Formula Saloons absentee's

[ern]

Early in the year some super tourers were shown preparing to participate in the 2003 Formula Saloons, ie Renault Laguna, Alfa 156 and a new 1999 Mondeo of Tim Watson.

Yet with only 4 race weekends left on the calender they are still to appear, why ?.

With the Laguna up for sale when will the 156 and Mondeo appear with the for sale stickers ?.

A lot of the Formula Saloon are happy to stay out of the limelight yet turn up for every round, but it seems that the ones that seek the publicity never race.

Its great to see two races at Brands and I dare say there will be drivers from the local area joining for just this race, shame these drivers don't sign up and compete in the full season.

Looking forward to August 31st already, any estimates on car numbers and who they will be ?

[Derek Johnson]

Ern
Provisional List for Brands
Class A
Jimmy Brodie RS500
Paul Neville Escort Cosworth 4x4
Andrew Wilson RS500 V8
Andrew Mackenzie Opel V8
Barclay Dougall RS500
Peter Thurston MK1 Escort V8
Nathan Mills MK1 Escort V8
Ric Wood Calibre V8
Rod Birley Honda Prelude Cosworth
Andy Chester Camero V8
Phil Libby Sapphire Cosworth

Class B
Peter Challis 1996 Nissan
Steve Hirst 1997 Audi
Tony Brass 1995 Audi
Steve Papworth 1999 Mondeo
Derek Hale 1996 Nissan
Andy Clarkin 1996 Honda
Garry Woodcock 1998 Nissan
Michael Woodcock 1998 Nissan
Dave Jarmen 1999 Nissan
Alvin Powell 2000 Mondeo
Martin Simms 1999 Nissan
Tim Watson 1999 Mondeo

Class C
Don Grice BMW E36
Jim Pocklington 1990 Cavalier BTCC
Mark Smith BMW E36
Andy Allen BMW V8

As far as the Laguna is concerned, other factions have obviously come into play that has forced Rob to put the car up for sale, but that doesn't mean it will never appear, (we hope), & the 156 was primarily purchased to run in the Alfa Challenge to learn the car etc before running in the FS, so given a bit of time we should see it eventually.
It is always dificult to get all drivers out for any race there are numerous reasons why this will be but the majority of guys do make a tremendous effort and come hell or high water, they'll be there.

[Craig]

With a bit of luck they'll all be out next year at the Super Tourer Festival - can't wait for that!

[G.Walker]

My mouth is already watering for the BH event.
Going by the provisional entry list their are 6-7 cars appearing for the first time this season, which is great for the championship .

Is this by coincedence or does the double header event attract the new drivers! Would regular double header events (btcc style) or slightly longer racers (thundersaloon style) continue to have this effect on the entries?

[Andrew Kitson]

..and don't forget that Gerry Marshall will be doing a 3 lap demo in the lunch break in the ultimate Formula Saloon - Baby Bertha.

[bacon sandwich]

When's the festival then Craig - haven't heard about this - sounds fab - Is it all things tin top ?

[R59]

If someone can "lend" me a Chevy LS1 V8, a modded T56 gearbox, and a set of Dunflops, I'll be there with "the Belmont".

Tee hee hee. See you next year!

Rob.

[redshoes]

Bacon, see this thread for more on the festival. Basically the idea is to get as many Super Tourers as possible out of hiding and back onto the track. It's scheduled for Snetterton on 3/4 July next year.

[DAVID PATERSON]

59er what is "the Belmont"?

[goforit500]

I'd be there too if the rules didn't insist on restrictors, which means another £2000 to remap. A bit pointless when all the Cossies produce about the same power anyway..

[cannardd]

Originally posted by Derek Johnson
the 156 was primarily purchased to run in the Alfa Challenge to learn the car etc before running in the FS, so given a bit of time we should see it eventually.

The 156 hasn't been out in the Alfa Championship or the Italian Intermarque either.
I'm involved with the Alfa Championship and we were hoping to see it too, but so far no sign of it.

I went to see it testing at the FS Silverstone test in April and it was superb so it is slightly disappointing that it hasn't appeared again.

David C

[ern]

goforit500, I might be wrong but I thought that the restrictors had been removed, maybe Derek Johnson could confirm, I judge by goforit500 you race an RS500 Cossie ?, are you racing in other series this year, if so what one ?.

[ern]

Just taken this from the Formula Saloons technical regulations regarding air restrictors.

Vehicles that do not strictly comply with the Class specifications may be classified as 'Hybrid@ vehicles and will require the completion of a Technical Specification sheet to be examined and retained by the Scrutineers. Any variation from the original specification will require re-examination and perhaps re-classification of the vehicle. It may be necessary for particular 'Hybrid' vehicles to be fitted with air restrictors which will be determined by the FSCC Technical Committee.

I wonder what defines 'Hybrid' ?, for example does any current class A car have to use air restrictors.

[carrera]

Originally posted by DAVID PATERSON
59er what is "the Belmont"?

Have to assume he is referring to a Vauxhall Belmont, an Astra with a boot.

