Friday night got to Rockingham and it was raining. New member of the team starting this weekend – Chris Stubbs.  A marshal looking to step up to the challenge to be a mechanic for the team.

 

Saturday morning came and it was drying but cloudy.  Normal procedures as usual but now showing the procedures to Chris Stubbs because it’s his first time.  Since we have a few more members of the team than Mondello last time out, (see previous blog entry,) there was less work for me and back to my usual routine of being just a mechanic.

 

For practice, I was hoping the weather to stay dry unlike Mondello and it did.  Although there wasn’t much sun, the good thing was that it didn’t rain.  Richard finished the practice as 4th fastest with a 41.124.  Best result for the season so far.

 

Race 1 and Rich started 2nd and finished the race 11th.  Got bumped by Nic Grindrod (#22) on the first corner of the first lap and this put Richard behind many places but he got his rhythm back before the yellow flags came out due to Michael Smith (#93) releasing oil on the track.  If Nic didn’t bump Richard, we would probably get another top 10 finishing.  Pete Wilkinson (#9) had engine problems during the race and was replaced with a new one for Race 2.  At the end of Race 1, Richard Novell went his official fastest lap around Rockingham with a 40.630.  There were no major problems with the truck after the race.  Just a small oil leak from the speedy engine.  This season’s engine is a major improvement to the previous year’s engine where it was dogged with mechanical problems all the time.

 

Race 2 was on Sunday morning just before lunch.  The weather was hot at times when the sun was shining and considerably less windy.  This race was quite eventful as at the end of lap 3 on turn 4, someone put Phil White (#63) into a spin and this caused minor damage to Antony Hawkins (#98) but major damage to John Stant (#18) and Rob Butterfield (#6) as both was facing the wrong way but Stant’s truck was hit heavily by Rob’s truck.  Thankfully, both drivers were fine with no major injuries.  Started Race 2 in 5th place and was 8th for most of the race until the last three laps.  Finished the race in 11th place again.  During the race, Richard and other drivers reported that their pickup truck was pushing during the race so we altered the setup a little for Race 3.

 

Race 3 on Sunday afternoon and the only missing pickup truck was Tony Mumford (#7).  He’s having mechanical problems with the pickup truck again.  Pickup truck #6 and #18 got repaired and was out on track again for the last race of the weekend.  Richard Novell started 5th again and lead at the end of lap 1 while Pete Wilkinson (#9) retired with a problem with the new engine while John Stant (#18) retired with a mechanical problem later on in the race..  The #24 pickup truck was still pushing in the corners.  Richard finished outside the top 10 again.  This time finished 12th just behind Michael Smith (#93). 

 

Besides minor oil leak in the engine all weekend, there were no other problems.  Just have to keep changing the setup to coincide with the ever-changing track conditions at Rockingham.  Overall the weekend was good as the most important thing was to finish all the races.  There is definitely a potential of top-10 place finishes in every race when the track is dry.  Lets hope this continues and if not, improves in the next race weekend at Donington with a back-to-back at Thruxton the weekend after.

 

See you later.

 

Yung

Mechanic

 

——————–

 

Return to the Rock – Chris Millet, Crew Chief

After a brilliant showing at Mondello the RMN team were full of enthusiasm
for this meeting. First things first though and the damage obtained at
Mondello had to be fixed. Richard set about sorting the bodywork and
fitting new dampers to the front, I popped up over the weekend to lend a
hand and between us we set the truck up in a very respectable time. Both
being not only proud how fast it was done but also that we had it exactly
as we wanted it for the race. With a few other long awaited tweaks being
completed this merely added to the confidence we all ready had.

With Yung doing such a fantastic job at Mondello (noticed by much of the
paddock!) and a trial run for a new mechanic Chris, we had a full
compliment to begin our weekend including a stand in Spotter in the form of
Ian. Once again it seemed the weather was against us as the heavens did
their best to wash away Rockingham. On the Saturday morning Chris and Yung
set about checking the truck over in readiness for the first practice.

