KA Championship rally car rebuild

[sierra3dr]

Re: KA Championship rally car rebuild

I've noticed alot of rally cars are LHD on UK plates,is there an advantage to this?

[paulwoodford]

Re: KA Championship rally car rebuild

I've pondered over this for ages now - on a circuit racer (circuits 'generally' go clockwise) it makes sense because you don't have the A-pillar in your vision. Obviously rally cars go whichever way the road takes them. In theory rally cars are LHD because for most people it's a more natural driving position and they can react better with their right hand for hand brake maneuvers and steering, but in all honesty I like it because it feels like I'm on the first lowly rung of the ladder to becoming a WRC superstar LOL!!

It's also an International spec car, and more countries drive on the left than they do on the right.

[sierra3dr]

Re: KA Championship rally car rebuild

I prefer to operate the gearstick with my right-hand,that's why I've stayed with it,plus converting my Sierra to RHD is quite a hassle

[mk2stu]

Re: KA Championship rally car rebuild

Cool car their mate keep the progress reports coming nice seeing somthing different

quite fancy a ka

what happend to the mk2 then?

[paulwoodford]

Re: KA Championship rally car rebuild

The Mk2 sold to a top bloke from Leeds who owns a Ducatti dealership - he has plans to race it, that reminds me I really should get in touch and see how he's getting on

[team_zi]

Re: KA Championship rally car rebuild

Malcolm Wilson once told me that any budding rally drivers should get in to Left Hookers as soon as they can, as all international spec cars are always always always LHD.

So you're doing the right thing Paul.

[paulwoodford]

Re: KA Championship rally car rebuild

Malcolm Wilson once told me

Love that!!!

[team_zi]

Re: KA Championship rally car rebuild

Well, he was looking in my direction when someone from the audience asked the question
The best question I could come up with was 'Do you stilll frighten yourself?' and he said Yes, and then recalled a situation where a shocker had failed whilst negotiating a very fast downhill mountain section in an Escort Cosworth and he had difficulty wrestling the car back in to shape.

What ever happened to those Ford arranged events, where you'd congregate at Dealerships across the UK to see Graeme Robson in his road going RS200 and meet various 'celebrities'.

Sigh, those were the days.

[paulwoodford]

Re: KA Championship rally car rebuild

How cool! I did meet Graham Robson recently at a local event though, and he seemed a cool bloke

As I don't have a speedo (proper rally car), I went out at the weekend with my co-driver (Mike) and did some speed/rev tests. There is a speed readout on the trip computer but I'm not going to be looking across there when I'm on the road.

SO...introducing my speedo lol!!

[tim]

Re: KA Championship rally car rebuild

heard read loads of this ka on the british rally forum paul but this is the first time ive see the pics,good luck with the build


also nice pics jonnie,remember seein the ka and puma in the local papers enough at the time

[paulwoodford]

Re: KA Championship rally car rebuild

Today was the day we’ve been waiting for – we took the car to Bogg Brothers in East Lutton and got the engine set up properly and run up on the rolling road.

Firstly a massive thanks to Rutty (aka Darren) who as usual was on hand to provide good company and a massive helping hand with various issues throughout the day.

The car had an adjustable fuel pressure regulator fitted and the fuelling set up before a session on the rolling road to determine the power output. The car is putting out 85bhp @ the wheels at 6500 rpm, which is only part way through the cam’s power band so at some point I’ll raise the limiter and see a bit more. I am over the moon with that – I wanted over 80 @ the wheels and we’ve achieved that, and the car is a hoot to drive! First time I’ve been able to fully open it up and experience the full package.

It’s very, very twitchy to drive fast, and together with the fact that I don’t know the car and haven’t yet got used to being on the wrong side of the road (Rutty had some scary moments sat facing on-coming traffic, so he says lol), I’m a bit nervous behind the wheel. Confidence will come though.

We had a couple of fuel leaks to sort from the fuel rail, but luckily I have a few spare inlet manifolds so we sorted it.

Anyway, a few pics here to make my waffling a bit more interesting. Enjoy!











Suspension remote canister relocated to allow for fuel pressure reg
















It’s dirty now – proper rally car :-)

[PaulAlex]

Re: KA Championship rally car rebuild

Fantastic info - nice one!!

Did you get to keep the Puma??? Even if not that's a hell of a prize - well done on the series! I'm told that Rob Chalmer's car was one of the original Boreham built cars too. Do you remember him competing?

I would love some of the Ka Championship overalls to go with the car - never see any on Ebay though

What, like these....





You have PM

I might also have some Ka Championship posters somewhere - Ford gave me a pile after I won the "european" round on the Tour of Flanders one year.

Cheers,

Paul.

BTW Great job with the car - it looks lovely

[mr-p]

Re: KA Championship rally car rebuild

What, like these....

[ATTACH]30019[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]30020[/ATTACH]

You have PM

I might also have some Ka Championship posters somewhere - Ford gave me a pile after I won the "european" round on the Tour of Flanders one year.

Cheers,

Paul.

BTW Great job with the car - it looks lovely

paul how many hours under ontop of these cars putting them back toughter etc etc.... and helping scotty build one.. we dont set the sxtinguisher off when wiring it up

[turbo m]

Re: KA Championship rally car rebuild

I really love this ka looks really smart and very well put togather.Had a crazy idea last year to RWD a ka but nothing ever came of it still would like to though.

[paulwoodford]

Re: KA Championship rally car rebuild

Nice one Paul - PM sent

A rear drive Ka would be mad! Great fun though!