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What would you chose for a reliable, cheap one make race series?
Gergely - 8/2/10 at 11:40 AM

Right, in Hungary we don't have as many racing organisations, formats as you in the UK. We are thinking with a friend to investigate the possibility to launch a series for newcomers to racing, using identical cars, for an entry level price.

What would be the car of choice you think for such a series. Overall pace is not so important, since the formula is for newcomers and the idea is to create close racing, not absolute lap times. What is important on the other hand:

- Safety
- Low overall cost of cars
- High reliability - no tuned engines, etc
- Low running costs / servicing
- Identical cars / engine performance, etc.

The idea is to offer rent-and-race packages for a season for people who would like to try racing, provide the cars, ensure these are bulletproof, and make sure they can be raced the whole season (around half a dozen of races per season).

Something along the lines af the original Locost championship really, but the cars should be built by one company, not the individuals and parts should be available cheap - in Hungary, too (Escort MkII is unknown here... we had Trabants in that period only...)
Haynes Roadster? Sylva Riot SE? Striker?
Zetec engines? What do you think?

Also, what suggestions would you have on the race format to make it the most cost effective, but still exciting enough for people to spend money on and enter?

Cheers!
Gergely


Lightning - 8/2/10 at 11:42 AM

2CV s , watched them at Brands...Great fun


cd.thomson - 8/2/10 at 11:44 AM

citroen saxo, renault clio, peugeot 106, ford focus, honda civic?

not huge racing pedigrees on the cars but fit the bill!


GMPMotorsport - 8/2/10 at 11:49 AM

http://cruzecup.com/

These people are trying to set up a new 1 make series in the UK but they are looking further a field as well.


ceebmoj - 8/2/10 at 12:18 PM

depends on the budget.

however for low cost RWD mk1 MX5 is good


Charlie_Zetec - 8/2/10 at 12:23 PM

One of the strongest engine's I've ever had (virtually inestructable) are the old Vauxhall 8v's, ranging in size from 1.2-2.0l, found in Nova's, Mk1&2 Astra's, Cavaliers, Belmonts and probably a few others....

Smaller engines ran on a carb (Pierburg ones, from memory), and the 1.8/2.0l's ran on an injection system.

Usually cheap, widely available, and good for a laugh!


ashg - 8/2/10 at 12:49 PM

106/saxo's would be best. can pick up used examples cheaply they handle pretty well and the engines although tappety usually go on forever. parts are also stupidly cheep.


richardR1 - 8/2/10 at 12:55 PM

Another vote for MX5


MikeR - 8/2/10 at 01:08 PM

what car was built in the greatest numbers about 10 years ago ....... thats your answer.

it is cheap to buy & parts will be cheap.

You buy them, strip them, weld in the bits you need (cage, fire extingisher etc) and let people hire them out. If they break you get some more.

The question is - what do you want to race / what do you think people will pay to race?

Personally i'd go with the saxo / 106. They're going to cost you almost nothing. You could even have two races going at once with one set of people racing 1.1 saxo's and the other 'advanced' racers using 1.6 106's etc.


sucksqueezebangblow - 8/2/10 at 01:19 PM

How about the tiger Avon;

Avon
Chassis, full bodywork, interior alloy cut to approx shape, alloy rivets, plastic bung set, radiator top bracket, throttle pedal, cycle wing stays, roll bar, wishbones rear top, wishbones rear bottom, wishbones front top, wishbones front bottom, rear hubs, suspension bushes x 20, rose joints x 4 rear wish, top ball joints front x 2, bottom ball joints front x 2, springs front shorter, springs rear, front adjustable shocks, rear adjustable shocks, Avon steering rack, Avon steering shaft, s/rack clamps and bushes, track rod ends and nuts, rear wheel studs, braided flexi hoses x 4, metal brake pipe set cut and ended for you, cable locks, balance bar (drill three holes) brake plunger, hand brake cables, “p” clips, head lamps chrome, indicators front, indicator repeaters front, rear lamps x 2, rear fog, rear number plate lamp, dash switches, dash warning lamps, alloy switch backing, electronic speedo, fuel gauge, fuel sender, windscreen laminated e marked, windscreen rubber, screen frame (needs polishing) , screen uprights (need polishing),
Windscreen bolts, windscreen hood studs, steering wheel, steering boss, seat belts lap dia, offside mirror, carpet set, 2 x high back seats, vinyl, handbrake gaiters, gear stick gaiters, exhaust system stainless, radiator, engine mounts steel, engines mounts rubber, exhaust fix kit, fan belt, radiator hose, steel hose joiner, thermoswitch for rad, expansion tank water, cap, ex tank bracket, gear remote, wiring loom, wiper arms, wiper blades, washer jet, petrol tank, tank straps, petrol filler neck, petrol cap locking, petrol pipe 2inch x 6inch, petrol pipe copper, bolt kit, throttle cable, “u” finisher, small wing piping, bonnet clips, clip covers, nut caps, nose grille,tiger nose motive, battery lead red, battery lead black x 2, powder coating, zetec fitting option (a in price list) recon diff/shafts, recon gearbox 5 speed, good used column, new master cylinder, brake valvenew Ford Zetec engine, webber alpha injection kit ( ecu, wiring, twin Webbers, inlet manifold, fixing kit, air cleaners), propshaft, rpm gauge, temp gauge, oil gauge and sender, fuel pump, tiger new lightened flywheel, new clutch assembley, new era alloy sump, new small starter, extra water hose, 4 x alloy wheel, 4 x toyo tyre, brake parts, new wiper motor and w/boxes,
£9450 plus vat


dan8400 - 8/2/10 at 01:51 PM

Pug 306. Handles quite well, lots available cheap. Deisels are quick and very economical. Wheel on every corner.

