Ken's Marlin at Castle Coombe
 

I subscribe to the Castle Coombe pictures on Flikr and just spotted these...http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6036/6...f6b7b281_b.jpg
IMG_0203 by Castle Combe Circuit, on Flickr

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6240/6...8e54d5bc_b.jpg
Supercar Saturday (48) by Castle Combe Circuit, on Flickr

Nice pictures...

Just logged on and noticed the pics, thanks for posting them up.

The new front dive plans coupled with boxing in the space between the front spoiler and the floor of the car have made a substantial difference to front end grip, turn in and erradicated high speed lift at the front. To be fair the high speed lift was contributed to by the high spoiler and downforce at the back.

Nice to see my line through Camp Corner on the 2nd pic with 2 wheels inside the white line and clipping the apex just right. I was probably doing around 90mph through there to carry the speed onto the main straight through Folly up Avon Rise and onto the dreaded Quarry Corner. On a good day I do not brake until the top of Avon Rise which leaves me just enough room to brake and get round Quarry but its cheek clencing stuff!

Thanks again for posting up the pics.

Hi Ken.

Do you have any pictures how you did the front end?

Pictures look great. Need to get some in car video.:biggrin1:

Hi John

I dont have any pics and my car is currently at TD having the chassis painted and a winter overhaul. The dive planes were designed by Dave Cooper and made by Eddie Ruskin of Dynamic Mouldings. Dave Cooper also worked our what needed boxing in under the front, I sourced the plastic from warrens in Bristol for about £20 and Dave Gallop at TD did the work after Dave Cooper had been through it with him.

The plastic flexes allowing the front still to hinge but goes back into shape when the bonnet is lowered back into place. I just use a broom handle as a bonnet prop while it is up. John Dry has the same dive planes on the front of his 5exi as we went halves on the design work. It will be interesting to hear Johns experience of the difference the dive planes make, although I an not sure if he has boxed in the front to smooth the air flow under the car.

When I did a track day at Donington it rained in the afternoon and the dirty water marks certainly showed a lovely arc over the front wheel arches where the dive planes were doing their job.

Glad you enjoyed them!! :smile:

Prior to fitting the dive planes my car was already more boxed in at the front than Ken's car, but his is now more boxed in than mine from what I understand.

At the same time as fitting the dive planes I also acquired some Dunlop slicks, so it's hard to be certain what effect the dive planes have had. The front end feels more positive at speed on the road, but is perhaps placebo. Maybe I will try swapping them on and off at the next track day.

My car's problem presently is all the grip means I have insufficient braking and I desperately need harnesses! Both on the to-do list this winter.