Zetec to Kent conversions

A number of people in the NWFF are converting Zetec VD 00, 01 and even a couple of 04's. But are they actually quicker??? They maybe newer, more ££££ but are they quicker?

The guys that have them at the moment are quick drivers anyway, such as Gavin and Ed Moore.

Will they be winners next year???

What do you think?

this has been talked about a lot.

there has to be SOME advantage of some sort, or people would not be doing it. There is also an extra 10 years technology developments in these cars, ok so they convert to apply to the kent rules, so its all fair, but with 10+ on them there must be some advantages like better chasis design for example. There also appears some disadvantages such as weight(although I can't get a straight response on if they weight more or less)

I'd love to have a drive in one just to see how they compare.As you say most of the people that have them are pretty fast drivers anyway, that also begs the question that if they are quick in say an RF90 why upgrade ? so there must be SOME advantage.

Be interesting to see who's out in what next year.

I have to confess that I have bought an VD RF01 to convert but I am doing it to sell or rent out as I am happy with my RF90!! Am just interested in the difference. I hear they are slow off the line etc but they must have some advantages in the dry etc??

From my point of view, as and when Gavin made a decent start in SOM he was dangerous. Even when he didn't, he still often won or came close - but as you say, Gavin can be quick in anything.

The fact that the cars haven't been as good an the wet will be, to some extent, down to a relative lack of running in those conditions. I know Gavin had had no kind of wet set-up, but had just about hit on something in the WHT final. Only to go off...

With regards the weight, i have heard they are typically heavier. However, apparently with some work you can get them down to the weight limit.

I also think that runnig a new cars is a) safer, and b) more promotable because they look so much better, but thats just my point of view.

Talking to a few people as well, it looks like there will be a few more 01/02 cars around than many had anticipated. Like darcym says, it will be interesting to see who roles out the newer cars after the winter break...

I have converted 7 cars now ,all gone to Australia and NZ.
Weight not a problem if built correctly 418/423 no fuel.
Much nicer to drive and work on,
Off the line not as good as RF90.
Major problems with chassis cracking due to 1600 engine.
When ever you touch wheels with other FF cars you end up with a bent wishbone.
Difficult to get the last extra out of the car but it is there.
But much more speed to be found in the DRIVER than the car
If i could buy a brand new RF90 it would be interesting to back to back the cars.
Hopefully safer than older cars.
Like Man Utd ,everyone likes to beat you and just try that little bit extra.
My original RF01 ,18 RACES,16 WINS,1 X 3RD, I DNF ,
3 PAYING DRIVERS.
Top engine,excellant data logger,top driver's and allot of luck.

Pretty good evaluation from John there.

I had no idea about the chassis cracking with the 1600 engine. Is that simpley down to the weight difference ?

Its interesting to hear some of these points.
I suppose that the cost of wishbones (again I keep getting told expensive and then cheap, and then expensive so I have no idea) will play a big part in running one of these cars I suppose as these cars become older parts will be cheaper ? what is the cost of parts for these cars now ?
Its also interesting to hear that its harder to get the last bit of time out of them.

I'd love to rent a car for a test or two just for interests sake to see that differences.

Again I have been told many things on the cost of converting these cars...could someone give me a more realistic idea of what they cost.

assume I have a chassis and engine, what are the extra costs ?

Van Diemen have reduced the price of the wishbones towards the end of the season .Front track rod £65,rear top wishbone £120.
we can supply various conversion kits depending on how far you want to go and if you DIY.£3k /£4k .Big problem finding a good donor car that has not been miss used by the so called top Zetec Teams!
But still the result is who is sitting in the driving seat.Just because you have a new car will not be the answer,There will be no excuse if you drive a new car and you cannot go quick enough.
If anyone of you quick drivers wants a go, give me a call,i am looking for some new talented drivers for 2004 ,but i will tell you with our Data logging your short comings,are any off you up to that?
The chassis cracks near the top engine mounts ,this came to to my attention from the experience of the teams in Australia,resulting in the chassis being adapted.We had this problem after 30 races.Hopefully the newer cars RF03 onwards have had this corrected.
My advice would be get some decent coaching,car prep and data logging.assuming you have a good car RF90/SWIFT92 and engine,MONEY WELL SPENT.

well, well, well redracer you dark horse you!!!!

