Maverick Grabber project in the UK

It was quite bad conditions with snow, Ice and rain. It was the first time ever I had driven a Maverick properly and I was suprised how well it handled the wet. Out of around 30 cars on the test day I was the only one who stayed facing the correct way at all timse. Say that I did have some very sideways moments when I started pushing it harder but found it very easy and forgiving to correct.

I didnt bother adjusting the dampers on the day just drove it to settle it down, I found the electric steering great around the paddock and better on track when turned off. Give a great feel of the road without being too stiff.

All in all im well happy with it

 

Is your front suspension stock and do the rules say it has to be stock?

 

Yes Bob its all standard as per the rules of the club I race with apart from a Shelby drop, Camber and castor adjustments with KYB gas shocks (soon to be changed for adjustable damping ones I have had made)

 

I built circle track cars for years and the word "stock" was written everywhere throughout the rules. I changed a lot of parts around that the rules considered "stock" but were just stock for other different cars. Our track didn't say the parts had to be stock for the chassis we were using. I started out with a 4 inch frame height and then re-worked the lower control arms to be level, making dropped spindles out of stock ones, and that was my starting point. Our shorter upper control arms were home made and had a lot of adjustment built in using heim ends. They were dropped from the ball joint back to their frame mounts 20 degrees. We recovered 1 to 1.5 degrees of camber for every inch of roll over in the turns that way. I had a lot of fun back then always thinking of the design of the next best "mouse trap" to make the car run faster and handle better

 

I'd say that was quite an accomplishment in that kind of weather. Maverick looks great and I am certainly "Green with envy"!

 

First race of the season on the 6th, Car already and waiting with the addition of a new belly bar thanks to Bob @ Chassis connection. Weather forecast looking good but some minor snow flurries. I know have fitted an in car camera with sound so I should be able to upload the entire race for you all.

Watch this space!

 

Have fun and be safe, remember to keep the shinny side up!
Will certainly look forward to the video!!

 

Oh and stay on the black stuff

 

Will certainly try to.....................need to get the rear end back in first.

 

Race day went well but with a few problems, Qualified 9th out of 20 cars. Got a flying start off the grid gaining two places. Third lap in I was 5th then soon on to 4th

Disaster struck when my throttle stuck open at the end of a straight but some how I managed to get around the chicaine only to spin out on the next bend. Lucky there was no engine damage as I switched off in time.

Carried on for a few more laps with the sticking throttle then the electric water pump decided enough was enough! So better safe than sorry I retired.

I need to develop the handling a bit but nothing major and change the front pads for something softer but all in all fantastic!

God bless Henry Ford you legend!!!! Long live the Maverick

 

All-in-all it sounds like your maiden journey was good. 4th place overall is really nice and you should be proud of yourself and Maverick.
Mechanical issues are always frustrating..................but at least you and Maverick live to fight another day.
What kind of issue was the full throttle sticking in the wide open position. Do you have double return springs like we are forced to use in NHRA/SCCA.
Do you have any videos.............................?

 

When your throttle stuck wide open, did your pedal go to the floor and you couldn't reach down to pull it back up?

We used one of these pedals in my stock car racing days that was designed with two steel foot bars - one that you pushed down for throttle and a second that was located above your foot so you could toe the pedal up in case the pedal hit the floor. This pedal would not work in a stock situation but you can get the idea.

 

Or depending on why the carb stuck wide open you could use something like this, NHRA requires a double spring.
If you have mechanical linkage then a throttle like Mav1970 will work.

 

We were also required to have double springs

 

I have a double spring set up on the carb but I think its a pedal faliure but I havent had time to look properly as it was getting dark.

I have a really cool in car video I will upload later today, Its in two bits for some reason but shows the cars awsome straight line power.

Watch this space