1970 Alfa Romeo GT Junior Racer
Discussion
I wish it were that simple. FIA/MSA rules state that a high intensity light needs to be fitted. The tail lights don't meet the grade and an additional requirement is that the rain light must be within 10cm of the centre line of the car.
MSA Yearbook Regulation - Q.5 Red Warning Light
A rearward facing red warning light of a minimum of 21 watts, with surface area
minimum 20cm2, maximum 40cm2, or of 21 watts with a surface area minimum of
50cm2 and with lens and reflector to EU standards, must be located within 10cm of
the centreline of the vehicle and be clearly visible from the rear. An alternative light
unit of equal or enhanced constant luminosity may be used.
LED Units
LED light units must produce an equivalent or superior light output per the above
regulation. Units must be water and vibration resistant. Lamps must be arranged in
parallel array circuit configuration so that a single LED failure ensures at least 75%
of the display remains serviceable. Light units may be used in paired configuration if
the minimum surface area requirements cannot be met by a single unit. If there is
any doubt as to the unit's performance the MSA will insist on the production of an
ECE Regulation 38 certificate for rear fog lamps.
MSA Yearbook Regulation - Q.5 Red Warning Light
A rearward facing red warning light of a minimum of 21 watts, with surface area
minimum 20cm2, maximum 40cm2, or of 21 watts with a surface area minimum of
50cm2 and with lens and reflector to EU standards, must be located within 10cm of
the centreline of the vehicle and be clearly visible from the rear. An alternative light
unit of equal or enhanced constant luminosity may be used.
LED Units
LED light units must produce an equivalent or superior light output per the above
regulation. Units must be water and vibration resistant. Lamps must be arranged in
parallel array circuit configuration so that a single LED failure ensures at least 75%
of the display remains serviceable. Light units may be used in paired configuration if
the minimum surface area requirements cannot be met by a single unit. If there is
any doubt as to the unit's performance the MSA will insist on the production of an
ECE Regulation 38 certificate for rear fog lamps.
I have done the fuel cell protection plate. It took me a while to remember back to metalwork at school but the memories of Mr Taylor's class eventually came flooding back!
I started with a 600 x 500mm sheet of 2mm aluminium.
I marked up the points to cut and where to fold and proceeded to make the cuts. I started with my dremel but sadly it didn't seem to work that well and may actually have burned the motor out. I had to resort to good old elbow grease and a hacksaw.
I then used some spray adhesive to fit some oil absorbent pads to the inner face of the guard. This was to act as a vibration absorber and stop any fuel cell to metal contact.
I have ty-wrapped it up for the moment but may use proper alloy supports at some point.
I'm quite happy with the result.
Started with this;
Adding the vibration absorber;
Shiney side after taking off the protective layer;
And fitted;
I started with a 600 x 500mm sheet of 2mm aluminium.
I marked up the points to cut and where to fold and proceeded to make the cuts. I started with my dremel but sadly it didn't seem to work that well and may actually have burned the motor out. I had to resort to good old elbow grease and a hacksaw.
I then used some spray adhesive to fit some oil absorbent pads to the inner face of the guard. This was to act as a vibration absorber and stop any fuel cell to metal contact.
I have ty-wrapped it up for the moment but may use proper alloy supports at some point.
I'm quite happy with the result.
Started with this;
Adding the vibration absorber;
Shiney side after taking off the protective layer;
And fitted;
First race weekend completed!
Car survived unscathed and was going beautifully. I'm really pleased with it.
It was my first race weekend so nerves were most certainly present but I felt I acquitted myself well and didn't do anything daft.
Race-wise the car ran perfectly. I bettered my best time thus far on Sat Testing when I got a 65.1 so that was over a second better than previous.
Race 1 was dry and I had a hoot. I took it very easy on the start not wanting to be part of a first corner incident. Then I settled in for the race. I was relatively consistently lapping in the 66's again which is a little slower than I would like but I suspect performance night nerves got the better of me and I just drove to finish rather than win.
Vid here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mHNqFbkzHw
Race 2 was changeable. The track started dry but got wet quite quickly. It became really slippery!
I was having a brilliant tussle with the Capri. I really should have pushed harder on my overtakes into Duffus as I had the line but I wasn't quite ballsy enough and felt that a clean finish was better than a spill down Duffus. Only a lap later I had a big slide there which then led to me back off. The Midget came a cropper around the same time too.
Vid here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2XhoxHbiCk
Next race is 16th of August so I have time to prepare the car and get myself sorted for that.
Car survived unscathed and was going beautifully. I'm really pleased with it.
