TOTB X

The date for TOTB 2011 has been set - 30th and 31st July, at Elvington in Yorkshire

I know I've said this before, but this time I really mean it - I won't be entering

However, I don't mind helping out with organisation, so here we go (again) with the call for SERIOUS intentions to compete

Let's make it clear from the start - just entering this event takes a lot of effort, a fair bit of cash and a decent amount of skill. To show up in the top half of the results tables is really going some and takes a massive effort over an extended period of time.

You WILL need:-

Trackday tyres
VERY good brakes
At least 400bhp, preferably closing on 500bhp
VERY stripped out
Very good suspension
Harnesses
Lots of practice


Right - now I've tried to put you off, here's the deal - you have to show the Coupe Club organiser PROOF of a 12.99 or better quarter mile time, achieved on a recognised UK drag strip this year

If I'm organising it (Begbie - are you OK with this?) I'll be happy to help as much as I can, but I need genuine, serious intent.

Previous years have been littered with well-intentioned statements that they "will definitely be there", only for them all to fall by the wayside in the months leading up to the event. IMHO, only Leighton had a good excuse for not turning up.

So - who is up for it?

I've got a good excuse* - my little un is due in late July





* and my car isn't powerful enough

Why are you not doing it this year nigel? You need to get 1st spot back in the handling class?

Not enough money to finish the engine, suspension is not good enough...

Good luck who ever goes for it!!!!

Would be an awful shame to not have a coupé in the comp this year. Time for somebody to step up and be a hero! If you all want to get a bit of cash together and make my coupé 400BHP and buy some sticky rubber, I'll be that man Oh and some instruction from Nigel, I'm cr@p at launching my coupé.

because I've done it for six consecutive years, and probably spent over £5k in the process

The effort involved is becoming tiresome (it takes an entire day to strip the car down, and then three days [at least] to put it all back together again)

Plus - the last time I launched the car in anger, I destroyed a gearbox and I simply cannot afford to do it again

Finally - I wouldn't mind actually watching some cars - I reckon in the last six years, I've watched less than a dozen quarter miles - I'm always parked in the queue or waiting around for scrutineering etc

Oh - another reason - I haven't got any trackday tyres or race seats now, so that would be another £1000+ onto the cost

I would lend you my seat and harness!!

Thanks, but I won't be swayed - I simply can't afford to break the car again, and I know that once I'm on the startline, I wouldn't hold back

i will do it as long as my car is running well..when you say you do not have good enough suspension does that mean if i bought osravs i would not have good enough either? at this stage i still have not bought any

It was Marco that said his suspension wasn't good enough

I reckon Osravs would be fine - I competed with them for three years

don't know what happened there! must have all blurred into one reading quickly ...anyway ...

i am serious and i will do it, i have a momo seat(though its tight and maybe swapped) and a couple of harnesses, a spare set of team dynamic 1.2 with dunlop max sport rb5's, i will have osrav front, avo rear , not sure about rest of the suspension set up but it will be 22ml rear arb ,seam welded sbframe if its a good idea? strut brace ,bottom brace,camber bolts,solid rears, polly bushed wishbone and drop links,along with having it properly set up..can you think of anything that may help?..as for power i should be good to run over 500 on track..what do you think?

would you be prepared to help me and teach me as much as i can absorb? i would be happy to pick you up and drive us to a trackday somewhere for some pointers ..i know you have an excellent track record (no pun intended) so i would think that a one on one would be more benificial than a million posts

you could also help me find the best settings etc for the car as i have no experience..i am sure you will notice anything that needs changing or adding to the set up

i hadn't added brakes to the above for now all i have is very good discs and pads on refurbed calipers..i am trying to sort out a set of either gta or porsche and hopefully will have them by summer

all this of course depends on the car running well and the mapping being able to release its potential (which i am confident will be good)

You certainly appear to have all the right kit - you will need to make sure it's set up properly

With a top & bottom brace, I don't believe there's any need for a welded subframe, but I don't suppose it can do any harm

In my opinion, for a true track weapon, you'll need a stiffer rear ARB - 22mm is fine for spirited road driving and modest track work, but you'll still get understeer. 24mm will make it much more pointy, but you will get lift-off oversteer if you push it really hard. Mine gives some lift off oversteer with a 23mm ARB, but its very controllable

As for tuition, I've never provided it on any basis other than guiding my son round Curborough in his Punto. However, I'm happy to help as best I can, including coming out on a trackday with you.

