Group A MG Metro Turbos - Where are they now? - Page 10

**chunterer** · 14 Mar 2012, 15:52 (Ref:3040973)

David I can only help with 2!

BHP for Grp A was either 195 or 210, depending on who you ask!!

The Challenge cars were defo not Group A spec as I remember, I will see if I can find out exactly what - IIRC it was loosely GrpN.

DAVID PATERSON · 18 Mar 2012, 11:42 (Ref:3043848)

Thanks Chunterer, do you know what they revved to to make that sort of power?

**chunterer** · 18 Mar 2012, 20:12 (Ref:3044146)

Alas no maybe messrs Watts, Brundle or Taft are lurking on here somewhere?!

KA · 27 Mar 2012, 16:36 (Ref:3049506)

Can't help with the technical stuff- but I have found a pic of Armin Hahne chasing a Camaro during one of the pccasional Metro Turbo appearances in Germany...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7572724...in/photostream

metro22 · 15 Apr 2012, 15:58 (Ref:3059624)

I have a Metro that was an endurance racing car in around 1984. It has no shell number but is a seamwelded shell with superb ally cage and rear turrets. it has been run as a turbo though is now not. It has a turbo side exit exhaust and loads of other modifications like Mini heater and under bonnet racing battery. It has holes in the back of the rear wings where fuel fillers have been in the rear corners and the original filler hole is welded up but it now has a more central one. It has been updated to Mk2 headlights and was last used as a sprint car around ten years ago. I will post some images once i have worked out how to do so.

mario abreu · 7 May 2012, 11:59 (Ref:3070611)

Metro22... I'm really interested in those pics. Please post them when you can!
Mario

**chunterer** · 10 Aug 2012, 09:13 (Ref:3118263)

Hmmm interesting developments.

Look out for a Group A Metro Turbo back on track in the UK very soon.....

What's more it will be driven by a quick driver, someone who will be very familiar with them!

Should be fabulous to see again.

VIVA GT · 10 Aug 2012, 11:04 (Ref:3118302)

Quote:

Originally Posted by chunterer

Hmmm interesting developments.

Look out for a Group A Metro Turbo back on track in the UK very soon.....

What's more it will be driven by a quick driver, someone who will be very familiar with them!

Should be fabulous to see again.

A stab in the dark - Patrick Watts?

**chunterer** · 10 Aug 2012, 14:39 (Ref:3118379)

Quote:

Originally Posted by VIVA GT

A stab in the dark - Patrick Watts?

So the grapevine suggests.....

**Peter Mallett** · 10 Aug 2012, 14:50 (Ref:3118383)

Bugger, that's just increased my race insurance policy.

**chunterer** · 10 Aug 2012, 17:54 (Ref:3118435)

Ha ha i've just cottoned on!!

mab01UK · 23 Oct 2012, 18:02 (Ref:3156605)

Not sure if this 1982 Datapost Metro leaflet below is of interest to see for anyone on this thread........ (I found it amongst a collection my old Mini stuff).

MG Rover Sport · 27 Nov 2012, 10:36 (Ref:3172138)

Quote:

Originally Posted by metro22

I have a Metro that was an endurance racing car in around 1984. It has no shell number but is a seamwelded shell with superb ally cage and rear turrets. it has been run as a turbo though is now not. It has a turbo side exit exhaust and loads of other modifications like Mini heater and under bonnet racing battery. It has holes in the back of the rear wings where fuel fillers have been in the rear corners and the original filler hole is welded up but it now has a more central one. It has been updated to Mk2 headlights and was last used as a sprint car around ten years ago. I will post some images once i have worked out how to do so.

Apologies for my delayed response to your post 'metro22' but I'd love to see some more photos of your ex-1984 endurance racing Metro. It sounds so much like one of the ex-Group A cars that we're talking about here, and it'd be really nice to try and source it's history in full - assuming you are still unsure of it's exact past?

MG Rover Sport · 27 Nov 2012, 10:40 (Ref:3172142)

Quote:

Originally Posted by chunterer

Hmmm interesting developments.

Look out for a Group A Metro Turbo back on track in the UK very soon.....

What's more it will be driven by a quick driver, someone who will be very familiar with them!

Should be fabulous to see again.

And here is the little baby in question - lifted (hopefully no a problem!) from a post on Facebook by Richard Walbyoff, and captioned...