Saturday Practice

The practice began reasonably well despite Richard and his drafting partner
not managing to leave the pits together, think we need to work on this a
little guys! 
Richard got on with the job in hand and set about putting in some lap times
that would see us reach 7th place. Not being suitably impressed with that,
as our best placing ever, there was more to come. This would not only shock
me but also half the paddock. Richard pops up on the timing screen in 4th,
yes 4th  place!  (I will admit it took me a while to find him as I was
looking a little nearer the bottom, sorry Richard) 
Richard pulled in so we could check the truck over and record our data, a
quick chat about the truck and how amazed we were to be that quick, the
session ended with a final 15 minute stint to make the most of the track
time.

Well with such a positive first run we were all pretty happy. Richard set
about telling anyone who would listen that he was 4th fastest in practice
while we prepped the truck ready for the “Fans Race” later in the day.
A small discussion with Richard about setup and a few minor changes were
made to the truck. It is probably a good time to note here that as a team
we are learning a lot about the truck this year.

Did he mention we were 4th quickest in practice? 

Race 1, Saturday

With the truck working so well Richard was more than happy to be starting
this race at the front of the grid. When the lights turned to green and the
pedal went to the floor I have to admit to being more than a little excited
about the prospect of what this race could bring. Unfortunately what
happened was the beginning of a trend that would persist all weekend.
Richard was doing a fantastic job but the front-runners were carving there
way through the field and when it came to passing Richard we got hung out
on the high line and could do nothing but watch as the line of trucks
passed by! 
This dropped us to 12th but with all due to Richard as soon as we got back
on the line he reeled the pack back in and fought his way back to 8th. As
the race progressed it became apparent that we had the pace to challenge
those in front but alas this wasn’t to last. In the last 8 laps Richard
began to lose pace and with just 3 laps to go we were hustled out of our
prided 8th place and slipped down to 11th, which still isn’t a placing to
be snubbed at especially as in this race Richard chalked up a personnel
best lap time of 40.6!

After a chat with a very sweaty Richard (he reckons he is losing weight!)
it turned out that the truck developed heavy push towards the end of the
race. This coupled with the unfortunate case of being put wide when being
passed is what would hamper our weekend.

Did he mention we were 4th quickest in practice? 

Race 2, Sunday

With another small tweak to the truck to try and dial out some of the push
that developed in race 1 we lined up for the first race of the Sunday. Once
again Richard drove a fantastic race and we settled into the battle that
would see us coming home for a second 11th place of the weekend. Once again
numerous places were lost to being put on the high line as the faster guys
came past and this allowed a much faster decent through the pack than we
believe was deserved. The lap time suggested that the changes we made
didn’t help as a 40.9 was the best Richard achieved. 
Although not one of the most exhilarating races for us a good on track
battle was had by Richard who was thoroughly enjoying being on track and
having the pace to keep with the middle runners.  

So another good finish to be chalked up for RMN Motorsport but a bit more
work to undertaken on the truck to try and find a solution to the ever
present problem of a truck that develops push throughout the race.

Did he mention we were 4th quickest in practice? 

Race 3, Sunday

We lined up 5th for this race and when the race started Richard was looking
feisty and for another shock of the weekend for all emerged in the opening
laps to lead the pack! Although it wasn’t held for long it was yet
another great achievement for the team in what was proving to one of our
best weekends to date at the Rock. Not long into the race and Richard once
again found himself out wide as the faster guys made their way through the
field. This again saw us drop more places than deemed fair until we could
get back in line and resume racing.
There was then to be a frightening experience as an incident happened ahead
that would see trucks being strewn across the circuit. Everyone from every
team held their breath as the field scattered in avoidance and thanks some
purely magical spotting by Ian, where he guided Richard through the scene
in an almost “Day of Thunder” like way. Great thanks goes to Ian here
for keeping us damage free, well apart from some rear damage (thanks Nic)
and some front bumper damage (pushing people round!).
Richard ended up fighting for 10th,11th and 12th the entire race where we
tried our absolute best to help Michael Smith round the circuit until a
unavoidable circumstance with some back markers saw us drop to 12th with to
few laps remaining to claw our way back.

Did he mention we were 4th quickest in practice? 