I find the comments regarding the conversions very interesting especially those from jadlam who have had first hand experience. I too had heard that weight was not a major problem.

Is it true that chassis stiffness is nearly up to that of an F3? I've also heard that the nosecone/nosebox is an horrendous price to replace: carbonfibre?.

I agree with jadlam: there maybe too many people out with a knee jerk reaction to this theory that the newer the car the quicker you must go. Who remembers how well John Loebell went in his '88 Reynard a couple of years ago against much newer machinery? Getting your 90/91/92/93 car prepped by someone who really knows their stuff, a cracking engine and then getting someone with talent to tell you how to drive it! That's got to be the best option.

I would be very interested to try your new car redracer back to back with my own car: what's that I hear you say: get in the queue!!!!!!

I'm not looking at getting a new car, I am just curious to try one out of interests sake. I agree with Jadlam, if you buy a new car and you where not quick anyway you are setting yourself up for a fall. The data logging features jadlam mentions is something I may consider investing in. It seems an excellent way to pickup a few tenths.

that said I may treat myself to hiring redracers car to do a NW round

darcym, you'll be welcome to join us if you can arrange something

Swift, I am not interested in racing a new car as I am not yet good at driving the RF90. I don't think it will make me any quicker or slower and as jadlam is right - most of the speed is in the diver anyway. I did it as a project to rent out or sell but this seems to have gone t..s up as UCLAN were going to supply the engine to go in the back as I was going to be using mine in the RF90 but that is not going to happen as the money men at UCLAN said no. So the project is not going to happen. So I have a VD RF01 Zetec chassis for sale if anyone wants one!!! If I get an engine swift I would be more than happy to let you have a go next year

my idea was to rent it out for next season as I was still learning and then maybe use it in 2005 if not sell it. I guess there will be a number out next season and good luck to them. One of my reasons was to give UCLAN a winter project to work on but they don't think they could get it done on time anyway. Which is fair enough.

Redracer, I think you're far too modest with reference to your own abilities behind the wheel: we expect you to be up at the sharp end in 2004. There, that's put the mockers on that one!

It's a great pity that your plan seems to have gone awry. It would have been an ideal opportunity to test the 2 cars back to back.

It's interesting to note there appears to be a common theme developing with comments regarding the honing of our own driving abilities. I, like you, know that there is still more to come from me as a driver rather than the car. Buying a new car would almost be like starting the learning process all over again. That's one of the reason why I bought a known car in the first place: you know what it's capable of; it's just down to you as the driver to duplicate that. Back in 1997, my car, in the hands of its previous owner, did a mid 1:03 around Fosters, so I've still got some way to go yet!! But that's half the challenge don't you think? Whilst there are still goals to aim for, we still strive to achieve them.

Looks like I'll have to drag the swift down to a NW race this year....gutted.I was looking forward to trying a new car.

Has anyone converted an RF97? Would this be any good? I have one which is almost complete and is unraced since 97. In its day, it was a front-running Zetec in Ireland.

As a point of interest just how many VD 2000 onwards cars will roll out at Oulton this year North Star have 2 04 John Loebell And myself have 00 & 01 Gary Jones may come in a 02. So that is five cars I have heard wispers of two more that are almost finished.

Originally posted by blue nose
I have heard whispers of two more that are almost finished. Whisper who they are this way Alan. Put your reply in brackets [] and only I will be able to see it.

Diz I will let you know (at the end of April)

Originally posted by blue nose
Diz I will let you know (at the end of April) OK stick it in a PM, ring me, or email me then. I won't tell - honest.

The Swift '04 should be interesting though as it is being built as a Kent or a Zetec. Take your fancy. AS it is built on the foundation of a Kent Chassis though, it should be there or there abouts.

