Richard Grove

Looks like it will be a great event. Dad and I will definitely be going down on Friday and camping over. I had a call from Onyx Sportcars recently. They have asked us to put our Firefox on thier stand - and also if we would be prepared to use it on track to take prospective customers round for a ride. Excellent - free track time - I can't wait. http://www.onyxsportscars.f9.co.uk/id25.htm

I got just over 110mph on the long straight at Bruntingthorpe - 2B with Vx XE.

Firefox was number 4 (me) and 4X (my Dad). He is still coming up with excuses !!

I had always assumed that adding the two axle weights gave the total weight - my RH 2B had axle weights of 378 + 414 so I always assumed it weighted 792 KG. I guess its true weight is nearer 700KG. Our new car is an Onyx Firefox which we chose specifically as it was very light , Onyx claimed thier demonstrator was just 400KG. I am pleased that our Firefox weighs less than we thought , but I still can't see how it could get down to the 400KG claimed by Onyx.

When we had our latest creation SVA'd in April (Onyx Firefox) we were a little disappointed as the car was heavier than we expected. Weight without driver was 420 front, 204 rear = total 624KG. Dad and I had been debating whether this was an accurate weight given that at SVA they weigh the front and rear axles separately. To settle the debate I went down to a local company who do metal recycling and asked if they would weigh the car on thier weigh bridge. Very nice man at the weigh bridge assured me the scales were very accurate and was very helpful. Confirmed weight was 550 KG. Allowing for the fact that I had no tools and an empty fuel tank that is at least 50KG lighter than the SVA weights. Richard

Fantasic day - Many thank to John & Tim etc for organising another great event. Can't believe that we got the third fastest time with the Front Wheel drive Firefox. Richard

If you were at Barkston last year you may remember my Dad driving round the track in a green 1.8 Metro GTI. The Metro has now been used as the donor for our latest project "Onyx Firefox". Having passed its SVA today we plan to take it to Stoneleigh and then so long as we got a place it will be back at Barkston to see if the modifications help us improve our lap times. Richard

I have the red top in my 2B. If the weather is OK I will take it to Exeter, if the weather is bad I will grab a lift with my Dad in the Banham Bat. I went for Dellorto carbs - slightly more expensive than webbers if bought new - They were propoerly jetted when I bought them etc and have run perfectly since. The jet sizes are all on the invoice , so I can dig them out if you want. I threw out the sierra servo & pedal box and made my own floor mounted pedal box using the sierra master cylinder. I have done several track days this year and the brakes have worked just fine, wish I could say the same for my driving !! Richard

DWP is me - 2B with wisbones & Vauxhall 16v First lap involved 2 standing starts, one from the lights and one from the grass after a nice 180 degree spin. Second lap was also from standing start and with me being a little more careful. The Metro was my Dad.

Also fitted in the Calibra

Any one in need of fire resistent overalls ? This might be of interest : http://www.hthughes.com/html/flame%20retardant/index.html They do welders overalls and budget race suits. I have not found anyything cheaper yet. Richard

Whoops can't type - where did the 4 come from - that should be the A607.

Barkston Heath is on the A4607 between Lincoln & Grantham. Not far from Newark. I'll be there. Richard

Couple of things I learnt on my first track day : 1. Don't leave your specs on the back of the car like I did, as they cost a lot of money to replace when ran over by another car and you can't see your braking points properly without them. 2. Spend a few laps learning the track and building up your speed, don't drive flat out round the first corner you get to or you will spin off the track like I did. 3. Always do at least one slowing down down lap, and don't switch off the engine when you get back to the pits. The car will be very hot and needs time to cool down. 4. Remember to grin continuously - I did. Richard

I can just about remove the drain plug from underneath the car (2B). I then use a length of hose pipe from the engine bay down the tunnel into the filler hole to get the oil in. Just add a little at a time until it starts to over flow from the filler hole. Richard

Stu, 0-60 is under 6 seconds. I tried to fit the std Vx inlet manifold etc but it just would not fit. Dump it and get some 45's or throttle bodies if your budget will allow as these will increase BHP from 150 to 180+ bhp. As Jim says it is possible to fit the XE into a 2B without making any chasis mods but I found it a bit of a tight squeeze and so I chopped out the S shaped cross tube that the brake servo etc mount onto and replaced it with a straight piece of tube a couple of inches back. This give loads of room for the brake master cylinder & water pipes. I also cut out some of the U shaped tube that sits under the sump to give more clearance for the oil filter. Richard

Barry, I'd be mad. I know what you mean about looking forward to an evening drive to cool down. Hope to see you at Donnington, will they be finished by then ? Richard

Stu, I swapped my 2 litre Pinto for an XE earlier this year. I love it. If you can afford it do it! I have no idea if the Vx gearbox would fit, but you would have to change the prop shaft as well. Richard

Tim, Sounds good - I'll be there. Borrowed a noise meter last weekend - 113 Db !!!!! - New Exhaust Silencer now ordered ready for Curborough. Richard

Barry, I am very glad his sump was not leaking and even more pleased that he had a good hand brake!!! Richard

The Fiesta heater is basically the same design as the Sierra but it is smaller. I tried fitting one but ended up cutting so much of I may as well have used the sierra one. I finished up using just the electric motor/fan and the internal ratiator bit which I re-housed. Richard

Just returned from a great weekend of motorsport at Pembey Circuit in South Wales. The Citroen 2CV racing was the most exciting motor racing I have seen for years. How about this for double parked.

Jez, Yes I would be interested. I have sent you a PM. Richard

Lee, I think your right, bit too far away. I hope to get to Newark (not been brfore) but that is as far North as I will get this year. Thanks for the reply. Richard

Hi, Anyone got an old RHSC Stainless steel (single pipe) exhaust silencer lying around unused / unwanted. If yes I may have a need for it and would be willing to hand over a few pound notes & collect. Also willing to swap it for a Spare Wheel Cover that I still have for sale. Thanks Richard e-mail rich.grove@virgin.net