Team Pontikak

Sunday 13th July - The Ring!!!

2008-07-27T22:45:00.006+01:00

On Sunday morning we set off on the 30 minute trip from the hotel to the ring. Dadnav was working well, dispite finding a section of our route closed (ignored the road closed sign) and having to pick our way through cones and a up what was once a road and now was a dirt track we took our place in the carpark with all the other supercars at the Nurburgring.

Driving the Kak around the Nurburgring was at the sametime terrifying and exhilarating. It is not the most agile or quickest of cars. Having 911's, M5 Ring taxis and motorbikes coming up behind you at over 150mph whilst trying to muscle a 2 ton lump round one of the most challenging tracks on the planet does tend to jeopardise the cleanliness of your pants at times! The only thing more nerve racking then driving was being in the passenger seat when Dad was driving.

Saturday 12th July - Brussels to Bad Neuenahr

2008-07-20T21:30:00.008+01:00

Got up Saturday morning to find our car along with most other Scumball cars looking like this:As it had rained over night and our T-top leaks this saved us sitting in wet seats for the rest of the day. As we unwrapped the Kak other non-Scumball guests took one look at our cars a then hurried off to see if theirs had remained unmolested (they had). We checked the oil and water (no water required and less then 1/2 litre of oil) then set off for Germany after finding another petrol station. The Scumball roadbook was faultless and directed us to our lunch stop in Eupen. Although the described fountain was considerably smaller then I imagined - more like a bird bath.We were amongst the first to arrive but were quickly joined by the others.

After several coffees and a cake we resumed our journey to Germany and arrived at the Hotel safely around 2pm. Some decided to get in a few laps on the Ring but we opted for the beer and lard based snack option. We also needed to perform the only piece of car maintenance that was needed on the entire trip - adjusting a slipping alternator belt. Whilst exploring the town we came upon Darryl and Geoff (Team Jamfund) who were waiting at the petrol station for the recovery truck to arrive as the auxiliary belt tensioner had destroyed itself on their Golf VR6. Their car was taken to the local VW dealer for repair.

Friday 11th July - Nottingham to Brussels

2008-07-20T17:46:00.002+01:00

Due to a clash of events at Donington Park, Mallory Park was substituted, before driving down to Dover to catch the ferry to Boulogne. As we were only confident in the Kak cruising on the motorway at around 60mph (and didn't want to miss breakfast) we opted to drive straight down to Dover so that we were sure that we would catch the ferry.

Unsurprisingly we were first of the Scumball cars to arrive at Dover and were eventually joined by the rest of the cars. Although a couple arrived late (due to water pistol and CB shopping) and were put on standby but still managed to make the ferry.

Once in Boulogne we filled up (again) and then headed to Brussels. At the end of a very long days driving we arrived at the Hotel near to Brussels airport. As we were warned against the Brussels night life and we were both tired we decided to eat in the hotel buffet. If you ever find yourself in the Brussels Airport Novotel I would recommend eating your own shoes rather then braving the buffet - I think I may have had Chicken in Readybrek???

Thursday 10th July - Last minute preparations & getting on the telly

2008-07-20T16:34:00.010+01:00

I finished packing the car (yet more Gaffa tape) and added a few last minute modifications.

The G-force meter was inspired by one I saw on a Skyline GTR but instead of complex japanese electronics I opted for a plastic plate, woolly string and and nut. I also added the stickers onto the bonnet that some of you had written messages/abuse onto in exchange for sponsorship money.

The Evesham journal also came round and took some pictures and ran this article whilst we were away. We then drove up to the Hotel to meet the other Scumballers. Both ITV and the BBC sent up local news crews to cover the start. We feature most on the ITV one, stick with the clip past the weather to see us all driving off.

ITV CLIP

BBC CLIP (we are only on near the end of this, shown driving off)

Scumballers are GO!

2008-07-09T22:45:00.010+01:00

Just about ready for the off.

