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Old 27 Dec 2003, 19:43 (Ref:821442)   #1
pmoloney
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Car Prep...the basics!

I'm converting a road going BMW 325 to race and wondered what kind of basic prep things are worth doing over and above safety equipment, running gear overhaul, engine overhaul etc.

I know it sounds like a daft question, but I was wondering about things like the small threaded posts that are welded into the shell that have wire clips attached to them...do they need removing to please the scruteneers..or is it just good practice? What other things are there that are worth doing? I don't want to get to the track and find that I've missed something important!
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Old 29 Dec 2003, 09:52 (Ref:822443)   #2
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Why don't you contact whoever is running the series that you plan to run in next year and speak to them. The club normally has someone who can guide you through this process. It really has got to be worth speaking to the technical person first before spending lots of money. Good luck and have fun.
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Old 29 Dec 2003, 10:01 (Ref:822448)   #3
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You could look at www.bmwrdc.com for the BMW race series or alternatively look at your blue book and phone a local scrutineer, some will arrange to meet and have a look at for you. Alternatively, perhaps a local experienced racer would have a look at for you? Good luck and enjoy yourself!
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Old 29 Dec 2003, 12:29 (Ref:822530)   #4
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The best tip I can give is to convert the BM into cash and buy a FF1600.
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Old 29 Dec 2003, 12:53 (Ref:822541)   #5
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What a fantastic piece of "advice"

I'd agree with getting in touch with series' technical advisor(s) and scoping out what needs to be done to be legal for the series for which the car would be eligible and how much money/hassle would be involved. Other competitors can also give you a realistic opinion of what's worth doing, and what should/could be done. Don't rush into doing something which will improve performance but may make the car illegal.
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Old 29 Dec 2003, 13:00 (Ref:822544)   #6
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Old 29 Dec 2003, 13:24 (Ref:822552)   #7
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Maisie doesn't seem too impressed with my advice:
I am however serious. I am guessing from your question that this is the first car you have prepared to race, if so then when you add the cost of roll cage, extinguisher, harness, fuel tank, fireproofing and all the other safety stuff, to the price of a large trailer or transporter then you will arrive at your first race with a road going saloon with no chance of winning and you will never know why.
If you were to spend the same £5000 on a FF1600 then its all down to you, if you are not quick enough there will be plenty of free advice available, none of which will include thousands of pounds on engine and gearbox rebuilds.
I'm sure the Monoposto and Caterham could make an equally strong case.
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Old 29 Dec 2003, 13:41 (Ref:822558)   #8
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Quote:
Originally posted by StephenRae
The best tip I can give is to convert the BM into cash and buy a FF1600.
Steve, at first glance, I must admit I chuckled out loud. However Paul has got further than his post suggests. I had a look at his website yesterday. Good luck Paul. It will be a steep learning curve for you, but worth it. Then when you get 'up there', sell your Beemer as a proven car and move over into FF1600.
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Old 29 Dec 2003, 14:05 (Ref:822584)   #9
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I've taken Diz' advice and had a look at Paul's web site..
VERY professional! he seems to have all angles covered I wish him every success......I've just copied this from his driver profile....
"I am now more determined than ever to realise a dream of entering motorsport for real....even if it IS only club level!"
I hope this doesn't come back to bite him....just on the off chance that he doesn't blow the doors off the 'clubbie' competition
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Old 29 Dec 2003, 14:21 (Ref:822588)   #10
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..And remember kids, not everyone wants to race FFord. Believe it or not, some people prefer saloon racing...
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Old 29 Dec 2003, 14:55 (Ref:822597)   #11
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Quote:
Originally posted by StephenRae
"I am now more determined than ever to realise a dream of entering motorsport for real....even if it IS only club level!"
I hope this doesn't come back to bite him....just on the off chance that he doesn't blow the doors off the 'clubbie' competition
I don't think he means it that way!

More in the same way I feel about it. Obviously I would like to race at Le Mans or Monaco in Sportscar or F1 (this is what the big dreams are), but I only do club racing.

Anyway, back to the interesting stuff.

