I have broken my gearbox 1 week before TOTB and i still have a smile on my face

Ive spent the last 2 weeks working on my car fitting lots of parts and doing all the "little jobs" and was finally finished yesterday lunchtime after having a full geo setup done at pca dynamics. All that was left to do was wash and polish the car ready for running at totb next week.

My friend came over last night in his tvr and we went out for a little play to get some seat time and get used to the handling etc. All was going brilliantly and i was amazed at how much extra corner speed i could now carry and how much easier i could put the power down. Whilst on my way back i was pushing on a bit and attempted a quick change from 2nd to 3rd i ended up with car stuck in second gear and the gear stick flapping around in my hand. As i still had drive i krept the car home praying it was just the linkage underneath that had broken.

I got underneath the car today and i wasnt that lucky, it would appear ive broken the 1st / 2nd gear selector inside the box

I was pretty much resigned to the fact that i would now have to cancel running at totb as it wont be a quick fix. I dropped Mark from TD Racing a text this morning (sunday and his only day off ) who im happy to say is a good friend of mine and i just let him know what had happened.

Mark called me back and i explained what had happened, he was out with his family as it was a nice sunny day and he said as the car is driveable for me to drive the car over to his unit and he would come back and open up and meet me there. I refused as i didnt want to put him out so much but he insisted so off i set.

I met Mark at TDR's unit and he juggled cars around as the workshop was full to make sure mine would be safe inside. I thanked him sincerely for going out of his way so much and i just said for him to have a look when he gets chance as i could see his workload was heavy and that i was already resigned to the fact i wouldnt be racing next week.

This is the part that then put a smile back on my face, Mark said he will get it stripped and inspected and ifs not a simple or quick fix then eithere way i will be racing next week, he said worst comes to the worst he will take the gearbox out of his own Hawkeye sti and have it in mine ready for next weekend

I wouldnt allow him to do it because im just not that way inclined so i may still not make the event but it just shows there are some good people still left in the world and that makes me smile

 

now that is going above and beyond! great to hear of service like this and such a willingness to help you make the event. applause all round for mark.

 

I wouldn't use anyone else. Always has time for his customers.

 

Great stuff glad you've got someone good behind you. You competing sat or sun

 

He really is a true gentleman and there arnt too many of them left and especially not in this game lol. In the past ive seen him take parts from his own car if issues had occured with customers cars on the dyno but to offer your own gearbox, and for me to put it on the dragstrip too

I was going to run on both days Joe, was planning on camping friday and saturday night but nothings certain now..fingers crossed...

 

Great service.

Had similar from Alyn @ ASP a few years ago when I destroyed 2nd gear 10 days before Scooby Shootout.

 

Yes mate Alyn is defo a gentleman to deal with too, another chap who will be on my appreciation list this Christmas

 

Good to know that there are genuine people who are willing to go the extra mile come what may.

 

Great service and I know how much it means.

I had a similar, a late night session with Tweaks and BRW Performance to sort my car before the JGM Shootout.

 

6 speed?

 

7 gears I think in this one !!

 

Marks a great bloke and goes out his way all the time for me !! Can't do enough !

 

As i said to him he will defo be going upstairs when the big man finally comes calling

He just text me Maz to say the box has been stripped and the parts are ordered so should be up and running by the end of play on wednesday

U not fancy coming up to totb at the weekend or are u busy playing with trains

 

UPDATE.....

Just got a text at 22:30 from Mark to say that he has just finished working on my car and its now ready and can be collected in the morning

TOTB is back on...see you all there

 

That was one quick repair. Nice one mark