History of a Lola T492 Sports 2000 chassis?

[911thillclimber]

Blast! just lost a long reply!!

On the BBS rim with a 1.5" outer rim instead of its current 3" the outer rim/tyre will be about 1/2" less track/side than the current 10" Dymag front rim.

The BBS is an 8.5" wide rim (tyre bead to tyre bead)

The rim would measure 7" with the new outer rim.

Compared to the Dymag rim, I would lose 1" on the front track.
On the BBS, the inside rim would be 2" narrower.

On the rear with the spare 10" Dymag wheels I mis-read the dia of the current tyre. The current tyre is 12 x 23 x 13.

I can fit 10.5 x 23 x 13 on the 10".

Al of this is a compromise. I doubt the current wheels/diameters etc were calculated with the Lola chassis when Alan H was changing things around, though he did tell me that the front suffered greatly from bump Steer, but that seems fine now. I have kept the front end as he built it.

hope this makes sense Clive!

[911thillclimber]

If it adds anything to the thinking, the Lola tyre sized with the Pinto from the factory were;

Fr: 7 x 20 x 13
Rr: 8.2 x 22 x 13

The rears on the car are 23" dia at the moment.

[Clive Brown]

Originally Posted by 911thillclimber

I can fit 10.5 x 23 x 13 on the 10".

That's surely too wide a tyre for the rim. I would expect a rim at least 1" wider than the nominal tyre width unless you are using tyres with a cantilever side wall.

If you go to a 22" diameter rear tyre, do you intend to raise the car by ½" to restore the ride height?

[911thillclimber]

It is tricky to decide on what tyre to fit to a given rim off the AVON web site.
I've taken that size from the chart because that size tyre has been fitted to a 10" rim to set all the dimensions of the tyre itself @ 20 psi.

If I go to 22" the whole car will go back to McClurg Motorsport for a total re-set or at least check so it can all be changed then, but yes, ride will be addressed to keep the 'rake' of the tub as per Lola specs and where they measure from to set it.
Sean did this when he did the car and the chassis seems well balanced in that no understeer in the slow tight bends and no rush to oversteer elsewhere.

After yet more measuring the BBS rims are 9" wide.

This is not an easy path to walk!

[Clive Brown]

No matter what advice you are given, there's only one way you'll ever truly find out if your plans are sound....

[911thillclimber]

Indeed!
Out on the black stuff.

Off the Avon crossply site just:

Smallest 23" tall tyre is a 10.5 x 23 x 13 suited to a rim range of 9.5 to 11.5
In 22" there is a 10" x 22 and a 9.2 x 22.

Maybe BMTR will have some advice for me. I hope they will be at Shelsley this weekend so perfect opportunity to ask.

[911thillclimber]

Practice day today at Shelsley.
The class is full to say the least with a dazzling display of 'wacky racers' if ever there was one. Excellent and very good to see.

My two runs were crammed into this morning due to the threat of rain (which never really came) but two good fuss-free runs. the car went well!

Tried a harder apparaoch to the start technique, 5000 rpm and dump the clutch. Those 12" wide racing AVON got fried but a good result!

First run was 2.24 start, 34.7 time with 90 mph over the finish line. OK.
Second run was a better 2.17 with 33.81 run time, 94 mph over the line. Better.

To get the job done for me tomorrow is a time of better than 32.4, fastest than I've ever gone before in anything. So, 1.5 seconds to sort out.

I just might do that.

Here are some pics of my class mates, the fastest today was 39.5.
It is a 4x4 Mallock with a Cossie NA engine BUT with a helicopter compressor feeding the injection to give instant boost pressure. Fascinating car from Nick Mann.

AUDI 4 x 4 , Puma 4x4 with WRC drivetrain, modern Caterham with a supercharged duratec and much much more.

[Andy Clegg]

Didn't Nick Mann run a turbocharged Minor 1000? He always seemed to be very quick, you have got some competition with all those in your class.

[paulSenna]

Nic Mann in his turbo Morris V8...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUL0fz_nPYE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUu5eJPEigw

[911thillclimber]

Yes, the very same Nick Mann.
When i used to go spectating at the hills in the mid 1980's NM's Minor was fantastic. The whole hill of spectators would get on their feet to watch the 29 second runs of the Minor.
This latest creation is spectacular, but broke yesterday.

Had a great day at the races today.

My target was to get to 32.4 or at least close to my Impreza's time of 32.48, 370 bhp 4 x 4 on slicks.
My best time for the Lola was 32.81

First race was with the track a bit damp in places but ok, and I hit 33.43. Could have sworn it was a 32, but a bit disappointing.
The car was just great with no issues at all(!)

Second run was with a bit of bloody determination. I WILL leave with a 32 of some standing, the closer to 32.48 the better.
A long hot sticky wait on the start line que was not good, but gave the car death off the line, 5000 rpm and to hell with the clutch.