There's me thinking I am going to be up there in my Swift '89 because we have it sorted and BINGO, one step forward, two back and all that.

I have seen the cars on the flat patch and the weight is spot on.

Getting of the line is a setup problem but I am not telling what that is...As it has been said previously these cars have ten more years development behind them, I have seen data from a wet practice which showed a 2 second advantage to the next car its because the front end has so much grip because of the wider track.
Plus the safety aspect has to inspire confidence

Can they keep the wide track suspension? I thought that had to be converted back?

Are they as quick as a Reynard '89 in the wet?????

Blue Nose - How much for a test in your motor to see what it is like???????????

Well John went quick than his reynard in the wet with not much seat time so things look good Chris.

About £12000 plus Chris to you mate LOL

We have a spare car you can test next week..

Walshy the wider track is legal the down side is when they have a bump it tends to go pear shaped.You can still bang wheels(not that I want to)and get away with it.

If your car was 2 seconds a lap quicker in the wet than the other cars, waht were they- lada's?

IMHO - no way.

one was yours I thought it was a Swift!!

Yawn

It looks like your losing sleep over it LOL

I'm still up for trying one of these.

If there is a spare car going for a test/race in the NW championship drop me a PM with details. I can leave the Swift down south and try something new...just for fun.

Give John at Medina a ring he will sort it out for you darcym.

I see there are 2 ff1600 series this year!!

1)Speculation racing(or am i running the best car!!)
2)Proper racing which is done on a circuit and is enjoyable to watch & commentate on!!

Why not work on Roger Penske theory "Always look for the unfair advantage" Its found in the workshop/testing.
-------------------------------------------------------------Remember in April @ OP "When the flag drops the "BU----IT STOPS"
or adopt the Motto "Speculation does not win Races" but driving does!!

Young Mr Sproket, Clubff1600.co.uk will report on all pre season test days with times and reports so no driver will be able to hide if they don't perform.

but tests arnt times are they so how are you gonna get all the times???

I wondered that myself!

Chris are you going to follow us to the first test of the season with your stop watch? or do you want a report.
As Jamie put it most tests are for setting up a car and not your best time...

Times may not be important but the people who will read clubff1600.co.uk will want to know what has been going on. I will get to most test days and if I can not make it then my trusty Swift will be around. Not sure about the rest of the Championship as it will be up to them to arrange the info

Do you have a date when it starts?

the website?

Thats the one.

the frame work went live on our server at work this morning and we have been adding info all day so we should have it up to speed by the Anglesey Test day.

Ian to answer your PM all Championships (7 in total) will be live on the 13th

1) NWFF
2) SOM
3) CCFF
4) SFF
5) HFF
6) CFF
7) NI FF

When my company does something we do it right first time....

Times from testing NWFFORD at oulton/anglesy/combe or wherever there is a regional championship will be interesting to everyone, and relevant. Lets face it, FF1600 cars have been around for a while and off the shelf set ups work well enough to give an indication of times (just ask stuart because thats all we ever ran).

Even if you are running a newer zetec conversion, Medina already know how to set up the cars - thats already been proven.

Times will invariably come down as people get more experienced though, but any testing in these championships will show who will be the strongest straight away i believe.

yeh but how do they get the times of other drivers, most peeps aint gonna give there datalogger timesheets to people are they, theres generally no official timing done at tests anyway....

how this gonna work then?

Jamie you stick to drinking tea playing on the interweb and leave the rest to us!!

Out of interest - has anyone tried converting a latter day Swift or Ray to kent form? If so how helpful are the factory etc etc. There are several very cheap Rays (01-03s) and Swifts (99s) for sale...just wondering if any has any thoughts...

I would emagine that support from Bert Ray would be very good, hes pretty flexible for parts etc.

Well to me it sounds pretty simple, you just tell Chris your best time of the day. I can't see reasons why anyone would want to keep it to themselves, after all, I always no the times of my closest rivals as I have always got my brother with the watch on them!

