Ash Mason & Steve Day - MP82 & MP97-01 Ash Mason says: “Steve Day and I have run 2 Pilbeams - initially the MP82/62 and more recently the ex Jos Goodyear MP97-01. We bought the MP 82/62 initially with the intention of using it as a ‘step car’ – we were both moving up from the Caterham/Westfield class and wanted a straightforward introduction to the racing car class and to run the car as a learning chassis for a couple of seasons. As the first season developed it was obvious it was actually a very competitive 2-litre package and with Mike Pilbeam’s chassis characteristics an easy car to learn and go quickly in. The car was the MP 62-008 chassis built for Peter Le Galais and owned by George Bleasdale, then Mark and Annie Goodyear and latterly owned (but not run) by Roy Lane. It had a 62 chassis upgraded to 82 spec suspension, then to 88 spec aero, with power from a 2litre Swindon XE and Hewland FGC gearbox. With handling tight and predictable the car could be abused and did not bite back so, if you tried to do something stupid, it would tell you early on. This characteristic was of particular benefit in wet and greasy conditions and allowed us to easily mix it with the unlimited class. All in all the MP82/62 was an excellent first car and great way to learn about wings and slicks. We achieved some very good times in the car and by the end of the first season had achieved 1st and 2nd in the 2Litre racing car class in the UKChanges Midland Hill Climb Championship”. Steve continues: “Towards the end of 2009 we had an opportunity to move into the unlimited class in the MP97. We had both admired the car when Jos Goodyear was running it and so it was a relatively easy decision. The MP97 is an evolution of the popular and successful MP88 tub but in this instance it has been heavily revised and fitted with Judd power. We have had minimal seat time so far but the time we have had has already shown that the likeable chassis characteristics of the 82/62 are in the later car. The key thing is that there is a good feel of what’s going on and the mechanical grip remains high. We found this vital in the 82/62 as it really helped in the slower corners on the hill climb circuit. The car features the revised aero pack to the latest Pilbeam design, an excellent Judd engine and sequential Ricardo gearbox so the 2010 season should be an interesting learning experience for both of us”. - Ash Mason & Steve Day 28-10-09