Rally Forum (Sticky like the HSA forum)

[johnh875]

Great stuff Mike, a fantastic write-up & its great to see the car in action! Not to mention such competitive results.

The car seems pretty low by the standards of rally cars out here, does the sump guard get a real workout? Do you get much underbody damage?

[moose]

no damage to the floor other than flying stones and the odd rock where you would need a landrover to have suitable clearance. The sump guard hardly gets touched but it has been slid along on a few occasions it is a subaru impreza one modified to fit the imp it is a fair thing i will picture it some time and post on here. The front is lower than normal and with way to much negative camber as the damage done on the Saltire caused a hurried re-build. i have RAC springs on the front but i was sent shorter bodied shocks by mistake so have had to run with that set up. i handles pretty good really and hasn't affected my rsults too much i just know that on the odd occasion we have slid wide and lost the odd second tidying things up compared to how well it used to handle. the set up is an all round compromise, due to the fact that the test stuff you see on the video is sometimes 1st and 2nd gear smooth tarmac, 3rd and 4th in the forests on gravel, 1st on the grass, first,2nd,3rd on grippy concrete, and then a 120 mile night rally on tarmac roads with the odd white thrown in (whites are the coulour of the just passable in a car, tracks on ordance survey maps). S0 it is not properly set up to do one thing, if it was all forest work it would be a little higher and stiffer, if it was going on a circuit racing a little lower and stiffer. regards mike

[moose]

here are some of the cars i compete against. up until this stage on the circuit, i was 1 second behind the blue midget with the white one, a orange RS 2 and the red kaddet only 2 seconds behinsd me, the TVR 3000m that won it was about 10 second back but he had hit two cones incurring 20 seconds of penalties that how quick he was!

here is a incar clip from a novice in a TR7 of the rally stage.


regards mike

[moose]

championship results confirmed

2nd O/A CCTi north of England championship
2nd O/A GK Ford northern championship
2nd O/A NESCRO summer challenge

Beaten by the MK1 RS 2000 in all thre kept my step dad behind in 3rd in the Lotus Cortina.

time for a year off to prep the car and carry out engine re-build and sort the worlds most expensive garage ornament, the gearbox.

2009 might try the HRCR rounds night and gravel! watch this space.

regards mike

[ImpManiac]

Awesome results, moose! Inspirational! Makes me want to get in mine and attack the sprints and hillclimbs even more!

IM

[bazzateer]

Nice one Moose, certainly no shame in being beaten by the RS.

[moose]

i have been offered an avenger rally prepared shell and all bits to complete, rot free currently on a spit for inspection. Do i sell the imp and all spares? Then have a go with the avenger cheaper to tune? less fragile? (or am i just a thug with the imp) will it put me on more equal footing with the sunbeams and escorts? or should i set my sights lower stick with the imp and just win class awards for pre 67 under 1500cc. or should i prepare the imp and do some british championship rounds no chance of the top ten there but a good buzz?

[benwick3]

Avenger makes a very good rally car but without spending masses of money will struggle to be competitive with either the lighter Sunbeam or the Escort.

Definately a bit more straightforward than the Imp although you may need to resort to non standard parts for performance and reliability - Ford gearbox.

I was in similar situation several years ago when I tired of broken engines in the Clan and decided to look araound for something more reliable with better availability of parts. I found a very good, virtually rust free, low mileage 1300 Fiat X19 that on paper ticked all the boxes. This would have been in the same class as the Clan and on paper although heavier the engine power output should have more than countered this according to all of the experts. As I've found out may times don't believe the experts although the car handling was superb and very similar to the Clan the lack of available power resulted in considerably lower lap times.

After a large accident the Fiat was abandoned, all of the salvageable bits sold and the Clan taken out of storage. Since them quality engine parts have become more available, reliability has improved and it looks as I'll end my days racing it. I do still hanker at tryng a 911 because after all it's only a big Clan.