I've spent the last few days fitting the CB (£5.03 from eBay and even older then the car, so bound to be top quality) and packing tools, spares, gaffa tape and string (but mainly gaffa tape) into the Kak ready for the start. I've also been busy adding a few more extra mods, but I want to keep them as a surprise for now.

I am officially - EXCITED!!!

We meet up with the other Scumballers tomorrow (Thursday 10th July) at the Novotel M1 J25 before setting off on Friday morning (11th July) to Donnington then onto Dover.

http://www.novotel.com/novotel/fichehotel/gb/nov/0507/fiche_situation.shtml

If you want to see the Kak in all its glory the we are aiming to be at the hotel from 3ish and a BBC news crew filming for Midlands Today is planning to be there at about 4ish.

We would be glad to see you and you could add your message to a sticker on the bonnet and maybe get on the telly!

I'll attempt to update the blog from the hotel with pictures on Thursday night provided I'm not "forced" to stay in the bar.

Thanks to all of you who have supported us

Karl

Evesham Balloon Festival

2008-06-28T21:13:00.007+01:00

Here are a few pictures of the Kak taken at the Evesham Balloon Festival on the 8th June.

Difficult to pick out in this line up I know (we are the £600 car next to the £140.000 car)

In The News Again

2008-06-09T21:21:00.004+01:00

This time the Grundisburgh News:

Graphics

2008-05-29T22:04:00.006+01:00

The car is beginning to look the part. Although the planned respray didn't happen due to reasons beyond our control, Dad spent many hours with the polishing mop and touch up paint and the car now looks great. Also we dodged the showers at the weekend to put on the graphics.

More Press Coverage

2008-05-19T21:13:00.003+01:00

This week Team Pontikak made it onto the front page together with a full page 3 spread of the Ipswich Evening Star.

Read the article here:

http://www.eveningstar.co.uk/search/story.aspx?brand=ESTOnline&category=EditorsChoice&itemid=IPED13%20May%202008%2012:30:17:537&tBrand=ESTOnline&tCategory=search

A pretty good article apart from them getting Scumball mixed up with Scumball3000.

Also this weekend I took the train over to Suffolk and drove the car back to Worcestershire and have ordered the graphics ready for our appearance at next Sundays Pershore Carnival.

Team Colours

2008-05-04T22:17:00.006+01:00

A sizable parcel turned up this week from the Perthes Association. In it they sent us poloshirts, caps and jackets for us to wear on the event.

Here is a picture of us (in a rather Littlewoods catalogue type pose) sporting the new Team Pontikak uniform.

A big thankyou to Lisa at the Perthes Association for sending us these. She also sent us a large quantity of car stickers, balloons, enamel badges and info. We will use these to extract even more money out of the general public (for the charity) at the events we attend.

Respray Time

2008-04-28T22:29:00.003+01:00

This weekend we moved the Pontikak from Worcestershire over to Suffolk where it will get a new coat of shiny black paint.

After loading the car up with tools, cable ties and of course Gaffa tape Dad drove the 160 odd miles without incident.

But I'm not letting him play with it for too long as we have been invited to Pershore Carnival on 26th May.

Sponsorship Letters

2008-04-20T22:08:00.004+01:00

Sent out the first batch of sponsorship letters today so fingers crossed.
I've decided to target a few local companies at a time so that I can follow up properly and respond promptly to any queries.

Also I've come up with the Team logo:

Lets hope that Pontiac have a sense of humour!

BBC Radio Hereford & Worcester Interview and Evesham Journal Article

2008-04-11T19:34:00.011+01:00

I got a call yesterday from BBC Radio Hereford & Worcester after they saw an article published in the Evesham Journal about Team Pontikak.

So it was up early this morning for the drive into Worcester to be interviewed on this mornings Breakfast Show.

Listen to the interview by clicking on this link:

http://www.mediafire.com/?pfubhcsmjif

Towards the end of the clip you will hear the unmistakable rumble of the Pontikaks V8.