"Tests are for setting the car up, not best times"
I don't know about anyone else but I always do the best time I can with any car setup during testing, else what is the point in being out there! Then you know a setup is better when the times come down, cos what feels right aint always the quickest.

I've seen the later swifts converted run a few times and they are supposed to be a dog in Kent format. I am told (not my opinion) they where not great in zetect format, so when converted to Kent they where even worse 96 onwards are the not so good models to convert.

It looks like some people dont understand what test days are for..never mind.

I find go out and do five laps, change one thing then come in. and just fine tune the car its no good trying to qualify all day without using differant setups what can you learn from that.
I have broken lap times in testing but that means nothing as I know lots of guys who have done the same,when you get the car right its a pleasure to drive rather than using a base setup and driving round a problem you may have.

The data logger we have got for this year should help as there is no were to hide lol..Its good to get some constructive abuse!

Considering the people you refer to apparently dont understand testing, how is it they were able to drive and lap faster then you ever did?

Maybe you are missing the point? Fine tuning your car will give you a litle bit of time, maybe a tenth or two, but not much. If at the end of a test day you have been un able to post a representititve time, then i would consider that a test day wasted.

As i originally said, FF1600 cars are tend to be that well engineered and understood by the vast majority running them in our series, making all of the pre season test days to be representative.

Besides, if you cant drive around a handling in balance, then you wont make much of a racing driver. Doing 5 laps with a set up that you are happy with, may in fact may not be the fastest over race distance for many different reasons. The fastest car setup could even be more difficult to drive, which would mean that it would take more than 5 laps to get used to and get the best out of....sometimes even a whole session.

I have always considered a test day a success when the car was not delivered back to the pits on a low loader...LOL

You still dont get it ....I was not in it last year when the track was quicker I will take my hat of to the boys they were good times on Fosters But your broad statement to lap faster than I ever did I have still been round Island and Anglesey quicker.I can drive with a handling in balance but who would want to It sounds like you still have a lot to learn but with many hours in the car you will get there.

Kickstart lol I have done that three times in one day, but its good to see your mechanics face....

Fangio once said," Only a fool tells people how fast he is, a wise man lets his results speak on his behalf."

I have read most of the old threads ....you should have listend to Fangio then lol

Yawn

When did I say I bomb round all test day on the same set-up. I try different settings, but when i do test the different settings i go as hard as I can, therefore getting the fastest lap out of that set-up I can. Otherwise, how do you compare set-ups? by which one gives you the comfiest ride?!

Why was the track quicker last year? Oh, i forgot, they sprinkled it with magic grippy dust at the beginning of '03. LOL

Every one does try to the max on every lap me included that is why you change things on the car to get the best out of it..I did not go to Oulton last year ,people who did pointed out it hardley rained so there was a lot of grip you are right I like to be nice and comfy in a car but still I am not knocking what you John and Stu did last year I would like to do the same this year...I expect it to be very tough, but thats why we do it.

It confused me what you said before about testing is for setting up, not best times. Well if your method of testing is 100% every lap then why would you not produce your best lap for that day/conditions/setup? I admit, the adrelin in qualifying can sometimes make me go a little quicker (usually I overdrive and go slower) but not by much.

Hopefully with the quality of the field out this year we can push the times on again. I look forward to trying anyway!

I was always told that in testing you should work in sectors - working on each corner at a time. You then put it all together in the last 2 sessions.

Steve, Alan, Ian,
Stop squabbling.
Or more to the point, Alan stop winding people up. You are getting a high post count, but even you must admit a lot of it is drivel.
I suppose that will probably get me in trouble.
This thread is about Zetec to Kent conversions, not how to go testing and what to do when you are there. Let's just wait until Anglesey on 13th March and let your driving do the talking.
We don't want this thread to degenerate into the type of slanging match that has been going on in the best 2004 series / F Jedi thread.
And RR, don't believe everything you are told.

