Do you like the idea of being a hands on member of a truck team?

RMN are looking for at least two more people to assist on race days with the running of the No 24 pickup. Ideally, you should have some experience of motor vehicle maintenance or perhaps some mechanical knowledge with an interest in cars, either way this would be an ideal opportunity for you to gain experience in a motorsport environment.

We are not a professional team so cannot pay wages for this position, but a team uniform can be provided along with food and the odd beer or two. We are a very friendly team and really enjoy a good laugh (not adverse to a good party in our awning) but we do take our racing very seriously especially on race days.

RMN are based in Bedford, but the race meetings are countrywide, so somebody from this general area would be preferable (or travelling would be at your own expense).

If you are interested, please e-mail: enquiries@rmnmotorsport.com

Cheers

Richard

Photos of the last Rockingham meeting are now live!

April 2010

2010 sees a change in the marketing strategy for Pickup Truck Racing initially being actioned by changes to the bodywork that had been used for the last thirteen years.  The new styling will follow similar distinguishing features of current production pickup trucks.  This has been introduced to enable teams to source local dealership support of the marques they have chosen.
With a number of teams already taking the opportunity to upgrade their Pickups prior to the amnesty date of 4th July this will see several colour and graphic changes at the first round of the 2010 Championship.
In addition to the body changes a new engine has been introduced to the Pickup Truck Championship to reduce the accelerating costs of the highly tuned GM engine.  Introducing the new controlled Ford Ranger 2.3 Duratec Truck engine will offer new drivers and teams a cost effective alternative when joining the Championship.
The controlled engine package will include core OE engine, uprated connecting rods, pistons, high lift cam shaft with springs and hardware, inlet manifold and throttle bodies, wet sump system and controlled ECU.
The engine is tuned to replicate similar torque and horsepower to the GM unit it is replacing.  The engine package will be cost effective to purchase, easy to service by competent team mechanics and the build components will be supplied as off the shelf items.
The Pickup Management Team recognised the need for change and actioned a plan that will not only assist a number of the teams and existing sponsors and trade support partners to the Championship, but most importantly encourage others to join the adrenalin fuelled gladiatorial theatre motorsport named Pickup Truck Racing.

Updates will be posted as we get them:

10 – 11 April
Rockingham Motor Speedway

17 – 18 April
Brands Hatch

15 – 16 May
Knockhill

30 – 31 May
Rockingham Motor Speedway

13 June
Mallory Park

3 – 4 July
Rockingham Motor Speedway

17 – 18 July
Mondello Park

7 – 8 August
Thruxton

14 – 15 August
Pembrey

4 – 5 September
Donington Park

11- 12 September
Rockingham Motor Speedway

10 October
Snetterton

30 – 31 October
Brands Hatch

Here are the following dates to add into your diary:-

Rounds 1&2 - Brands Hatch - March 28th & 29th

Rounds 3&4 - Rockingham - April 18th & 19th

Rounds 5&6 - Silverstone - May 16th & 17th

Rounds 7&8 - Oulton Park - June 20th

Rounds 9&10 - Rockingham - July 18th & 19th

Rounds 11&12&13 – Donington – August 8th & 9th

Rounds 14&15 - Thruxton - August 15th & 16th

Rounds 16&17 - Rockingham - August 22nd & 23rd

Rounds 18&19 - Rockingham - September 5th & 6th

Rounds 20&21 - Pembrey, Wales – October 17th & 18th

Rounds 22&23 - Brands Hatch - October 31st & November 1st

Hope to see you all in 2009!

Yung.

Mechanic.

Saturday morning and the temperature was warming up so no chance of snow so we had rain instead.  We had a full team with Michael Russell and Chris Stubbs returning and so while Chris Millett and Michael was working on the setup, me and Chris Stubbs was doing our usual checkups before the trucks went out for Qualifying.  We went out on wet tyres as the track was still wet and Richard ended up 13th fastest with a 59.311.  Tech Inspection was after qualifying and we failed the Sound Test as the exhaust was emitting too high decibels although we passed it in Pembrey two weeks ago and nothing was altered.  Me and Chris Stubbs again done our usual checkups after qualifying and Chris Millett and Michael worked on repacking the exhaust to pass the Sound retest the next day.

Sunday morning and it was foggy but the track was wet from the overnight rain.  Due to the fog our first race was delayed.  We passed the Sound retest and waited for the fog to dissipate.  The track was still wet and so we went out to Race 1 with wet tyres on.

Sunday Race 1 and Richard would start in 7th place with Neil Tressler (#37) ahead of him and Chris Dawkins (#10) behind.  Antony Hawkins (#98) who is ahead of us in the overall championship was alongside Richard for the start.  Richard finished the race in 15th place behind the #98 pickup truck with his fastest lap as 57.595 seconds.  Richard was going well until near the end where the wet tyres started to go “off”.  Pete Stevens (#4) got wide at Paddock Hill Bend and picked up some gravel and on the same lap he spun after Surtees corner.  After the race Michael found a small leak on the left rear corner and it was found that the leak was coming from the half-shaft.  After close inspection there weren’t any signs of wear on the half-shaft and so he refitted it with a change to the O-ring. 

Sunday Race 2 and it was sunny and dry track so full slick tyres were on the pickup truck.  We started 4th and he finished 13th with the fastest lap as 54.435.  Nic Grindrod (#22) came into the pits before the first lap and retired from the race with a problem.  Michael Smith (#93) had a problem with his door and so he borrowed the door from Nic Grindrod (#22) and then continued racing.

We finished the season in 11th place in the Overall Championship with 2780 points.  Only 40 points ahead of Julian Arnold (#3) who finished in 12th and 133 points behind Antony Hawkins (#98) who finished 10th in the Overall Championship.

Many thanks again for the team of Michael Smith (#93).  Without their help I think we wouldn’t get to sleep at all at some race meetings with the problems we sometimes receive.

Congratulations to Gavin Seager (#54) for winning both races and also sweeping the 2008 season with 4410 points in the Overall Championship.  Well done to Richard Novell (#24) for finishing 11th which is so much better than last year.  2008 was a season of improving and learning and so things look good for the future.  Hope you all enjoyed the racing this year and those with withdrawal symptoms can search for videos of the pickup trucks on YouTube.

Hope to see you all in 2009.

Yung.

Mechanic.