Pete Richards

[Lotus-e-Clan]

Tis a pity you can't do both... ie run the Imp for a season while you're building the Avenger. And/or visa versa.

They would make great stable mates and reminds me of a CCC article (IIRC) in the seventies featuring a works Avenger and Imp from Chrysler Comps dept.

I wrote off a couple Avengers in the seventies (one GL, one GT) at the factory and can testify to their (relative) strength.

And I just ove the look of the Tiger...never drove one though.

[bazzateer]

Peter's hit the proverbial nail on the bonce!

Do both Same livery etc, or you could also use the Avenger as a tow car!

[Rod]

Avenger v. Imp? Bear in mind the point of building the Imp that appeared in the CCC article mentioned was in part because the comps. dept & Colin himself had a sneaking suspicion that under certain circumstances Colin Malkin could pedal one quicker than an Avenger.
I had an Avenger Rally Car for a while 30+years ago. It had been quite a successful car on road rallies but I never actually rallied it. The spec was quoted to me as Tiger when I bought it but I suspect it went a bit beyond this. As a road car it was heaven & hell, very fast and handled beautifully on the occasional trips I made from London to Devon. Commuting to work in North London was a nightmare. It was reliable enough but very fickle, it always seemed to demand a full day's tinkering every Saturday! It had a bad habit of fouling it plugs in traffic and, like all tuned Avengers/Sunbeams was incredibly thirsty (16-18mpg on a good day). By contrast my Californian Rally Car (which replaced the Avenger and was rallied) rarely seemed to demand any engine work (perhaps being put together properly by Andy Chesman in the first place helped) was quite happy in traffic despite a front rad and no fan and could manage 16-18mpg flat out on a stage.
My point is that the Avenger was probably a faster and potentially more successful car but I always felt that I was happier and got more fun out of the Imp.

[moose]

keeping the imp re-build under way so someone else needs to do some events in an imp!!!

NESCRO Events

Events for 2007 / 2008

Events marked (W) will be included in the Winter Challenge 2008 3 out of 5 to score points

Events marked (S) will be included in the Summer Challenge 2008 5 out of 8 to score points

Click on event for more details

03/02/2008: Croft Historic Rally (W)16/02/2008: Buglass Trophy (W)24/02/2008: Saltire Classic Rally (W)14/03/2008: Race Retro06/04/2008: Ilkley Jubilee Rally and Run (S)18/04/2008: Pirelli Historic Rally03/05/2008: Berwick Classic (S)01/06/2008: Viking Classic (S)07/06/2008: Scottish Classic Speedfair15/06/2008: Stobs Classic06/07/2008: Cumbria Classic Caper (S)10/08/2008: Devils Own (S)23/08/2008: Culzean Autoclassica 07/09/2008: Durhan Dales Classic (S)13/09/2008: La Croftera Pandemonium13/09/2008: Yorkshire Revival25/10/2008: The North East 25 (S)22/11/2008: Hexham Historic Rally (

http://www.nescro.co.uk/default.asp?iId=JFLFJ

[bks974c]

Hi Mike

There are other out there competing.

Ecosse Classic - 6 imps
http://s234.photobucket.com/albums/ee22 ... AN_photos/

Hangover autotest 2nd Jan 2008 - 2 imps one double drivern
www.btinternet.com/~hbcc/
http://www.jethrocollins.co.uk/?job=269.126

Johnston Trophy 6th Jan 2008
http://www.berwickmotorclub.co.uk/johnston.htm

Four seems to be my luck number fourth overall in my last 4 events.
1st in class on Johnston.

You don't need a 998 to have fun - 930 sport has set at least one fastest time on the tests in the last 5 events. The 998 is quicker but has a habit of breaking gearboxes.