I will change the subject- Diz, I am off to Anfield at 5pm in an exec box for tonights game...and i am a Bolton fan as well...

Does that count as a zetec conversion then, or what?

Diz - excactly.

Originally posted by Redracer77
I will change the subject- Diz, I am off to Anfield at 5pm in an exec box for tonights game...and i am a Bolton fan as well... Any freebie space going in the box?

If you all drive as well as you speculate then we should
have some good racing (In converted zetec or non converted)

If not I can see the book of Exscuses Exploding !!!
------------------------------------------------------------ Try filling in the commentary sheet( On car detail let us Know"Converted Zetec or not)

Originally posted by sprocket
If you all drive as well as you speculate then we should
have some good racing (In converted zetec or non converted)

If not I can see the book of Exscuses Exploding !!!
------------------------------------------------------------ Try filling in the commentary sheet( On car detail let us Know"Converted Zetec or not) Too technical for one who has a colleage who once looked out of the commentary box and opined [good Autosport type word that] that the track must still be damp as the FF1600s were lining up on wets [old Dunlop control tyres]. Don't forget he is the one who gets the handful of commentators sheets

Originally posted by sprocket
If you all drive as well as you speculate then we should
have some good racing (In converted zetec or non converted)

If not I can see the book of Exscuses Exploding !!!
------------------------------------------------------------ Try filling in the commentary sheet( On car detail let us Know"Converted Zetec or not) Sprocket its easy to tell a Zetec convert... there at the front:>)

Diz, Drivel that must be a typing error..You may be thinking about the game over the Road, By the way they have a job opening a new manager LOL Zetec converts are great (thats to keep it in the right thread) I never wind people up (snigger)

Chris the next time you have to watch Liver...l you can park 50 yards from the ground with a permit just pm me.

you can watch my liver if you really want to, its not very exciting and probably not very healthy neither....


*cracks open another tinny*

Are you hurting little people?

only things im hurting are the beer fairies in the morning, they have no right to be in my head clattering dustbins together....

Dont drink the cheap stuff then or dont stop drinking till the afternoon? Have you breathed life into the baby yet no dont answer....

Diz I did have a spare ticket but was going to ask you last night but forgot. Cheers Alan. I had a parking ticket in the players carpark so I only had to walk 10m to the Exec box doors!!! Although I have only just got back...... really bad traffic leaving the ground. Baros what a player but Liverpool were very poor

Who used to own the Sprocket Rocket,and what year is it?

Originally posted by blue nose
Who used to own the Sprocket Rocket,and what year is it? :o
RAY 95,Kevin Bottomley,Ran @Brands & Lydden.

Savin it for Anglesey & Fosters it likes little tracks:D :D :laugh:

Originally posted by darcym
I've seen the later swifts converted run a few times and they are supposed to be a dog in Kent format. I am told (not my opinion) they where not great in zetect format, so when converted to Kent they where even worse 96 onwards are the not so good models to convert.

I think the first Zetec conversion I ever heard of was done down at Combe on a SC96. By a bloke called Barnett IIRC. I spoke to him and his Dad at Mallory and it was a nice looking motor but he sold it as a Zetec roller not long after.

I've got a 97 I might try converting in the future. Looking at it I can't see why I wouldn't go OK as the body is pretty sleek and similarly sized to the 94/95. There is a wide track and a mega wide track version and the pods are somewhat smaller than the equivalent year VDs.

I am also pretty sure they sold a few to Scandinavia when new as 1600s so there must (hopefully) be Kent engine cover moulds at Swift?

in yea dreams ! all the bodywork coming out of swift as it is is ****e.

sorry meant to say shi*e

gold dust mini - pm

yes dave no dave three bags full dave



milk and sugar?

Anybody want to go the Zetec to FF1600 conversion route and not wanting to "do the work themselves?"

I believe John Loebell has an RF04 rolling chassis available with all the right bits.

Diz you should buy it and start racing.....

BN : Must be happy with your early testing !!!!
Selling your Spare/Backup car ???

