Zetec to join FF1600

[dr death]

Just wondered what people think about make a class in NWFF 1600 or Star of Midlands for 1800 Zetec's. Running with alloy shockers and using the uprights as supplied, poss with a bigger restrictor but would have to run Avon FF1600 tyres. To convert a Zetec to 1600 spec is quite expensive and also stops you using it as a Zetec. There must be lots of them about with now here to race. What are your thoughts and who would come out to play.

[DALY]

Jez
if you restricted the air supply and gave less sticky tyres, you would get in the way of the 1600's!!

Seriously, there are plenty about and a good club championship is required as a stand alone race, possibly at the same dates/venues as FF1600, allowing some teams to join running both 1600 and 1800, saving their overheads, reducing season budgets and allowing more arrive and drive potential to join in. I feel that the FF drivers are to be sourced from the "born again" fraternity.

What do other people think?

[blue nose]

Jez I think there should be a separate race on the same day as the 1600s as there are enough cars about to make a good grid there are just too many 1600s to put them in the same race but what you say about using ACB10s is a good Idea but dont restrict.

[blue nose]

Jez you will be needed in 1600 class A next year at Anglesey and Oulton so get the engine back out of the Cortina.

[JohnMiller]

Hi Jez
Can't see your idea happening.
Why not stick with the 750MC & Mono?
Easy silverware for you...
Or stop buggering about and convert your car. Don't forget to allow for the £4.50 you'll be able to get for the FF1800 engine and bits you won't need anymore! Plus the fiver for your Astratech.

[andy97]

I just think that its a real pity that all the FF Zetecs and FVJs that there are about (and there must be loads of them) can't get together in one decent clubman series(whether its Mono 1800 or F4), or at least 2 or 3 "festival" races a season, instead of being split up amongst F4, Mono 1800 and Clubmans FF1800. The trouble is that no one club seems to be prepared to "promote" an 1800cc non wings series/ class fully and I do not know why.

[Barry Pomfret]

The 750 club tried this for a season with stand alone Zetec races for pre 01 cars but it only attracted about 10 cars and also affected their entry numbers for F4. This season they went back to Zetecs running as a class in F4 but unfortunately it is not possible to win the overall F4 championship in a Zetec as there are no points for class wins any more. I am convinced that more 1600 drivers would have a go at Zetec if they realised how cheap they are to run and how reliable the engines are, can the 1600 guys explain why they are not prepared to go along the Zetec route? ( engines can be run for 3,000 miles, new engine complete from Ford costs £1,200, cars are cheaper,one of my hire drivers has just bought an 02 rolling chassis with c dash for £4,500 !)

[diz]

Originally posted by Barry Pomfret
one of my hire drivers has just bought an 02 rolling chassis with c dash for £4,500 !)

Should hve a stonking bargain then, once he has converted it to Kent.
Sorry Barry, I just couldn't resist.

[blue nose]

The answer is easy Kents are so much better to race and watch plus they are so much quicker through a corner than a Zetec.Its a pity Kents are more costly engine wise but if the rules were changed about crankshafts it would bring the prices down a lot.

[Walshy]

Originally posted by blue nose
The answer is easy Kents are so much better to race and watch plus they are so much quicker through a corner than a Zetec.Its a pity Kents are more costly engine wise but if the rules were changed about crankshafts it would bring the prices down a lot.

I agree Alan, but I must admit that the Zetec engines make the Kents look like they are made out of paper when it comes to durability.

[blue nose]

I am using an engine that has not been rebuilt since 2000 and has had a lot of use over the years and has not gone bang yet!!!

[G Halls]

I chose to race zetecs over kents because they are more durable,
Andy 97 you are so right its madness having all these cars racing in 3 different championships but all with small grids,
And in return this gets the drivers no recognition for their efforts by the press
I would love to race with a full grid of older zetecs and not have to share with slicks and wings etc

[Walshy]

That will have something to do with your Steel Crank. No wonder your fighting for them. That way you won't have to change your engine.............LOL

[blue nose]

SSSHHHH some one may be watching...If we had a poll about steel cranks I suspect all the drivers would vote for a change.

