Old Fords Sprint Championship [Archive]

windy

08-03-2006, 00:41

I made some noises on here earlier about starting a dedicated Old Ford Sprint / Hillclimb championship. Having asked a few championship organisers I have just had a reply from the Midland Speed Championship organisers:

"Hi Graham,

We discussed your proposal for a new championship class at this
evening's committee meeting.

While we are not clear about the true level of demand, we have decided
to give you an opportunity to demonstrate this.

We are not going to amend the championship regulations for this season.
If you register for the championship this season you will have to
register in the Sports Libre Class. However, if 5 or more contenders
register in the championship expressing interest in the proposed Ford /
Rally car class then, at the end of the season, we will present awards
for this class as if it had been an official part of the championship.
The trophies presented will be identical to the championship class
awards. You will still be eligible for awards in the Sports Libre class
in which you are registered. Obviously if we have a good entry, we will
give appropriate consideration to formalising this class for next season.

On the other hand, if less than 5 competitors register in the
championship expressing an interest in this new class, then we will not
give out any additional awards, and we are unlikely to consider adding
the class for next season.

So, the ball is in your court. It's up to you now to define how you
want the class to work, and to drum up enough interest to convince us
that it is a viable proposition.

I hope you will find this offer satisfactory.

Best regards

John Phoenix"

So how about it then? I guess the suggestion is to run to the MSA rules for the time being which means all of us spread across the various classes, not just Sports Libre, there are other classes too.

I would suggest you all email John Phoenix individually to determine which class your own cars are eligible for if you are not sure. The rules for the Championship can be found at midlandspeed.org.uk

Also I could do with some help to publicise this & to help organise things if it gets off the ground.

Retromotorsport

08-03-2006, 10:53

Graham (windy) has been badgering the Midland Speed Championships Organisers to run a class that is only open to Older Fords, so that they can run in a fairer class system, ie a 8valve 1600 isnt up against a modern 16valve 1600,

this is a cracking idea and one that I fully support :thumb:

This is what Graham first wrote..................

"I have a Vauxhall engined group 4 MK2 escort which is competitive in its class for rallies. However when you try to enter it into sprints / hillclimbs there are problems because it doesn't appear to be eligible for the Modified production class, well for some of the events I do anyway. The rules for engines are very poorly defined in the Blue book which means at some events the organisers interpret the rules a different way & I have to enter the Sports Libre class with cars like single seaters on slicks. Obviously a heavy rear wheel drive escort has no chance of being competitive against this type of vehicle so it's a bit of a pointless excercise to turn up & try to win.

Having realised there are quite a few other people in my situation who are being put off from turning up at events because they cannot run competitively, I am in the process of trying to persuade some championship organisers to create a class for these type of cars.

If we can persuade the MSA & championship organisers that there is a need for some new classes to cater for this modified type of vehicle then we have some weight to our cause.

So if you are interested in competing in your modified Ford let me know & I'll pass on your interest to the people that can make things happen. A brief spec of your car to include engine type, capacity & mods to suspensionetc is all i need at the moment.

Watch this space."

So come on people, without your support this won't happen, its a blinding oppotunity to all get together and race against each other:woohoo:

markb

08-03-2006, 11:56

Game on. I'm up for this what's John's e-mail address and I'll send him something later on today? :thumb:

Retromotorsport

08-03-2006, 13:22

here you go Mark....

homepage...
http://www.midlandspeed.org.uk/

And contact John....
John Phoenix: Championship Co-ordinator
coordinator@midlandspeed.org.uk

markb

08-03-2006, 14:36

Thanks Gary. I'll get writing later today!

avenger penguin

08-03-2006, 18:36

I would like to help where possible, doubt my car would be capable of racing and doubt I could afford it, but would be more than happy to help with anything.

Retromotorsport

08-03-2006, 18:42

I would like to help where possible, doubt my car would be capable of racing and doubt I could afford it, but would be more than happy to help with anything.

Around £60 for each days sprinting... and if your cars got an MOT you can sprint it ...;)

mk1matt

08-03-2006, 20:32

I to would be very interested in this.
Is it held at just one venue?
Is it far?
And how many meets a year?

Sideways

09-03-2006, 00:07

This gets my support :thumb: I cant see me doing a full championship, but may do one or two local events.

I will email John tommorow when I get a free minute at work :thumb:

cheers
Steve

Retromotorsport

09-03-2006, 09:48

I to would be very interested in this.
Is it held at just one venue?
Is it far?
And how many meets a year?

