Which Class 2011?

[Cscott]

Hi all, I have a conundrum (sounds painful I know), the question is what to do next year?

I have been racing my Alpa Formula Renault in the Classic class this year and thoroughly loved it, (except Spa, blown engine, Dad driving, not me!). However at SEMSECs last race of the year I ended in style by pulling off after 3/4 of a lap with a terminally blown engine, Spa hangover I'm afraid. So this leaves me with a decision to make.....

When I got the car it had its period 1700cc engine, this year I have been running the 2000cc version, the question is do I repair the 2L for next year and stay in Classic (albeit near the back, underpowered but having a good time) or drop the 1.7 in and drop down to the smaller capacity Mono class ala Tony Davies and see if I would be more competitive. (although I primarily race to have a good time, a nice clean race and go home in one piece, winning certainly isn't everything)

Just for fun/curiosity a few questions for you all:

How competitive would a well driven 1700 Renault be in the smaller class in theory?

Is it wise to make your car slower but relatively more competitive?

Would my situation improve (currently running about 3/4 of the way down the field in Classic) would I be higher against FFords etc?

Look forward to hearing your thoughts, thanks in advance.

Chris Scott

[phuston]

Hi Chris,

How competitive would a well driven 1700 Renault be in the smaller class in theory?

Tony Davies showed that a 1700 Renault can be fully competative in the Mono1600 class, his record should be better, but in recent seasons his car suffered from minor electrical faults. Several 1700 Renaults are currently going well as Mono1600s. How close to the class minimum weight will your car/driver combination be, power to weight ratio being important?

(Is it wise to make your car slower but relatively more competitive?)
Depends on the psychology of the driver. One or two drivers have gone from 'slower' classes to Mono2000 only to return to 'slower' formulae because they prefer the latter. Equally some have visited the Dallarae only to return to something more traditional.
By the standards of the non-racing world all Monoposto single seaters are very fast. But to return to the psychology aspect; would you be happy with the change?

(Would my situation improve (currently running about 3/4 of the way down the field in Classic) would I be higher against FFords etc?)
You dont really expect an answer to this, do you!

[RedRedWine]

In the early 2000's when Patrick, me and Dave Parkinson were youngsters, Muz racing ran some pretty quick FR1700s and won the 1600 championship. There was certainly nothing wrong with the competitiveness of FR1700s. The only slight downside of an FR is that you have a road car box. Nothing is ever as nice as a racing box and you can't do clutchless changes with a Laguna, but that will apply in 2 litre.

On a more important note, the drivers and teams are just as friendly and helpful in all of the classes. The trouble with 2litre is you might be tempted to buy something a bit flashier and ostensibly faster. Don't. Thence lies insanity, self awareness and destitution in equal grim measure. Think Edvard Munch's The Scream, with racing cars in the background. Just a personal view.

[AndyY]

Did Alpa make a Formula Alfa Boxer version of their F Renault car? I know that several F Renault manufacturers did, inc Van Dieman & Ermolli. The car was the same from the roll hop forward but had an Alfa Boxer engine midships. May be that would be a different but good alternative to the Renault motive power in the back of your curent chassis.

[Cscott]

Thanks for the replies, I need to do some thinking, my initail thoughts on some of your points are:

"Tony Davies showed that a 1700 Renault can be fully competative in the Mono1600 class, his record should be better, but in recent seasons his car suffered from minor electrical faults. Several 1700 Renaults are currently going well as Mono1600s. How close to the class minimum weight will your car/driver combination be, power to weight ratio being important?"

I raced for a couple of years with Tony in SEMSEC 1700 against 1700 which was great fun so I guess I would be on his pace, regarding the weight limit I believe at last weigh in we were about 30kg over! Thats a job for this winter, although i don't know who can lose more, me or the car!

"Is it wise to make your car slower but relatively more competitive?
By the standards of the non-racing world all Monoposto single seaters are very fast. But to return to the psychology aspect; would you be happy with the change?"

This is my main concern, would I be able to adjust to the car being slower in my mind, but seeing as I race for fun not glory I reckon I should be okay but still requires careful thought.

"Would my situation improve from currently running about 3/4 of the way down the field in Classic) would I be higher against FFords etc?
You dont really expect an answer to this, do you!"

This was semi serious as some of the 1800 zetecs are really quick!

Nothing is ever as nice as a racing box and you can't do clutchless changes with a Laguna, but that will apply in 2 litre...... you might be tempted to buy something a bit flashier and ostensibly faster. Don't.

You don't need to tell me about road boxes , this has been the thorn in my racing career both in 1700cc and 2000cc, I'm afraid I disagree with the second point, I'd love a flash and fast 2000cc (Tristans old Reynard if Mr Lottery would come up with my numbers) but lack of real money sees me sticking with the trusty old Alpa for the time being.

"Did Alpa make a Formula Alfa Boxer version of their F Renault car? "

Not that I'm aware of but can find little out about them to be truthful, anyone on here know anything about Alpa?

Finally, anymore suggestions about my dilema would be welcomed, cheers guys and girls.

[arty cameron]

sell it mate and buy a jedi- best drive of your life!....cheap, fast, and dangerous. msa/fia safety standards? naaahhh.

[AVIT!]

Hi!
having gone toe to toe in a standard cam formula ford kent with geoff fern in a club cammed kent and tony davis renault 1700 i think with good drivers there is not a bit in it!
tonys car was always plauged with reliability issues but he never really took 100% care of it so it would be .
But when it was running well he could really get stuck in there with us!
plus with nigel daveys and my man dave parkinson!
1600 class is thew future!

[AndyY]

Could always put a motorbike engine in it & run it in Mono 1400, I suppose. Isn't that the way m/b engines started in Mono, with a converted F Renault chassis? (Peter Dittman?).