My engineering hobby - November 2016

Keeping racing cars on track

For design engineer Steve Parry, banger racing is an exciting sport, with close encounters and deliberate contact.

“I’ve been a spectator since my father took me to a race when I was 10 years old and in the early 1990s I starting taking my two sons to watch,” he explains.

“In 2009 my son Mike went to university to study automotive engineering. During his time there he joined the motor club, and used the facilities to prepare a scrap Ford Cortina for banger racing. He raced it at Trent Raceway, and since then both of my sons have raced regularly. I help with the repairs on race days whenever I can.”

Parry says the real fun starts after the race. The car may return to the pits unscathed, or it may have wheels hanging off, a deformed body shell or engine problems. “The first task is to assess the damage and prioritise repairs,” he says. “Time is precious, as the car needs to be ready for the next race in about an hour. I enjoy making improvised repairs when the correct parts aren’t available. 

“It’s important to maintain the performance and handling of the car as far as possible, because a slow car is an easy target and is likely to sustain more damage.

“There is fierce competition, but there is also great camaraderie, and rivals will often help each other with repairs. The reward for all the hard work and grazed knuckles is the satisfaction of getting the car out on track just in time for the next race.”

Do you have an interesting hobby? Email liz.wells@caspianmedia.com