Matt have a look here..............

http://www.midlandspeed.org.uk/venues.htm

:thumb:

FAL

09-03-2006, 12:17

Sprints and hill climbs need even more classes like a hole in the head. If you don't like current speed event vehicle regulations, join in the campaign to get them changed (the MSA GRs were created by people with no real knowledge of production based cars and the same applies today, with no progress towards a democratically-elected Motor Sports Council). Witness their hairbrained proposals for the future of rallying, which they have been forced to withdraw - but dont expect hybrid cars to survive indefinitely in club level rallying.
In the meantime, where are all the Escorts that could dominate both the 2000cc Roadgoing and Modified Production classes? (or 1801-2600cc in the peculiar south west - another reason why there is no room for new classes - the existing ones still haven't been properly cleared of regional variations!).
Gurston Down hill climb 2000cc modprod is dominated by Escorts. Lets see a few more out in the south east and the midlands! North Weald has just been saved for sprinting from the Sunday market mob - get the entries in!
But I'm afraid you wont get a favourable response too often to any complaint that classes should be adjusted to suit your car, not vice versa.
That's fundamental to all motorsport - and the more popular speed events already suffer from organiser' pandering to "one make" classes when a wide class structure already exists.
2000cc Escorts can win under existing class regs - any hill climb and a lot of sprints. Get out there!

windy

09-03-2006, 19:02

The problem is that most 2000 cc escorts do not have their original engines or suspension & they get put into Sports Libre which isn't a competitive class.

Yes I agree the MSA rules are not helping to encourage people out into the motorsport scene. There must be lots of special cars about that just sit in garages unused for most of the year because of this.

The reason for my idea to create an OSF class is that it will encourage these type of cars to get out there. Everyone gets a chance to enter any type of car, modified or not, in a category that we determine our own rules for. We have yet to decide whether:
A) a handicap system or
B) a new set of technical rules
is the best way to determine the class structure.

So if you are up for this I'd suggest you contact John Phoenix at the link posted above, let him know your interest in an Old Skool Ford category, send off your registration fee & get those entries to the events sent off ASAP.

To those who have offered to volunteer their time to get this off the ground I am very grateful. Once I get the OK to start moving things forward further I will calling upon you to offer some more assistance.

Cheers

Graham

markb

09-03-2006, 19:19

i think i need to see this blue book (or is that just a massive headache waiting to happen? maybe i'll just refer to Gary :D ) .. i have a 2000 cc escort (with non original engine) but my understanding is that it's generally be class c.

Retromotorsport

09-03-2006, 21:08

Mark... Class C racing... sprinting is a mine field in classes...

Keith, it because of the regional variations... differing class structures and the way the Classic Ford scene is moving that this Championship is needed, YB Cosworth engines are becoming just as popular a pinto.. and you know that to run a BDA is expensive, blow a Zetec up and its £200 for a new engine... blow that Wilcox BDA and its out for 2-3 seasons ..

This is a forward thinking idea... An all commers sprint... No one will be turned away on grounds of engine displacement,position, type or make.. and by turned away, I mean, not put in a class to strugle with single seaters running 3L Judd engines and the like.

This could be the same as the TRCC ... which was won by a Class D car in 2005 ... but everyone is happy in that championship, no-one whinges, everyone helps out, And the Marshals at Brands came into the bar at the awards and gave up a substantial ammount of larger to all the competitors... reason, for providing the best racing all year long, they didnt do that to the Britcars that were also at Brands that day .

It has always been argued that there are too many championships... one way of making sure the lesser surported one's are phased out is to open new ones, and if the new ones take off and competitors come over from other less well supported championships to a lively and buzzing one. Then that a winning formula.. bigger supported championships of fewer numbers.

This is an Idea to get non-competitors into the sport. And that is something i will always whole heartably support.... getting new blood, because without new blood the sport will die, and you know that its in decline.

mk1matt

09-03-2006, 21:30

Most of the venue's seem quite away away:(

Retromotorsport

10-03-2006, 08:40

Most of the venue's seem quite away away:(

Thats part of the fun, you get a nice drive in the early hours of the morning.... admiring glances from other early drivers... etc :thumb:

Quarterless

10-03-2006, 17:03

This looks good. I'm very interested, as I don't fancy sports libre. Just got to get the car built!

mk1matt

10-03-2006, 21:21

Thats part of the fun, you get a nice drive in the early hours of the morning.... admiring glances from other early drivers... etc :thumb:
True:thumb:
I should stop being so :doh:

Graham

11-03-2006, 10:10

i'm inlined to agree with an earlier post, that last thing that sprints need is yet more classes, what the classes are in need of is to be split on the basis of valve number as well as cc,

we often already have 17 plus classes for a mere 100 car entry which is silly, overhauling the class structure to take valves into account would mean old fords could stay competitive withing class without having to resort to BDA/BDX and other silly money engines

Retromotorsport

11-03-2006, 18:15

Graham, i think that is why windy has come up with this idea... as for years some people have been shoved in with the upper clases as they havnt got BDA/BDX money ... but have got Cossie money. Zetec, duratec etc... and have always been put off of sprinting because they will be up against the single seaters.

