Westfield in administration and I've had an accident: Advice thread

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

Not, I hasten to add a subtle way of me telling you I've bent something!!

 

Though the information is hidden away in other threads, I just thought I'd make specific mention here.

 

If you're in the unfortunate position of having an accident involving your Westfield, in these uncertain times, you obviously cannot go to the factory.

 

However, we would strongly advise contacting Andy or Dennis at Siltech racing, details below. I could say that with the factory not operating currently, they're the next best thing, but to be brutal it was probably always the other way round, the factory was probably always the next best thing to Siltech! Siltech have done major accident damage repair for the racers and sprinters, as well as road cars, and have huge knowledge and experience with Westfields.

 

https://www.siltechracing.com

Main number: 01362 820456

Andy Silman: 07912 219642

Dennis Silman: 07516 716053

 

- they have a complete car of body panels (including a tub) - which have their own design touches and are outside any possible IP issues connected to the factory. They also have a long and brilliant history of producing some amazing fabricated and machined parts for Westfields, including, but not limited to: wide track front suspension, modified rear micro adjustable suspension, Big brake kits, including a replacement front upright/big brake kit. Anti roll bars, chassis fabrication work and chassis damage repairs, fabricated parts and CNC made parts. And they really know Westfields.

 

Additionally, as per the other thread, on help while the factory is in administration, both Tiger Racing and MK Sports cars (Via their Kit Car Direct arm) are both able to carry out fabrication and repair work on the chassis etc.

[Richard (OldStager)]

Thanks Dave, actually the first thing I thought about upon hearing the news was, where am I going to get bodywork or perhaps a chassis check done now?, should the worst happen. Which it did years ago when I was T boned, my car at that point went back to the factory to be checked over and repaired where needed.

 

[DIY-Si]

Whilst I hate to think that this may happen, I have asked my lad to be more careful around the XI now that I don't know where to get replacement parts should anything get damaged beyond sensible repair.

 

Is there anyone that can offer a Siltech level of expertise to those of us in the XI camp?

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

The XI is a slightly trickier case, as regards the chassis itself, to be honest, I’d still go down the Siltech route, even if they don’t have existing wishbone designs, they’re more than capable of fabricating new.

 

The bodywork is the part with fewer options. It may be a case of repairing the GRP, unless anyone knows of anyone making panels already?

 

[DIY-Si]

I'm not aware of anyone else making panels for the XI, I know that a few of the original Lotus use Westfield bodywork for racing! There was another company or two a few years ago that may have done, when there was more than the Westfield available, but I can't recall who they were.

[Mark (smokey mow)]

8 minutes ago, Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman said:

The bodywork is the part with fewer options. It may be a case of repairing the GRP, unless anyone knows of anyone making panels already?

 

As I understand it the Westfield part is dimensionally identical to the lotus so it may not be quite as difficult as you think. At least some of the lotus XI’s in historic racing have had the aluminium panels swapped out for fibreglass to preserve the cars originality should it be involved in an accident so there is likely to be moulds available other than just Westfield.

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

Brilliant, thanks Mark.

[SootySport]

If my Westfield gets binned due to chassis or body damage, I would take the insurance money.   Waiting for repairs from specialists takes months to get anything done if at all.