Last year I did a race at Bishopscourt 'up North' (as we say over here). Originally an old WW2 airfield, it had been used as a racetrack for years, then the military 'took it back', but over the past few years it has reverted back to racetrack again. My first time there, its a very fast track, with long straights and sweeping bends with the odd chicane. A good run for the Aurelia I thought.
However, on the day (weekend) we had torrential rain and biting wind. During practise the car seemed a little off power. I didn't think too much about it as I was more concerned with a leaking roof on my car transporter, an old double cab Transit (which doubled as a bed for the weekend)
Race started ok, I actually was ahead for about half a lap, when a Healey Silverstone went thundering past, Ah, I says to myself, I'll follow him and get used to the track....then the heavens opened...and my wipers failed.....
Not that the wipers would have made much difference, but a good excuse for later. 3rd on the day, happy enough.
Next event was Mondello a few weeks later, and I was about 6/7 seconds a lap slower than usual. A quick check revealed nothing, all plugs were sparking, but the car still felt odd, and there was a distinct 'ping' sound from somewhere. When I got the car home, I did a quick compression test, one cylinder was showing zero. I covered the car up, and left it there.......till today.
And this is what I found.....