I agree there is too many classes and champion ship and as you say 17 classes for 100 cars .... 5 cars in a class, this championship has the oppotunity to unite some cars that are spread out in different classes, not through power, but just because their 16V 2L isnt a 23k BDA

windy

16-03-2006, 23:30

Sent my entry off. Cossie Matt doing the same. 2 group 4 Escorts so far, one Mk1 Escort & a Fiesta zetec. Anyone else going to get off the sofa!

andypipe

17-03-2006, 17:36

Sorry, already commited for the season. May try to get to some rounds though

Sideways

17-03-2006, 19:07

Mines in the post Graham :thumb:
all being well l shall be doing 3 sisters in April :thumb:

Retromotorsport

17-03-2006, 19:33

Mines in the post Graham :thumb:
all being well l shall be doing 3 sisters in April :thumb:

:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: top :banana:

windy

20-03-2006, 23:40

Sideways, have you decided what other rounds you are going to do yet?

Sideways

21-03-2006, 15:11

:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: top :banana:
:thumb: even the wife thinks its a good idea which makes a change :D

Sideways, have you decided what other rounds you are going to do yet?
not to sure yet Graham, we'll have to see how things work out, but I wont be doing the ones that are a long way away.

grahamb

27-03-2006, 09:10

Hello all.
Interesting thread, close to my heart really.
I've been registered in Sports Libre in Mid Speed for the past four years.
[My Mk1 XR2 has a 2.0 Zetec on throttle bodies, with around 165BHP, featured on my www.zetecinside.com web site.]

Even though I'm in SL, I still have many 1sts in class awards sitting at home, and I even won the Sports Libre class in 2003, finishing runner up for the last two years.

So, instead of saying "ooh, I'm scared of a little competition from the single seater boys", get your slicks on, get your entries in, and come and have a play!

As for the Ford class, I may be tempted. I'm already registered in Sports Libre this year, but if the committee is willing to give awards based on the quickest ford, I'm up for it.

windy

27-03-2006, 19:03

Graham_S1

27-03-2006, 20:38

gary.. great points :thumb:

I'll admit now that I know nothing about these classes etc. For instance could I put standard xr4x4 in to particular class?

sounds like getting the existing classes would be a long term change involving many peoples input. however, getting one extra class setup first would be a great way to get more people into it. then when the classes or finally decided (or even before then :D ), the once "newbies" who started out might want to narrow their choice down to a particular class, and yes, would bring loads of fresh blood in.

if I was starting out, I wouldn't care who beat me. there will always be someone quicker than you, and always someone slower. popcorn:

grahamb

27-03-2006, 20:48

Hi Graham,

I think I missed you at the rounds I did last year. They were early in the season at Harewood, Croft & then the dreaded Shelsley. Which ones are you doing this year then? I'll try to make a point of getting along to some of them.

Looks like I'm in http://www.midlandspeed.org.uk/Contenders_Libre.htm

Is the Steve Wilson in our class the photographer? I was speaking to him at the Lotus Show the other day & he now has a Lotus Elan 26R to compete in.

I had a reduced season myself last year, due to the new sprog, but this year I'm aiming to do 7 rounds, starting at Shelsley on 14th May, and including Cadwell (entry acknowledged).

I so wanted to see your escy in action last year, was gutted to hear about the Shelsley incident. Was it the top S? Did it do a lot of damage?

Unsure about Steve Wilson, where does he normally photograph? Not a name I recognise in Sports Libre. We should have fun this year. I've fitted an escort pedal box to the fiesta to get it to stop quicker. I'm running quite a hybrid, rose jointed suspension, throttle bodies, lots of work, but she puts a big grin on my face each time I drive her.

windy

28-03-2006, 22:17

Yes did quite a lot of damage coming out of the top S. Something to do with the car being a bit wider than the road at the time & as you know with vertical grass banks on either side there isn't much room when the cars going sideways. It needed the shell on a jig & 25 tons to pull it straight. Cage saved the shell & me so quite pleased to get out of it without a scratch or ache. All the hard work is done & I'm just waiting for the warm weather to do the paint. A couple of weekends work to put it all together again. As the saying goes "Old fords never die, they just get faster"

grahamb

29-03-2006, 06:42

Nick Gresty rolled his XR2 at the same event didn't he? Wasn't a good weekend for Fords. Did you see the pics from Croft last year? Your Mk2 looked awesome in the rain.

windy

31-03-2006, 21:26

Yes I think that was on the Saturday, mine was on the Sunday. Yes got the pics from Croft & I remember the big puddle on one of the bends that stayed there all day. It was certainly fun.

Update: John Phoenix at Midland Speed has had a few entries filtering in now. There WILL be a class for Old Skool Fords to score in the overall standings of the Championship for 2006. He has enough entries to create a class I think. However, there won't be a dedicated Ford class on the day at events YET, so people will need to run in the usual classes defined by the current Midland Speed regulations on the day. As I mentioned, next year things will likely change for the better & we will have our own dedicated class assuming the Old Skool Ford class becomes popular.