Note that for TOTB, you must have two seats fitted, but some entries have a ridiculously minimal seat, such as a plastic karting seat

As for your tyres - sorry, they won't be allowed. Any tyre at TOTB has to carry a DOT mark, so you're going to be restricted to the normal road legal trackday tyres from Toyo, Yokohama, Dunlop etc

thanks ...i'm already looking forward to learning a new set of skills!...
so it looks like i had better get on the group buy 24ml or try and do a trade of some sort..do you think with a 24ml a dedra front would be a good idea?
whats the score with the eibach kit? i think barbz finds it a little imbalanced for his driving style though i could be wrong and will ask him later..if you have any experience with it i would like to hear

as soon as the car is all done and ready then ..though i have the sub 13 to do which the car will have no issue with lets hope the driver wont

My recommendation would be to fit the 24mm rear ARB and leave the front standard - you can then play with the balance using camber and tyre pressures. If the rear is still too lively, you can fit a Dedra front ARB to even it up a bit

I've never driven a car with the Eibach kit

ok i'm on it

Fine by me, drop me a PM and I'll dig out the TOTB organisers email address

pm'd Nigel

No good for me then i'm on slicks now, damn!!!

Not that keen on the 1/4 mile stuff but i would like a bash at the handling circuit.

Your car has to be road legal anyway.

Mark's correct - the car must be taxed and MOT'd and running DOT-marked tyres

Was the gobstopper taxed and mot'd???

I rather doubt it - along with half the field at recent TOTB events, I think the organisers were just shown *any* logbook and MOT and they just turned a blind eye

annoying really - TOTB has lost its original mantra of "finding the fastest road-legal cars in the UK" and its moved heavily towards "finding the jap rally slag that's had the most money thrown at it"

then again, perhaps it actually is road-legal

What a car!

nigel just letting you know my intentions are still serious and i have now got a 24ml whiteline arb, osravs front and some as yet untried adjustable prototype rears that adjust via a dial so you can just reach under the rear arch! as i really can't be arsed taking them off everytime i want to go on a track (am keeping some koni rears though just in case i have to order the osrav rears and have to wait another 4 weeks as i have to for the fronts) anyway the car will be ready shortly so i take it my first objective will be to do a sub 13? do i need to enter? square anything with the club or anyone else?

If my car is running well and if I manage to make it lighter I may compete this year

Yes - your first requirement is to post a PROVEN 12.99 or better (a 13.00 is too slow)

Once you've done this, you will be allowed to enter - entry forms are usually made available in late Spring, so no need to worry just yet

Begbie has OK'd me to take over the arrangements this year, so I'll be acting as Club rep - anything that you need to know, ask me

Probably worthwhile registering for the Straightliners forum too - there's a TOTB section - go to http://www.straightliners-events.co.uk/forum/index.php

Actually - I stand corrected - entries are now open via the above website

whats my best option for tyres?

Any of the top-brand trackday tyres should do...

Toyo 888
Dunlop DZ03
Yokohama AO48

Bear in mind that the Yokos have soft sidewalls - good for launching, less good for cornering in such a front-heavy car as the Coupe

I have only ever ran Toyo t1r's that's probably why I get rubbish launches

That's strange that you found that, all the information on the web suggests they are the stiffest sidewalled out of all the trackday tyres? How long ago did you use the Yokos?

I certainly haven't found the Yoko A048s wanting in the sidewall department

First used them in 2007, and had them for a couple of years

They were definitely a lot softer sidewalled than the Dunlop DZ02 I also used

In the end, I ran the Dunlops on the front and the Yokos on the back - gave a really good balance

BTW - I have half a tin (about 1/2 litre) of Grip tyre softener left from my last TOTB outing - if any TOTB entrant wants it, I'm happy to donate (although it can't be posted, due to the nature of the substance) - should be enough to do at least a pair of tyres, maybe even a full set

I will take that off you mate should help me out when trying to break leightons record

well, that's two months of the year gone already - can I have an update from anyone that intends to enter, as I will need to be speaking with the organisers pretty soon

Hello?

