The header says it all, can I cicuit race a van?

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Chris

Everything I like is either
illegal, immoral or fattening.

Well.. I remember a few years ago they raced Volvo wagons in the 2L British touring car championship, `coz the sedan had the aerodynamics of a Mini!
Dunno what class a Minivan would fit though.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

absolutely you can - they're lighter than a sedan to boot

vans were relatively common in club level rallying in the '60s, there have been a couple of write-ups in MiniWorld over the years - for the most part they were weekend warriors, being delivery vans etc. during the week...

the problem with vans in racing is that they flex a LOT in the back - mine has cracked (and been repaired) all the way around the rear wheel arches where they meet the floor. I made a bracing bar that goes between the shocker mounts and the floor, and it holds it very steady, before I did that, I could stand on the back with the doors open, and bounce the car up and down and watch the wheel arches flex a decent rollcage would be the go, and add extra bracing to the shocker mounts

I passed a Cooper S in my van at Wakefield in Feb, and there was a V8 falcon that couldn't get away from me

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

Apart from the flex issue, a little known fact is the longer wheel base of the van gives you an unfair advantage in the handling stakes as well

Have Fun
Dat

A guy around the corner from my parents has an old volvo 244 wagon that he races. improved production class i think. and there used to be a mazda 808/rx3 wagon in the same class and it was a winner.

do it, do it, go on, you know you want to

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the world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page
66 Mini Minor sponsored by http://www.lifeonthehedge.com.au/ The Dog Harness Specialists
It was a pleasure ausmini. I'll miss all you misfits and reprobates

Nc = Novelty Cars




the vans are good for rallying also....i've heard

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Chris, I don't recall seeing a van race in the period...but that done mean a thing with my memory.

You could certainly set something up to race in Brian Waldrens all Mini series at WP though....give him a call...there are contact details in Motorsport folder.

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"Show me the Mini!"

I had a ride in Bob Holdens van in a Mini Monte and he told me the same thing. As for flexing I will totally seam weld it and that will sort out that problem. should only take a roll of wire to seam weld a mini. The young bloke wants to move up from karts and do a bit of club racing and I have a spare shell now. Personally I daon't think it is a move upwards at all just a lot of bloody hard yakka.

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Chris

Everything I like is either
illegal, immoral or fattening.

Problem with vans is there is little torsional rigidity due to the huge rear door opening. I'd build a 1/2 cage or something in there, braced off the shock towers..

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

A lot can be achieved by seam welding the turret to the side panels if it is accessible. people under estimate how rigid this makes a car. I will just weld the back doors shut and that will fix it.

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Chris

Everything I like is either
illegal, immoral or fattening.

I have a Cage I want you to look at

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Stop Licking the Dog...I Don't Care Who Started It

Yeah!!!!!!!!!,,,Go the Van!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...Awsome race car!!!!!!!!!!!,,,way better handling than the sedan with the extra 4" of wheel base,,,super dooper neutral in the corners & exceptionally predictable.

I raced my van in club level racing nearly all my life up till a few years ago where i stepped backwards & down wards into the sedans

I also raced a van in speedway for about 8 years & whooped arse all over the place up here in Qld

the vans rock!!!!!!!!!!!!!







This last one was after a big party at my place,,,don`t ask me how i ended up sleeping there ??? #$@*&^%$



I still hold the current 0->1600cc track record at Echo Valley Hill Climb in my road van

Born & bred in a mini van i am

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No offence intended here but--> anyone writing a book about minis 30 years ago may not have experienced such worn or stuffed-with components as we are finding these days.

You should put your heart & soul into everything you do.

that's quite the concourse winner there

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yay passengers who cannot get away and there muffled screams
BWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
makka

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Anonymous moderation means the agro that is built up towards the mods isn't aimed at an individual (fewer "Makk" attacks). Less stress for mods means less moderator "retirements".

In stock trim a van is also 70kg's heavier than the sedan...

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Starlet Conversion:
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