609 replies to this topic

[rally1380]

......the arrival of a baby has kerbed my rallying somewhat.

 

 

 

I know that feeling!!!!!        

[minisi35]

Time for a change

Having over specced the car first time around there are some things I have to change to get it to "classic road rally spec" 

to do list:

change to twin carbs

swap the side windows to non slider ones

swap the back window back to glass

remove the current front vented 4 pot calipers and replace with single pot solid set up

change flywheel and starter from pre-engaged to inertia type

fit lumeniton distributor

and a couple of small bits

luckily I rarely throw stuff away so I have found most of it in my garage

[GraemeC]

Apart from the windows and brakes, I wouldn't bother making the other changes.

And that flywheel looks like it would also be pre-engaged.

[minisi35]

I am working to these requirements

 

http://hrct.co.uk/category-2-mini/

[rally1380]

Apart from the windows and brakes, I wouldn't bother making the other changes.

And that flywheel looks like it would also be pre-engaged.

 

If you turn up with a HIF44 carb they will not let you run.  HS4, HS6, twin HS, or weber....think Amals are allowed too

[GraemeC]

Depends on event and scrutineer.  As said on PM to Simon - there are few cars are % legal even amongst the top boys.

 

Interesting point - When you read the Cat.2 requirements it actually says you have to use twin SUs (if using SUs) - no mention of using a single HS4 or HS6.

Question - given a HIF4 (not 44) was used on MGBs in at least '72 then why couldn't they have been used on a Mini of a similar period?

[rally1380]

Depends on event and scrutineer.  As said on PM to Simon - there are few cars are % legal even amongst the top boys.

 

Considering the chief scrutineer on the Tour of Cheshire (Simon's first historic event) is the eligibility scrute for the entire country, and with it being the first round of the HRCR championship, I reckon they'll make a point of making sure cars are right.  Yes I agree few cars are fully legal, but better to be safe and put stuff right, than risk a no run......and a carb is an easy spot for them.

 

Interesting point - When you read the Cat.2 requirements it actually says you have to use twin SUs (if using SUs) - no mention of using a single HS4 or HS6.

 

That's wrong too. What the cat 2 information on the HRCT website tells us are the 'Permitted modifications supported by documented evidence' that they already know of. So as we all know, the standard mini came out of the factory on a single carb so that's fine to use, but there is documented evidence of the modifications listed, so they are also ok to use.  Where the 'Fish' carbs come in there I do not know as i'm sure they are 'period'.....got a Minnow Fish (or is it a Reece) on a manifold doing nowt that I've always meant to do something with.....I digress!

 

Question - given a HIF4 (not 44) was used on MGBs in at least '72 then why couldn't they have been used on a Mini of a similar period?

 

Correct. If you can get proof of use in period then no problem at all.  Hence why period magazine articles are brilliant.  That's why I've got a copy of a CCC from December 74 with an article about Pat Ryans wild rally mini....almost space-frame rear with coilovers and an 8 port head. So I can use these modifications (if I wanted) as I have documented evidence.....but as my car stood (pre accident) it met all of the parameters the HRCR state as ok on their technical site to avoid issues.  The rebuild might be different!

[GraemeC]

 

Considering the chief scrutineer on the Tour of Cheshire (Simon's first historic event) is the eligibility scrute for the entire country, and with it being the first round of the HRCR championship, I reckon they'll make a point of making sure cars are right.  Yes I agree few cars are fully legal, but better to be safe and put stuff right, than risk a no run......and a carb is an easy spot for them.

 

Yep - we've discussed that on PM too. I'd agree that at the event it will be policed hard and to Paul's rules. Pragmatism isn't always top of the agenda.

 

 

What the cat 2 information on the HRCT website tells us are the 'Permitted modifications supported by documented evidence' that they already know of.

Fair point - I'd missed that line at the top when scanning through earlier, I did think it would be odd.  

Its not the best written website for a technical reference site, still points you at the 2010 Blue Book in places.

