Car Weight

[formulaford]

Hi All

Dose anyone no what a Swift FB89-88, Van Dieman RF89-88 and Reynard 89-88 weighs without driver? and was the Swift FB89 any good? Im Looking to buy a Pre89 car for historic formula ford(in Australia), Ive run newer Mygales and Spectrums for the last 10 years but dont no much about these older cars.

Cheers.

[formulaford]

Hi All

Dose anyone no what a Swift FB89-88, Van Dieman RF89-88 and Reynard 89-88 weighs without driver? and was the Swift FB89 any good? Im Looking to buy a Pre90 car for historic formula ford(in Australia), Ive run newer Mygales and Spectrums for the last 10 years but dont no much about these older cars.

Cheers.

[Racenut]

I was running FF in aus during the early 90s so I will test my memory. The 89 VD was better than the 88 VD. There was a geometry change heading into 89 and a wider track.

At that time we considered the Swift to be a copy of the previous year VD. The 88 swift was more an 86 VD.

Reynard werent really considered contenders, but in saying that Mike Quinn had them going pretty well. If it were my money I would be looking for a good 89 VD, but in saying that they are all similar pace, it would come down to money and condition. You probably wont find a mint version of any.

[SAMD]

The 87-91 Reynard is considered to be the the best pre 90 Chassis (the 90-91s are allowed in pre 90) as they are a sweet handleing car with great balance and quite light, they can have 5 -10kg ballast to bring them up to 420. They are often prefered in the wet to newer/faster chassis, which says a lot.
Although the RF89 may be faster but is thought to be more 'edgy'

[formulaford]

Thanks for the help its much appriectated, Im currently looking at a VD RF89 and 2 Swift FB89s, there is also a Reynard 88 on the market but it is too dear. The Swift FB89s are cheaper than the rest one is the ex mark mortimer car which finished 3rd in the aus championship in 89 the other ran in the vic state series a few years ago in the minda motorsport team. The VD RF89 was Paul Morris old car which i think ran in Troy Dunstuns speedtech team in 89 and 90, ive sat in the VD and its nice and roomy and the car only weighs 405kg which is important because I weight 95kg and the min class limit is 495kg so I dont want to give to much staight line speed away, im guessing the 89 swift would be similar in weight and room?

[Racenut]

The VD was quick when speedtech ran them, they were well maintained. I ran one of them for Nigel Gregory (he purchased from Speedtech) I think it was Troys car, cant really remember. Have fun with whatever you buy.

If you have been running later cars these older cars wont be as edgy but still fun.

[SAMD]

Just watch your weights, it may be different in Aussieland but the UK regs are mainly running at 495 or 500kgs all in. But the car limit is still 420.
So, if the car is at 420 exactly. The ideal driver weight will be 75 or 80kgs. Less and its disqualified, more and its disadvantaged.

[formulaford]

Cheers for the info i use to be 78kg when i was racing which was perfect, but when i stopped racing i got into body building and put on 15kg thinking i would never run open wheelers again. But now i have the chance to get back into formula ford the only problem is that i weight around 95kg and struggle to fit in some cars, and dont want to disadvantage myself too much (even though its just for fun).