Hey guys

Thanks for talking some sense into me when I went to sell the General!!
(also the pissweak offers helped decide too!!! )

Anywho, as some of you know I am DESPERATE to get into rallying. I have decided on a way to do this now.

Before any of you laugh, well, just don't laugh (even though I did when I first considered this!). The idea has really proven to have some merit. For anyone that's interested, check this out.

http://www.excelrally.com.au/
That's right, it's a one make series for Hyundai Excels.

It's especially funny as I used to be one of the people bagging out these cars!

I'm going down this path as it's a cost effective way to get into the sport, and it's being heavily backed by Hyundai - ie you can buy massively discounted parts and wheels etc. The rules are very strict and the cars are basically stock except cage, seats etc and suspension.

Anyways, I'll be looking for ANY and ALL help I can possibly get. I'll be begging, borrowing and stealing (well not stealing) as this is something I really want (make that need) to do!!

If anyone knows of a cheap X3 excel (pref twin cam) for sale, or has any skills or time they can lend you will be forever on my legend list!

Shane has already agreed to help signwrite the car for me so if anyone has a business or knows someone generous that does and wants a mobile billboard let me know.

I'll let you guys know progress as it happens (whether you want to know or not!! )

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Bob Slattery
Duffman Says A Lot of Things - OH YEAH!!

Ive seen several Exels go cheap on Ebay recently if thats any help.

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No more Minis!......For now.

BEen checking that out - thanks. Also checking out the auctions. Money will be better in about 3 weeks or so to seriously look at buying something I hope - just want to do as much research and groundwork as possible so I'm ready to go

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Bob Slattery
Duffman Says A Lot of Things - OH YEAH!!

The poor old excel gets a bad wrap all to often. Im not laughing (much ), I use one daily. Parts are cheap, they stick tothe road really good and the 1.5 engine has heaps of potential for good power. The thing I like alot about my car is off road and in the wet it is great fun to drive (minis are more of a dry thing).

Have fun Bob!

Well they're probably the single most stollen car around.. So check the auctions, should find some cheap ones.. even some cheap wrecks for parts?

That's one of the main benefits of the series. It looks like replacing the Gemini series in years to come as they're getting hard and expensive to find parts for - as are old datsuns etc.

Also, all of the racing I've already done has been in front wheel drive - Go the mighty Mini!!!!

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Bob Slattery
Duffman Says A Lot of Things - OH YEAH!!

Will be the coolest excel on the track mate!

I'll give you the headstart Bob......go out and find a Twin cam sprint model. Dont waste money on aircon or power steering, they'll only rob it of power and add to weight.
Then strap a second throttle body to the opposite end o the plenum chamber and get a sports exhaust on it. Once the computer is remapped you should have over 90kw in a 900kg car.

Negative mate - engine must remain standard.
Only thing you can modify is the air intake outside of the throttle body - ie air filter maybe cold air intake.

only other thing is to tighten up the sloppy as crap gearchange mechanism. also exhaust, but only after manifold.

idea is to keep costs down and keep playing field level. hopefully means bloke with the biggest wallet doesn't necessarily win.

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Bob Slattery
Duffman Says A Lot of Things - OH YEAH!!

BWAHAHAHA

But seriously I have read about this and saw an article or on tv (can't remember which it was) and thought it was a novel idea... but I never had the balls to look into it. Good on you I say

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Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

my old man works for hyundai bob

ill see what he has got there

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ausmini member #10
(22:42:45) 5 years later..........

Oooooooh Connections!!
That's what I need.

I'm assuming Hyundai wouldn't sponsor someone with no rallying experience especially as they already support one of the series cars, but you never know what help is around unless you ask.

The idea I did have was to just go and see some of the dealers to see if they might pass on a car to me cheap if they get one as a trade in. Dealers would probably only pay $500 to $1000 for an excel traded in on something else, so if they would pass one of those along to me cheaply instead of sending it to the consignment yard or Auction it would help me without costing them anything. Sounds reasonable to me but I'll see what they say.

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Bob Slattery
Duffman Says A Lot of Things - OH YEAH!!

I am confused - your talking about rallying but describing a single make series of racing. ???

If it is a racing series let me state up front that the most "standard" cars up the front of the grid are the most modified. If it is racing, then most of your times on the track will be the extent of the modifications to make the suspension and chassis design "bog standard".

Bob - next time i am down for a mini thingo - collar me and i will tell you heaps about making your excel "standard".

Okay - i went to the website so now i know - it is rallying

Cant help you with suspension on this one Bob - last rally I went on was thirty years ago and i got bored with the dust, peering into the dark and the lack of sleep. Rally finished at 5.00 am and the pub didn't open until nearly mid day

BWAHAHAHAHA
I can relate to that, in 1970 I was in the Fiat 124 coupe eating Austin 1800 dust all night, and I shook the windscreen loose too!
Last one I went on.....

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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.