'1984 Metro turbo being rebuilt ready for 2013 season to be driven by Patrick Watts just like 1984'

davyboy · 27 Nov 2012, 10:55 (Ref:3172151)

I really hope that Patrick treats her with the respect she deserves.

justforfun · 28 Dec 2012, 14:33 (Ref:3182452)

Quote:

Originally Posted by davyboy

I really hope that Patrick treats her with the respect she deserves.

Patrick didn't damage it when he was a works driver so shouldn't now that he owns it I would guess. The interesting thing is it going to kick the arses of the rovers and jag xjs?
Tyres were a problem in period but not now also how much do mini experts like nick swift now know about engines and gearboxes? I am sure the wick was turned down to preserve the gearbox in the eighties. Better oils, fuel, instrumentation etc.
Roll on JD classics rnd1 donnington.

**Peter Mallett** · 28 Dec 2012, 14:48 (Ref:3182457)

Well, if he were to post here, he could confirm the "wick" theories.

And of course, welcome to our friendly forum.

justforfun · 28 Dec 2012, 15:57 (Ref:3182465)

Hi all, interesting thread I stumbled on when looking for Tips on looking 30 yrs younger just to impress 60 yr old woman who had the same tips. not that interested in cars but It's a fact that the boxes were the achilies heal of the GPA turbos so modern production methods used by the likes of Quaife and better oils should make a big difference.
Look at the qualifying times compared to race times, especially on the long ETC races, something was being looked after to make it last maybe the gearbox or temperatures I guess.
Anyone know where the metro that went to 'young kid as birthday pressie' is now ? I have a friend that is interested now that PW has the 003/006 chassis.
Happy new year justforfun

**chunterer** · 28 Dec 2012, 20:45 (Ref:3182527)

Quote:

Originally Posted by justforfun

Patrick didn't damage it when he was a works driver so shouldn't now that he owns it I would guess. The interesting thing is it going to kick the arses of the rovers and jag xjs?
Tyres were a problem in period but not now also how much do mini experts like nick swift now know about engines and gearboxes? I am sure the wick was turned down to preserve the gearbox in the eighties. Better oils, fuel, instrumentation etc.
Roll on JD classics rnd1 donnington.

Interesting points raised. Would someone like Nick know more about setting up one of these than the late Roger did in period though?

The other thing I would need to confirm is about the gearbox.... when you mention modern gearboxes like Quaife... surely the car would have to run an original box under the rules of the JDC series?

All of which suggests it's down to the driver/s and how good the guys are in the bigger cars that you rightly refer to!

justforfun · 29 Dec 2012, 01:29 (Ref:3182599)

Gears can be remade the same but better machining, steel and heat treatment. Oils are way more tolerant to heat. Yes the rules are there to stop someone putting in a 6 speed sequential that adds performance not to make people use something that breaks all the time. We don't want to see a senario like the st marys trophy at goodwood this year when half the pre 60 cars retired on the first 3 laps. That brings into question, is motorsport for the drivers or spectators? Chicken or egg? It's actualy for the driver to keep his chosen class attractive, ie compeditive, cost effective and legal or it will
deminish and die. So getting back to subject quickly, the promised metro turbo battles with rovers, jags, capris etc need to last more than a few laps so i hope they don't make the gears of pig iron. Cheers Justforfun

northington · 30 Dec 2012, 13:54 (Ref:3182956)

Does anyone happen to know who prepared the #35 car for Patrick Watts?

MG Rover Sport · 30 Dec 2012, 13:57 (Ref:3182958)

Are you on Facebook, John?

northington · 30 Dec 2012, 14:04 (Ref:3182961)

Sorry no

MG Rover Sport · 30 Dec 2012, 14:07 (Ref:3182965)

I will send you an email John then.

MG Rover Sport · 30 Dec 2012, 19:15 (Ref:3183029)

Copied from my Austin Rover Motorsport Facebook group...

This original 1984 Group A MG Metro Turbo (Patrick Watts #34) was sold and exported to Atlanta following the withdrawal of Austin Rover Motorsport from the 1984 British Saloon Car Championship. It was supplied by Roger Dowson Engineering complete with several freshly rebuilt 200bhp Howley engines, and 10 split rim BBS centre lock wheels. It was campaigned by John Brichetto in the IMSA series as a GTU contender for 3 years. The colour photo shows the same car at Donington in 1984, and the black & white at Road Atlanta in 1985.

This rare car is now FOR SALE, so if anyone is interested please make contact and I will put you in touch with John - also known as 'northington' on here.

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