[garry]

Restrictors have been dropped, we have a chart for restrictor sizes just in case we feel that a car requires them.
Gareth, this meeting has only just been declared a double header so the numbers where there before this, however grids are normally better at Brands. At the moment we think that the mixture of double headers and single race meetings is just right 5 d/h and 4 singles. Also race lenghts are right, any longer and things just get too expensive.
As for the Alpha 156 Terry has stated that he intends to race the car with us next year. However there is a chance that Billy Mcmillan will bring his 1998 156 out with us for Donington.
Goforit500 if you have an RS500 and want to play, please get in contact with me.
We have been averaging 18 car grids this year which is very respectable considering the economic climate bit i would be happier with 20.
I get phone calls all the time enquiring about the series and I know of at least 4 people who have bought cars in readiness for next year, racing59 being one of them.

[ern]

So thats that sorted goforit500, trust you'll be sending in your entry for Brands now !!!!!!!!!!!

[Tony_Simpson]

Originally posted by DAVID PATERSON
59er what is "the Belmont"?

It is an Astra Belmont the saloon version, a mk2 astra origionally (race car built about 1990), and more info is on racing59's website if you select motorsport.

[G.Walker]

Another 'V8' can only be good for the series!

I imagined the Super Tourers being totally dominant and killing the other class, but it appears to have done the opposite.

[goforit500]

Garry,

We've spoken several times in the past and the sticker was always restrictors !!

I run a RWD Escort Cossie which we are just about getting back together after a biggie last year.

As soon as it's running, a couple of weeks I think, we'll be playing out although I had intended to go back to the Fords....

Tempt me !!

Brian

[ern]

Surely you should not need tempting, you said earlier that you would be there if it wasn't for the air restrictors, now this has been removed there can be no excuse but to come out and play in one of if not the best national saloon car series at this present time, with cossie power running on slicks has to be better than road tyres in the Fords !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[goforit500]

31st Hmmmm...- Could be - Target for getting the car out and playing is the Bank Holiday meeting the week before...I've got some boots that'll do, I think...Hmmm...

[R59]

Sorry,

I've been to sleep since my last post.

The "Belmont" as correctly described, is the UK name for the Astra with a boot, though they dropped the "Belmont" name when they brought out the Astra 'C'.

It was built by Empress Race Development for the 1991 Thundersaloon championship, and was made with a V8 in mind. Though it originally ran with a hand grenade fitted instead of an engine (Phase 4 Manta 400), and while stunningly quick, was woefully unreliable.
It passed hands to Peter Wright and Robert Sheppard who ran it with a 450bhp Cossie unit, but was about 200bhp shy of the front of the grid!
Later it was fitted with an iron block, wet sump, 350chevy, which was a waste of time as it was too heavy, and too tall in the engine bay.
The last owner bought it for track days, but never used it, though as he was a very compentant engineer, he has done a very nice job at completely rebuilting and refitting the suspension, with new joints, and fully rebuilt dampers etc..
All I need to finish it is (a) a chevy LS1, dry sumped, and on throttle bodies, (b) a T56 gearbox modded to handle the improved torque output, (c) some dunflops to put on it (and a few extra spare rims), and finally (d) the time and pennies required for the above.

I aim to get it ready for round 1, 2004. If not before.

As mentioned, there is a little about it on my website.

And on the subject of restrictors - not anymore (thank god!). When you look at the way the races have gone this year, the supertourers have had their way on the tighter circuits, and the big bangers have been to the fore at the likes of Snetterton where their legs can be stretched.

As for the best national saloon car series, when you look at it's MSA status, it has to be the ideal candidate to be a "feeder" championship for the big bucks BTCC. They were talking about having the supercoupe cup as the "open make" feeder... come on, be serious, Protons, Renault 5 Turbos, dog eared CRX's, battered Vectra's, Rover 216's, get real! Might as well have the Road Saloons up there too!

Toodleoo..

Rob.

[robwest]

As Garry mentioned, I have had difficulties getting the Laguna ready, and also a bit of financial pressure to see if I could sell the car.

However I have been attempting to get the car ready for Brands. It now however, looks like it may not be ready. It should be ready for Rockingham.

I have been having the car painted back to it's original colours and the paint job has taken 7 weeks rather than the 2 weeks it was supposed to take. Car comes out paintshop Tue/Wed this coming week. We then have 3 or 4 weeks work to get the car running (for the first time since 98), then to iron out any gremlins.

I have raced various cars previously and have to admit that it has been a difficyult job locating parts etc. I have to take my hat off to the other guys who are out there racing in formula saloons and many of them getting to most or all meetings. I just look forward to getting out with them.

Rob West
1997 Williams Renault Laguna Super Touring

[Rod Birley]

I thought I had a buyer for the Prelude but he just melted away. A serious back operation curtailed my enthusiasm somewhat. I was planning to do Snett. last month but the opportunity to meet Jim Hall and the Chapparal team proved too good an opportunity to miss, particularly as it was to be the cars last "racing" appearance. Financially I cannot afford two day meetings at places like Croft and Pembrey.

[mickj]

Your excused Rod, I would have gone to meet Jim Hall and the Chaparrals to.