Sprocket the 2000 car looks the best it has a lower engine cover and a blue powder coated frame perfect for me,what table are you on tonight?

Originally posted by blue nose
Sprocket the 2000 car looks the best it has a lower engine cover and a blue powder coated frame perfect for me,what table are you on tonight? He'll start off as per table plan and probably end up under any convenient table.
Too much :beer:

Originally posted by diz
He'll start off as per table plan and probably end up under any convenient table.
Too much :beer:
I take it you have challenged Sprocket to a drinking match then Diz:beer: :beer: :beer:

Just to go of thread Diz but is the Shipman coming of or staying put?

Nope, I'm virtually tee total.

What your saying then is you do not want a free pint on me tonight..

Maybe just one

On clubFF1600.co.uk under the Combe notes there is ome chat about people running Swift 96s converted to 95 spec.

How is this possible?

The chassis are different?!

If the cars were built after 31/12/95 they MUST run the wider pods??

The car in question (96) does have the BIG sidepods, but parts of the body work are 95 - as Ed says its "converted" into a 95. I didn't know this until I read it, but when you look at pictures of Roly's car and an 95 you can see they look the same....but different.

Originally posted by darcym
you can see they look the same....but different. ;) Thats a very commentator comment!;) ;)

Thanks Matt

So it's a 96 then with a Kent motor and, presumably, a 95 engine cover?

Two questions, why not call it a 96 then as that is what it is (who cares mind you) and how the **** is it eligible to be entered in Class B?

At the risk of being facetious, if I rigged up a front rad on my SC94 could I then enter it in HSCC events?

Edited for the famed 'auto-censor dodging'. As a general note, if you want to swear you may as well do it properly as then the autocensor picks it up and ****s it out. If you use alternative characters such as $ or 1 or whatever, it won't. This is something that some of the staff are very keen on at the moment - although in this case I am sure it is well-intentioned.

Anyway - thats a good question John (about the class it is entered in), but I think you might have a problem with the HSCC ;)

The season is almost over and looking at the results in most of the championships the new Kents have done the trick.Which is not bad for keeping the grids very healthy,Mark Chadwick for instance in his first year has finished near the front.It will be interesting to see the WHT results.

The new regs for Aussie FF look v good...would these engines work in the current kent cars???

Details are on www.formulaford.com.au

if they can change a whole engine why can't we run steel cranks?

who did the artwork for the car!!! Looks like they used a 3 year old!!

Have you seen how £££££ the rolling chassis are in Oz -

They have 2 VD 01 rollers for sale at £20,000!!!!

why do you think I sold mine so quickly!!

John Loebell will be living in Monaco soon!!

Originally posted by Redracer77
John Loebell will be living in Monaco soon!! :cool:
With his driver in Florida!:cool: A truly international team
I assume you'll base yourself in Dubai now!:laugh:

I am spending most of October in Dubai after the Carnival so you could say so yes!!!

Some well sorted converted SJ01s too

Originally posted by ZetecNo9
Some well sorted converted SJ01s too

With the Aussie rules they can probably get them within 30kg of the weight limit too!

Not sure how they weigh in as kents (is wayne Poole the only converter in the uk?)

But it's hard to get them to the FF1800 weight limit but it is possible. Surely it's the same for RF01s or do they run weight in FF1800?

The convertion weight must be roughly the same

Benn Simms converted an SJ02. Sure I heard mention of '448' by the weighbridge after qualifying on Sunday. Mind you these are the Mallory scales we're talking about...

I have converted 7 cars so far RF00 TO RF04 they weigh between 417 to 423 kg no fuel.

Wayne tells me his Mygale is 445kg!!

If you the job right(VD CONVERSION) should be no problem.

Ed Moores RF01 419kg

How many pre 92 cars are spot on?

Maybe the 2000 type cars are faster because they weigh less!!

Originally posted by JohnMiller
. Mind you these are the Mallory scales we're talking about...

Do they weigh under or over?