It was my first race weekend so nerves were most certainly present but I felt I acquitted myself well and didn't do anything daft.
Race-wise the car ran perfectly. I bettered my best time thus far on Sat Testing when I got a 65.1 so that was over a second better than previous.
Race 1 was dry and I had a hoot. I took it very easy on the start not wanting to be part of a first corner incident. Then I settled in for the race. I was relatively consistently lapping in the 66's again which is a little slower than I would like but I suspect performance night nerves got the better of me and I just drove to finish rather than win.
Vid here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mHNqFbkzHw
Race 2 was changeable. The track started dry but got wet quite quickly. It became really slippery!
I was having a brilliant tussle with the Capri. I really should have pushed harder on my overtakes into Duffus as I had the line but I wasn't quite ballsy enough and felt that a clean finish was better than a spill down Duffus. Only a lap later I had a big slide there which then led to me back off. The Midget came a cropper around the same time too.
Vid here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2XhoxHbiCk
Next race is 16th of August so I have time to prepare the car and get myself sorted for that.
I got a spare hour to have a look over the car after the race weekend. Nothing to report under the car anyway aside from a slightly offset rear anti-roll bar (I'll keep an eye on this and stick some markings on it) and there was a reasonable film of oil over most of the components in the centre and rear of the engine. I'll give it all a clean up and monitor that too.
While at Knockhill the Racetech distributor for the UK popped over to say hello. We had been in touch so he had come along to see me and the car. I wasn't expecting him to have brought a seat however so he surprised me with a more generously proportioned seat to suit my frame. I explained that they don't generally fit in the Alfa but he was insistent that I give it a try and see how it goes.
So I have;
Bugger
I've taken the panel off the inside of the door so think I should be able to remove some of the door structure and then make a hole in the door card which I can then patch over with a stretchy black fabric so it looks flush when the door is open but allows the seat shoulder to occupy the space in the door. Should be simple enough to do. I'll just take my time to do it properly. While I'm there i may also whip out some weight from the doors as I see they still have a lot of their window mechanism left in there. Can't do any harm to lose that now I run Perspex windows.
While at Knockhill the Racetech distributor for the UK popped over to say hello. We had been in touch so he had come along to see me and the car. I wasn't expecting him to have brought a seat however so he surprised me with a more generously proportioned seat to suit my frame. I explained that they don't generally fit in the Alfa but he was insistent that I give it a try and see how it goes.
So I have;
Bugger
I've taken the panel off the inside of the door so think I should be able to remove some of the door structure and then make a hole in the door card which I can then patch over with a stretchy black fabric so it looks flush when the door is open but allows the seat shoulder to occupy the space in the door. Should be simple enough to do. I'll just take my time to do it properly. While I'm there i may also whip out some weight from the doors as I see they still have a lot of their window mechanism left in there. Can't do any harm to lose that now I run Perspex windows.
Thanks for the suggestion. I'm committed to the Racetech however so concentrated on fitting it.
A little chopping with the Dremel and all is good. Really chuffed.
And there are some now defunct brackets for the winding windows which are now gone.
They're next on the chopping board!
I'm now booked in for the SMRC race at Knockhill on the 16th August.
Jobs remaining to do to the car ahead of the 16th are;
Fit new transponder
Bleed brakes
A little chopping with the Dremel and all is good. Really chuffed.
And there are some now defunct brackets for the winding windows which are now gone.
They're next on the chopping board!
I'm now booked in for the SMRC race at Knockhill on the 16th August.
Jobs remaining to do to the car ahead of the 16th are;
Fit new transponder
Bleed brakes
So that's the second race weekend of my ownership out of the way and I'm delighted to report that the car survived unscathed and I even managed to knock 2.5 secs off my best laptime.
Race 1 – In Car camera. Overtake by Ian Daltrey in the blue Alfasud near the start and then I get the place back towards the end after he gets oversteery into Clarks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40a-fH4_Yso
Race 1 – Front and Rear cams
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHG1Ps5vDhA
Race 2 – In Car camera. Good race between Ian and I again. He gets past at Clarks mid-race and I try to chase him down.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=840RCEWKAVc
Race 2 – Front and Rear cams
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Odu_oQESIOg
It's clear I'm still losing time down Duffus (the right-hander down the hill) and into McIntyres (the sharp right hander after Duffus). If I can speed up there then I may be able to see 62's.
Work-wise the car needs nothing which is nice.
In the longer term I think some lightness will need added and maybe the pilot should lose a few (many!) kg.