To everyone:

I am being asked to define what an Old Skool Car is. The championship co-ordinator needs a rule on this set so that he can determine eligibility. What cars are we allowing & what is the minimum age requirement? Do they need to be rear wheel drive only? Your input please?

Currently on the list I have:
1) Ford Anglia
2) Ford Escort MK1
3) Ford Capri
4) Ford Escort MK2
5) Ford Cortina MK1 & 2
6) Fiesta MK1 & 2 ? I know they are front wheel drive & quite young! Should we allow them in? (undecided but there is interest)
7) Any other cars eligible that I've missed?

Also Points scoring. Is everyone OK with using the simple handicap system? Read the Midland regs for the pre 75 class for more info on this. Note: I don't want to get bogged down with rules on tyres, engine size, modifications etc. This will make things too complicated.

Thanks for your continued input & interest people

Graham

Sideways

01-04-2006, 09:06

Graham,
I would say anything pre 1981 as a cut off date for old school motors, ie the last year the mk2 was available, this would include the mk1 fiesta but not the mk2 version.

ps get some pics up of you competing at croft, or anywhere else for that matter :thumb:

Cheers
Steve

Retromotorsport

01-04-2006, 12:12

I agree... production of the car model and mark must have started pre 80,

So thats mk1 and 2 escorts, but not 3's.. capris, fiestas etc are in..

Or should it be anything 25 years or older:dunno: that way it rolls on, ...

The Ford Over 25's Championship:thinking:

In a few years that would mean the 3dr Cossie is eligible and G4 and G6's

grahamb

01-04-2006, 20:48

Wicked. My calendar of events this year is
Calendar this year is...

May 14 Shelsley Walsh Hillclimb
May 27 MIRA Sprint
June 17 Cadwell Park Sprint
July 1 Shelsley Walsh Hillclimb
July 16 Curborough x2 lap Sprint
August 13 Barkston Heath Sprint
September 17 Cadwell Park Sprint

Here's a few pics from Curborough last year, setting a new PB (37.27s)

http://uploads.turbosport.co.uk/getrempic.php?url=http://www.zetecinside.com/xr2/pictures/curborough_july05_24.jpg

http://uploads.turbosport.co.uk/getrempic.php?url=http://www.zetecinside.com/xr2/pictures/curborough_july05_09.jpg

http://uploads.turbosport.co.uk/getrempic.php?url=http://www.zetecinside.com/xr2/pictures/curborough_july05_27.jpg

windy

02-04-2006, 11:10

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a118/windy_/Croftsprint11.jpg

windy

02-04-2006, 11:21

http://uploads.turbosport.co.uk/getrempic.php?url=http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a118/windy_/croft4a.jpg

grahamb

21-04-2006, 12:08

Graham, were you out at Croft lastg weekend?
Or are you out at Aintree this weekend?
I'm still fitting my new brake upgrde. Just a bit more plumbing left to do.

Cosnada

21-04-2006, 14:14

What about my Mk 2 Granada?? It is officially a 1983 facelift model but MK 2'S were first made in 1977 / 8. Will I still be eligable?

The car is no longer used for the road - track only.

What are the regs for modified?

Regards,

Scott.

RETRO_AL

22-04-2006, 20:31

http://uploads.turbosport.co.uk/getrempic.php?url=http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a118/windy_/Croftsprint11.jpg that looks the nuts m8

Sideways

23-04-2006, 12:55

grahamb

23-04-2006, 21:34

Nice pics & nice cars guys :thumb:

GrahamB, I've been following the progress of your Fiesta on your site for the last few years, an amazing car & a great site and plenty of good info to be found, well done! :clap: :thumb:

Got my entry in for next weekend at 3 sisters, which is my first sprint :dance: looking forward to it now, but still got no front brakes on the car and still need to make & fix a timing strut to the car, so I need to pull my finger out and get it sorted :D

Cheers
Steve

You'll like 3 Sisters, but maybe not the weather! Normally pours in Wigan in April. Not to worry, its a great track that rewards great handling cars. Good luck. My 1st outing this season is Shelsley on May 14th.

windy

24-04-2006, 17:51

Graham, were you out at Croft lastg weekend?
Or are you out at Aintree this weekend?
I'm still fitting my new brake upgrde. Just a bit more plumbing left to do.

Didn't get to those, I'm still trying to get the car finished. Need to get some miles on it first & get used to some sideways driving again:dance: . I've already sent off to do Lys-Y-Fran & the september anglesey. Waiting on pembrey. Are the regs out for Pembrey yet?