Regards
Scott

[rally clan]

If anyone thought the Avenger was uncompetitive check out the above clip, out of 151 starters the car finished in 21st place and that is against WRC's, Evo 9's and other top Group N cars and modified Escorts(Vauxhall Engines, Seq gearbox's).
Some Pilot and some result, and I believe his brother is just as quick in the Davrian Imp.
http://public.fotki.com/speedy/2007-eve ... g9175.html

Avenger is at 41 Secs, 53 secs, 1.02 and 2.03, but watch the whole thing.

[Lotus-e-Clan]

And those Avengers are very good looking and stylish cars...even more so than the popular Mk 1 & 2 Escorts IMHO... it's brilliant news that they are still competitive!

[rally clan]

And those Avengers are very good looking and stylish cars...even more so than the popular Mk 1 & 2 Escorts IMHO... it's brilliant news that they are still competitive!

They certainly are with the right Nut behind the wheel. There is a short piece of Niall in his Tiger in here. But the clip is mainly to show the Modifieds who rally Mk11's that look like a Mk11 but that is it, they are 280BHP Stg 50k+ monsters. The MK11, West Wales is a real MK11 as are the MK1'S. It is just short clip of Irish Historic rallying to wet the appetite to come over and give it a go in an Imp.

[Useless Eustace]

Loved the way a couple of Escorts & a Mini dived for the ditch. That's more my style of driving.

Agreed that it's the nut behind the wheel but I'm sure that the Avenger isn't exactly a cooking model & I imagine that it might have cost the odd bob or two. Prepares to be shot down

About time that you brought that Clan (Clans ) over to the UK so that you can enjoy our glorified autotests rather than that tarmac stuff

[rally clan]

Loved the way a couple of Escorts & a Mini dived for the ditch. That's more my style of driving.

Agreed that it's the nut behind the wheel but I'm sure that the Avenger isn't exactly a cooking model & I imagine that it might have cost the odd bob or two. Prepares to be shot down

About time that you brought that Clan (Clans ) over to the UK so that you can enjoy our glorified autotests rather than that tarmac stuff

Due to a back problem the Clans will not be coming out to play anytime soon and with the compulsary introduction of Hans next year they might never come out again. No offence to autotesters it just is not my cup of tea at all.
Get your Clan over here and take on the boys at the very least you will see what tarmac rallying is all about and have great craic along the way.
As for the Avenger, parts not so easy, but if you go the South American route you can get parts easy and good engine spares also.

[imull]

can concur with tarmac rallying out your way, but Mull is the match for many of your rallies. Its a shame that only Biggerstaff and some complete nutter in a blue/silver starlet whos name escapes me have ventured over so far...

My Clan will be out on the Border 100 in N Wales hopefully on the may bank holiday. 115mile road rally, cant wait.

After that a couple of hte Super 1000 championship rounds prior to a full campain next year

[moose]

Hello rally forum not posted in here for a while due to house and car commitments Scott you are correct loads of imps out but in the years i have been competing you are the only person with an imp i met although i think Mr valentine did one event i was on. the Scottish Ecosse with six imps out i should have been there but i made a commitment to sort out a working bathroom in the house and the car was very tired so despite Mike ringing me twice to ask me to enter i for once said i could not make it i really wish i had been there you all looked to have had a great time. By posting the last request for imp owners to get out and compete i was taking it as read that you would be there on events and was suprised when on the Ecosse that so many imps appeared, which is great. as for 998 V 930 have to agree about the g/box side of things, through bitter experiance "to finish first, first you have to finish" will keep an eye on classic rally chat and the NESCRO club sites to see how you are all doing. This will keep me enthusiastic with regards to putting the imp back together. Maybe see you on the Morecambe trophy tests i am navigating in a Beetle (be fair rear enginerear wheel drive!) and i will be risking life and limb with Sam in the imp on the Cumbria classic. see you soon regards mike

[rally clan]

Frank testing his imp before the ALMC Rally next month.

http://public.fotki.com/speedy/2008-eve ... g9484.html

http://public.fotki.com/speedy/2008-eve ... g0158.html

http://public.fotki.com/speedy/2008-eve ... g0158.html

http://public.fotki.com/speedy/2008-eve ... g9706.html

http://public.fotki.com/speedy/2008-eve ... g9708.html

[moose]