Anyone there?

We're now more than halfway through March and I can't see any likelihood of someone posting a qualifying time.

Its all very well having the kit, but you still have to qualify. A sub-13 is difficult. Just turning up at Santa Pod with a well set up car and 400+ bhp does not guarantee you'll qualify. When I went from 300bhp to 400, my times were slower for at least half a dozen runs, until I modified my launch technique.

As I mentioned above, I need to be speaking to the organisers and they simply won't accept "we hope to have a couple of cars" - they will need a firm commitment.

So - please let me know if you intend to compete, and how you're going with your prep

Thanks

I predict no Coops this year.

Not trolling, just seems to be following a similar pattern to previous years with posts of interest not backed up - and no Nigel flying the flag this time.

I fear you'll be proven correct

Obviously been away from the forum for a while, but how many coops are there that COULD actually compete right now?

I'd always wanted to give this a go when I had my old one, but no chance i'd be looking at it anytime soon if I got another.

The thing is the 1/4 strips start running again this time of year and I reckon you'll need at least 2 visits to get the best time.

Ross

I've just checked last year's TOTB thread - by mid-March 2010, we had nine people saying they would definitely be there, or would be trying to post a time. In the end, I was the only Coop to turn up, although Leighton had a decent excuse

This year, we have just one remote possibility

I reckon the forum has at least half a dozen cars that are capable of putting on a half-decent show on the straight stuff, and capable of a top-three place in the handling

In all honesty, it's pointless hoping for any kind of a result on the quarter or the top speed run - the Vauxhall and Honda boys have it sewn up due to their prodigious power to weight combination (I doubt if any of them are over a tonne, with most closer to 750kg)

However, for some reason, the Coupe's extra weight doesn't count against it round the handling circuit, resulting in good placings

As I said at the top of this thread, I'm willing to do the organising, but not if there's no interest.

If I don't get any REALLY encouraging noises from interested parties in the next few weeks, I'll be baling out and leaving you to it. Sorry, but I'm not busting a gut chasing people round when there's very little chance of it coming to anything.

Leighton not gonna attempt this year?

Ross

Chaps - this isn't looking very promising

I WILL pull the plug if there's no firm interest soon

I'd plug it, Nobodys really THAT serious at competition level...

Or no one has a car to do it at the moment.

It's a dam shame Nigel.

But sadly it needs to be plugged... Unless some one is going to step up.

But I doubt it,

i am still up for it.. my car is ready to be run in nearly so i will pick it up weekend and have it ready for mapping next week so in 2 to 3 weeks will be ready to try for the sub 13..i will do this as long as my car holds up ..i have kept my osrav fronts and prototype rears which are being fitted along with 24 mm rear arb, solid rear subframe bushses,pollybushed wishbones/droplinks,strut and lower brace,and my compbrake kit..
i am hoping to get some time with someone that can help me get a good set up from this though i know barbz is going to help me get it about right,from there i will have to suss out what works best for me.. as i say with help translating what i want from it to the set up is where i will need someones experience..
remember i have not yet driven on a tarmac track although i raced autograss as a teenager this is all new to me so i wont know a good set up from a bad one at first so need all the help i can get which i will be happy to accept from anyone
i will also possibly need to borrow tyres as i have stripped myself to the bone financially to finnish this and i cant do it all ..i had to sell some of my bits including my track wheels and tyres but i will see if i can buy nearer the time
to me this is just a practice for a serious assualt next year when i know the car better and have it set up as well as possible as well as adding bits to make it better..if the car is all i hope then its possible i can give them a run at the top speed also so if i can post a reasonable quarter you never know a coupe may do well overall one day i will be developing the car with a view to doing just that so any help in any guise will always be welcome

do i need any particular type of seat? seats? is it possible to use folding buckets? (still need to get kids in and out)

No - any kind of seat is permissible - you simply have to have two seats fitted

I'd also suggest that you concentrate on posting a qualifying time - there are only seven RWYB dates available at Santa Pod before the TOTB closing date and I'll be amazed if you manage to post a sub-13 on your first outing - it takes a considerable amount of practice to get the launch right and its the launch that makes the low ETs

As for borrowing tyres - I somehow doubt you'll manage. Drag starts aren't gentle on tyres and the TOTB surface is massively abrasive.