Sideways

24-04-2006, 22:46

You'll like 3 Sisters, but maybe not the weather! Normally pours in Wigan in April. Not to worry, its a great track that rewards great handling cars. Good luck. My 1st outing this season is Shelsley on May 14th.
yes I've actually done a rally there albeit a few years back and been to spectate a few times, pity they dont use the bottom loop on the april event as its a good tightening bend thats fun if you get it right

alexus89

27-04-2006, 13:31

i have some pics of old fords from the somerset stages rally if u wanna have a look i can easily get some on here
Nev

alexus89

27-04-2006, 13:35

http://media.turbosport.co.uk/2006/4/2006042712353182679.gif
http://media.turbosport.co.uk/2006/4/2006042712352398072.gif

grahamb

27-04-2006, 22:01

Graham, I'm in a class of 10 in Sports Libre at Shelsley on the 14th May!
A 6R4, two Ford GTD40's, two Radicals, and a few others.

Are Classic Ford still going to be there on the Sunday to look at my Fiesta?

windy

28-04-2006, 17:48

Graham,

I've sent an email to Steve Philips at Classic Ford to tell him you are in & available to show him your car on the day. I presume you have the final instructions already? Who else on the classic ford scene & in the Midland Speed has an entry? Can you give me the names & competition numbers of anyone else so he can establish contact with them before the event perhaps? Send me a PM. Cheers

I don't have an entry - my car still isn't finished yet - but I will hopefully be there in person to help out with the article & give Steve a few pointers / tips.

I'll get back to you to confirm his attendance

Regards

Graham

Sideways

01-05-2006, 23:03

Well, I'm no longer a sprint virgin :D

did my first event this weekend, and had a good day, a bit different to rallying, especially as I had no one sat next to me shouting directions :D

We only had two practice runs and two timed runs in the end as we should have had 4 timed runs, but a problem with the timing gear and a couple of accidents, one of which put a lot of oil on the track meant a long delay and as there was a noise curfew at the track they had no choice to cancel the extra runs :(

my rally set up wasn't ideal for the sprint as the tyres and brakes didn't get warmed up properly, probably been better off with std pad material rather than hard competion ones and some softer tyres, but at the end of the day I only did it as a bit of fun/day out and thats exactly what it was, a fun day out, and the wife and kids enjoyed it too :thumb:

I would have won the class I was in, but the organisers amalgamated the class with modified kit cars, so got beaten by a couple of quick westfields and a sylvia striker two of which had drysumped/fuel injected XE's in them, so my heavy pinto powered saloon car was no match for them :D

Cheers
Steve

grahamb

02-05-2006, 14:10

Well done on completing your first sprint.

A lesson I learned a few years ago is not to do 3 Sisters in April, the inclement weather plays havoc with their timing gear.

Whens the next event?

Sideways

02-05-2006, 18:25

Cheers Graham,

The weather on saturday was excellent funny enough, even managed to burn my head and the kids went home with rosey cheeks :D

not sure whats next, maybe Anglesey :dunno:

Retromotorsport

03-05-2006, 08:50

grahamb

21-05-2006, 12:20

I was 6th in class at Shelsley last weekend, recording a new PB, and beating 3 Ford GT40 kit cars in the same class.

Next outing is MIRA next Saturday, then Cadwell in June, which should be awesome.

RETRO_AL

24-05-2006, 20:12

so is this sprint ganna happen and how do i go about entering for next year is there a calender for were the events will be?

windy

25-05-2006, 18:33

so is this sprint ganna happen and how do i go about entering for next year is there a calender for were the events will be?

The light is already green for go chap.:dance:

http://http://www.midlandspeed.org.uk/Regulations.htm is where you find the entry forms & calendar. Do some this year & you'll have some practice at it ready for a full on attack next year. If your car isn't finished just do it in anything - even your everyday road car will do, there are classes for everything.

Like I said before, if this ford class is to get recognised people are going to have to start doing events now. We need participants to make it a success, not armchair enthusiasts.:tongue: :bolt: :)

RETRO_AL

26-05-2006, 16:29

m8 cant do it in a omega estate lol

windy

27-05-2006, 08:28

m8 cant do it in a omega estate lol

Sounds like a recipe for fun to me. Used to have an omega - drifted very nicely:dance:

There was a guy who won a championship in an BMW M5 estate once:)

windy

27-05-2006, 08:34

Graham, are you doing the Lllandow & pembrey events? I've already got confirmation for Llandow. Cossie Matt is planning to do Llandow with me as well. I'm entered in the rally car class for the day cos its Wales & they have lots of rally cars over there.

Just got car MOT'd. B####y h##ll its quick:drool: not having driven it for a year.

Up to harewood hillclimb today for a bit of a play on Sunday.

grahamb

27-05-2006, 20:45

Nope. Was at MIRA today, quickest FWD by a mile, and beat all but one of the westfields. What a day? Rained non stop. You'd have loved it Graham.

Bernard broke his CWP last weekend, so he wasn't out, so I bagged 20.5 points. Excellent.

Next event is Cadwell on 17th June, then Shelsley on 2nd July, then Curborough double lapper.

Sideways

02-06-2006, 11:47

So its safe to bump into you again Steve????

i'm not gonna get the punch on the nose and told " Thats the last time I listen to you"

So as a .. errm .. seasoned competitor in rallying, what do you think of sprinting as a way into Motorsport?

