freedman

An idiots tale

For those of you running carbon or GF bonnets, with bonnet pins instead of the standard catch

Dont forget to put the pins back in before you drive off

Last night, got the car out of the garage to do a couple of small jobs, including try to cure the fan belt warning light coming on

Belt was find so removed teh pulley wheel and lubricated etc. All back together and no light, all seemed good

Though I'd best have aquick drive to make sure........

150 yards from home.. massive 'bang' and everything went black for a second

Then there was light and my bonnet (well most of it) was flying through the air behind me before landing in the middle of the road. Fortunately there was no one close enough to hit or get hit by it

Pulled over and recovered the bonnet, appeared to be in one piece but had delaminated near to screen end and left the lower portion bolted to the hinges

Got home and removed the piece still bolted on. Not sure if the hinges are damaged at all, but there are two significant dents in the lower scuttle (the bit hidden under the top of the bonnet) where the hinges have been forced upwards

Skin of the bonnet still fits on the car, but I will need to jury rig something to secure the top as I cant bolt to the hinges any longer

Realised this morning my RS bonnet prop was missing, so wandered down the road to find it unscathed in the gutter, the rivets having pulled out of the bonnet

Any UK based RLers got a spare FG or Carbon bonnet?

Rocket Rob

Ouch! Glad you are ok.

freedman

I'm fine, thank you, just smarting from my own stupidity!

Have to say even though it was at low speed it was incredibly disconcerting, and for a second or two I had no idea what had happened, until I saw it land in my rear view mirror

Onwards and updwards I guess

alexjc4

If you need my old bonnet to get running again I can drop over at the weekend

freedman

Alex,

Many thanks Tried to PM, but you've got no space!

Car is going to Project Nine this morning for service (race taped the bonnet down), so cant do anything till I get it back, but I think I'll wait and pick up a new FG on when I can. Will cobble something together for Snetterton next week

Look forward to seeing you then