Race 1 – In Car camera. Overtake by Ian Daltrey in the blue Alfasud near the start and then I get the place back towards the end after he gets oversteery into Clarks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40a-fH4_Yso
Race 1 – Front and Rear cams
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHG1Ps5vDhA
Race 2 – In Car camera. Good race between Ian and I again. He gets past at Clarks mid-race and I try to chase him down.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=840RCEWKAVc
Race 2 – Front and Rear cams
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Odu_oQESIOg
It's clear I'm still losing time down Duffus (the right-hander down the hill) and into McIntyres (the sharp right hander after Duffus). If I can speed up there then I may be able to see 62's.
Work-wise the car needs nothing which is nice.
In the longer term I think some lightness will need added and maybe the pilot should lose a few (many!) kg.
Another hugely enjoyable weekend of racing. Race 1 was a little stop start due to a safety car, then double waved yellows and ended with a red flag but I still got a good overtake in. Race 2 was much better and I resumed my usual battle with Ian in the Sud. I was also very pleased to see the yellow Giulia up to pace and racing with me.
Race 1 – In Car
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-1l4ZkK8Ak
Race 1 – Front and Rear Cams
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjD5F-gQ8N8
Race 2 – In Car
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mItPywYd1w4
Race 2 – Front and Rear Cams
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjXQPOWRpBo
A few winter jobs to do on the car now after the season;
The car stopped charging in the last race but I noticed it would charge at high revs so I assume the fan belt is loose.
The box stopped selecting 2nd so I'm going to whip it out and have it checked. I think it has an issue. 5th is also tough to select.
I need to fit the new door check straps and at the same time will do the replacement hinge bolts as many are rounding off.
The replacement bootlid can be fitted the final time along with new securing pins rather than spring clips.
I'll then get the car to the paint shop in Aberdeen for a front end tidy and the bootlid to be painted.
Finally, I'll whip out some more weight from the passenger door.
I'm also booked in to have my mouth sewn up so I can lose 20kgs of pilot ballast. *
Race 1 – In Car
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-1l4ZkK8Ak
Race 1 – Front and Rear Cams
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjD5F-gQ8N8
Race 2 – In Car
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mItPywYd1w4
Race 2 – Front and Rear Cams
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjXQPOWRpBo
A few winter jobs to do on the car now after the season;
The car stopped charging in the last race but I noticed it would charge at high revs so I assume the fan belt is loose.
The box stopped selecting 2nd so I'm going to whip it out and have it checked. I think it has an issue. 5th is also tough to select.
I need to fit the new door check straps and at the same time will do the replacement hinge bolts as many are rounding off.
The replacement bootlid can be fitted the final time along with new securing pins rather than spring clips.
I'll then get the car to the paint shop in Aberdeen for a front end tidy and the bootlid to be painted.
Finally, I'll whip out some more weight from the passenger door.
I'm also booked in to have my mouth sewn up so I can lose 20kgs of pilot ballast. *
- the sewing bit may not be true but I'm going to give the 20kgs a damn good go!
Thanks RESTELL.
I love the car but appreciate that I probably lack a little of the finesse that may be required to get the best out of it. Still, it's been a fantastic season for me which I have thoroughly enjoyed.
I do need to learn to heel and toe which may be difficult in the car at present as the pedals are quite offset in depth so the angle my foot would need to be at would be very odd indeed to be on both the brake and throttle. Still, i'll see if I can do something to adjust that over the winter and report back as it's certainly a skill I would like to master!
I love the car but appreciate that I probably lack a little of the finesse that may be required to get the best out of it. Still, it's been a fantastic season for me which I have thoroughly enjoyed.
I do need to learn to heel and toe which may be difficult in the car at present as the pedals are quite offset in depth so the angle my foot would need to be at would be very odd indeed to be on both the brake and throttle. Still, i'll see if I can do something to adjust that over the winter and report back as it's certainly a skill I would like to master!
Gearbox is edging closer but was somewhat reluctant to get in. Had to remove the nearside engine mount but ran out of time to finish before the Go Motorsport event which is a shame.
It wasn't easy but I got it on last night with the help of Hollowpockets on here (cheers!).
We ended up pulling the nearside engine mount which lowered the rear of the engine sufficiently to mean the angle of approach for the bellhousing to meet the 4 block pins was achievable but the uppermost part of the bellhousing was still catching the top of the transmission tunnel. The solution was to jack the engine from the front of the sump to pull it toward the front of the car which then meant the bell housing missed the trans tunnel and it went on.
Phew!
Engine mount is refitted so just need to refit all the other bits that I removed and it should hopefully all be well!
Then test drive and get fitting the bootlid before I head to painter to have it all painted up and the front end refreshed.
