Hi all.
I've been doing road rallies in a much older car (71 mini clubman with a very quick engine) but decided that in order to preserve this car and not kill it i needed something else to throw down the lanes of north wales and the peak district.
The decision was brewed after we competed on the GP memorial rally a few weeks back and although doing very well at the time clearing the first section, we came to a ford (river not the car!) that looked 'not that deep!'....I was wrong!
Drove in (in a mini remember so very low) and not having enough rev's the engine stalled and would not start. The water was over sill level so i climbed out of the window to retrieve a tow rope from the boot.....whilst spectators shouted abuse in my direction. These same speccies then helped get the car (now full of water) to the bank, bump started and away we went.
We finished the event and even overtook a Xsara VTS, so the mini ain't that slow before any of you mock. Got an ok result, but I was already considering my options for a better and stronger road rally substitute.
Long story short, was offered a 98 Ibiza Cupra Sport Gti with a sparco cage and bucket seats. had just sold my mk1 golf gti so had a few pennies burning a hole in my rally car pocket.
Deal was done and now i'm trying to fix all the small issues before spending any cash on suspension etc.
So far i've worked out that:
The door handle paddle design is stupid, and falls apart! (repair kit ordered)
Reverse light switch gets rusty and seizes open (repaired)
The rear seat back is very heavy and needs lightening (have to keep interior in for road rally)
The gear linkage is pants and needs sorting! (any ideas???)
Needs uprated and standard height (or slightly higher) suspension rather than lowered springs to avoid ripping the arse out of it on rough sections. Was looking at Bilstein B6 shockers unless anyone has any cheaper suggestions?
Any advice or words of encouragement (or heckling) greatly appreciated.
I've been doing road rallies in a much older car (71 mini clubman with a very quick engine) but decided that in order to preserve this car and not kill it i needed something else to throw down the lanes of north wales and the peak district.
The decision was brewed after we competed on the GP memorial rally a few weeks back and although doing very well at the time clearing the first section, we came to a ford (river not the car!) that looked 'not that deep!'....I was wrong!
Drove in (in a mini remember so very low) and not having enough rev's the engine stalled and would not start. The water was over sill level so i climbed out of the window to retrieve a tow rope from the boot.....whilst spectators shouted abuse in my direction. These same speccies then helped get the car (now full of water) to the bank, bump started and away we went.
We finished the event and even overtook a Xsara VTS, so the mini ain't that slow before any of you mock. Got an ok result, but I was already considering my options for a better and stronger road rally substitute.
Long story short, was offered a 98 Ibiza Cupra Sport Gti with a sparco cage and bucket seats. had just sold my mk1 golf gti so had a few pennies burning a hole in my rally car pocket.
Deal was done and now i'm trying to fix all the small issues before spending any cash on suspension etc.
So far i've worked out that:
The door handle paddle design is stupid, and falls apart! (repair kit ordered)
Reverse light switch gets rusty and seizes open (repaired)
The rear seat back is very heavy and needs lightening (have to keep interior in for road rally)
The gear linkage is pants and needs sorting! (any ideas???)
Needs uprated and standard height (or slightly higher) suspension rather than lowered springs to avoid ripping the arse out of it on rough sections. Was looking at Bilstein B6 shockers unless anyone has any cheaper suggestions?
Any advice or words of encouragement (or heckling) greatly appreciated.
