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FollyMotorsport has just about purchased a Skoda Rally/Sprint car. The car is to replace the first car the team owned, a BMW 325i. See The BMW Story to read about the valuable lesson that we learned about car preparation.

 

The car was prepared in 2002 from a standard 1990 120L to stage rally spec. It's done one single venue tarmac event and a 12 car event with it's previous owner, has never been crashed, never been on an unsurfaced road, no rust, decent original paintwork, and the Safety Devices roll cage was fitted by a bloke who used to prepare 6R4 Metros, so it's been installed properly. It's probably one of the better rally prepared shells around at the moment simply beacuse it hasn't been knocked to pieces on loads of events.
The only body damage is a bit of a scrape around the rear o/s wheelarch where the previous owner rubbed it up against a fence post.
The engine is currently a standard 1293cc 135 8-port engine with a skimmed head which gives it about the same performance as a standard 136 engine. The gearbox and clutch was also replaced this year after problems with 5th gear and the clutch release bearing, so it all drives a treat now and goes well considering it's standard. The carb is the standard downdraft Weber replacement item and the exhaust is an Ashley 'Group A' item fitted to the standard manifold.
Standard springs all round with AVO adjustable dampers (really improves the handling). Currently sitting on white Skoda Minilites with virtually new 175/60 13 Marangoni Trio tyres (superb for road rallies). Bonnet pins and hooks fitted all round. Headlights and spotlights all fitted with Xenon bulbs.
Has a current MSA logbook.

Here's a list of the main jobs that need doing before the car can do stage rallies:

• Refit cutout switch. Refit plumbed in extinguisher and nozzles (it's easy as the pull cables are already in place).
• Fit seats and harnesses
• Refit engine/transaxle guard and petrol tank guard.
• It also needs an air filter fitting.
• The alternator fitted doesn't appaer to be charging the battery. It may just be wiring or it may need another alternator.

Click here for pictures of parts Changed

 

 

Now the car is resident at it's new address. the previous owner had done a grand job with the conversion work, and there was a large quantity of spares included in the purchase price.

Now the real work begins. Air filter and seat mounts have arrived. The seats have been fitted, along with the harnesses.
The air filter has a custom base plate to be modified, before being fitted.
The alternator has been tested and is OK, so it is a wiring fault to be traced - my favorite!

Other jobs to be done now include....
1. Refurb and re-tyre the wheels - tyres are great, but need re-fitting as they all lose air!
2. Fit the air filter and modify air flow into engine compartment.
3. Fit electric cut out and fire extinguisher.
4. Design and build new dash.
5. Get an MOT!
Despite spending most of Chrsitmas 2003 in bed I now have 5 wheels with matching tyers on them.
The air filter is fitted, with a home-produced mounting.
All the side polycarbonate windows are fitted - just the back window to go now.
The fire extingusiher has been professionally re-built. Safety Devices should be shot for the use of cheap plastic components in such an important piece of equipment!! It has been plumbed back in.
A new switch panel has been made up for the cut off switch, and in the absence of any other jobs to do on the car January will see the tentative re-routing of the relevant electrical connections... All connections have been made. No big bangs, and no change in the state of the alternator light. Knowing my luck it is faulty!
First of the Engine guards has been trial fitted and fits well.
A visit to Autosport 2004 means I have aquired some bits and piecies at a cheaper rate!
The existing drivers seat mountings have been ground out and replacements bolted in. Money allowing they will be welded in as well.
Gallery also included on the site, showing pics of what I am writing about!

Electrical problem has been traced to a lack of voltage regulator. The relay for the heated rear window is still in place, despite rumours that it had been removed. Awaiting delivery of a replacement voltage regulator, and the confining of charging problems to history! New pedal covers have been installed and not much else!

Purchased a Sport 130 body kit - inc original rear spoiler. I only want the spoiler, as I don't want the car any heavier than it absolutly has to be!

click here for pictures of Body Work

 

 

I  know, where did April go, good question, however May is off to a flying start. New voltage regulator is not only bolted to the car, but I have made a new wiring loom for it and it is fully functional. Alternator is now charging the battery just as it did when it left the factory!!! Finally I have managed to pluck up the courage to reverse it out of the garage and down the drive. Clean forgot to stop though and ended up driving round the block. Since this is the first time I had driven the car I was relieved to find I actually fitted into it! Despite not having any time or space to test it fully it handled just fine, and even stopped when asked!

June and June came and went with major work being carried out. A white Viper stripe and KAGE lettering now sits on most of the car. The heater matrix has been disconnected and pipes removed. The water pump connection has been re-routed via the inlet manifold, which will add to cooling in that department The drivers seat mounting has now been welded and bolted in place....yes by me! It feels much better being at one with the rest of the car, and the drivers side floor has increased in strength. New electronic aids have been purchased, not at and F1 level mind you. A performance meter to help with setting the car up (G-Tech) is on it's way, along with a rev limiter (to protect the engine). The rev limiter has two important additions, one a full throttle gear change module (should allow faster gear changes) and a launch control switch (reduces revs for initial acceleration)

The rev limiter is now fitted, as is the launch control system. Full throttle gear change will need a little engineering to mount the switch. Biggest problem has been the incorrect wiring of the FIA master switch. Unfortuantely Skoda were not well known at this time for their ability to wire a car consistently. this resulted in a direct battery feed becoming connected to the condensor. As soon as the engine was started the condensor and points burnt out - along with the coil! These have been replaced with up-rated versions. Also finished now is the wrapping of the exhaust. Professional wrap has been applied, and suprisingly it makes a huge difference! Redline's water wetter has also been added to supliment a new air intake cut into the boot lid. As a result the engine bay is now much cooler.

New rear springs have been finished, same length, but stronger forest items. They have raised the back of the car off the road, which is nice. Two wheels are now yellow! Three wheels now yellow! All wiring has been tydied up. Oil catch tank sourced, and ready to fit. MOT is now looming in March. I have also started a college course in engine building and advanced car maintanence. Very interesting - for me! The MOT is now booked, Wipers repalced, new washer motor fitted and tested. All bolts correctly torqued. Second tune of the carb, with new plugs. Time alone will tell if it is set up right MOT was successfully passed at the third attempt...exhaust too long and tyers rotating the wrong way didn't help. fortunately all the work done did pass!

Since the MOT the springs have been returned to the standard road items. The rev counter is in the centre of the dash. All wheels are now yellow. The water heating of the inlet manifold has also been reversed.

The hope is to use the car in anger later this year..