After the initial shake down at Goodwood with Rupert Keegan a few areas were highlighted that needed some attention. The gearbox was tightened up a little. We changed the rear axle ratio from a 3:1 to a 3.55:1. We replaced the front springs with a stiffer set that were custom made for the application. A racing twin point distributor and Moroso coil have been fitted and a new Stack electronic rev counter. On Monday Rupert will be back behind the wheel again to see how the car performs.
This weekend July 6th/7th will see the HRDC descend upon Brands Hatch. We will be taking part thanks to the AMOC in the Aston Martin Centenary Festival. Saturday 6th will see the “Allstars” on the Indy circuit whilst “Touring Greats” get to use the GP circuit on Sunday 7th. Saturday night will also be the HRDC barbecue. We shall be there in full force running David Griffiths in the Standard Vanguard, James Turner in the Ford Zodiac, Victoria Beever in the Rover 105S, Guy Harman in the Fiat 1500, Ian Burford in the Sebring Sprite and as wildcard our little MG1100 will also make an appearance. A busy weekend but it looks like the sun will shine. Can’t wait.
We have a new racer in this unusual Italian saloon, built in 1962 and having spent some time racing on the continent before Guy Harman brought the car to the UK. After a successful test at the HRDC Goodwood track day in March we are currently in the process of a complete mechanical rebuild and a fresh race preparation. The suspension has all been rebuilt with Nylatron bushes made in house, a new set of adjustable shock absorbers fitted and custom springs front and rear. The engine is out and getting a refresh before the cars UK racing debut at the HRDC All Stars race at Silverstone on April 21st.
One of our regular customers has brought us his 1965 Ford Mustang. We received the car as a shell and a box of bits and we’ve been assembling it over the past couple of weeks. Most of the parts were there and ready to bolt on, some we’ve had to look for. The car will be an FIA race car so will be fitted with FIA approved equipment and built to the specifications set out in the homologation papers. The car is nearing completion and will be getting painted shortly.
Over the last couple of weeks we’ve been giving the Turner’s Zodiac a cosmetic refresh ready for Goodwood Revival. This has included a Zodaic grille, a repaired and re-painted bonnet, painted number roundels, and and interior re-trim with new seats and door cards. After a thorough polish this Zodiac looks stunning. James Turner will be joined by Christian Horner of Red Bull Racing for the two-part St Mary’s Trophy.
We are in the finishing stages of preparation of Ian Burford’s Sprite based racers. The first is Lumbertubs. Named after the street it was built in back in 1963. It features a one of a kind aluminium roof and GT back with a Sebring Sprite bonnet. It has genuine period race history and will be back on track this season with the HRDC. Ian’s other car is his well known Lenham Le Mans, previously owned by Barry “Whizzo” Williams.