Was the wife just saying she enjoyed it to make you smile or did she genuinley find that its friendly and a good laugh?

And could you say what the most and least modified cars where?

Cheers Steve and glad you liked it :thumb:

Sorry Gary,
I missed this post I wasnt ignoring you, honest :duck: and no I'm not gonna punch you on the nose :D

I'm glad I did it, its qite a bit different to rallying, in the fact that its over in such a short space of time, a bit like sex really :D but it was still very enjoyable, the day was quite relaxed and every one there seemed to be really friendly even though some of the crews there clearly had a lot of money, in fact one of the guys there let my 2 year old sit in his westfield

Its definately an ideal way into motorsport for beginners as you dont need to spend a vast amount of money to have a good time or do well, unlike stage rallying, and an ideal way to get the family involved too

The misses really did enjoy it, but i think if the kids hadn't been there it may have been a different matter :duck: :D

as for the type of cars there, there was more or less everything from std 106's 205's and minis to std mg rover 75's to fully modified and very quick but not road legal saloons and loads of single seaters most of which had bike engines in them and one that had a 500hp judd F1 engine in it, and not to mention loads and loads of kit cars westfields caterhams etc again most of which had bike engines in them and some with paddle shifts on the steering wheels
but I was the only escort out :(

a pic of me waiting at the start

http://media.turbosport.co.uk/2006/6/2006060210446377564.gif

and some of my top service crew :D

http://media.turbosport.co.uk/2006/6/2006060210446109314.gif
http://media.turbosport.co.uk/2006/6/200606021044463868.gif
http://media.turbosport.co.uk/2006/6/2006060210446828919.gif

and some action pictures courtesy of www.whatnonegatives.com (http://www.whatnonegatives.com)

http://media.turbosport.co.uk/2006/6/2006060210047227479.gif
http://media.turbosport.co.uk/2006/6/2006060210049843751.gif
http://media.turbosport.co.uk/2006/6/2006060210046736146.gif
http://media.turbosport.co.uk/2006/6/2006060210044833680.gif

Cheers
Steve

tim

02-06-2006, 13:00

nice pics there steve, see with out a co driver u can get 2 wheels off the floor :D :D

RETRO_AL

02-06-2006, 21:26

nice pic were u on 2 wheels m8

Sideways

03-06-2006, 10:24

nice pics there steve, see with out a co driver u can get 2 wheels off the floor :D :D
Cheers Tim, yeah pretty easy without the 16 stone lump of lard that usually sits next to me :D

nice pic were u on 2 wheels m8
Cheers Al, just a bit of curb hopping going through the right then left chicane :woohoo:

grahamb

13-06-2006, 13:22

Did Les in car #149 say hello? I'm normally up against him but I've yet to see him out and about this year.

Graham (Windy) did Classic Ford come back to you why they didn't turn up at Shelsley?

grahamb

21-06-2006, 20:36

I was 16th overall at Cadwell at the weekend, after the 2nd timed runs.

Some stayed for a 3rd run, but I went home due to a recurring shoulder injury.

Onboard Video of the 104.51second run: 7.4MB : http://www.zetecinside.com/xr2/video/cadwell_20060617.wmv

RETRO_AL

27-06-2006, 17:29

nice video m8 look likes a very smooth fast run

alexus89

28-06-2006, 19:24

Service crew seems well trained, Checking tyre pressure on the spare I'm guessing. Great pictures too, Whens your next race? And how do you manage to keep this thread alive? Whats your secret?

And I also see some mini's in the background.... Any decent rides over there?

Nev

windy

28-06-2006, 23:04

Graham (Windy) did Classic Ford come back to you why they didn't turn up at Shelsley?

Hi Graham

Oh he made some excuse about being busy when I spoke to him at the CF show, but he has said he will do something at another event. I've emailed him a list of the one's I'll be doing so I'll wait for him to get in contact again I guess.

I was hoping he could have done something earlier as we need the publicity for this championship. It's proving difficult to entice people from the pub car park & shows to do events it seems. I can't understand why, it's not as if people haven't got the money or the time, looking at what is being spent on the cars & the specs of the ones I see at shows etc. I did have a chat to the guy that's got the 600kg MK1 Escort at Santa pod the other day. He seemed to be keen to spread the word about a bit & is competing quite a bit on the southern venues - e.g Gurston. I know its a crying shame that there are lots of nice cars about that aren't being used - but maybe people prefer the shows?:confused: Don't know? You got any ideas.

I'm out at Pembrey next & looking at the entry list there is a handful of escorts doing it. Maybe its because its in Wales?:dance: Should be good to score some points - not sure if I can catch up with you though:)

Ooh and you should do Hethel on 6th August by the way - I know its a non championship round but its a good venue at the Lotus test track. Borough 19 motor club are organising it.