Good luck Paul, it is great fun. Maisie is spot on with the advice. I would add, there is no need to rush into anything, take your time, build up yourself and the car slowly and watch and learn what others do to their cars and on track.

Also, great website, it reminds me that mine needs an overhaul. Keep us posted. Any idea where and when your first race will be?
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Old 29 Dec 2003, 16:42 (Ref:822634)   #12
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Well there's certainly a range of opinions there!!

First of all, I agree that it may seem daft to convert a road going car from scratch for my first racer, but to be honest I'm one of those people who enjoys the building just as much as the racing! The hobby for me can be all year, whether it is driving or tinkering in the garage!

On the subject of open wheelers...they just don't do it for me! I've always preferred the idea of saloon racing and therefore decided to go down that road. I'm also a BMW fan with a good friend being a BMW technician.

Anyway..kinda got off topic there, so thanks for the advice on speaking to fellow racers, bmwrdc, local scruteneers etc, all of which I will follow through. I've been following the BMW series (and cars) quite closely this year and think I've picked up most of the basics from speaking with guys like John W and others....it's the "preperation bits taken for granted" that I was asking about but thinking about it, it's probably best left to someone to physically see and comment on the car itself.

As for the website...thanks for the comments, it took a while and I've got loads more to do yet, but these cold nights will help. Hopefully a professional appearance will assist in looking for a suitable sponsor! (somehow I think this may be wishful thinking though!)
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Old 30 Dec 2003, 03:56 (Ref:823202)   #13
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The most constructive advice and help that I got when building my car (clubmans) was from one of the really experienced old hands. You do need to check stuff in the blue book and the championship regs but it isn't a lot of help in showing you how to put a race car together.

The most critical things are getting the seating position, brakes, steering wheel gearchange and mirrors comfortable. Spend a lot of time on this, it really pays off. Get the seat as low as possible. After that get the safety stuff spot on. Sounds a bit naff but if you've rushed fitting your belts, it will play on your mind and you won't drive as well. The scrutineers will not necessarily pick up your mistakes. They do their best but they only have a few minutes, anyway you don't want that kind of panic before your first practice/race.

The other thing is that stuff comes loose. You need to put nylocs where you can, lockwire where you have to and loctite anywhere else (only the weak stuff)

Make a check list before you go out and tick everything off. You will not be ready for your first outing, but no-one is. It is really hard to get the car out there at all and you can't believe how fast the others are at first, but it is all worth it. If it all goes wrong don't worry, we've all been there. If it goes right you will wonder why you didn't do it sooner.

It is not even remotely similar to a track day. Even the track looks different - I kid you not! Best of luck.

A word of warning... if you get hooked you will sell your children into slavery to get back out there. Very addictive.
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Old 30 Dec 2003, 04:08 (Ref:823209)   #14
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Quote:
Originally posted by Chris Y
..And remember kids, not everyone wants to race FFord. Believe it or not, some people prefer saloon racing...
Some of us are too tall for single seaters too

Built for pipsqueak pygmies some might say
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Old 30 Dec 2003, 06:04 (Ref:823282)   #15
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Quote:
Originally posted by StephenRae
....if you are not quick enough there will be plenty of free advice available, none of which will include thousands of pounds on engine and gearbox rebuilds.
Dream on Stephen
The majority of the Kumho BMW racers don't rebuild anything for four years or more. We're talking ultimate driving machines here, not parts bin specials!
Paul even if you are quick enough, you'll still get the free advice - only it will be telling you how to spend no money until you really need to.
Happy New Year
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Old 30 Dec 2003, 12:27 (Ref:823522)   #16
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Anyone who races anything with an engine gets my respect, I have raced cars other than FF, its just that the FF1600 playing field is about as level as you can get.
Paul...I'll bet if your asked in a years time if you prefer the preperation or the racing you will agree with Steve McQueen "Racing is living, everything else is just waiting"
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Old 30 Dec 2003, 12:43 (Ref:823532)   #17
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Quote:
Originally posted by GTRMagic
Some of us are too tall for single seaters too

Built for pipsqueak pygmies some might say
I disagree. If you want to get into something badly enough, you will. If you don't want to, you will play the size card, or any other excuse you can think of.

