Ztech class

[AVIT!]

Hi all!
I'm enjoying some race car free weekends but missing the paddock banter so thought I'd log on here and stir up some trouble .
I believe that this ztech class is the wrong way to go unless its only a tempary thing.
I wrote on here a while ago on behalf of my dad as he didn't want to remove his wings, slicks and pipe manifold as some people wanted .
But I believe that this is the way forward to gain members!
I think that do this this year just incase 6 months is not enough time to do this hour long job or take it that 6 months is enough and leave 1800 as it is just remove these few items from allowed mods!
I personally don't think the exhaust makes any difference and wings I'm still not sure about.
I like the wings as it makes the cars more race car looking but I'd gladly remove wings and pipe manifold to make the car legal to run in 1800.
Braggy and Jim Tim's cars have not been out so it only left me and dad but now John whitborn and paul Britten are out maybe we need all there opinions !
Don't think paul has a pipe manifold anyway.
And do the 1800 16v vauxhalls and the pintos run with yhe ztechs or 1800's as olly is a fast driver in a 2000 car and he struggles with the winged zetecs.
It's hard for a club and there will always be one or two unhappy!
But the club needs members a d I'm sure more would join if they were not having to spend on mods to come play with us!
That's the discussion started so let's see.
I would like to see zetecs with wings as an option and standard exhausts to run with Vauxhall jr wings as option and 2000 pintos wings as and I guess you'll have to leave tyres open .
AVIT!

Ps I don't have a standard exhaust and manifold if anyone has one for sale

[Paperman]

In case of any confusion - you will still be able to run Zetec engined cars in Mono 1800 to exactly the same rules/spec as they run in Mono 1800 at present ie with wings, tubular exhaust etc. The new MonoZtec class is an additional class for fully FF1800 regulation-compliant cars (except tyres which are "free").

22 people scored points in Mono 1800 during 2012, 14 of them in Zetec powered cars of which 6 had significant non-FF1800 modifications. We expect some current Mono 1800 competitors with Zetecs might choose to run their current cars in full FF1800 spec and join the new class, so Mono 1800 class numbers may be reduced, but people don't have to do this. However we hope that we will attract new regaular racers into the Club by providing a Championship platform for racing "spec" FF1800 Zetecs - something which doesn't currently exist. Also bear in mind that Zetec-engined cars are by no means the only cars eligible and competitive in Mono 1800, personally I'd hope to see some more FF2000-engined cars out there as well.

Simon Davey

[andrewcliffe]

I presume a standard Zetec owner could opt to continue to race in Mono1800 if they so decided.

Could they accumulate points in both championships?

[Paperman]

I presume a standard Zetec owner could opt to continue to race in Mono1800 if they so decided.

Could they accumulate points in both championships?

A standard zetec can indeed be raced and score points in either class, but it will only score the points for the class in which it is entered in any specific race. So you could do a race in Mono 1800, score points in Mono 1800; then do a race in MonoZtec and score points in that class. Scoring points in more than one class with the same car is already possible with some cars, and has been done in the past, although I think up til now its been necessary to at least change the cars minimum weight to do this.

It's therefore possible to win two championship class titles in the same year with one car. I think anyone who managed to do this would deserve their trophies.

Simon Davey

[stevengriffin]

I have just spent the past few workshop hours converting my F4 spec Van Diemen to Mono 1800 spec. I've got rid of the carbs (also MBE ECU, Webber 40s and manifold-if anyone wants them please give me a call) and retro fitted the Zetec loom, manifold and Pectel ECU. So, assuming it runs and doesn't melt the ECU when I try and and start it, I will be out in 1800 next year. The wings, tubular exhaust and big wheels precludes me even considering the new Zetec class.

[J Chapman]

I'm slightly surprised that Mono has chosen to go this way, personally I have mixed feelings about it. I think it has the potential to turn one reasonably strong championship into two weak one's. On the other hand Mono 1800 has had smaller numbers this season and this will encourage more entries.

It is however for the Mono board to design the rules and it’s up to us to make the most of them. Despite having invested in wings, a tubular exhaust and wider tyres, I'll commit to returning the car back to FF1800 spec and I'll try to do as many FZtec races as possible.

This is a superb opportunity for the FF1800 community and we need to make the most of it. Our festival numbers have been growing largely thanks to Mark’s efforts and this year we should have a grid of around 15 for the second consecutive year. If we get Mono FZtec grids half this strong we’ll be in really good shape.

I don’t see the logic in keeping tyres ‘free’ I’m guessing it’s to make things easier / quicker / cheaper for guys converting back from Mono 1800 spec.

Could we get a gentlemen’s agreement between us to all run standard rubber? Atleast for the slicks anyway?

[petebee]

Ill be running on standard rubber so no issue in agreeing to that. Everything else will be standard bits and bobs, at least for the current Ray. Dad and I are just trying to decide if the other Ray is going to run in Mono1800 rather than MonoZtec. In all probability both cars will run MonoZtec but it all depends on what Dad wants the car to look like. Wings are kind of sexy after all.

[triple j motorsport]

I think the MonoZtec class is a great idea yes you will get two smaller championships for next year but hopefully it will encourage more people to race in monoZtec with their standard cars and then they can modify them later if they wish. We have some championships in europe and they might want to pay us a visit.

After all we all on the same grid you'll still race the guy if its mono1800 or MonoZtec or any other mono class.

The mono1800 mods do make a difference I couldn't keep up with Paul & Ewen until I modified my car and now it's right on the pace again.

One day we might be large enough with the mono1600 to race for outright wins....

FFZetec has to be the cheapest way to go single seater racing.

[triple j motorsport]

Ill be running on standard rubber so no issue in agreeing to that. Everything else will be standard bits and bobs, at least for the current Ray. Dad and I are just trying to decide if the other Ray is going to run in Mono1800 rather than MonoZtec. In all probability both cars will run MonoZtec but it all depends on what Dad wants the car to look like. Wings are kind of sexy after all.

Have you bought another Ray Pete?

[andrewcliffe]

MonoZtec announcement in this weeks Autosprout.

[AndyY]

It's not a bad idea but will it really bring new members into the club and expand the grids? I reckon the club may have been better keeping mono 1800 as it is and introducing mono duratec.

[J Chapman]

Trouble is, most of the Duratec cars ran lease engines. Premier Power has plenty of engines for sale now, but they are hellishly expensive. The car's aint cheap either.

F4 have permitted Duratec's from '11 onwards and only managed to attract one! Which supprised me since the standard Duratec puts out around the same as a modified Zetec on carbs (155bhp). So I dout mono would get much if any more interest. Plus they'd need their own class right from the start since they wouldn't fit into any class directly. The enigine is possibly on par with Mono Classic, however this class has a 2001 limit on chassis age.

BRSCC / Castle Combe missed the boat when the tried to bring in Club Durtec to run alonside Kents. It required new ECU, throttle body, wheels, tyres ect... if they'd just left the cars alone and a organised championship aimed at club level it might have worked!

[triple j motorsport]

James is right currently FFDuratecs are too expensive around £17 - £20K complete for a good one.

Convertion isn't an option either looking at £7k - £9k

F4 has allowed standard FFDuratecs in class C and as far as I know no ones has raced a Duratec or Zetec in that class all year?

MonoDuratec is unlikely as it can't be added to an existing class in standard form

I think too many of the Duratecs have headed off to Europe where there is no FF Ego Boost for a club championship now.

I am looking forward to the BRDC F4 cars in 4 or 5 years time make great Mono2000 cars....