What we achieved this weekend as a team we are immensely proud and
deservedly so. During the weekend there were 13 trucks covered by just ½ a
second in lap times and Richard proved he had the pace to mix it up with
the majority.
We will continue to tweak the truck to find the ideal setup but all weekend
we ran consistent times and a very credible pace with our fastest lap times
being only a few tenths apart.
There are areas in which we know need to be worked at and the atmosphere in
the team is such that all will strive to make them happen and progress our
march through the pack lifting us from back runners to contenders for low
top 10 finishes.

Chris Millett
Crew Chief

Ps. Also a well done to Yung for his increased ability in keeping the truck
in tip top condition and a well done to Chris for his performance at his
first weekend with RMN Motorsport. Without you guys doing a fantastic job
with the truck I wouldn’t be able to chase Richard for data and decide
what to change. Did he mention we were 4th quickest in practice? 

A big well done I feel also needs to go out to Richard for driving a
faultless weekend, job well done!

 

One that will be hard to forget as it was just me and Richard in the team heading to the circuit.  As Richard’s official title in the team is “Manager/Driver,” mine for the weekend was “Chief Mechanic, Cleaner, Crew Chief, Fuelman, Jackman, Navigator, PA, Photographer, Wheelman” and of course, “Teaboy.”  So I was expecting a busy weekend for me except “busy” was an understatement. More like “non-stop” as the weekend unfolds.

Friday testing was on a wet track.  What was worse was that the window wiper motor ceased and approximately a minute before going out on track, it rained.  It was sunny all day except just before testing.  I had to do a “Guido” from Cars changing slick tyres to wets in the rain and guess what happened when the trucks was out, it stopped raining.  Two minor problems were sorted with some help from #93 team after testing, misfiring and the engine was ticking over too high.

Saturday morning practice was sunny and dry.  After 8 laps, the red flags came out and I was trying to find out who went off track.  Unfortunately, it was Richard who brought the red flags out..  He got off track while avoiding pickup truck #14 on a fast bend and ended up in the tyre barriers.  Not a perfect start to the weekend.  After practice, there was only bodywork and suspension damage to the #24 truck and so it was a rush against time to get the truck ready for Race 1.  After some help from Sarge from #69 team and a lot of tape from #2 and #63 teams, the truck was ready for Race 1.  However just before race 1, alternator problems prohibited the truck to start and thanks to Stretch from #9 team, the truck got out on track just in the nick of time and Richard done only 2 laps.  Why?  Because there was only a box of neutrals as the selector broke after further inspection.  Long night ahead as me and Richard changed the gearbox.

Sunday morning practice and completed with the truck pushing a bit.  No major problems which is a good start to Sunday.  Just need a good finish as well and hope nothing else goes wrong.

Race 2 starting last on the grid due to new gearbox and just want the truck to finish in one piece.  Other trucks were dropping out and Richard was surviving.  Finished the race in our first top ten finish of the season with 9th place.  There were more bodywork damage or is that tape damage as Richard bumped #7 truck at the same place as when Richard hit the tyre barriers.

All in all, the start of the weekend wasn’t best but all our efforts paid off for Sunday and we had a happy ending to Mondello race meeting.

A big thanks goes to #93 team and the Grindrod brothers’ team for all their help over the weekend as well as others who I might have forgotten.

What an unforgettable non-stop weekend.

 

See you at Rockingham!
Yung
Mechanic

 

 

Well the bank holiday passed and what a busy weekend for RMN Motorsport!
With the anticipation of our new engine being delivered it was fair to say
that there was a great deal of excitement within the team.

The excitement almost turned to despair thought as the engine was delayed
for a few weeks and concerns over which engine to use for Rockingham
mounting.
On the Saturday before however the phone calll came and Richard set off to
pick up our new power plnt which would be hot off the dyno when he arrived!

All that can be said is that the wait was well worth it and the RMN Pick Up
boasts some of the most impressive power and torque figures in the field!

With the engine cooling in the car Richard set off to the workshop where he
would meed the rest of the team to begin the task of making the new engine
feel at home in the Pick Up. This proved to be more of a demanding
challenge than first realized with a whole host of modifications being
required. This delayed our departure to the circuit and after two full days
in the workshop and one rather “robinson” looing alternator bracket later
the truck was loaded and off we set.

Despite the trouble getting the engine into the truck it seems to have
benefited us as the rest of the Pick Up circus spent two days being rained
upon! Content with the knowledge that we were dry and fresh upon entering
the circuit the Truck was unloaded and prepared for the morning practise.