It wasn't easy but I got it on last night with the help of Hollowpockets on here (cheers!).
We ended up pulling the nearside engine mount which lowered the rear of the engine sufficiently to mean the angle of approach for the bellhousing to meet the 4 block pins was achievable but the uppermost part of the bellhousing was still catching the top of the transmission tunnel. The solution was to jack the engine from the front of the sump to pull it toward the front of the car which then meant the bell housing missed the trans tunnel and it went on.
Phew!
Engine mount is refitted so just need to refit all the other bits that I removed and it should hopefully all be well!
Then test drive and get fitting the bootlid before I head to painter to have it all painted up and the front end refreshed.
Well it was time that I made some progress with the car ahead of the new season.
First job was the gear stick. Following refitting the gearbox I found there to be a very small amount of lateral movement of the gear stick itself on the shaft on the gearbox. Clearly I hadn't been tough enough with the the tightening of the bolt and a good few turns later it was solid as a rock.
Then I decided to give the new bootlid a test fit. That quickly became full fitting and drilling for catches etc!!!
The lid itself fitted perfectly.
I have chosen to use some push button type catches that I've seen of bike fairings and McLaren use them on their road cars. They fit nice and flush and should be simple enough to use leaving a clean look to the rear of the car.
I had to fit new securing posts for the catches and knocked these up with some of the aluminium sheet I had left over from the fuel tank guard I made.
Pics are self explanatory. The car will go to get the front end tidied and the bootlid and read end repainted too. I think I'll give the boot inner a tidy at the same time and will paint the new supports and the inner black once again.
First job was the gear stick. Following refitting the gearbox I found there to be a very small amount of lateral movement of the gear stick itself on the shaft on the gearbox. Clearly I hadn't been tough enough with the the tightening of the bolt and a good few turns later it was solid as a rock.
Then I decided to give the new bootlid a test fit. That quickly became full fitting and drilling for catches etc!!!
The lid itself fitted perfectly.
I have chosen to use some push button type catches that I've seen of bike fairings and McLaren use them on their road cars. They fit nice and flush and should be simple enough to use leaving a clean look to the rear of the car.
I had to fit new securing posts for the catches and knocked these up with some of the aluminium sheet I had left over from the fuel tank guard I made.
Pics are self explanatory. The car will go to get the front end tidied and the bootlid and read end repainted too. I think I'll give the boot inner a tidy at the same time and will paint the new supports and the inner black once again.
That's the car back from the paint shop. Absolutely delighted with the end result. Going to spend the weekend refitting all of the parts and vinyls I removed.
I got the painters to fill all the unused holes in the front that used to support the bumpers etc. Much cleaner look now.
Almost too good to race!!
I got the painters to fill all the unused holes in the front that used to support the bumpers etc. Much cleaner look now.
Almost too good to race!!
MPoxon said:
Really looks the part now. Like you say, first race will be tough as you won't want to damage that lovely new paint.
That's more of an incentive to be at the front! Haha. Sadly i'm a loooong way from that so I'll just have to be my usual careful self. If you look at some of my videos I often stray off line when I see debris thrown up from cars ahead. It's shameful. HahaMark,
Thanks. There's something about the difficulties of owning a car like this that make it all the more enjoyable.
I've followed your threads on the BM's as I very nearly bought a 2002 Ti in alpina colours instead of this Alfa. Looks (imo) won in the end!!
Dinkel,
Yes, this video; https://youtu.be/-dEd6uQjSvY
Awesome isn't it!!
Thanks. There's something about the difficulties of owning a car like this that make it all the more enjoyable.
I've followed your threads on the BM's as I very nearly bought a 2002 Ti in alpina colours instead of this Alfa. Looks (imo) won in the end!!
Dinkel,
Yes, this video; https://youtu.be/-dEd6uQjSvY
Awesome isn't it!!
e21Mark said:
James B said:
Mark,
Thanks. There's something about the difficulties of owning a car like this that make it all the more enjoyable.
I've followed your threads on the BM's as I very nearly bought a 2002 Ti in alpina colours instead of this Alfa. Looks (imo) won in the end!!
I can certainly see why you'd come to that conclusion. Thanks. There's something about the difficulties of owning a car like this that make it all the more enjoyable.
I've followed your threads on the BM's as I very nearly bought a 2002 Ti in alpina colours instead of this Alfa. Looks (imo) won in the end!!
Any detail on that light?