Originally posted by Barny
Do they weigh under or over?

I thought they weighed heavy if it had been raining but they swore my 430kg Zetec weighed 360kg back in March!

Originally posted by jadlamracing
How many pre 92 cars are spot on?


I though most RF90-92s run considerable lead ballast?

Originally posted by JohnMiller
I though most RF90-92s run considerable lead ballast? Redracer77 doesn't run lead ballast.
He just leaves his wallet in the car.
LO extremely L :laugh:

Are credit cards heavy then?

Originally posted by jadlamracing
I have converted 7 cars so far RF00 TO RF04 they weigh between 417 to 423 kg no fuel.

Wayne tells me his Mygale is 445kg!!

If you the job right(VD CONVERSION) should be no problem.

Ed Moores RF01 419kg

How many pre 92 cars are spot on?

Maybe the 2000 type cars are faster because they weigh less!!


What's the FF1600 weight limit?

420kg

Originally posted by diz
Redracer77 doesn't run lead ballast.
He just leaves his wallet in the car.
LO extremely L :laugh:


Not bad for you Diz!!

We have to use extra fuel to be sure on weight. Diz (if he raced) would not have that problem, he would just use Nat's cakes see Oulton preview -

http://www.clubff1600.co.uk/northwest/news/news_item.asp?NewsID=45

Clearly you know what Dawkins uses.

So with both the SOM and CC being won by Zetec/Kents,
JR Ewing-Miller driving one and even Mr.Daly
(see www.club1600.co.uk)talking of selling the Reynard in favour of a newer machine, does this spell the demise of the original spec Kent/Kent engine car to race for class wins only?

www.clubff1600.co.uk

Barny
I have to say I still don't think the newer cars are quicker. Maybe at some parts of some tracks, but not at others.
I am driving the RF01 only for the reason that I had enough trailering/prepping my car(s).
I decided to drive for a team where I could learn.
I can't think of a better way to do that than drive the same car as the new regional champion, as well as share his data and get tuition. The fact that we get on well together and they are just 'up the road' from me only made it an easier decision.
I must also say that last Sunday was the first time I had driven the RF01 anywhere other than at Castle Combe (which I had never been to before) and I suffered greatly with a misfire. I got one rolling lap, hairpin to hairpin without a misfire all day and the PI got me at 0.5s quicker than I had ever been before, in an FF1600, which would have been good enough for fifth on the grid if I hadn't been held up elsewhere on that one (finish-line to finish-line) lap

Well 0.5 quicker than your Swift ever did in only one lap is a good start.

No criticsm of you JM, it just it appears, and you comments back it up that a Zetec conversion is the way to go for overall honours.

Originally posted by JohnMiller
Barny
I have to say I still don't think the newer cars are quicker. Maybe at some parts of some tracks, but not at others.
John which are the slower tracks or parts of them ?But I dont agrea with what you say as Edd Moore has gone well at Combe Gavin has done well at Mallory and any where else he has been,John Loebell did very well at Oulton last year and at Anglesey this year also when Stuart Gough had a test he was quick.In fact Neil McArthur went faster in his new car than he had been in all of his others.
They are easier to drive and are more forgiving I think they will be even faster next year and you will go quicker your self. ;)

Originally posted by blue nose
John which are the slower tracks or parts of them ?But I dont agrea with what you say as Edd Moore has gone well at Combe Gavin has done well at Mallory and any where else he has been,John Loebell did very well at Oulton last year and at Anglesey this year also when Stuart Gough had a test he was quick.In fact Neil McArthur went faster in his new car than he had been in all of his others.
They are easier to drive and are more forgiving I think they will be even faster next year and you will go quicker your self. ;)

I damn well hope to go quicker for the cash but it will be car prep/data/tuition that does it I think, rather than chassis.
Ed has gone well at Combe although the laptimes aren't fantastic. Perhaps he's had no need to try harder though?
I remain convinced that anything 90 on can be just as quick ir prepped and run the same with the same calibre of driver.