Ralt RT 3 - 500 history help?

[griffith500user]

Just bought it. Trying to trace history. Believed to be ex Alan Docking car. Fitted with Toyota Novamotor. Used most recently in south coast sprint and hillclimb. Any info welcome.

[chunterer]

Any helpful history for this chap folks?

[E.B]

RT3/84 #500 was regularly recorded in 1984 as being the mount of American Eric Lang, indeed run by Alan Docking Racing. He certainly seemed to contest many of the B.R.D.C. Marlboro rounds.

I think it was also the only Docking run RT3 for 1984, and Lang scored only 5 points for the year.

In 1985 Giles Butterfield was listed as driving the car, not so much in the first half of the year but was a regular in the races from the week prior to The Donington round mentioned, including Spa, Zandvoort and the final Siverstone race. (as an ADR car) at the Donington Malboro British F3 Championship race 28th July 1985 it was entered for Giles as #500.

#68 Alan Docking Racing Giles Butterfield (F3) 2-litre Ralt RT3/84 [500] - Toyota 2T-G

Also at Silverstone the week prior, again as #68 entered under Docking. They were not listed at the Brands round prior to Silverstone.

[griffith500user]

Many thanks for the info. Where abouts did you dig it up from? Currently about to strip and rebuild it, a full on ground up restoration. Very interested in information about the toyota novamotor, and indeed where to get hold of gaskets etc. Further info welcome. Many thanks.

[E.B]

For F3 of this era I usually use the F2 register for results - formula2.net
I would try and give you exact links but my history from that date is now cleared. Its an easy site to navigate though.

[RTH]

I own RT3-470 1984 car which was run by Alan Docking for Eric Lang in 1984 and then did class B in 1985 with Godfrey Hall driving it, which is who I bought it from 26 years ago. I have just been and physically checked the chassis number again. So unless he had two cars which I think very unlikely then I think your car had a different background.

[griffith500user]

Very interesting. My car's chassis plate is definately RT3-500, and interestingly enough its almost the only listing on the F2 register to confirm the exact chassis number against its entrant. My car also was bought from Alan Docking as confirmed by a reliable source. Does your RT3-470 have ground effect skirts and the more pointed nose as seen on the car image of the '84 season if you type in Eric Lang F3 into google as mine does?

[Chris Townsend]

Originally Posted by RTH

I own RT3-470 1984 car which was run by Alan Docking for Eric Lang in 1984 and then did class B in 1985 with Godfrey Hall driving it, which is who I bought it from 26 years ago. I have just been and physically checked the chassis number again. So unless he had two cars which I think very unlikely then I think your car had a different background.

I can confirm this. The Ralt build record shows RT3-470 as sold to Docking 16 Feb 1984
Physical observations of the car driven by Lang, in 1984, and by Hall in 1985

I guess that formula2.net took their attribution of RT3-500 from Motoring News 11 April 1984 p.4 "Docking ordered Ralts 500th car as a SPARE for Lang" and extrapolated wildly from there because they didn't have access to the build records or other observations.
RT3-500 was despatched with black bodywork on 18 April 1984, to Docking.
However, I have a physical observation made 23 April 1984 where RT3-500 was a spare car for another team altogether.
Butterfield's car at Thruxton 6 May 1985 is described as ex Eric Lang (Autosport 2.5.85 p.10 race preview) As it's an 84 spec car, and can't be 470 that suggests its 500, but the first appearance with another team is a puzzle.

Chris

[RTH]

My car was fitted with the Glen Walters Intersport flat bottom kit for the 1985 season

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by Chris Townsend

RT3-500 was despatched with black bodywork on 18 April 1984, to Docking.
However, I have a physical observation made 23 April 1984 where RT3-500 was a spare car for another team altogether.

Chris

This has got even more interesting! 23rd April 1984 was the Easter Monday F2supporting round, I was there as a nipper and went round the paddock.
taking photo's and wonder if I've got a snap of it somewhere?

Which team had '500' as a spare Chris?

[Alfie72]

Knowing "Dock" he probably still has the race sheets upstairs in the glory hole.

When I see him next I'll ask him - or better still g500u why don't you just drop him an email?

[griffith500user]

Good idea. I will get on and call him today. Would be great to get to the bottom of it. Has Rt3-470 still got its Novamotor fitted. If so I'm after information on everthing from parts supply to specs and running setups etc. What can people dig up? Having bought RT3-500 at Xmas I am just about to start the rebuild process so watch this space.

[RTH]

Tony Broster used to be the man for all things Toyota F3, engines , parts , Novamotor etc that is some years ago now.

This is your best place to start make contact with Classic F3 and they will point you in the right direction for engine parts etc ,

http://www.classicf3.org.uk/Links/links.html

[Alan Morgan]

I suggest you contact delta (a prolific poster on the Historic racing Today forum). He rebuilds Toyota Novamotor engines and knows a lot about them.

Last I heard, Tony Broster was living in Thailand...

[griffith500user]

Brief update. Spoke with Alan Docking and he kindly told me about chassis 500. He realised that Ralt were near their 500th chassis and put in a request for it specifically. Giles Butterfield drove it during the'85 season apparently.

I am now well underway with restoration. Does anyone have an idea of how the fron disc bells are removed from the stub axles? It looks simple but they are solid. Dont want to start using a press etc until I fully umderatand how they are assembled.

[Matthew Sturmer]

Try giving Tom Denyer a call at Tom Denyer Racing. He's currently got my RT3 in and is giving it a comprehensive rebuild prior to my racing it next year. He's rebuilt all sorts of F1 cars so should be able to help.

Matthew

[griffith500user]

Quick update, RT3-500 now 98% rebuilt and waiting to be fired up. Quite excited but apprehensive following a full nut and bolt rebuild. One question I hope someone may be able to answer is regarding fuel. I've heard that the Novamotor can use Sunoco 105, but that also people have used a mixture of Avgas and other additives. Can anyone let me know what the exact blend should be? Also, there seems to be difficulty in pressing my throttle pedal in that the whole slide throttle assembly is rebuilt and very smooth but once coupled to the fuel pump and including the friction in the cable to the pedal etc. it all adds up to a particularly firm / slow responding pedal feel. Obviously I need to try and improve the action, but am wondering whether the lack of use has 'gluped' up the remaining fuel in the cam driven pump and made it sticky? I'm wondering whether running it up will in turn improve the whole throttle assembly. Has anyone else come accross this?

[griffith500user]

Now sold via Dermot Healy, I am trying to find the new owner of the chassis as I believe it was split from the original Novamotor (shame) and sold to someone who wishes to use it in Classic F3? Any leads will be gratefully received.