2021: An Unwanted Brake

Following the global pandemic it was finally time to safely get back out there, and our local event, the Wildlife Stages at Smeatharpe was chosen for the highly anticipated debut of the Subaru.

Being the first event in the car, teething problems were to be expected, but the weekend really didn’t go to plan. It started before we even got going when the diff controller started flashing and beeping at me in the queue for the first stage when I tried to set it up, and that set the tone really. With the diff controller not working at all, we struggled through the first half of the stage, and then lost brakes completely in the second half of the stage. Never a nice feeling when the pedal goes to the floor. Luckily we managed to escape and major damage and slowly brought the car to finish the stage. Unfortunately we suffered exactly the same issue on stage 2, so we came in a lap early to inspect. Nothing obvious found in service, other than a lot of heat. We understandably took it very steady on stage 3, still fighting the diff, but still set a fairly respectable time.

On stage 4 early on in the stage, we had the opposite problem, the brakes bound on! We pulled off and decided it was time to call it a day. Not the debut we hoped to make in the car.

Time for the 20 year old WRC brake setup to have a full refresh, and to diagnose the issue with the diff controller.

Upon later inspection and a lot of investigation, research, and investment, it was eventually decided to completely change the front brakes. The old callipers went to AP Racing but were unable to be refurbished due to a slight leak on the bleed nipple threads, so a new, modern setup was acquired and fitted with the support of Questmead.

The diff controller issue was found to be a wiring issue and easy fix. So the car was put back together and ready to go for 2022.