I took four trackday tyres from brand new to the wearbars in just three TOTB visits, plus one trip to Santa Pod. I conservatively estimate that each TOTB event cost me £75 in tyre wear alone.

Put it this way, if I had a set of trackday tyres available with legal tread, I wouldn't lend them to someone doing TOTB, as they will be probably be illegal when they come back. Bear in mind that for two out of the last three TOTB events I've entered, I've done just one quarter and one top speed run. If you want to do several standing starts, you will eat your tyres even faster

i'm sure someone with money to spare like johnny bravo will step in with tyres

KTM - why not just buy a set as your going to use them a lot!!!

marco ! i mentioned in the above post the fact i am struggling a little under the financial strain of it..i had to sell my track set up last week to pay for some of the bits needed to finnish off, then i have another 3 k or so to pay off my bill have the full system built and paid for friday,next week another £600 minimum for mapping plus hundreds for fuel running back and 2 to london on top of about 15k i have spent in the last 8 months...i am doing well just to get to totb especially as my racing season has started and i have just had to pay for my hybrid bike build...so you see i may need to borrow some even if i have to replace later as i can only do so much ..

sorry mate!
didnt mean it any thing bad buy my last comment!!!

i know that mate ..just letting you know why i was posting the fact i may need to borrow..i would have much prefered to say nothing and just buy some.. but i will struggle to do it thats fact and it may come to me using crap or road tyres and just using the day as lesson in what to do next time..it is going to be that to some degree anyway more so without descent tyres..we will have to wait and see though

right - I have decided to step down from organising any FCCUK attendance at this year's Ten of the Best. I was made redundant recently and I start my new job on 3rd May. I will be flat out learning a new role and trying to make a good impression, so I simply cannot afford the distraction.

Only Rob has shown any kind of interest, and despite his enthusiasm, he still needs to post a qualifying time and get his car ready. Time is running out very rapidly (check previous years' TOTB threads to see how preparations had progressed by mid-April, and you'll see that getting ANY Coupes to TOTB this year will require a monumental effort.

Rob - if you still intend to compete, I will put you in touch with the organisers, although I have already linked to the entry form earlier in this thread. I'm not sure if the organisers are still accepting entries - its always been over-subscribed in past years.

Apologies for dropping this, but I simply cannot justify the time and effort for a (possible) single entry.

well i am still in could you just contact them to tell them one car is entering and i will do whats needed

Good to hear you're still up for it - however, you'll still need to prove that you've achieved a 12.99 or better, so I strongly suggest that you concentrate on this ASAP

I'm not doubting your abilities, but I'd be amazed (and genuinely pleased) if you could post a qualifying time on your first visit to a drag strip - it takes a LOT of practice to get the launch right and it gets harder as you get more power. I've seen Coupes with 400bhp struggle to reach the low 13s. In fact, when I went from 300bhp to 400bhp, my times were slower for the next two Santa Pod events, until I worked out how to modify my technique

I can't yet tell the TOTB organisers that you'll be entering, as they'll simply ask for me to confirm that you've posted a qualifying time

When do you intend to try to post a qualifying time?

early may i will be 1/4 miling somewhere ..i am still running it in... we are going to do a tuning day and will be trying to get the best set up..on that subject what setting did you find best on the road and track with your osravs? ..
as yet its not mapped so i have a lot to do.. i have my brakes to fit and a couple of other things but i will be fully finnished within a month and still intend to run the car (if i can qualify) i know i will not be competetive but i will know exactly what i need to do for next years which i will be trying hard to do well at as i have said before this years is just a learning experience

I tend to run the Osravs quite soft on the road, but this will work against you on the track