Well Sam won't be ready for the Cumbria a sensible decision from a young lad to be properly prepared before entering, this due to him being young and daft and going overboard with his prep for the event so on one hand sensible on the other daft his workmanship is excellent for one so young attempting things for the first time. If you have seen his offer for the entry it is genuine i will nav and guide you round this fantastic event i will pay half entry and petrol and we can use my trailer and subaru tow car so even if you break down you will get home. entry £95 inc 6 months membership to wigton mc, food on event, insurance whilst competing, 22 tests, and petrol probably £20 in rally car £20 in subaru from mine to event and back so £70 for a days motorsport. get in touch before Monday. Before the Cumbria Morecambe car club are running the Morecambe trophy tests (i will be out in a Beetle) see the website for details but basically a multi venue autotest. regards mike

[moose]

from this years Knockhill speedfair (autotest demonstration) last year i was within one second of the midget on the rally stage but when we got to the circuit for this kind of stuff they thrashed me (after nine runs through the rally stage it was Noel in the midget and then me) These are two top irish clasic rally drivers and autotesters.

regards mike

[rally clan]

3mins 40 secs in.


Mid Wales Historic rally 2008

http://www.rally-shots.com/Albums/Misc/Album27.htm

http://www.rally-shots.com/Albums/Misc/Album27.htm

http://www.rally-shots.com/Albums/Misc/Album27.htm

[bks974c]

Moose

You missed the best video from the Speedfair Autotest - The IMP

Scott

[moose]

Illuminations rally will run around the lake district.
http://www.morecambecarclub.co.uk/?q=image/tid/9

http://www.morecambecarclub.co.uk/


As ever marshals are key to the success of any event and in order for the 'lumies to run successfully we need your help. If you can wear a high-viz and blow a whistle when something happens you are qualified.

To help call Cath on 01524 791779 or 07798 853765

[moose]

well done Scot Clement, excellent result on the Johnston trophy on Sunday, 5th O/A 3rd in class, tough class midgets,escorts,mini's, alfa's avengers all with bigger engines. 5th fastest on the tests out of the whole field!


regards mike

[Turboimp]

Are there any Imps entering the Wyedean rally on Feb 7th based at chepstow racecourse? http://www.wyedeanrally.com/

The Immaculate Imp of Geoff Taylor and Steve Greenhill did quite well in the snow of the 2007 event . For the first time in this , the first major Rally if the season , There are 3 historic classes ..

[Lotus-e-Clan]

Yep, and I bet Scott Clement was using the same sport profile high lift cam (from Dennis Allt) he used at the IMP08 track day! Very quick out of the corners!

No R series cam required!

[bks974c]

We were in the top 5 all day, set some fastest times along the way.
Unfortunately the diff broke in the last test (moose knows all about that)
but we were able to limp through the test to take a maximuim so finishing 5th
was really pleasing.

Peter is right about the cam, it makes the car really easy to drive because it pull from 3-8k without hesitation and is pleasant to drive on the road sections. There is a hole about 2-3k on wide throttle opening, but will pull uphill in forth at 30/40mph on light throttle opening so its probably an air speed issue. It would benefit from a rolling road session but as that cost money and the problem is minor I will live with it.

Moose are you any futher forward in finding solutions to your g/box problems ?

Class H5 was won in a standard Fiat 127 903cc so anyone thing they would like to give it a go but don't have the right car, think again. Just get your entries in.

Scott

[moose]

Gearbox soloution is progressing, The car is on hold for a fortnight as i have another car to prep for the croft rally http://www.crofthistoricrally.co.uk/home.html get along and marshall people you may get the bug!

Sorry to hear about the diff, no 998 power required to break things just 930 sport spec what went exactly?

regards mike

[bks974c]

Mike

We are 998 powered again with the new cam - can't express the improvement in drivablity,
hence the top 5 times all event.

