Discussion
Gents
I am still weighing up the pros and cons of various cars with a view to historic stage rallying at a grass roots level. I keep coming back to 911 as my favoured option . Anyone had any experience rallying them either on asphalt or the dirt? I would like to get a feel for reliability/maintenance costs/ weak spots etc and the general approximate costs involved of rallying one a few times a year at an amateur, mainly for the fun level. I'm looking to buy a car already prepped to go, so minimal initial work to the car would be involved. Any advice gladly received.
I am still weighing up the pros and cons of various cars with a view to historic stage rallying at a grass roots level. I keep coming back to 911 as my favoured option . Anyone had any experience rallying them either on asphalt or the dirt? I would like to get a feel for reliability/maintenance costs/ weak spots etc and the general approximate costs involved of rallying one a few times a year at an amateur, mainly for the fun level. I'm looking to buy a car already prepped to go, so minimal initial work to the car would be involved. Any advice gladly received.
They are pretty competitive - as their race pedigree suggests.
But not cheap! But if have the pockets, why not!
You could do worse that contact the chaps at HERO http://www.heroevents.eu/HEROArriveDrive/ and have a drive in their green SWB '68 911. It is stored in Wales somewhere. It is bloody fantastic and would be a great choice of rally weapon.
In fact, you could contact Mark at HERO and pay to have a day driving all of their 'arrive and drive' cars and then buy the one you like the most. They have some good rally prepped classics to try.
But not cheap! But if have the pockets, why not!
You could do worse that contact the chaps at HERO http://www.heroevents.eu/HEROArriveDrive/ and have a drive in their green SWB '68 911. It is stored in Wales somewhere. It is bloody fantastic and would be a great choice of rally weapon.
In fact, you could contact Mark at HERO and pay to have a day driving all of their 'arrive and drive' cars and then buy the one you like the most. They have some good rally prepped classics to try.
Edited by johnfm on Wednesday 16th October 11:16
I raced and rallied a 1973 911 back in the 80’s, only ever on Tarmac as it was not prepped properly for gravel, although we had a fair share of broken concrete parts back then.
It was fantastically reliable and a lot of fun. Having a decent set of rear shocks made the most difference to my 911, originally it had Koni’s which made for Very “interesting” handling, after swapping them for Bilsteins the car was transformed, it did not want to kill you at any fast corner! Also, brake bias is a must to stop the front locking up as they do easily on a greasy surface.
Mine had a 2.8 engine, around 250 bhp originally, it was light 900kgs, Fantastic traction and braking [ normal RS brakes ] and so long as you did not arrive at a corner too fast handled very well under power. I never managed to break it; I used to drive it to and from events as well.
If you get one, DO go and play with it first to get used to it, certainly a lot different to an Escort type car and Faster on Tarmac. I would say your running costs will be very reasonable, they are surprisingly tough
It was fantastically reliable and a lot of fun. Having a decent set of rear shocks made the most difference to my 911, originally it had Koni’s which made for Very “interesting” handling, after swapping them for Bilsteins the car was transformed, it did not want to kill you at any fast corner! Also, brake bias is a must to stop the front locking up as they do easily on a greasy surface.
Mine had a 2.8 engine, around 250 bhp originally, it was light 900kgs, Fantastic traction and braking [ normal RS brakes ] and so long as you did not arrive at a corner too fast handled very well under power. I never managed to break it; I used to drive it to and from events as well.
If you get one, DO go and play with it first to get used to it, certainly a lot different to an Escort type car and Faster on Tarmac. I would say your running costs will be very reasonable, they are surprisingly tough
Russ, John above (my rally navigator none the less) makes a very good point about the HERO cars. I can put you in touch if you like, just email and I'll make an intro.
Consider which 911 you want vis class as they cover them all!
Class 1 - up to Dec 31 1967
Class 2 - Jan 1 1968 - Dec 31 1974
Class 3 - Jan 1 1975 onwards
There are a bunch of chaps I know that rally them, Howard Warren in an early car through to the Bakers in their 78 SC. Its all in the prep, different for each iteration of the model.
Consider which 911 you want vis class as they cover them all!
Class 1 - up to Dec 31 1967
Class 2 - Jan 1 1968 - Dec 31 1974
Class 3 - Jan 1 1975 onwards
There are a bunch of chaps I know that rally them, Howard Warren in an early car through to the Bakers in their 78 SC. Its all in the prep, different for each iteration of the model.
Ben. Thanks for the input. As regards class, the right car at the right price will decide that for me. Suspicions on the Healey front we discussed previously proved to be the case. Too cramped and claustrophobic. Intros you suggest most welcome, I will PM you later on the subject. Cheers.
Tuthills are the people for 911's in Stage Rallying;
http://www.francistuthill.co.uk/
I think you can hire cars from them....... for a small fee of course!
They seem only to be really competitive in Catagory 1 though, Escorts still dominate Cat 2 and Cat 3, though Tarmac does bring the 911 back in to play (in Cat 2, but not Cat 3). Trouble is there aren't really that many Tarmac events, Jim Clarke, Manx, Epynt, Mull.... that's about it, unless you go overseas.
Any real reason why you are favouring Stage events over the more 'focused' road events, like the HRCR or NESCRO stuff?. Appreciating the ultimate speeds aren't as high, but the costs are far far lower and it's not cheque book motorsport which sadly Stage Rallying is, even at Club level.
Edit, notice you are located in France, Guess that alters most of what I said.
http://www.francistuthill.co.uk/
I think you can hire cars from them....... for a small fee of course!
They seem only to be really competitive in Catagory 1 though, Escorts still dominate Cat 2 and Cat 3, though Tarmac does bring the 911 back in to play (in Cat 2, but not Cat 3). Trouble is there aren't really that many Tarmac events, Jim Clarke, Manx, Epynt, Mull.... that's about it, unless you go overseas.
Any real reason why you are favouring Stage events over the more 'focused' road events, like the HRCR or NESCRO stuff?. Appreciating the ultimate speeds aren't as high, but the costs are far far lower and it's not cheque book motorsport which sadly Stage Rallying is, even at Club level.
Edit, notice you are located in France, Guess that alters most of what I said.
Things are a little different in France, although still in the process of unravelling all the gobbledygook they are so good at!
My basic take is that the more sedate styles of rallying are not really me. I'm more of a sideways in the dirt kind of chap as opposed to the split second timing kind.
Stage rallying seems to offer that.
My basic take is that the more sedate styles of rallying are not really me. I'm more of a sideways in the dirt kind of chap as opposed to the split second timing kind.
Stage rallying seems to offer that.
No probs
For a prepped 1970s 911 you will need £40k + for a shabby one.
Lots of choices here
http://www.racecarsdirect.com/categories/rally-car...
Have fun browsing!
For a prepped 1970s 911 you will need £40k + for a shabby one.
Lots of choices here
http://www.racecarsdirect.com/categories/rally-car...
Have fun browsing!
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