[minisi35]

Just means a load of work but when its done its done

The parts I am changing are luckily all the parts I have in the garage so the cost hopefully is going to be a minimum. The reason for the twin carbs is purely as I have a set

Luckily I found I have an early verto flywheel that I had from some engine or other. This one has a 107 tooth ring gear to which I can use the inertia starter with again saving the cost of a different clutch hydraulic setup etc

The brakes were taken off my old cooper when it was converted to a metro turbo set up. The calipers are sourced through work but the old units cover the surcharge

 

Hopefully the only cost will be my time once the wheels and brakes are then sold on

[keefr22]

Correct. If you can get proof of use in period then no problem at all.  Hence why period magazine articles are brilliant.  That's why I've got a copy of a CCC from December 74 with an article about Pat Ryans wild rally mini....almost space-frame rear with coilovers and an 8 port head. So I can use these modifications (if I wanted) as I have documented evidence....

It's weird the things that stick in your memory. I remembered that Mini article from when I had an annual sub. to CCC, & it's weird I did recall it as I was only into Escorts back then & totally dismissive of Minis! But I thought I remembered it being sort of a 'Super Saloon' racecar? Unfortunately I gave all my CCC's away a few years back, but I just did a search on flea bay & a copy of the Dec '74 issue comes up with a clever looking (for the time) cutaway photo on the cover with the caption 'Ultimate Mini Racer' - & it has just one seat, is on pure slicks & has a very strange cage design that I don't think would pass scrutineering now! Is that the car you mean Dave? I'd always thought  that the documentary evidence to allow period mods to be used had to relate to the motorsport discipine you wanted to use them in - ie for a rally car it has to be a rally article? Was I wrong in that? Wouldn't be the first time!

 

Anyway. I just bought that copy purely for nostalgic purposes. It cost £5.70 for a mag with a 25p cover price. Nostalgia is more expensive than it used to be...!!

 

Keith

[rally1380]

Correct. If you can get proof of use in period then no problem at all.  Hence why period magazine articles are brilliant.  That's why I've got a copy of a CCC from December 74 with an article about Pat Ryans wild rally mini....almost space-frame rear with coilovers and an 8 port head. So I can use these modifications (if I wanted) as I have documented evidence....

Was I wrong in that? Wouldn't be the first time!
 
Keith

Not wrong about the point you made Keith...rallying mods for rallying yes. But you are looking at the wrong car....correct issue though. Enjoy the actual pat ryan car when you see it.

[keefr22]

 

 

Correct. If you can get proof of use in period then no problem at all.  Hence why period magazine articles are brilliant.  That's why I've got a copy of a CCC from December 74 with an article about Pat Ryans wild rally mini....almost space-frame rear with coilovers and an 8 port head. So I can use these modifications (if I wanted) as I have documented evidence....

Was I wrong in that? Wouldn't be the first time!
 
Keith

Not wrong about the point you made Keith...rallying mods for rallying yes. But you are looking at the wrong car....correct issue though. Enjoy the actual pat ryan car when you see it.

 

 

Cool, thanks Dave! I have no idea why that race car would have lodged in my memory though!

[minisi35]

Windows sorted
Before

New ones ready to fit

All done

[minisi35]

Time for an update. Leading up to the rally a lot of time was spent changing parts to meet the requirements of historic rallying.

Some of the changes were:

From this

To this

From this

to this

 

A lot of midnight finishes!!

[minisi35]

Update time, the pictures in my previous message were on the lead up to the tour of Cheshire. Many late nights getting the car ready but finished the day before the event.

Scrutineering on the night before went without a hitch. It took a bit of time to calibrate the trip computer to the organisers measured section but got it all sorted.

The event itself was fantastic and I will do a write up sometime.

Long story short our event ended with a coming together with another car on a single track road.

Luckily it looks worse than it is. It will need ,A panel,wing,front panel, inner wing and bonnet. The subframe and floor have been checked and measured and show no sign of movement .All the damage has been to the top corner of the wing/headlight area.

This is how it currently looks with its new fibreglass bonnet. Just need the time to get the panels on now!!