2.11 sec start (good) and a finish of 32.73!

OK, not the target but a PB nevertheless.

The class was a bit big this weekend, and very hard to get amongst the hard hitters so ended up last but one...

Here is the role -call:

NG V8 34.17
Lola Porsche 32.73
Caterham SP300R 32.54
Metro 6R4 31.78
MG Metro 6R4 30.85
AUDI Quattro 29.89
Mini EVO 29.49
Ford Puma 4 x 4 28.87
Force SR4 26.86
Force SR4 25.92

(Nick Mann best practice: 27.50)

Next round is at Prescott near Cheltnham in 2 weeks time:

PB 48.13 (Impreza 46.60)

Can't wait!

[MGDavid]

within a second of a 6R4 is pretty good going if you ask me :-)

[911thillclimber]

And it was 4.1 litres. Killer car mind.

The over 2 litre sports libre class is a great mix of wild to mild, new to old (cars and drivers) and we put on a good show. The Force sports racer was close to the big Gould and bike engine cars, and he has a better engine in the works, all home brewed too.

I took the air filters off for my second run, must have added a 1000 bhp..

Met another couple of 10/tenther's also so that was nice. A bit of magic that only happens at Shelsley Walsh.
It was also an Aston Martin extravaganza and they did not disappoint. Being 2 feet away from the Le Mans prototype racer of a few years ago start up was a special moment, what a machine.

[911thillclimber]

forgot to say; the most interesting car there in the class for me was the Caterham SP300.
I think designed with Lola (!), 300bhp/213 ft lbs, 545Kg and 0 to 60 in 2.8 secs.
The car is geared for 180 mph flat out so gears far too tall for a hillclimb and full of heavy circuit stuff (air jacks etc) so a good 20Kg to come out.

However, at £67K + vat a good price too..

[spd(john)]

Was great to see you with a smile from ear to ear, and the car just sounds great.

[911thillclimber]

Thanks John, I just needed a few 10ths more to beat my little Impreza's time, but I was 4 years younger too then!

That STi was quite a good little car for 370 bhp (Power Station numbers)

Maybe next year I'll beat it..

Someone did whisper to me that they had heard the Lola might be for sale, and just then, at that point, I really could not say it was.

How's that for a change round.

[911thillclimber]

Just found this 10 mins of the Shelsley meeting with the class runners.

Worth looking at the lot but the Lola in full flight at around 2.40 mins mark, a full speed runner at 8.33!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=Jx6ckjwh8k4

[andy97]

Originally Posted by 911thillclimber

forgot to say; the most interesting car there in the class for me was the Caterham SP300.
I think designed with Lola (!), 300bhp/213 ft lbs, 545Kg and 0 to 60 in 2.8 secs.
The car is geared for 180 mph flat out so gears far too tall for a hillclimb and full of heavy circuit stuff (air jacks etc) so a good 20Kg to come out.

However, at £67K + vat a good price too..

Based on the unsuccessful Lola Sports 2000 chassis of 3-4 years ago. Might have been mated to the backend of the Lola F3 car, can't remember now. Caterham tried to develop a one make series for it but it didn't take off.

[911thillclimber]

Interesting Andy.
They have sold/shipped 25 and are on with another 20, almost all going to the USA.
Target is a One Make series over there.

[911thillclimber]

Prescott (Bugatti Owners Club) hillclimb by Cheltenham this weekend, and the last but one race for us in 2013.
It's gone by quickly, and so far without incident.

I checked the car all over the other day after the Shelsley meeting and cannot find anything to do except clean and polish it!

Things are moving forward on the skinny wheels front with the new front rims awaited and i have some A11 compound slicks already, just 12 months old and still very soft.

I have a set of rear of the right size for set-up exercises, and I've spoken to Sean at McClurge Motorsport, so the car will go down there early next year for adjustment to allow for the 22" rear wheel diameter.

I did notice the rear of the chassis is looking a bit ratty, so as the car will be tweeked by Sean I will take it all apart Xmas and re-paint it all. Paint instead of nickle plate to keep the money for the slicks.

Thus the wheels will be 8" front and 10" rear rims, all 13" and sticking to crossply for now.
So many hillclimbers agree I'm doing the right thing with this move..I trust they are right.

Luckily, the existing centre lock nuts and hub spacers all fit across the wheel combinations for this change!

how long can all this good news last?

Having some thoughts on the 911 engine and thinking injection using the Triumph TB's, and using a DTA or Emeral ecu.

Apart from the fuel system i can revert to carbs/dist/ Old Skool if it all goes pear shaped.

Then there is the body.

Keep my battered and scared current T 492 another year or splash out and have a nice new yellow one? (3 piece because I don't like getting wet).

going to be busy in the garage soon.