MPoxon said:
James B said:
That's more of an incentive to be at the front! Haha. Sadly i'm a loooong way from that so I'll just have to be my usual careful self. If you look at some of my videos I often stray off line when I see debris thrown up from cars ahead. It's shameful. Haha
LOL yes very true, although you do risk trading paint getting to the front.I have watched some of your videos, looks good to me and better than I could do. Besides I don't think it really matters how fast you are or what place you finish at the end of the day it is not your day job and you do it for fun so as long as you are having fun that is all that matters.
Looking forward to seeing the Alfa out again this season and to reading your updates.
I have quite a busy season ahead this year. The plan is;
3rd April – Knockhill SMRC race
1st May – Knockhill SMRC race
29th May – Knockhill SMRC race
1st July - Donington trackday
2-3rd July – Donington Masters race (SMRC away event)
16th July – Goodwood Classic Alfa trackday
21st Aug – Kincardine Castle Royal Deeside Speed Festival Hillclimb
2nd Oct – Knockhill SMRC race
So the car is going to have to cover some miles this year. Also very excited to be adding to more circuits to the bedpost!
Well we're now just over a week from the season opener. I'm getting a tuition session on the 1st and then racing on the 3rd.
Jobs to do on the car are;
Fix tacho.
Had an issue with the Stack tacho. Spoke to them and they gave me a reset process which appears to have it reading ok again but the dial sweep at the start is gone and the needle tries to go the wrong way. Quite odd. Anyway it's working it seems so I'm happy it'll do for the moment.
Wire up remote camera switch.
I was getting tired of having to remember to charge camera batteries and then remember to switch the camera on and off each race before fitting my harnesses.
Well I was told of a good system. Basically it's a knockoff GoPro called an SJ4000 (I think) which has a dash cam operating system. That means we can set the camera up to begin recording the moment it is powered. This way it is hard wired to the car and powered by the car systems. All I need to do is flick the switch on my dash. However before that all I need to do is wire the damn thing!
Refit my vinyls and new bootlid badge.
I had some paint done on the car so stripped the badges and vinyls off. They all need redone. In the interests of lightness I've chosen to have a chrome vinyl made of the GT 1600 Junior badge. I'm rather pleased with the finished article. Will post pics once done.
Bleed brakes.
Pedal felt long after last driving. I had new rear lines made for the car when the new rear axle went in so I suspect the guys bled the brakes with the handbrake on and as its part of the hydraulic system too when it's off it means the pedal feels long.
Fit door check straps and replace door hinge bolts.
Pretty much what it says. Doors are annoying as they're quite light which means I can't get out of the car without the driver's door trying to swing closed on me. I want to get these fitted!!!
So that's about it. Well almost. I know some will have certain feelings on polishing a race car but it was looking so clean that I wanted to protect it. I also had my detailer chap seal the paint with a ceramic coating and get the swirls out of the poly Windows as they were getting annoying. I think it's looking pretty decent!!
And here's a shot showing the before and after for the rear window. Right is before, left is after.
Jobs to do on the car are;
Fix tacho.
Had an issue with the Stack tacho. Spoke to them and they gave me a reset process which appears to have it reading ok again but the dial sweep at the start is gone and the needle tries to go the wrong way. Quite odd. Anyway it's working it seems so I'm happy it'll do for the moment.
Wire up remote camera switch.
I was getting tired of having to remember to charge camera batteries and then remember to switch the camera on and off each race before fitting my harnesses.
Well I was told of a good system. Basically it's a knockoff GoPro called an SJ4000 (I think) which has a dash cam operating system. That means we can set the camera up to begin recording the moment it is powered. This way it is hard wired to the car and powered by the car systems. All I need to do is flick the switch on my dash. However before that all I need to do is wire the damn thing!
Refit my vinyls and new bootlid badge.
I had some paint done on the car so stripped the badges and vinyls off. They all need redone. In the interests of lightness I've chosen to have a chrome vinyl made of the GT 1600 Junior badge. I'm rather pleased with the finished article. Will post pics once done.
Bleed brakes.
Pedal felt long after last driving. I had new rear lines made for the car when the new rear axle went in so I suspect the guys bled the brakes with the handbrake on and as its part of the hydraulic system too when it's off it means the pedal feels long.
Fit door check straps and replace door hinge bolts.
Pretty much what it says. Doors are annoying as they're quite light which means I can't get out of the car without the driver's door trying to swing closed on me. I want to get these fitted!!!
So that's about it. Well almost. I know some will have certain feelings on polishing a race car but it was looking so clean that I wanted to protect it. I also had my detailer chap seal the paint with a ceramic coating and get the swirls out of the poly Windows as they were getting annoying. I think it's looking pretty decent!!
And here's a shot showing the before and after for the rear window. Right is before, left is after.
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