If anyone's been wondering why no updates on the competition progress of my buddies in the Gung-Ho Rally Team this year, look no further. Here's why.
After five seasons (and a couple of big shunts) in its previous red guise the shell was beginning to look a bit careworn round the edges (that pic was taken at Abingdon Motorsport Carnival last June, if you look closely absolutely NONE of the panel gaps are uniform). A really thorough examination took place just after Christmas after which, allied to driver Dean being made redundant from his old job, the decision was taken to take a year out and completely rebuild the car.
Fast-forward four months. Here's the Gung-Ho Vauxbeam as it stood last weekend....
As you can see, it's kinda......orange. ;D
It's been on a bit of a diet, too. Those homespun rear arches are gone, as there will be a full five-linked narrowed Atlas going in with even better brakes front and rear. The rest of the running-gear (dry-sumped Toovey-built C20XE on throttle bodies, Quaife 6-speed sequential box) is as it came out apart from a rebuilt box.
Other improvements include a welded-in gusseted (man, I love that word) cage, and a proper Sunbeam dash (the intention is to try and make the stock instruments as accurate as possible). And some seriously lightened doors without going down the GRP route.
Future cosmetic plans include some proper retro-inspired sidestripes above the beltline (as opposed to the Lotus-style waistline stripes), probably in metallic Anthracite with the 13" Minilites refinished to suit.
The phrase "That's too nice to rally now" has already been mentioned a few times, but rest assured it WILL be back out and seeing some serious action. There's a chance of it being used as a course car on a pretty prestigious event at the end of the year for a bit of a shakedown before returning to the Association of Southern Counties Motor Clubs Tarmac Rally Championship in 2012.
So no RRG for the Vauxbeam this year (although the lads are planning to come down anyway in the Big Red Bus, having really enjoyed last year's event), but it's all for a good cause.
After five seasons (and a couple of big shunts) in its previous red guise the shell was beginning to look a bit careworn round the edges (that pic was taken at Abingdon Motorsport Carnival last June, if you look closely absolutely NONE of the panel gaps are uniform). A really thorough examination took place just after Christmas after which, allied to driver Dean being made redundant from his old job, the decision was taken to take a year out and completely rebuild the car.
Fast-forward four months. Here's the Gung-Ho Vauxbeam as it stood last weekend....
As you can see, it's kinda......orange. ;D
It's been on a bit of a diet, too. Those homespun rear arches are gone, as there will be a full five-linked narrowed Atlas going in with even better brakes front and rear. The rest of the running-gear (dry-sumped Toovey-built C20XE on throttle bodies, Quaife 6-speed sequential box) is as it came out apart from a rebuilt box.
Other improvements include a welded-in gusseted (man, I love that word) cage, and a proper Sunbeam dash (the intention is to try and make the stock instruments as accurate as possible). And some seriously lightened doors without going down the GRP route.
Future cosmetic plans include some proper retro-inspired sidestripes above the beltline (as opposed to the Lotus-style waistline stripes), probably in metallic Anthracite with the 13" Minilites refinished to suit.
The phrase "That's too nice to rally now" has already been mentioned a few times, but rest assured it WILL be back out and seeing some serious action. There's a chance of it being used as a course car on a pretty prestigious event at the end of the year for a bit of a shakedown before returning to the Association of Southern Counties Motor Clubs Tarmac Rally Championship in 2012.
So no RRG for the Vauxbeam this year (although the lads are planning to come down anyway in the Big Red Bus, having really enjoyed last year's event), but it's all for a good cause.