I would suggest the following:-

Road use - rears, two turns from fully soft, fronts, 1/4 turn from fully soft (note that on the rears, by a "turn" I mean one insertion of the allen key and a movement of the adjuster until it reaches the stop - you'll probably find there are about 18-20 turns between full soft and full hard)

Track use - rears, five turns from fully soft, fronts 1.5 turns from fully soft

Any harder than that and I found I was getting bounce through over-damping

cheers.. i am only running the fronts though i have some prototype rears that seem excellent, ..they adjust via a knob under the rear arch i bought the ones with just harder or softer adjustment though they do them with twin tubes and 2 knobs for bump and rebound but as i know from my bikes you can drive yourself nuts trying to get them right so i kept it simple..which side is fully soft for the fronts is it anti clockwise all the way untill it stops? i havent seen any instructions or leaflets as the boxes have been used and i suspect they were in them

pretty sure its fully-clockwise for full soft on the fronts - you'll soon know if its the other way though - they're almost solid when full hard

Would like guys like to make a club presence at this years TOTB 10.

I am one of the main organisers for this event and would love to see a Fiat Coupe club stand

Club stands are free and I can also offer you discounted spectator tickets

Regards
Dave Naxton

Here is a brief run down of what is going to happen over the weekend

TOTB X is a full on two day event with evening entertainment

New for this milestone tenth event is the TOTB bootcamp on Saturday the 30th this is where the next generation of competitors can come along and experience this unique event for them selves at a cost of just £75 for the full day its better value than any currant track day

Saturday also sees the TOTB competitors on track doing there final prep for the big day

Saturday night we have the big marquee from UK Bars and the top band Strangebrew entry is free and open to all campers and competitors

New for the big day on Sunday is the Top speed viewing area set adjacent to the kilometre boards this area with its own vintage shuttle bus running spectators up to view the top speed action will the cars hit the 200mph barrier this year some where close at TOTB IX

Also new for Sunday we have Helicopter flights taking off adjacent to the top speed viewing area at just £25 per flight Spectators can go up and see the event from the air and marvel at this vast airfield from above

The handling circuit will have three big time shoot outs at TOTB X Handling circuit drivers are allowed 5 timed runs from 10.30 untill 2.30 then the top 5 in each class will get 2 more runs to find the top two drivers who will then go into the finals for each class there will be awards for the top driver in each class as well as the overall winner and points will be awarded accordingly

Regards
Dave Naxton

Dave - after six consecutive years, I've decided not to enter this year - the blue Fiat Coupe has been scrapped due to rust, I've sold all my race tyres and race seats and I really don't fancy stripping out the (rather good) replacement Coupe just to go racing for a day.

We only have one possible runner, but he's yet to post a qualifying time - I'm hoping he'll manage it before the cut-off date.

As for all the other potential entries that couldn't quite manage it, why don't you consider the "boot-camp" Saturday event? See Dave's post above.

nigel do you know if can i still enter totb? i always intended to run if i had a car capable and it's been really touch and go with that but i think we have a solution which will allow me to run over 500bhp at least untill i have had a manifold built to my own spec( i don't think it will be ready in time)..i am trying to find a 1/4 mile day where i can set a time asap i am sure with a over 500 i can do it so is it worth my last minute rushing round?

Almost certainly not - the deadline has passed

who would be the best person to try and speak with? i have nothing to lose by explaining the situation

Register on the TOTB forum and speak with Dave Naxton

He will probably ask for proof of your qualifying time though (normally this is sorted by the club rep [ie me] but for direct applications, he may still require it)

no probs i'm in

GO ON KTM!!!

good luck mate!

shame i can't run the cars full potential as still no manifold but subject to mapping i think i will have(never being one for sticking my neck out of course) 500

Anyone going to TOTB this year?

Ross

only me and barbz that i know of and thats if my final mapping doesn't cause an issue

Last year was the first one I've missed since early days but the viewing gallery for the high speed run has got me keen again, so I'll be there again with a mate.

