2017 Sprint season

[stylussprinter]

Recent MSA ROPS upgrade for the STYLUS means it'll be sitting in the shed . Mainly due to , not only the ROPS , but the bodywork and respraying costs , once the bodywork has been cut out for access , repaired then sprayed.

So ------ I've entered the GTAm again at Abingdon Longcourse on the 9th April. Depending on what happens re - eligibility of the car in A4 . If it's thrown out then that's it motorsport wise for me

[Shooter63]

I presume that the stylus fails the MSA because of the rear Stays?

Shooter

[stylussprinter]

I presume that the stylus fails the MSA because of the rear Stays?

Shooter

Correct . If starting afresh by buiding a Stylus or buying 2nd hand , this ROPS upgrade wouldn't bother most but for me , where over 16yrs I've spent with original build costs , over £40 grand developing the car to a highly competitive level , ROPS rebuild and body mods/respray costs would be yet further costs over it's value.
I may well have to do it just to sell as a competitive race car with 6 championship wins under it's belt , so may look at the definitive costs . Hurts me to leave it sitting in the shed. I'd assumed I would be competing in it till I drop but the likelihood of more MSA upgrades in future years and costs is quite strong.

[Shooter63]

Thought as much, this is the idea I came up with, I'm not sure if it's MSA spec but I think so.
Cut part of the boot floor out to expose the rear chassis rail, weld in 2 pick up points for the stays, cut 2 slots in the boot lid ( or make one out of alloy sheet etc). That way the rear stay angle is way past 30 degrees required for the scruts and you don't need make holes in the main bodywork.

Shooter

[kevp]

Rob
I dont think its that bad. When mine was done 2 round holes where drilled through the rear body, and access to the strut was via cut out in the boot side. The welding was done through that & via the wheel arches. Just need to make a grommet up for the bodywork.

Shame not to use. All the best.
Kev

[stylussprinter]

Rob
I dont think its that bad. When mine was done 2 round holes where drilled through the rear body, and access to the strut was via cut out in the boot side. The welding was done through that & via the wheel arches. Just need to make a grommet up for the bodywork.

Shame not to use. All the best.
Kev

Kevin , it's not just the cost ' this time ' --- it's the total over the 16yrs as mentioned in my previous posts . It would make my car spending over several changes plus original build £42,000 ----- that's mental and just shouldn't increase it . It's been a very successful car but just imagine what I would get if I sold it

[stylussprinter]

Finally came 3rd in my class A4 ACSMC Championship during 2017 (GTAm) but no trophy , as not enough of those in my class entered more than 3 events . It was tough competition like last season , against 190bhp and more , modern cars . However , I discovered after chatting with the BMW COOPER WORKS drivers , that standard for these cars is 225bhp and one of them has a bespoke Garrett Turbo , turning out well over 300bhp (APPARENTLY still being developed) . In 2016 the 300bhp car was in the next up class A5 , due to the 1.4 ratio on capacity when turbo or super charged , making the 1600cc Cooper 2240cc (just under the '' NEW '' MSA regs of A5 starting at 2300cc , NOT 2000cc as previously)
Hence this 2018 season I'm not racing at all , it just seems senseless and demotivating , knowing in advance that regardless of skill , I cannot possibly beat these cars . Running against 150 to 170bhp cars there's always a chance for my 45yr old classic to be 2nd or possibly kid myself I could win the championship .
SO -------- what to do with the car Well , I've had an invite from the LANCIA MOTOR CLUB to join their trackday at GOODWOOD on March 31st . That should keep me semi race fit , then the CLASSIC ALFA Goodwood trackday on the 16th June I know I'm going to miss competition but I have to believe I can win to motivate myself (even if I can't )