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LeGrand Mk 18 : Warp Speed Nov 10, 2008

Going fast can take some getting used to. Captain Kirk probably faced this issue when he first took the Enterprise into warp speed. We experienced it, too, when we took the LeGrand down to Sebring for the Florida State Autocross Championships hosted by the Martin Sports Car Club. As usual with a Martin event, we had a blast.

Before we went, we upgraded the battery to an AGM cell from Powermaster. While the new battery is about the same size as the wet cell it replaces, it’s a lot safer for use in a vibration-heavy race car.

We also changed the rear sprocket from a 45-tooth to a 46-tooth to slightly lower the gearing. While we’re not sure of the final gearing that the car will need, we wanted to see how hard it was to change the sprocket and adjust the tension on the chain. Turns out it’s pretty simple, but it appears as though the chain needs to be adjusted on a regular basis. Thankfully, this is quite easy, too.

The event itself was mostly uneventful. Our first run was pretty tentative at 47 seconds, which is about where a G Stock MINI would run. We kicked it up a notch on our next run and turned a 43. We couldn’t improve on that time, due to a missed shift and a DNF on our subsequent runs.

Results can be found at Martin Sports Car Club’s Website

The LeGrand is essentially right-hand drive, so we need to get used to the fact that the left side of the car is bigger than we think. As a reference, the shifter kart at the event nailed a 42-second run. Meanwhile, an A Modified turbocharged Formula Ford took FTD in the 41-second range.

We’ve got a lot to learn before we become nationally competitive. The sequential shifting is a particular challenge, as we keep forgetting that “up” is “back.” Plus, there’s lots to do on the car.

Speaking of LeGrands, it turns out that LeGrand race cars have a small but rabid following. There’s a LeGrand reunion this winter at Laguna Seca on Jan 31-Feb 1 that is being hosted by HMSA that we’ve been invited to but will probably only cover from afar.

You can find out more about LeGrands and other Sports Racers at the Sport Racer Network

There is also a D Sports Racer Forum

Comments

Capt Slow:
Wow, that thing IS tiny. I didn't really get a good sense of the size of the car until picture #4 (car next to flagger). It seems more like a full bodied go kart than a car…
Nov 11, 2008 4:14 p.m.
ckosacranoid:
when did this project come into being? i guess i am out a bit on keeping up with things..sigh…
Nov 11, 2008 6:20 p.m.
Per Schroeder:
It found it's way into our garage about 2 weeks ago.
Nov 11, 2008 6:47 p.m.
tombumi:
I know what you mean about shifting. Twice already on a road course with my new DSR I thought I was upshifting and downshifted!
Nov 12, 2008 5:50 p.m.
ckosacranoid:
good luck with it. can not wait to see more details. dont you hate when things find thier way into your garage that way…..you dont have anything that i can find in mine would you? heheheheheheheh
Nov 12, 2008 7:46 p.m.
ckosacranoid:
i had to go back and read about this thing. i heard about a car your dad raced. i did not think this was it. i was thing something else for some reason. but its cool that you found a family peice of history though. good luck with it.
Nov 12, 2008 7:52 p.m.
PeterAK:
Cool car made even cooler by its history! Looking forward to more coverage.
Nov 23, 2008 11:55 a.m.
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