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Is Richard Stewart’s ‘Cobra meets Healey’………..what this industry needs right now? Certainly, it’s attractive enough and definitely clever, in that it’s a re-bodied Ford Mondeo ST220 V6 and is SVA-exempt, oh and therefore features front wheel drive.
I bagged a drive in it at Stafford show recently and found it to be a really good steer. Performance is spirited and much better than the heavier donor car. Critics reckon it’s front wheel drive layout is to be avoided, while others think it’s sure to be a strong seller because it’s highly affordable and a clever concept, oh and because the man who created it is a kitcar industry legend who just happened to sell more than 10,000 kits over the years. Say what you like, but anyone who can do that demands a big chunk of respect and a tip of the hat.
Pick an ST220 Mondeo and you’ll have a quite luxurious vehicle. With a proposed kit price of just £5000 (5K, geddit?) and donor V6-powered Mondeos, from £750, it doesn’t take a genius to work out that this could be a very affordable and attractive proposition for many.
Now, Richard tells me he’s retired BUT I reckon that if enough of you lot decided it should go into production then, who knows? Maybe, just maybe? we’ll be sending the results to Mr Stewart and letting you know the outcome…watch this space. VOTE NOW…ENDS.
750 Motor Club and Raw Striker Limited……….launch exciting new single-make race series.
The 750 Motor Club, one of the UK’s largest and longest established race organisations, is launching a new single-make race series based on a fixed specification Raw Striker.
The 750 Motor Club’s Striker Challenge provides an opportunity for competitors to take part in a championship that combines race meetings at the UK’s leading circuits with a level playing field for drivers.
With 14 races in total on the UK’s best circuits and no requirement to move on to a more expensive class at the end of the year, the Striker Challenge is a unique and flexible new single-make race series.
“We’re thrilled to be offering would-be competitors this new opportunity to take part” says Robin Knight, 750 Motor Club, “With every race-prepared Striker on the grid sharing the same spec, drivers really will have to be the best to win.”
Race performance is guaranteed from the Raw Striker, courtesy of the fixed specification that includes a new 160bhp Ford Zetec engine, a BGH close-ratio gearbox and Yokohama AO48 tyres. “We’re bringing together the Striker’s acclaimed chassis with all new running gear to offer high-speed, wheel to wheel racing that will be in a class of its own — there’s no other series out there that will be quite like this” says Mel Coppock, Raw’s MD.
The 750 Motor Club has teamed up with Raw to offer a comprehensive but affordable fixed-price package. Competitors can by a factory-built car or assemble their own, with kits priced at £14,999 incl. vat. There is the option of a £2,700 race package that includes an ARD’s licence, training on car set up and the cost of membership and race entry fees. A number of cars will also be available to competitors on an ‘arrive-and-drive’ arrangement.
With the 750 Motor Club boasting strong grid numbers and an unrivalled paddock spirit, the Striker Challenge offers high-drama and a complete, affordable experience to all — no matter how much experience they have in motor racing.
For further information contact Mel Coppock, Raw Striker Ltd on 01432 371 169 or mel@rawstriker.co.uk. Alternatively visit www.rawstriker.co.uk ENDS.
Optimum Balance Products Ltd (obp Ltd)……….is leading the way in design, development and manufacturing of high-performance race pedal box solutions. obp Ltd has developed pedal box solutions for some of the leading motorsports companies worldwide. The company offer value for money by supplying top quality products, all manufactured in their UK-based factory.
The obp pedal box range offers the driver the highest level of efficiency. The ergonomically designed brake and clutch pedals are fabricated from lightened steel and feature oil impregnated spherical bushes. The pedal box is fitted with a bias bar that operates a dual master cylinder braking system, giving total control over the brake balance from front to rear.
Obp Ltd offer universal floor and top mounted, cockpit and bulkhead fit systems. These will fit nearly all kitcars and special builds.
Obp Ltd has developed specific pedal solutions for the Classic Mini and Subaru cars.
You can get 15% discount until 4th October 2008 on all of their pedal box range.
Have a look at their eBay shop www.stores.ebay.co.uk/optimumbalanceproductsLtd
Alternatively check out their website shop and deduct 15% from all the pedal solutions - www.obp.uk.net/catalog/index.php?cPath=32_52&osCsid=bab1c325987065a90ab224cd59e71729
Of course, you can always call them on 01487 812 301 from 9am to 5pm Mon – Fri.
More from www.obp.uk.net ENDS.
Former Westfield-boss……….Richard Smith, has recently launched his new operation – RS Kitbits, which as the name implies sells all manner of handy components and parts for the motoring enthusiast.
We’ll have more on the company soon, but in the meantime call 0384 111 222 ENDS.
Loc8tor ‘Lites’ the way to lost car keys………………Loc8tor, the manufacturer synonymous with finding mislaid possessions, has a great Christmas gift for any driver. The credit card sized Loc8tor Lite is the ultimate locating device helping to find any lost or mislaid possessions. Small and light, the Loc8tor Lite, fits easily into a wallet or purse, and at £45 it fits people’s budgets just as easily.