Cheers

Graham

tim

28-06-2006, 23:36

i think people wont go from show to sprint is cus of gettin it log booked, thinkin motorsport is expensive,needin a trailer, car gettin damaged, i think if you got them 2 watch a sprint first and see what involved alot more people would sign up, but its hard gettin them to the track first

windy

28-06-2006, 23:46

Yes I suppose that could be the reasons. Remember that its only non road going classes that need log books though. Getting a log book is not hard anyway is it. I just got a local scrute to look over it one evening at his house, gave him a photo of the car, fill out the forms & wait for it to come in the post. It's an easier job than getting the car MOT'd I thought.

mrjimbo

29-06-2006, 06:36

I'm at Pembrey, Saturday and Sunday:thumb:

tim

29-06-2006, 11:55

windy

29-06-2006, 20:43

but how many cars would fall in to road goin class, be good to get more people out competitin against each other in this champ

Most of the people on here I guess? MrJimbo is your car road going?

tim

29-06-2006, 21:32

jim is c7, most people who i would of thoguht that would be intrested would have striped out cars, 4/5link turret etc thus puttin them into mod production

mrjimbo

30-06-2006, 07:01

Most of the people on here I guess? MrJimbo is your car road going?

Fully road legal but falls into Modified Production class as it's got no back seat or trim other than a headlining:D

grahamb

30-06-2006, 13:24

Hi Graham

Shelsley tomorrow; hoping to run a low 35s, fingers crossed. Have fun at Pembrey.

windy

01-07-2006, 00:00

Fully road legal but falls into Modified Production class as it's got no back seat or trim other than a headlining:D

See you there Jimbo. Looking forward to it. I'm in the Rally car class.

Are you camping at the circuit or roughing it in a B&B somewhere?

Also did you know that there is a nice place full of MK1 & MK2 Escorts nearby, the ones of proper rally legends I mean:drool: - I was going to drop in to have a nose & a :drool: if they are going to be around Sat evening.

tim

01-07-2006, 00:06

is that mark solloway of history rallysport place

mrjimbo

01-07-2006, 00:30

See you there Jimbo. Looking forward to it. I'm in the Rally car class.

Are you camping at the circuit or roughing it in a B&B somewhere?

Also did you know that there is a nice place full of MK1 & MK2 Escorts nearby, the ones of proper rally legends I mean:drool: - I was going to drop in to have a nose & a :drool: if they are going to be around Sat evening.

Travelling down on Friday and staying in the paddock in my Ezi-Up (If it don't blow away like at Bentwaters :mad: ) When are you going Friday or Saturday ?

windy

01-07-2006, 18:35

Yes that's the place:)

I'm leaving after work Friday & will be camping at the circuit. I'm competing both days.

By the way Barkston Heath regs are just out on www.gosprinting.co.uk (http://www.gosprinting.co.uk). Anyone fancy it?:dance:

grahamb

10-07-2006, 15:31

I'm doing Barkstone Graham. How did Pembrey go?
Are you doing many more events this year?
My next is Curborough this weekend, then Barkstone in August, then poss Cadwell in September.

windy

10-07-2006, 22:22

Yes got a win on Sat & A 2nd Sun. Great track, very technical & very fast in places. www.se7enimaging.com (http://www.se7enimaging.com) has most of the pictures. Good to meet up with Jimmy & the Midland Boys.

I'm doing Lllandow, Lys Y Fran, Hethel, Barkston Heath, Curborough 3 lap then maybe Cadwell & Loton. Cadwell a tad pricey though so may decide not to do. :)

grahamb

10-07-2006, 22:28

Moneys a bit tight for me this year, so I'm limiting the number of rounds. Need to attract more sponsorship for next year.

windy

11-07-2006, 23:32

Graham,

Just had entry confirmed for Barkston - I'm in!

grahamb

12-07-2006, 13:09

Brill. I expect my envelope to be waiting at home for me tonight.
At last, some competition! Hopefully we'll be in the same class on the day.
Could be a titanic battle, FWD vs RWD. Cant wait.

grahamb

14-07-2006, 10:15

My entry was acknowledged via email! Saves a few pennies I guess.

Loughborough Car Club are holding an Autosolo in August, at Donington Park. No competition license required. Just an MOT'd car, a skid lid and some talent.
Autosolo's are BIG in the USA. They're like sprints, but are held on wide open expanses of tarmac or concrete, and they use cones to mark the course out. Usually have high speeds, with slaloms etc.

LOCC are holding their first Autosolo, in conjunction with the BTRDA, and it should be a blast. Entry fee is quite reasonable too.

Details and regs are here:
http://www.loughboroughcarclub.co.uk/AutoSolo06.htm

I'm at Ford Fair the day after, but I may still go over to watch.

windy

15-07-2006, 22:01

Graham,

Just succumbed to the draw of the "mini nurburgring" & sent off my entry for both days.