Disaster struck as Richard left to join the others with the clutch decided
it wouldn’t dis-engage and thus rendering the Truck with no drive! Back
into the garage and once again the team had to remove the gearbox (3rd or
4th time this weekend) and investigate why. With the rest of the field
returning from practise (20 mins) the RMN team wre already preparing to
refit the gearbox having deciphered the fault, one to many spacers on the
thruxt bearing. With fault proportioned onto Chris’s shoulders the Truck
was rebult and happily drive returned in readiness for the first race.

Race 1

The weather have been so dismal all weekend it apperared that mother nature
was trying her best to give us a wet race. despite her efforts how ever the
rain stayed away long enough for the race to be declared dry if not a
little damp and 17 trucks thundered round the Rock looking as impressive as
ever. the RMN Pick was running well and due to a faulty water temperature
gauge and our own concerns over the engine it was decided that Richard
should pull in after 5 laps so we could ensure the engine was not over
heating. This unfortunately hindered our race considerably but the overall
result was that the engine was good, Richard being able to stay with the
faster trucks and the Truck only suffered with push.

The first race being out the way we took shelter in the Lorry as mother
nature finally delivered her threat and the heavens opened! With the Truck
checked over and a minor adjustment made to try and cure the push Richard
was bolted into the driving seat as the field made ready for race 2.

Race 2

Our confidence now running a little higher despite the damp conditions it
was decided to try and make the most of our pole position grid place. The
general plan being to allow the faster trucks past, on the inside line, and
then to latch onto the back and be pulled round hoping to pick up a
respectfull placing.

The weather being a major factor in this race and grip levels impossible to
guess from lap to lap, Richard did an outstanding job of running the Truck
at a comfortable pace in 13th and always looking like 11th was possible.
due to the lateness of the day however the full 35 laps were not to be
reached and un-known to us the race was cut to just 15 laps which meant
that the final push for 11th was never acheived.

All in all and despite the problems the team came away happy knowing that
there was more pace to be found in the Truck and we now have an engine that
can keep us on the back bumper of the other Trucks.

Lets just say this is proving to be a great year for RMN Motorsport and the
whole team energized and excited about the remainder of the season!

Chris 
Crew Chief 

Interested in Motorsport?

Do you like the idea of being a hands on member of a truck team?

RMN are looking for at least two more people to assist on race days with the running of the No 24 pickup. Ideally, you should have some experience of motor vehicle maintenance or perhaps some mechanical knowledge with an interest in cars, either way this would be an ideal opportunity for you to gain experience in a motorsport environment.

We are not a professional team so cannot pay wages for this position, but a team uniform can be provided along with food and the odd beer or two. We are a very friendly team and really enjoy a good laugh (not adverse to a good party in our awning) but we do take our racing very seriously especially on race days.

RMN are based in Bedford, but the race meetings are countrywide, so somebody from this general area would be preferable (or travelling would be at your own expense).

If you are interested, please e-mail: enquiries@rmnmotorsport.com

Cheers

Richard

I don’t think the weather could’ve been worse at the Rock last weekend, well apart from the month before at Brands, but that’s another story. The damp and cold conditions didn’t seem to hinder the racing though. Not one yellow flag!

Anyway, we managed 12th and 14th places in the first and second races respectively. Not bad considering a major oil leak happened about half way through the first race, ending with about a litre of oil left in the cab after the race!

With the oil leak stopped for the second race, tyhe no.24 truck headed out to compete only to find about 5 laps from the end the leak started again in earnest, this time spewing out more oil into the righ side of the cab.

Still, not a bad day considering, at least the rain had stopped by then….

See you at next months race at the Rock!

Richard

Great News!!!! Atomic Energy Drinks have come onboard to sponsor the RMN Pickup Truck.

Look out for promotional items at forthcoming meetings…

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! That was a first for us, racing whilst the snow was falling. Definitely different.

Not a great start, 14th and 16th over the two races. Let’s hope the weather at the Rock in april will be more forgiving…

See you all there

Richard

Ever hopeful for a better year.

The RMN team and Number 24 truck will be back in action for the 2008 season.

See you all at the track.

Richard Novell
Owner & Driver No.24