what is the best sub 1400 road car for sprinting?

[Dan Friel]

ACSMC regs state this:

Cars using forced induction will be classified as having an engine capacity increase of 40%, those using diesel fuel a reduction of 30% (e.g. a 2000cc turbo diesel will be considered to be the equivalent to a 1960cc normally aspirated petrol engine).

[steve dummett]

yep they are quick !!!!! look at the stuff we beat last year at coombe in a 1380 ( lotus elise porsche morgan v8s to name a few !!! the little blue smurf can be found on castle coomb website photo forum or pegasus club 2008 galary !! kind regards steve d

Originally Posted by Claypole

Simon,
that would put it in a modified class, and believe me, they are mighty effective, but as standard, they may not be as quick as a modern.
As an aside, I lost out in the classic trophy this year to a 72 renault alpine, it was in the standard class and beat all of the moderns in it, they retail these days for around thirty grand. What a great car though.
Claypole

[Claypole]

I still feel sorry for the bloke who drove to Curborough in a hayabusa mini, and then ended up in spots libre against the single seaters because he had a tubular rear chassis.
I think he expected to be in the mod prod car class. Fast, but not that fast.
Claypole

[rescue dude]

Originally Posted by Claypole

I still feel sorry for the bloke who drove to Curborough in a hayabusa mini, and then ended up in spots libre against the single seaters because he had a tubular rear chassis.
I think he expected to be in the mod prod car class. Fast, but not that fast.
Claypole

He'd have been in mod prod even without the tubular chassis.

[Steve Wilkinson]

Originally Posted by rescue dude

He'd have been in mod prod even without the tubular chassis.

I think you'll find putting a SUZUKI Hayabusa engine in a British Leyand Mini would have seen in him Sports Libre, as opposed to "spots libre", at most organised speed events.

[Claypole]

Thanks Steve,
there is nothing a French teacher likes more than being corrected on his French, I can only claim overwork and underpay, two children eating my brain and the mounting excitement of a new season for my typo.
Claypole

[Woolley]

I usually blame my fingers. Less typing involved, so less likely to make another one!

I almost wish we could have a Spots Libre class. The Toulmins would be in it, I wonder who else. Sorry as you were.

[Claypole]

Maybe they could create a class specifically for teenagers in any car...
I'll get me coat.
Claypole

[Steve Wilkinson]

Originally Posted by Woolley

I almost wish we could have a Spots Libre class. The Toulmins would be in it, I wonder who else. Sorry as you were.

With which car would Jonathan Toulmin be running in Spots Libre? Or do you mean the Tomlins?

[Suze]

Originally Posted by Claypole

Maybe they could create a class specifically for teenagers in any car...
I'll get me coat.
Claypole

But quite a few clubs do that already as a junior award....

[Woolley]

Originally Posted by Steve Wilkinson

Or do you mean the Tomlins?

Like I said, finger trouble

[Steve Wilkinson]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/850150.htm

Pug 205 Rallye - get it bought!

[Claypole]

Nice one Steve,
Actually, I have only just seen your post, I had come on tonight to report that my friend has just picked up his new sprint car today.
He is the proud owner of a completely standard 205 xs, and is currently rolling up the M1 pleased as punch in it. (75000miles, full service history etc)
I think he has made a top choice both in terms of competitiveness in his class and with a view to future modifications.
What do you guys think?

Claypole

[Steve Wilkinson]

Originally Posted by Claypole

Nice one Steve,
Actually, I have only just seen your post, I had come on tonight to report that my friend has just picked up his new sprint car today.
He is the proud owner of a completely standard 205 xs, and is currently rolling up the M1 pleased as punch in it. (75000miles, full service history etc)
I think he has made a top choice both in terms of competitiveness in his class and with a view to future modifications.
What do you guys think?

Claypole

The Pug 205 has great potential. Tell your mate to get in touch with Skip Brown's in Cheshire as they are THE firm when it comes to 205s.

[Claypole]

Cheers Steve,
will do, bearing in mind how strict the rules are on altering cars in the standard road class, what do you think Skip Browns could do to improve the car as it is? Without moving up a class, of course.
Claypole

[Steve Wilkinson]

Originally Posted by Claypole

Cheers Steve,
will do, bearing in mind how strict the rules are on altering cars in the standard road class, what do you think Skip Browns could do to improve the car as it is? Without moving up a class, of course.
Claypole

They can certainly advise on what engine tuning your mate can undertake plus what suspension mods they can recommend within the regs as they do work on several 'Road Going' Pugs that currently do speed events. Finally they should also be able to source a roll-cage that will fit.

[ss_collins]

Following of from what Suze said...

I think the Rovers are all fairly flaky when it comes to the electrics, I also think they are a bit too heavy and in that class weight really matters (hence why few use roll cages)

The Nissan Micra is pretty good all round but I think the VW Polo has a bit more grunt. Though the dampers are not so hot. But I'd say the Polo is the best of the bunch

The 205's are all getting a bit long in the tooth now and are down on power. They are also pretty flimsy. A lot of people say go Swift but we had one at North Weald and it got utterly spanked

[Steve Wilkinson]

Originally Posted by ss_collins

The 205's are all getting a bit long in the tooth now and are down on power. They are also pretty flimsy. A lot of people say go Swift but we had one at North Weald and it got utterly spanked

Sam, the Swifts that I have seen in the South West are very quick (could be the drivers!) whilst in the Midlands and the North West the Peugeots are still the top dogs. I agree that the Rovers are a tad overweight as is the 1400 Puma.

It all boils down to budget and I suppose if someone had unlimited funds they could slot a 1.4 K series in an Elise and clean up!

[Suze]

Whilst wishing to tread carefully, I would suggest the Swift got beaten due to not being pedalled to it's potential.

[armchair racer]

For my money the citroen ax gti is a good bet ( sprinted one myself ) , cheap to buy , light as a feather , 100 bhp as standard ( 205 xs is about 86 bhp ) , lovely jubellly , also the 106 xs is popular , same engine as ax gti ...

[kjw]

A well prepared 1380 mini is hard to beat if driven well.

[armchair racer]

Always fancied a charade Gtti , 1.0 turbo can be tuned to about 160 bhp , which is not bad for a 3 cylinder 12 valver ..

[b1ackcr0w]

Originally Posted by armchair racer

Always fancied a charade Gtti , 1.0 turbo can be tuned to about 160 bhp , which is not bad for a 3 cylinder 12 valver ..

Good shout, one of the most fun cars I've ever driven.

[Claypole]

Originally Posted by b1ackcr0w

Good shout, one of the most fun cars I've ever driven.

But hypothetically, would the turbo not shift it into the 1.4 - 2.0 litre class against some very powerful machinery? I'm liking the idea of 160 horse in a 106 rallye.

Claypole.

[armchair racer]

no , not unless the rules have changed or are different for the championship you are entering it in ...In the championships ive entered it goes like this ...
GTTI 998 cc + 40% for forced induction = just under 1400cc
I wouldnt bet on getting 160 bph out of a rallye engine , not at reasonable cost , the gtti being a turbo can be chipped at a lot less cost than a n/a engine , and its more or less a bullet proof engine ...they call it the mini EVO