Cole thanked Richard and Adele West of Richwest Engineering, along with wife Sue Cole – dubbed the team’s catering manager – and the rest of the GCC Racing support crew, for their continued backing.