You coming down Ross? Might bump into you there ktm - is Barbz running or spectating?

barbz will be spannering and helping me i think, though in truth he would likely do a better job as he is so much more experienced....
i am just getting a feel for it ready for a more serious attempt next year ..
i still haven't driven on a track yet!
it's all very last minute as well so no practice as yet,the cars not set up and i have no idea what works best for me or even how i like the car! as yet i haven't even adjusted my suspension its still as it came out of the packet..
but we have a stonking engine with a massive power spread full boost around 3k with standard manifold! all the way to 8k

be nice to meet you there though come over and make yourself known!

I dunno mate. I might be working that weekend, but maybe not the sunday.

So i'll see how im placed nearer the time.

Ross

as much as i'd love to see Barbz go sick in your car i would say for the experience go for it KTM, you have nothing to lose and all to gain!!

depending on dates ect i will try to come down to support and also get a look at what is going on!

be nice to meet a few of you guys!

Knowing you Marco, you won't go because you will see how far away it is, and in your case, 170 miles and 3 hours 8 min drive

I think its over 200 miles for us glaswegians!!!

Ross

why dont you come with me then?

drive to mine, then i will do the rest.... yer?

I didn't go last year but might think about it this year if a few folk are meeting up the night before for a few beers.

Would you wanna drive to mine and jump down with me ?

Ross

anyone got a pair of suitable tyres with an event left in them? 16 or 17 ..i don't have any now had to sell mine to carry on with the project so i have to borrow or buy second hand as it's already costing more than i can afford to get it ready and run the event..i don't want to run the cheapo road tyres i have on if i can help it

Track tyres with only enough tread for TOTB are likely to be illegal, and they won't let you run with them.

i may have 2 17" R888's for sale...

will no in a few days!

that would be handy marco..i know i cant run track tyres but dot marked like the triple 8s would be ok

cool, will let you know when i have them off my rims!

Just a note - you can turn up to TOTB with *just* legal tyres, do a couple of standing quarters, five one-minute runs on the handling circuit and find that your tyres are very illegal afterwards

Take a look at this Youtube video - look closely at my nearside tyres at 16 - 18 seconds and you'll see what appears to be dust being kicked out - it isn't - it's the tyres being ripped to shreds

dam i need to make my car faster so it can go back to what once was the fastist sprinty

TOTB entry cut-off date has been extended to 24th July, so if there's anyone else that fancies their chances, you can still enter

Anyone coming as a spectator ?

is it this weekend?

This sunday matey!

I was considering going, but its a lot of petrol and I'm out the night before it, so hope whoevers going enjoy's it and take some photos/videos!!

Ross

can't believe i am saying this after all the time and effort but right at the last minute after getting it all up and running and very very quick (probably too quick) it seems the ecu (which has been sat on floor with all wiring under mat untill all finnished) has been shorted somewhere throwing everything into turmoil and i can not get down with a trailer and get it to a mapper (even if i could get a last minute booking) to work it out.. so thats me out and absolutley gutted..i knew we were pushing it but to get so near is just pants! all the excitement then nerves then more excitement has sent me greyer for sure...but we tried our hardest..my appologies to the forum for not being able to do it..in the words of steve greenauld (mapper) and i suspect many others "thats hard core tuning for you"

Any coupes this year?

No - none at all

Didn't miss much lads.

Apart from Andy Forrest running a magnificent 9.48 on his first run, the trusty Granada and a few spirited efforts in a longer handling circuit, not much going on.

Fair play to the organisers for making an effort with a bus to the top speed run, helicopter rides etc, but crowds and competitor numbers down. On the plus side, the lack of queues for the quarter mile/top speed run mean if you can hit the times needed you'd have got plenty of runs in for your £100 in front of a reasonable crowd.

It was always a bit of a funny decision to run it on the same weekend a Time Attack round was taking place.

Aye, we were saying that earlier - must have impacted on the crowd. To be fair to TOTB though, it's always been last weekend in July.

I reckon they were struggling for competitor entries this year - the closing date was extended several times and they were still taking entries up until mid last week

Unless they change something, I reckon it's going to die in the next year or two - it's basically lost its universal appeal and now its just about a handful of Jap 4WD cars going extremely fast after spending a huge amount of cash

It's stuff like the Granada that made it interesting, but this is now the exception, rather than the rule

Typical the one time i cant make it theres not many there.
I have said this for the last 3 years but next year i WILL be there.

