[W126 Coupe] Hectic racing

[Dawid Loubser]

Hi Alec,

Well, you have certainly earned respect from a lot of people in the  
way you threw the big merc
around the race track - it'd be a shame if you have to stop. I  
suspect it's all the Porches and Cobras
getting embarrassed... sore losers!

You know, I can believe that your SEC outbraked the other cars. When  
I first got my SEC, I though the
brakes were OK, but that it didn't stand up to, for example, my MINI  
Cooper S's brakes. Turns out my
brakes were not properly sorted - ageing brake fluid, old hoses, etc.  
Since it had been sorted out, I am
still amazed at the brakes of the stock car - even though they are  
physically quite
small, and do overheat quickly if you punish them for too long  
(spirited driving), I believe the brakes
on these cars are exceptionally strong and direct, it does not feel  
like you're stopping almost 2 tonnes :-)

I wish MB had channeled some of the air entering the lower air dam on  
the bumper to the front brakes,
I am sure that would make a world of difference (I think that would  
make a lovely modification).

I'm sorry your SEC got bashed by the Triumph - hope you get her  
properly fixed up (it doesn't look too bad).

all the best,
Dawid


On 16 Sep 2007, at 9:17 vm., Divov wrote:


> Hi All,

> Feedback from yesterdays racing.

> It was hectic - probably the toughest race yet. Absolute "Ba**s to  

> the wall" stuff between the SEC, Porsche 911, Triumph GT6, Marcos  

> 3.0, and Lotus Cortina. Several times taking the opposition on the  

> inside through the fastest corner - two abreast through a not  

> recognised overtaking place.

> Since the last event, Bilstein SA even stiffened the adjustable AMG  

> shocks to what I considered ridiculously hard - and yet I loved the  

> car on the max hard setting! Turn in improved and no plough on  

> effect in corners at all. (The dreaded understeer characteristic  

> finally put to bed once and for all.) The result was I could really  

> attack the corners very aggressively and very late braking.

> The SEC outbraked everyone (??!!) It was slightly inferior putting  

> power down exiting the corners but carried about the same amount of  

> speed through the corners. Once in front, the other simply couldn't  

> get past.

> Regrettably, racing this aggressively, the Triumph GT6 outbraked  

> itself into turn 2 & rammed the SEC... I think he couldn't accept  

> that the SEC could out-brake him time after time.

> Race 1, 11th overall

> Race 2, 5th overall

> Aggregate for the day - 6th overall (28 competitors)

> We were approached by strangers in the pits who said it was the  

> race of the day and simply could not believe that one could hustle  

> a huge Benz that way. I think we earned a lot of respect for the  

> marque.

> Sadly, this is probably the last race for the SEC. There are 2  

> races left but the organisers have been coming under increasing  

> pressure about the Mercs participation since strictly, the class is  

> for cars upto 1977. The SA Motorsport control body have joined the  

> lobby pressuring the exclusion of the SEC and its a fight I have no  

> hope of winning.

> I will go quietly and have bought a Sirocco, a well sorted and  

> competitive car in which I will continue campaigning in modified  

> saloons.

> Racing the SEC was great whilst it lasted and certainly silenced  

> (or perhaps Stunned) the sceptics.

> Regards

> Alec D.

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