The new super slim Loc8tor Lite, which measures just 6mm thick, uses revolutionary active RFID technology to guide you to within an inch of any tagged item. Unlike anything else currently available on the market the Loc8tor Lite uses audio and visual cues to point you in the right direction (with amazing accuracy) of lost possessions that are within 400ft (122 metres). Instead of hunting around for hours searching for items that have miraculously disappeared, the Loc8tor Lite will reunite you with your belongings within minutes…even seconds.
Commenting on the launch of the Loc8tor Lite, Anthony Richards, founder of Loc8tor Ltd, says: “We all know the frustration felt when we want to hit the road but can’t locate our car keys. The Loc8tor Lite is so easy to slip into your pocket you can be confident that, wherever you are, you’ll be able to track down all those important items that never seem to be where you left them!”
The Loc8tor Lite is supplied with two mini homing tags that are similar in height to a paper clip. The tags can be attached to almost anything from keys to pets using the key ring loop or the adhesive strips provided. An option to register two additional tags means that the Loc8tor Lite can locate up to four different items.
Loc8tor is dynamic UK based company that specialises in identifying, developing and launching new technologies and innovative products. The Loc8tor technical team has a proven track record in research and product development in the communications, wireless asset tracking and aerospace sectors. Loc8tor has developed significant intellectual property with unique patent pending features. At the heart of the company is an emphasis on excellent product quality and customer service.
More from www.loc8tor.co.uk or from 0870 111 7777 ENDS.
For the first time in its history……….Caterham Cars has been forced to introduce a third grid for the 2009 Academy race series.
The novice-based championship has been gently introducing budding Lewis Hamiltons into the world of motorsport since 1995. Its simple, low-cost entry into racing means the traditional 56-strong Academy grid is always a sell-out before the end of the preceding summer.
Yet, despite the current ‘credit crunch’, demand for a place in the 2009 series has been so strong that Caterham has been forced into creating 28 extra places – eight of which have already been taken.
Starting from £17,995 (kit form) or £20,995 (fully built), the race package includes everything needed to compete in a full season of thrilling Seven racing. The dedicated Caterham Motorsport team organises every aspect, leaving only the enjoyment of competition for the competitors.
The Caterham Academy uses the popular 1.6 Ford-engined Roadsport model; a car punching out an impressive 227bhp-per-tonne and capable of hitting 0-60mph in just 5.9 seconds. To ensure a fair and level playing field, every car features an identical specification and are regularly checked to guarantee so.
Continuously on hand for advice and support, the Caterham Motorsport team prepares every competitor; walking them through the process of passing their ARDS race licence test before a series of seminars and exclusive test days, which teach participants advanced driving skills and how to get the best from the car according to chassis set-up.
From April to October, Academy drivers are eased into racing with a series of timed Hillclimb and Sprint events before being pitched against each another on four circuit races, held at popular UK race tracks.
The road legal specification of the Caterham Academy car remains a strong draw for those seeking competitive racing whilst simultaneously experiencing the thrill of Seven ownership on the road, between events and when the season ends.
For those who get truly bitten by the racing bug, only slight modifications are needed to Academy cars to be eligible for the Roadsport B class - the next step in the established Caterham Motorsport ladder.
For more information visit www.caterham.co.uk or call 01883 333 700 ENDS.
Motorists suffer poor braking and early disc failure…..many car disc brakes are wearing out faster with 23 percent of motorists needing to replace their discs and pads within 20,000 miles, according to a new report.
A survey carried out on behalf of mail order specialists, Car Parts Direct, revealed that 56 percent of motorists questioned replaced their brake discs due to excessive wear below the legal safety limit.
Warping or judder was the reason given by 36 percent of motorists requiring new brake discs before 20,000 miles.
Mark Cornwall of Car Parts Direct claims that since the car manufacturers stopped using asbestos in brake pads the friction material is much more abrasive, resulting in earlier brake disc wear.
He also believes some car makers supply vehicles with brake discs that are too small to cope with powerful and heavy vehicles resulting in poor stopping performance and early failure.
Mark Cornwall said: “We know from our sales history that the original brake discs on some vehicles fail early. We think this could be a size problem, for example, some two-litre vehicles use the same size brake discs as a 1.4-litre version of the same model - it is something that car manufacturers should investigate and resolve."
Car Parts Direct supplies a range of upgraded Performance brakes discs designed to improve stopping performance and reduce the risk of brake disc warp, a common problem on many modern vehicles. Rossini Brake discs are drilled and grooved to increase brake grip and prevent brake fade. A unique Rossini safety depth logo is embedded in to the Brake disc so the driver can see when the discs are down to minimum legal thickness.
Car Parts Direct also supply a range of standard brakes that are manufactured to original equipment specification and supply brake pads with a softer compound to help prevent early brake disc wear.
Mark Cornwall added: “In a nut shell; if a set of brake discs and pads cost £200 at the dealers we expect to charge our customers around half that price for standard brakes – and we expect them to last.”
A short online video on the Car Parts Direct website explains how to check and replace brake discs and pads. There’s also prices displayed for virtually every make of vehicle on the road. Original equipment specification brake discs and pads start from around £40 for a complete front set. Rossini Performance Brake Discs are available from around £100 a pair - visit www.carparts-direct.co.uk ENDS.