Don't want to get shot for deisel comment but they were better than petrol equivalent at the time

Dan


ReMan - 8/2/10 at 02:40 PM

quote:
Originally posted by sucksqueezebangblow
How about the tiger Avon;

Avon
Chassis, full bodywork, interior alloy cut to approx shape, alloy rivets, plastic bung set, radiator top bracket, throttle pedal, cycle wing stays, roll bar, wishbones rear top, wishbones rear bottom, wishbones front top, wishbones front bottom, rear hubs, suspension bushes x 20, rose joints x 4 rear wish, top ball joints front x 2, bottom ball joints front x 2, springs front shorter, springs rear, front adjustable shocks, rear adjustable shocks, Avon steering rack, Avon steering shaft, s/rack clamps and bushes, track rod ends and nuts, rear wheel studs, braided flexi hoses x 4, metal brake pipe set cut and ended for you, cable locks, balance bar (drill three holes) brake plunger, hand brake cables, “p” clips, head lamps chrome, indicators front, indicator repeaters front, rear lamps x 2, rear fog, rear number plate lamp, dash switches, dash warning lamps, alloy switch backing, electronic speedo, fuel gauge, fuel sender, windscreen laminated e marked, windscreen rubber, screen frame (needs polishing) , screen uprights (need polishing),
Windscreen bolts, windscreen hood studs, steering wheel, steering boss, seat belts lap dia, offside mirror, carpet set, 2 x high back seats, vinyl, handbrake gaiters, gear stick gaiters, exhaust system stainless, radiator, engine mounts steel, engines mounts rubber, exhaust fix kit, fan belt, radiator hose, steel hose joiner, thermoswitch for rad, expansion tank water, cap, ex tank bracket, gear remote, wiring loom, wiper arms, wiper blades, washer jet, petrol tank, tank straps, petrol filler neck, petrol cap locking, petrol pipe 2inch x 6inch, petrol pipe copper, bolt kit, throttle cable, “u” finisher, small wing piping, bonnet clips, clip covers, nut caps, nose grille,tiger nose motive, battery lead red, battery lead black x 2, powder coating, zetec fitting option (a in price list) recon diff/shafts, recon gearbox 5 speed, good used column, new master cylinder, brake valvenew Ford Zetec engine, webber alpha injection kit ( ecu, wiring, twin Webbers, inlet manifold, fixing kit, air cleaners), propshaft, rpm gauge, temp gauge, oil gauge and sender, fuel pump, tiger new lightened flywheel, new clutch assembley, new era alloy sump, new small starter, extra water hose, 4 x alloy wheel, 4 x toyo tyre, brake parts, new wiper motor and w/boxes,
£9450 plus vat


But presumably they want to race this year, not in 3 years time


brianthemagical - 8/2/10 at 03:38 PM

Following some pre made regs, such as hot hatch or Sax Max would make it much simpler.

As above for car choice though. You know better than anyone in the Uk what cars are common and cheap in Hungary. Just make sure you do some sums before hand to make sure you don't loose money.


D Beddows - 8/2/10 at 04:10 PM

Some kind of Stock Hatch championship has to be the way to go - as mentioned cars eligible dependant on what you have most of in Hungary! - unless some of the vast amounts of Lada s from the UK made it over there rather than all ending up in Russia - in which case you have you have a Locost championship on your hands


Neville Jones - 8/2/10 at 05:20 PM

quote:
Originally posted by MikeR
what car was built in the greatest numbers about 10 years ago ....... thats your answer.

it is cheap to buy & parts will be cheap.

You buy them, strip them, weld in the bits you need (cage, fire extingisher etc) and let people hire them out. If they break you get some more.

The question is - what do you want to race / what do you think people will pay to race?

Personally i'd go with the saxo / 106. They're going to cost you almost nothing. You could even have two races going at once with one set of people racing 1.1 saxo's and the other 'advanced' racers using 1.6 106's etc.


As above, Mike has the best answer.

'One make' series with one manufacturer building the cars, is usually a 'licence to print money' for the said manufacturer. Seldom are these setups cheap for the competitor.

Locost/kit car is still one of the best apparent options, other than what Mike has put.

Cheers,
Nev.


Volvorsport - 16/2/10 at 07:07 PM

cheap + reliable ?

volvo estate.......


Theshed - 20/3/10 at 09:44 AM

I rather like the idea of a grid full of Trabants!


Kwik - 20/3/10 at 10:16 AM

toyota mr2's? there are already a few of them sereis in the UK....