Motorkhana Monster

[ancullen]

I've just returned from the 2006 Rejex Rally, which is basically a series of motorkhana events at various locations between Darwin & Douglas Daly, a place about 170km south of Darwin. This was my sixth year competing in the event, and my second outright win in a row. The vehicle I've used for the last three years has been Alisson's 1998 Toyota Starlet three door. It is completely standard, and is quite an easy car to do a motorkhana in successfully. This is where I begin to have a problem.

 

Other cars that are involved in the event are predominantly RWD vehicles, generally larger ones, which are quite fast in a straight line, but are not very well suited to tight motorkhana courses. So I feel that I am cheating a little by having such a well suited car, and I would like to look at something that while a bit more challenging, still has the potential, but no guarantee, of winning the event. I am trying to start thinking about such a vehicle right now, even though I would not use said vehicle until the 2008 event at the earliest, as I believe everyone should have the opportunity to beat the current champion car in current form.

 

To make things more difficult, here's the rules for cars that I'll consider:

• Pre-1980
  
• Under 1000kg
  
• Easily Registerable (so not V8 Corolla conversions)
  
• Somewhat modifiable (eg, I could drop a 5K into a KE10)
  
• Manual (no auto to manual conversions)
  
• Not a Mini
  
• Not a Datsun/Nissan
  
• No turbos (superchargers are allowed)
  
• AFFORDABLE
  

The vehicle does not have to be Toyota, and I'd prefer RWD as it's more challenging, but FWD is cool if the car's right. Please note that I am NOT asking people to try and sell me their cars right at the moment, I'm just trying to open a discussion on potential vehicles. Here's what I'm considering so far:

 

KE1*/KE2*/KE3*/KE5* Corolla two door (3K/4K/5K, 2T-G/3T-G, or possibly a 4A-GE or [unlikely] 18R-G)

First generation Honda Civic (easy to put an early 80's Prelude motor in)

Morris Minor (old school cool)

 

All sensible suggestions and discussion is welcome and encouraged.

Edited August 8, 2006 by ancullen

[ancullen]

Just been thinking, and Corollas have a slight advantage in that a). they're Corollas, and b). I have two 4K motors sitting around that I'd love an excuse to use and beasty up. But I'm extremely open to any suggestions.

[7shades]

Have you thought seriously about a volkswagen? I've played around on the dirt in a few over the years and I've been amazed at times... A stock beetle with chunky rears has an amazing amount of traction and a surprisingly tractable torque curve, even with big wheels/tyres. Also they move very quicky lock to lock and pivot well when you're turning under acceleration.

 

I reckon my pick would be a fibreglass buggy, on a shortened chassis with a mildly worked 2litre combi motor. Stock internals, couple or downdraught strombergs and a very offensive exhaust.

 

And hell even if it wasn't very competitive it'd be a shiesseload of fun ;)

 

My 2c

[coln72]

Just thinking of the cars that were different that have competed in motorkahnas in Vic.

 

Early Peugots (404?) RWD but very skinny for length. Unbetable in the large car class. Also get to see some very cool 3 wheeling action.

 

120y fitted with a 200b motor (but its a nissan)

 

Supercharged EA falcon ;)

 

Will add more as I think of them

 

Like the idea of an old Morris - fit the 4K into it :P

[7shades]

Or one of these.... Austin A30

 

 

Peter Brock had one as his first racecar. shoehorned a holden grey motor into it.

 

They're not exactly common... but there's a number of different british made shopping trolleys from this era with a very similar (read: light, simple RWD on a short wheelbase) configuration.

 

Pre-harry potter ford anglias, cortinas, austins, morriseseses etc... all dead easy to drop a 4k into.

[ancullen]

The VW is an interesting suggestion - and one I wouldn't have considered had it not been suggested. Have always loved the idea of a Herbie look-a-like, with a Porsche 356 motor and transmission if I could get my hands on one.

 

The 404 is still a fairly big car (they were a 2-litre weren't they?).

 

The 120Y is too much of a shitter even for Datsun/Nissan. It would probably do okay on the Rejex though - especially with the 200B motor. It would be pretty funny if a bloody 120Y beat an R33 GTR, Lotus Exige and BA GT-P though. ;)

 

The EA Falcon is completely out. If you'd read the brief you would realise that I'd said nothing over 1000kg and nothing newer than 1980, so the EA doesn't come close to complying with this. Plus, I wouldn't even consider it as it's WAY too big and heavy. I want something small and reasonably lithe. The EA with a blower might be quickish in a straight line, but I'd lose any and all advantage when I hit the first witches hat.

 

The A30 is an excellent suggestion too. Unfortunately they are too uncommon, although I think they were basically a rebadged Morris Minor - not certain though. The Anglia & Cortina are similarly excellent suggestions, but a bit too few and far between up here. Have seen one Anglia and it sounds sweet!!!

 

A 4K-powered KE10 is looking pretty sweet, but again, very hard to find. Have always loved the KE25 look, but they seem even rarer. Might have to go looking for a KE30/55 two door or a KE35 fastback. Go the five speed and a 4.3:1 diff. :P

Edited August 8, 2006 by ancullen

[ancullen]

The KE10 with 5K in Perth is looking REALLY good. Pity I can't afford it at the moment and it's so far away. Still open to new suggestions though.

[Clown]

if you can get one, a KP starlet?

[ancullen]

VERY cool, VERY rare. While it would be extremely cool to have something that people don't recognise, I don't want to feel like I can't give it the occasional hiding.

 

It would be awesome to tell everyone I'm taking 'the Starlet', only to turn up in a KP61 instead of an EP95. ;)

[coln72]

I'd go for the KE20/25 as they are lighter than the KE30's and mechanically very similar.

 

This is my motorkhana set up.

KE20

5K - srinter twins, cam, extractors

4 speed

4:2 diff locked

modified front end

etc

 

extremely competitive (5th in class Aust Motorkhana Champ.)

[Gavclassic]

Have you thought about an earlie Honda Civic or City. I used to run a Honda City prior to my KE 70, not as much fun as the RWD but heaps quicker and it was a stocker!!!!! ;)

[Raven]

Honda City Turbo, Daihatsu Charade Turbo, Old Suzuki 800 Hatch.

 

Plenty of cars to choose from.

[Des]

i know its not a toyota not even close but how about a rotary powered mazda 323 hatch.light and has power ;)

[KE354AGE]

Id go one of the first gen civics!! they are so cool! dark green, 13" minilites, prelude 1800, it would hammer! and still be about as competitive as the starlet, but would look funnier caining an R33 (2 door commodore)

I have a suzuki 800 hatch you can have for nothing...they are almost as quick as a ride on mower!

[Redwarf]

A mate had a mid eighties Civic Si import. Great motorkhana car and fuel injected. Superfast.

 

I'm also with Col, 20 series Corolla. Better suspension out of the box than a ten. Good K motor and away you go.

 

Rule out a VW, pigs to motorkhana, I've never in 16 years seen one truly competitive.

Edited August 8, 2006 by Redwarf