Suspect broken diff pin (standard box) as no signs of gearbox casing damage but there is a big puddle of gear oil on the garage floor so there maybe other damage. Shoved in there when I got back and will look at later, was going to do Croft but now goint to miss and have the car ready for Saltire.

What have you actually done re gearbox?

Regards
Scott

[Turboimp]

Any interest in the Wyedean ? The first Major rally of the season .
Any difference if i say Andy Dawson is bringing a Ginetta G 20 ? He won this rally in a Datsun Violet in 1978 ... As well as promoting the CLAN's rally exploits ...

Planning is well underway, the event will run a similar format to previous years. We will be based at Chepstow Racecourse, which will be the location for scrutineering on the Friday afternoon/evening, documentation, Rally H.Q., Service, finish & awards presentation.
The route will contain 7 special stages, with two loops out of the racecourse and central service. All but the stage at the racecourse (run before service), being 5.5 miles or over. The road sections total 96.5 miles. Double usage has been kept to a minimum with about 5.5 miles being used twice.
This year we have also provided three classes for historic rally cars, vehicles eligible for these classes will run between the 1400’s and the open competitors. They will compete for class awards and also highest placed competitor within the three historic classes, but will not be included in the overall classification of the event.
Regulations and entry forms for the 2009 GET CONNECTED! WYEDEAN FOREST RALLY, which takes place on Saturday 7th February, are now available.

The 34th running of the popular rally sees Abergavenny-based mobile phone company Get Connected! once again take on the mantle of headline sponsor, a position it has held since 2006. In the interim, the company has actually opened three shops in the Forest of Dean area itself.

The start and finish of the event will be at Piercefield Park, Chepstow Racecourse and, to round off the proceedings, the Awards Presentation will also be held there during the evening.

Seven special stages, totalling 45 miles, await competitors and the first of up to a maximum of 180 starters will set off at 8.00am on the Saturday morning. The Wyedean is a qualifying round of a number of major rally championships and, as competitors seek to gain an early advantage in their chosen series, take-up is expected to be high. Meanwhile, the survivors of what is always a tough, but enjoyable, day’s motorsport begin arriving back at the Racecourse from 2.40pm that afternoon.

[rally clan]

Some photos for you.

http://www.jamesburke.biz/products.asp? ... fthumbs=12

[bks974c]

imp on its way to setting fastest time on Johnston Trophy 2009

[moose]

nice one Scot very neat

results from Croft rally

below well done Ben and Mike

http://www.rallies.info/res.php?e=69&o= ... 9999&i=300

regards mike

[moose]

Ben (pobsport on here) with my old stilleto previously RFKDEMONS now ahs a proper engine and is being used.

regards mike

[benwick3]

A rather heavy smoking engine. What piston rings are fitted? Be interested to know as I had similar problems under load several years ago which were eventually traced to the piston rings.

Pete Richards

[Pobsport]

Cheers Mike. Croft Historic was a great event here is the link to the website where there are pics and results http://www.crofthistoricrally.co.uk/home.html . Yes engine is pretty smokey but is not normally like that when driving on the road except when reving in the 7000 mark and even then its not as bad as that. I put it down to oil surge as i was chucking it aroung a bit roughly and it did take a bit of time to clear by which you were then at the next cone. Here is mine and Mike Vokes is times for last card
Car Class Driver Navigaitor Total card 4 test 10 test 11 test 12 total Cls pos O/A
15 H2 Mike Vokes/ Matthew Vokes 23:01 2:44 1:40 1:16 28:41 5 10
33 H4 Ben Blanchard/ Graeme Potter 24:08 2:43 1:35 1:12 29:38 2 15

Ben

[benwick3]

That ties in with the problem I had several years ago, no smoke until after 7000rpm. You may be right about the surge but it' would be worth keeping an eye on.

Pete Richards