[brakedisc]

Never mind modifying it, use it. Get yourself to Doune 14th/15th September. Car and driver would love it.

[911thillclimber]

Gulp...
No chance at all. Just cannot imagine doing Doune, it would hurt too much and I'd be ridiculed by a few I know!

All the changes will be over the winter break. got to do something or I'll get bored inside of 2 weeks.
Also, everything will be reversible, so if it doesn't work I can convert back in a few evenings.

[911thillclimber]

Not long back from a hard weekend's racing at Prescott near Cheltenham, a long and twisty hill with a few awkward bits, and the scene of my mega engine blow-up last year and two other 'failures' so there are some ghosts to bury.

Fantastic hillclimb weather, 22 deg C slightly overcast, so cars and drivers not too hot..
The plan was to beat my Impreza time of 46.60, even today a good time that would have netted my 3rd in that class this weekend, and that was in 2005.
Previous Lola best was 48.13 so some work to be done.

Well; it was.
Did this car ever go well, and to be honest, me too!

Best practice time was 47.66 this morning thumping the car round in the cool morning. This boded well if only I could resist rushing this gearbox!

If you push the box it throws the lever back into neutral which obviously takes time to get into 3rd, maybe even a second, and that is a country mile in a hillclimb.

Race run netted a nice 47.03 with a missed 2nd to 3rd and a touch of red mist after that. Stupid pilot.
I was tempted to remove the air filters to gain a touch more (bull sh!t if you ask me) so left the car alone apart from getting the tyre pressures cock-on, tricky with the sun shining hard on one side of the car.

Race run #2 is always difficult for me after lunch but i wanted to go home with a 46 and/or better the Impreza's time.

Well, nearly there!

46.72 was the final result despite a LONG missed gear shift that took ages to settle going under The Bridge on the circuit not far from the start line. Once in 3rd the throttle was given no mercy and it bellowed round the long sweeping left hander which I usually fear, but can't recall driving, but I'm told the car was in a drift rounding it...
Deep into the next hairpin, touch /lot of understeer (Sean!) and out to where the engine went bang last year really hard in 3rd.
Dived into the famous 'Pardon' hairpin and screeched round and off on the back straight.

Red mist now dispersed, I thought I should be careful.

Smoothly through the Esses and up to the blind semi circle (which it literally is) and hard home spluttering on the rev limiter in 3rd.

If only I had not missed that gear under Bridge, the Impreza would have been history!

Fantastic weekend, I felt so good in the car and far more confident than before, even though I came last in class!

Just one more to go at my very favortie hillclimb, Loton Park (www.hdlcc.com) near Shrewsbury right at the end of Sept and it is all over for 2013.

SPA will be the next petrol head event, can't wait. THE best race track ever.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?featur...&v=jSsZ2xm40MI

[MGDavid]

that's more like it!
AND you've got an 'if only' to work on too :-)

[Andy Clegg]

Quite liked the first left hander for photos at Prescott. The car takes off quickly.

[911thillclimber]

The starts are important, easy time in the bag without a risk! (except to the transmission at is)

So stupid to miss/rush the 2nd to 3rd under the bridge of all places. I think i was pondering the run under the bridge and how hard to push. Half way round there is a stretch that goes adverse camber, even catches aces like Will Hall at times..and I've seen spinners hit hard bits as a result.

It was a great weekend and reminded me of my days with the 911 and the Impreza but I drove them to and from the tracks and those road miles (about 3000/year) gives you a lot of feel for the cars. I don't have that with the race car, and I'm a slow learner!

Confidence in the Impreza in particular was high, they are killer cars to drive hard and I never had an off while I raced it, not even a scare in 4 years, had several class wins and even a class record.

Then came the Lola. Quite a shock, but this year so far has so nearly met what I wanted out of the car after all the grief.

Said it before but McClurge Motorsport did a great job on the chassis (so did Lola), and it will be going back to Sean in the very early new year with it's narrow rims and fresh slicks.

The injection will be a tease technically on this big capacity engine, but I have to decide on the ecu. I've been offered a good DTA M8, though the simplicity and DIY of the Megasquirt still appeals.
Sparks only also may be a good option (mega spark I think).

Mrs Hillclimber is not too sure of a new body the way I drive this thing. so 'tatty' I think will still be on the car in 2014.

I'm not at all sure I would sell it now, but a Hewland would be so very nice.

Having said that, having a reverse gear made a busy and cramped paddock position a breeze and amused many as I moved around on the fast tick-over I've set on the engine.

Still: 6 months soon to think, plan, action.

I love this car though: Really rapid, cuts 44's. It is tweeked far more than it appears. On paper a description of it matched all i want:

Unusual, mid engine and over 2 litre, covered cockpit and bloody quick.