Hard to argue with this Nigel - no list of competitors in the programme backs this up too.

After 40 minutes (and seeing the same Evo make about four runs) the action dried up on the quarter mile. Unthinkable a few years ago when the queues went on for ever and crowds flocked around open bonnets as you well remember...

Of dear - just been on the TOTB site to check the results - I've also had a check round some of the other forums to see what people thought

All I can say is I'm glad I didn't spend the money and petrol to drive up there

EDIT - numbers changed from the first entry I made half an hour ago - found the official results

FWD

Top speed - 2 entries
Quarters - 17 entries
handling - 4 entries

RWD

Top Speed - 9 entries
Quarters - 13 entries
Handling - 10 entries

4WD

Top Speed - 33 entries
Quarters - 48 entries
Handling - 36 entries

the event has clearly turned into a jap rally slag 4WD drag event - there was just ONE non-jap car in the 4WD class (a 911) and even in the RWD class, more than half the field was jap. If that's how the event set out to be, then it's a resounding success, but I have a feeling that this was never on the original plan.

From what I've read on other forums, there were far too few cars competing, far to few cars actually running and nothing exciting to watch (once you've seen one ten second Impreza/Evo you've seen them all?)

Apparently, the few competitors that did a lot of running were going up the strip, coming back round and straight onto the startline again - no queues at all

The problem the organisers will have now is that the crowds will stay away next year, even if the competitors come back

Shame, but not surprising

I think tbh Nigel, there is another way to look at this.

Think of all the competition the coupe has had in previous years, now would be the best time to get 3 strong coupe's to enter.

Supposedly, due to flea maps, we have circa 10 coupes over 350bhp, which should be plenty to get into the 12's and try and hit the top speed. Then just need someone who's good on the handling (wonder who Nigel ) and the coupe's could potentially take a clean sweep of the FWD?

Do we have winners times for FWD on 1/4 mile, top speed and handling?

Ross

The best FWD quarter was an 11.26 (Honda Civic) and the best top speed was 166 (Corsa) - both well out of the capability of a Coupe with less than 600bhp

When I first won the handling at TOTB, it was against eight other FWD cars, including a hillclimb-special Nova with a seasoned race driver. Any victory at this year's event would have been very hollow indeed.

TBH, I'd rather come halfway down a packed field, than at the top of a (very) short list of entries - it's the competition that I enjoy (as well as being the underdog)

It looks like my decision not to compete this year was absolutely spot-on. Unless something radical changes at Straightliners (and with my finances), I can't see that I'll ever compete again.

Wow. I retract my above comments. 11.26 is UBER fast for FWD. 166 is a potential to beat, but to travel all that way and then carry all your spares, plus remove an interior, doesn't seem worth it right enough.

Why don't we arrange a coupe shootout?

Ross

I presume the Vaux Tigra wasn't running as he get's into the 10's and has a stupidly high top speed as well.

Coupe shootout, I did look into this a while back, it won't be cheap.

Begbie - Specky's Tigra dropped a valve into the piston a few weeks ago - it went with such force that bits of piston and valve went back out through the intake, then got sucked into one or two of the other cylinders as well.





You're right - last year it came eighth or ninth OVERALL in the top speed times - truly amazing car..

Could we extend this to Fiat shootout, get a few more owners clubs onboard to reduce the cost?

Ross

Cheers Nigel, couldn't remember the name. Looks like it did a fair amount of damage there

Ross, hiring a runway for a day is approx £5k, who is going to front that money upfront? Then you need to have timing equipment, liability insurance etc..

TBH, if you want a HUGELY entertaining day out with a bunch of Coupe owners, Curborough is the place

£500 covers the circuit hire and up to 25 cars can have a whole day out shredding tyres and getting all competitive ( as well as learning their car's limits in relative safety)

About time we did another?

agree with you there Nigel!
great day out, relativly cheap, plus i want to bring the GTA there and see what it can do

£90 each gets you brands hatch indy all day with a open pit lane

Despite the fact that some big names weren't there, the fastest time of the day was still pretty impressive

0-155 in less than 10 seconds and 0-194mph in 16 seconds