Lada 2101

[helgi]

Mikhail Gorbachev – USSR touring car champion, journalist, racing trainer – decided to celebrate the 40-th anniversary of VAZ (Lada) 2101 in a very special way. The car is being prepared to contest in a historic race at Nordschleife in September.

Lada 2101 (Russian index for automobile classes is rather convenient: 2 – for engine capacity from 1200 to 1800 cm3, 1 – for road car {not truck or bus}, 01 – for a factory number) was the first car, produced in Togliatti. It’s a heavy modified Fiat 124. It’s interesting that in 1971 people had some doubts about reliability of the car which by mistake was named as Italian. Only some years later everybody could see that modified machinery is strong like a small tank and rather funny to drive as it has saved some Italian genes.

The first Lada has stronger suspension, rear brakes became simpler but more reliable and hardy. And the most important thing – its engine became a way more modern. It could be forced up to 140 hp and for race drivers 2101 became firstly a “sporting gear” and only then a road car, as Mr. Gorbachev says.

In 2004 a racing team from Moscow decided to built a car to compete in Nurburgring historic race. That silver 2101 was very successful and with the help of pilots, engineers and mechanics has beaten Alfa Romeos.

But Mr.Gorbachev was not 100% satisfied because the race was held at GP course. Now it’s planned to race against 1965-1971 cars at Nordschleife. Theoretically, Lada 2101 could compete with that cars in the early seventies.

Because of FIA homologation 1971 Lada should have 1200 cm3 and it’s clear that it will be difficult to beat Ford Escort 1300 GT. It’s difficult but it’s even more interesting than in 2004.

The base 2101 car that will start in September is a 1971 year built. Its wheel bolts even marked with “FIAT”. The car was find by Andrei Oleinikov (Ukraine) on Crimea. The work began and it’s planned to mount an engine in July.

I’ll try to keep your informed as project “Lada, Second attempt” is in progress.

Here’re some photos. Used by Mr.Gorbachev's permission.







I would be glad if some of future “rivals” post here

[helgi]

And more fresh photos (click to enlarge)

[rogerwills]

Great project!

I've lived in Moscow now for 15 years and often thought about doing a Russian touring car project. Watch this space....

Is the silver car mentioned now owned by Grigory Berezkhin?

Roger

(from Peredelkino)

[helgi]

I'll try to find who owns that 2004 City Motorsport car. By the way, if somebody has any questions about 2101 in racing, post them here.

[helgi]

Here's an article by Mikhail Gorbachev about that silver 2101 - http://www.autoreview.ru/archive/2004/22/nurburg/ it's in Russian, but there're some photos.

[helgi]

Roger, you are right. That silver car was bought by automotive enthusiast Mr. Berezkin five years ago.
As for new project, there're some changes to engine. They can use 1300 cm3.

[SAMD]

Forgive me for asking, but is reference to Mikhail Gorbachev and Mr. Berezkin, some sort of Russian code that is being passed via 10/10ths? or are we to believe they were both interested in racing a Lada?

[rogerwills]

SAMD, it is all a lot less interesting in reality. Berezkin is a Russian billionaire with a large car collection.

Here from Russian Forbes list in 2004:

http://www.forbes.com/finance/lists/...atatype=Person

[helgi]

I think Mikhail Gorbachev is a true motor of the second project.
That silver Lada was built by City Motorsport team that raced in RTCC at that time and some of its stuff (Shapovalov for example) became Russian Bears team which represented Lada in WTCC. And Mr.Berezkin has only bought that car after the race.
As for second project, it's all about Gorbachev's enthusiasm. He raced 2101s in seventies and became a champion with it. As far as I know there're no major sponsors. Of course, I don't think Lada factory is interested in this project. They already have their man in F1 and that's it.

[helgi]

So, the car is to be prepared in Classic Touring Class. 1300 cm3 engine, Weber carburetors (see photo) but not of high forcing. Only 90 hp. But for sprint races that engine could get 135 hp. Adjustable KONIs in suspension but no wide wings (fenders) as 1971 homologation doesn’t mention that. It’s going to be a Group 1 car.

[Lancsbreaker]

Hadn't realised that the Lada had been around that long....we used a 1980 model in stage rallying in 1983-85 IIRC.....in the Lada Challenge - a fun series, but the cars were far from quick - still gave us the chance to get into International rallying, as the series organiser negotiated a deal for Challenge competitors to take part in the 84 Welsh International......and the car was tough enough to finish despite running for several hours over-heating with a cracked water-pump - bodged until service at Macchynleth with chunks of wood hammered into the hole in the water-pump casing.....

[helgi]

Maybe it was 2103 (four headlights instead of two)? If I remember correct it got some points at Acropolis Rally. I'm not sure because I'm not a rallying fun.

[Lancsbreaker]

This was our car on the 1984 Welsh with me under the bonnet operating the broken throttle linkage....

[helgi]

Thanks for giving a more presice definition to that! Indeed it's Lada 2101. It's interesting that right hand drive cars used stiffer right springs to minimize weight (pedals and steering wheel) relocation.
I knew some 2101 were exported, but I couldn't imagine that they were used in sport. Thanks for the photo!

[helgi]

Some news. Project’s in progress. Suspension is mounted. Photos will be soon as I’m short of time now.

[helgi]

[helgi]

Now Lada has got the engine mounted and wheels on. I have some photos and I'll try to post them as soon as I get a normal computer.

[JasperClan]

Saw the car at the Nurburgring at the weekend. How did it go in the 1000km.

Pete Richards

[Al Weyman]

I raced against Lada UK dealer Roger Turner (RiP) years ago who had one of those. He raced it first in Road Saloons then in my Modified Production Saloon series before going on to the later Front Wheel Drive model. The car was no slouch and gave my Sunbeam Talbot Ti a good run for the money. It was recently sold I believe and I saw it on display last season at Mallory Park with all the original club stickers still on the car.

[helgi]

They've made it! - http://sokolov-drive.livejournal.com/29803.html
Second in the under1300 1965-1971 class. Had only 90 hp, so were easily overtaken by more powerful cars. But they rely on Lada's reliability ( ) and were right. They only needed to change accumulators as alternator died. I don't know wheater this car will race again, but all the project appeared to be successful.