In NW FF1600 we have drivers of all shapes and sizes upto 6ft 5ins and 19.5 stones [124 kg]

I am reminded of a friends description of the difference between open and closed wheel racers [he is both a sailor and a car racer]. "the single seater racer would use a proper wooden boat. Those mamby pamby fibreglass boats are for saloon racers" Nuff said.
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Old 30 Dec 2003, 12:48 (Ref:823533)   #18
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In Australia, we don't have FF Zetec and FF160 is still considered fairly expensive. I had a drive day in one and really enjoyed it, but have decided not to race one and to stick with sedans. Cost is one of the reasons. I don't think it's all that level a playing field as the newer cars tend to fill up the front rows and as you go down the field the cars get older.
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Old 30 Dec 2003, 12:48 (Ref:823534)   #19
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Diz......Your a sad loss to the diplomatic service
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Old 30 Dec 2003, 14:12 (Ref:823591)   #20
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Poor pmoloney's orginal query has been lost because we needed to have this debate over something that is daft. We all like different things. Life would be dull if we all raced FF1600 or BMWs.
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Old 30 Dec 2003, 15:55 (Ref:823657)   #21
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Well said, Adam. It irks me when people feel the need to hijack some poor sod's thread to bang their own personal drum, or throw a wet blanket over their dreams.

Everyone likes something different, and each should be encouraged to follow their own dream, no matter what it is.

I think Paul shows a lot of sense, initiative and enthusiasm to follow that dream where others would be put off, and I wish him all the success in the world.
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Old 30 Dec 2003, 16:50 (Ref:823679)   #22
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Thanks all for trying to get the topic back on the subject but I'm going to hijack my own thread now!

Quote:
Originally posted by diz
If you want to get into something badly enough, you will. If you don't want to, you will play the size card, or any other excuse you can think of.
Diz - Why are you so sure that I (or anyone else) needs an excuse for not going to open wheelers? If open wheel cars are so popular, why is the BTCC, V8 Supercars, ETCC not to mention NASCAR even in existance?

Stephen put it beautifully, "Diz......Your a sad loss to the diplomatic service"
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Old 30 Dec 2003, 17:20 (Ref:823693)   #23
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Hi Paul,
And there I was complimenting your website earlier in the thread and wishing you luck.

I still do.

As I see it, TT is a platform for airing your views - both serious and otherwise - and a bit of harmless banter never hurt anybody.

StephenRae and I go back about 30 years, so his comment was almost expected.

Seriously now, just get on with it, get good at it and most of all have fun doing it.

If you can't wait for your BMW season to start, why not form a BMW Team for the Charity Karting at Three Sisters and have a good pre season thrash, before the serious stuff starts.

Take a look at some other threads e.g. What is the best national / club series in the UK Page 3. I own up in that to actually liking saloons. As I say, it is a lot of tongue in cheek stuff.
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Old 30 Dec 2003, 17:26 (Ref:823695)   #24
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Quote:
Originally posted by diz
[B]As I see it, TT is a platform for airing your views - both serious and otherwise - and a bit of harmless banter never hurt anybody.

StephenRae and I go back about 30 years, so his comment was almost expected.
Yes, and there's a time and a place. If you want to have a "banter" between two of you, then take it to PMs or a chat program. Don't swamp other people's threads, especially the threads asking for important information, and even more especially if your comments, humorous or not, add nothing to the discussion. There's a difference between a "discussion forum" and a chat.
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Old 30 Dec 2003, 17:47 (Ref:823701)   #25
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Quote:
Originally posted by diz
As I see it, TT is a platform for airing your views - both serious and otherwise - and a bit of harmless banter never hurt anybody.
Agreed Diz.
Do lighten up Adam and Maisie, 'tis the season of goodwill.
Perhaps we need a tongue in cheek emoticon? ;-)
John

Last edited by johnw; 30 Dec 2003 at 17:49.
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