Meeting a fellow Scumballer

2008-04-09T23:44:00.003+01:00

Met up with Matt, a fellow Scumballer on Sunday. He completed last years event in his Peugoet 405 Mi16 and is also taking it this year.

After meeting in Stratford for a bacon butty we made our way to Avonpark raceway for the Japmids RWYB (Run What You Brung) event.

Evesham Observer Article

2008-04-02T20:19:00.006+01:00

Sent out my first press release on Sunday night and had the Evesham Observer photographer around on Monday.

This was published on Wednesday 2nd April

The Evesham Journal are coming round on Saturday so hope to get into there next week.

Engine

2008-03-28T20:58:00.005Z

A request has flooded in for more info on the Pontikak powerplant.

Its the 305 cubic inch (5 litre) small block chevy V8, standard apart from an Edelbrock Torker II inlet manifold and a 4 barrel Holley carb. When new it pushed out a modest 150hp. I'm not sure how many of those horses have escaped in intervening 24 years though.

Engine wise we have done the following:

New Battery
New Alternator
New AirCleaner
New set of hydraulic valve lifters and push rods
Replaced the perished heater, fuel & vacuum hoses
New drive belts
New plugs
New rotor arm, distributor cap & plug leads
New thermostat (found that one from a Ford Ka fitted after emptying all the boxes at my local Halfords)
Converted to twin electric cooling fans
Oil & filter change

MOT - PASSED !!!

2008-03-20T16:48:00.005Z

After Dad sorted out the insurance I took the Trans Am for its MOT today and it passed!!!

Big thankyou to Clive at Paxford Garage for the MOT .

http://www.paxfordgarage.co.uk/

Paxford Garage is located at:

Unit 89,Northwick Business Centre
BlockleyNr. Moreton-In-Marsh
Gloucestershire
GL56 9RF

Tel: 01386 700814

Also thanks to Jeff from A.S.C. Auto Services (01386 701902) for his help and advice. If you have and American (or any other) car and need someone to look after it for you give Jeff a call.

MOT prep

2008-03-16T20:13:00.003Z

Haven't done a lot this weekend due to it peeing down with rain.

Did managed to stick the roof lining back up (and coat my hands and the windscreen in spray glue), add another rubber washer to the rad cap so it seals, thread the harnesses through our "Mamba" racing seats and stick the interior mirror on.

MOT booked for Thursday - So fingers crossed

2008-03-10T23:20:00.005Z

The tent came down this weekend. Partly due to most of the main jobs being finished and partly because I was afraid that it might blow away in the forecast 70mph winds.

Note the the T top sealing device or "Top Bra" as I'm calling it. Might have to cut a hole in that so I can see through the windscreen.

Tasty Wheels

2008-03-09T16:25:00.001Z

Dad came up with this idea - Bombay Badboy flavour

The story so far

2008-03-09T00:38:00.009Z

After buying the car in September and spending a couple of days of sitting in the car and making "brum brum" noises we started to assess our purchase. I'd managed to get it running on the first night although the engine didn't sound at all "sweet". After numerous attempts to adjust the valve lash with limited success we decided to buy a new set of hydraulic lifters, also:

The clutch was completely gone (you could leave the car running in gear without it moving)
Alternator wasn't charging
Flat battery
Choke cable broken
No front brakes
Nothing on the dash board worked
Rear lights not working

Better then I had expected!

We also realised that we would need some where to do all this work. Micheal Knight had a black truck to drive into when he needed to make repairs. We opted for a large beige tent. This made me enormously popular with my neighbours.
Pretty soon large parcels started to arrive from America and virtually every weekend was taken up with Trans Am tinkering. Dad making the long journey from Suffolk to Worcestershire on a Friday night and working all day Saturday on the car with me. Over the winter we have completed all the jobs above (and a few more). I just need to sort out the seat belts in order for it to be ready for a MOT.