Looks like the end of season will be a battle then:)

grahamb

17-07-2006, 10:26

Sat and Sunday? I've just posted my Sunday entry. Fingers crossed. I entered class 9, is that the same as you (eg Special Saloons - aka sports libre)

I'm only doing 7 rounds this year, and Barkston is #6, so I'm praying I get a run at Cadwell too.

Curborough was too hot yesterday. I was a tenth off my PB on 2nd practice before lunch (64.83), but couldn't repeat the speed in the afternoon, and settled on a 65.06 and 65.08s double lapper.

Someone went off on the first corner, made a right mess of their Westfield. Oops. Why do they always go off when you're sat in the car suited up waiting for your run?

I've picked up a scirocco rear wiper motor to fit on the fiesta. It replaces the huge motor and linkages that currently power the single wiper (which I remove altogether when its a dry event), which should shave a few more KG's off the car.

And the engines running perfectly now I've made some more tweaks to the cold start map. Starts easier. It was missing ignition advance in the startup maps.

windy

17-07-2006, 14:40

Yes I've entered in class 9 too for Cadwell.

Who's was the Westfield, anyone we know?

Oh not more weight out of the car:stu: That means my 900kg machine may need to go on a diet - or me!:)

Just got the Llandow / Lys Y Fran finals for this weekend. There are 8 Ford Escorts in my class including Graham & Sue Hollice & Jamie Belton. That has to be an all time record for this class. I reckon its going to be fantastic to watch.:drool: What about the sound of A 9000 rpm Duratec, N/A Cossi YB's, VX's & BD's all on full chat:woohoo: :drool: :drool: :drool: :drool:

grahamb

18-07-2006, 09:26

The Westfield belonged to Steve Brown. Thats the 2nd time he's had a big off on the first corner at Curborough. Last time it needed a lot of repair work and strengthening/bracing to the chassis. This time it just needs new tie bars and a few new rod ends as the chassis seems to have survived. He should be out again soon.

Sounds like you're going to have fun in Wales then. Its a shame we'll only be against each other at 2 events this year. Next year I'll have the new throttle bodies and cylinder head on the car so it should be nearer the 200BHP level.

Dyrr Ardash was peddling his 106GTI round mightily well on Sunday. His 1600 16V engine apparently puts out 175BHP. I still beat him though 8-) but if he changed to slicks, it would be a whole different story. Thats a very quick car, but it does have a rather expensive engine by the sounds of things. Its weird how I can thrash the other FWD's at some tracks, and at Shelsley, they're way quicker than me. I guess its a gearing issue. The smaller saloons and minis appear to be much more suited to the steeper twistier hills, and my Fiesta is great on the longer tracks (MIRA, Cadwell, Curborough) where top speed and top end grunt are more important.

Apparently the Deppers change the ratios in their Mini for places like Shelsley. But it does pay off.

So, what are we going to call the Old Fords class in MidSpeed. Old Fords doesn't really conjour the right image. (can you imagine having a class called Old TVR's or Old Mini's?) How about getting one of the Ford Mags to sponsor the class, then we could call it Classic Fords, or Retro Fords etc etc.

GP4

20-07-2006, 10:10

Yes got a win on Sat & A 2nd Sun. Great track, very technical & very fast in places. www.se7enimaging.com (http://www.se7enimaging.com) has most of the pictures...

Just had a squint through that site...some nice piccies of the Pembrey Summer Sprint. Laughed my arse off at this shot of a mate of mine in his Puma...he did say it wouldn't willingly stay in a straight line that day!!!

http://uploads.turbosport.co.uk/getrempic.php?url=http://www.imagicam5.co.uk/framer_trans/e8276barcw/Pembreysun090706140.jpg

:D

windy

20-07-2006, 22:51

Is this another one of those cars the MSA won't issue a log book for? Looked a nice bit of Kit but didn't get a chance to have a good look at it. Will it be at llandow this weekend?

windy

20-07-2006, 23:02

Graham,

Yes I guess we can think of some other name for the class. Sponsorship would be good, maybe someone can help me out here?

On another subject Jon Phoenix is pushing for a date cut off for the class. I had put a posting up on anothr section of this forum but there's not been much response. When was the MK1 Fiesta built until? Also are we going to allow the MK2 Fiesta in too?
Someone on here suggested 1981 as the cut off date but I think that's too old. What do you reckon? Maybe someone can help me compile a list of models that will be eligible?

Regards

Graham

tim

20-07-2006, 23:13

the rs owner club cut off for old skool is 1981

GP4

20-07-2006, 23:56

Is this another one of those cars the MSA won't issue a log book for? Looked a nice bit of Kit but didn't get a chance to have a good look at it. Will it be at llandow this weekend?

Yes, they've refused to logbook it now its built :mad: ...a shame really because it's bloody quick in the lanes!!

It won't be out in Llandow but it'll be at Llys y Fran on Sunday I think...trouble is that it was built for stages and it's way too heavy to be competitive against the Westfields in the sprints and hillclimbs.

Might see you there...

:)