[Walshy]

I'd agree there. I don't know though, I mentioned this in a previous Thread. It just seemed that there were more problems at the start of this year due to engines. It might have just been coincidence, but some of these engines are over 20 years old. I have heard the arguements for them being better as they get older, but at the end of the day, these engines were not designed to live at 7000rpm.

The Zetec can do it all day for fun.

[blue nose]

But we do run at 7000rpm most of the time into School mine is hiting 7200rpm I know what you are saying but Kents are going to get even stronger over the next few years as more and more are arriving on the scene and Zetecs are well....not.

[JohnMiller]

There is just so much more momentum to 1600s. More places to race. More people to race against. With respect, there is little real competition in club level Zetecs unless you want to run against the bigger spenders in the BRSCC FF1800 series. In 1600 you get to race against very high quality drivers which must be the only way to improve yourself.

Barry, you could mention the four grand bargain was for a 'highly sought after' Mygale 02...

[andy97]

Originally posted by G Halls
I chose to race zetecs over kents because they are more durable,
Andy 97 you are so right its madness having all these cars racing in 3 different championships but all with small grids,
And in return this gets the drivers no recognition for their efforts by the press
I would love to race with a full grid of older zetecs and not have to share with slicks and wings etc

G Halls

Thanks for the reply but don't forget Vauxhall Juniors - The power to weight ratio is about the same as for a Zetec and driver per driver Zetecs and FVJs are probably competitive with each other. I am delighted that 750 have now allowed the FVJs into the F4 invitaion class as it gives me more opportunities to race and there seems to be more Zetecs to battle with in F4 than in Mono 1800.

I agree that the Zetecs are more durable, as are the Formula Vauxhall Juniors, and durability represents a significant saving in running costs for the clubman on a budget. (I was told on sunday that a rebuild for a Kent costs about £1800 & is required every 1200 miles).

I raced the blue and yellow FVJ in the F4 invitation class at Mallory on sunday and enjoyed myself. I had overtaken a couple of cars and was dicing with another until my "off" at the esses! I will definately be out again, when my other commitments allow.

[G Halls]

I hadnt forgot fvj`s it was good to see you out at mallory!

[Barny]

On paper the Zetec is the logical choice due to reliability and running costs, also having wet tyres is preferable to ACB10's, but there isn't a strong enough championship to attract competitors, but it shouldn't be a surprise as there isn't support for a national 1600 championship either!

[diz]

Originally posted by blue nose
Kents are going to get even stronger over the next few years

Not everybody is impressed by a Kent. The following quote is from the Road Car Forum today, from some Aussie bloke.

A friend of mine is a Ford man through and through and has raced Escorts for 25 years. He attended the motor show recently and was curious enough to look at a Ford Ka. When the salesman lifted the bonnet he proudly pointed out the "all new hi-tech Super Positron Zetec R Super Technotron.....whatever" engine. My stunned mate immediatly replied, "It's a Kent!!!" Oh no says the salesman, it's the "all new hi-tech Super Positron Zetec R Super Technotron.....whatever." My mate was flabbergasted, and continued, "It's a horrible, rattling, gutless, oil dripping, ancient Kent!" The salesman, gave up and found someone else to talk to.

This could be the reason Peter Hackett wasn't at Anglesey. Ford Australia had fitted his engine to a motor show special Ka.

[andy97]

Originally posted by G Halls
I hadnt forgot fvj`s it was good to see you out at mallory!

I'll be out again in F4 but unfortunately the Silverstone round clashes with something else. Perhaps the Zetec and FVJ folks should resolve to meet up at the Monoposto double header at Donington on 23/24 Oct.

[Triple J Motorsport]

The only problem with FF1800 is the tyre window to win you need to throw tyres at it.

This may change if Avon manage to make the tyre window last more than 10 laps (experiments are being carried out I am led to believe) or the F1 wanna bes spend daddy's money on BMW or Renault as FF1800 becomes a club racing car only due to Ford not supporting it.

Having said that I was 2nd in this years Avon clubman championship until the last race when my money ran out and I haven't bought any new tyres all year. But we have had alot of wet races.

This is the place to race your FFZetec

[blue nose]

Originally posted by ZetecNo9
The only problem with FF1800 is the tyre window to win you need to throw tyres at it.

But will that not damage the body work ?

[diz]

No, but it will probably smash the glass.
What a pane !!!