westfield vs the others

[gixermark]

Hi Guys,

In particular - for track use, in your honest!! opinion how do the other seven replicas stack up against the westfield in terms of value for money, handling, spares etc etc ?

I hope this doesn't open a can of worms.... I am particularly interested in BEC cars for mainly track/competition use... and there are plenty of the other cars for sale in this state..

In my newbe opinion - it looks like the westfield is well finished, and has plenty of nice accessories and finish for the road market... and obviously has the brand name - handy for resale etc....

again - opinions welcome...

[steve_m]

Look at what has been winning in RGB, there are some very nice cheap Fisher Fury's available, blade powered, Blackbird, busa etc, the Fury is a great litle car, if I sold my Dax and wanted a n/a BEC I'd probaby get a Fury.

[Mark Stanton]

Wot Steve said     if its track and race you want then look at whats leading the pack at race championships      

[samcooke]

*Nods*

The Pell Genesis is a quicker track car than the Fury, but I didn't like the look of it.

My 55 plate R1 Fury cost about 9k to build, prolly worth 6.5k now. The finish isn't anywhere close to that on a Westfield and the kit requires a lot more fabrication so there's a far greater variety of standards out there, but I'm not bothered, or at least not bothered enough to spend twice as much for the same performance (whisper : praps even a bit less over 70mph).

Though, if I'm honest, I do look at some other member's Westfields sometimes and wonder if I did the right thing.

They still let you in the club though. Just remember to lift off a bit on the straights so they don't get upset.

[samcooke]

Here's the latest RGB results.

The ST Phasar and BDN S2 are more race cars than road cars, sort of nearly Radicals.

They also both happen to look rather grim, IMVHO, whether that bothers you is a different thing.

[gixermark]

interesting there are no MK's there...

most of the guys here are running westfield/blades, some stuart taylors etc... i think there are other MK's too.....

Mark.

[grahame]

I'm very impressed with the MK stuff, the Indy is very good on the track, as it the similarly front-sprung Sylva R1ot. I'm fond of the cantilever rising rate front suspension and the general simplicity. I know that one competitor had problems with the engine mounting on his BEC MK Indy - it isn't as mechanically good as the westfield cross-tube arrangement for sure. MK engineering though, is crude, but robust.

[Mark Stanton]

interesting there are no MK's there...

Not really ............. simply that there's better stuff than the MK in the RGB     there's a few MK in the Locost racing though       and doing quite well  

[davidgh]

G'mark, you don't specify exactly what you mean by "track use". If you mean racing, then there is (mostly) no need to SVA (road register) the car  --  and any of the cars mentioned here become possibilities.

Except for the very much modified 'Busas, most bike engined cars are not long on power. Light weight gives them startling acceleration, but does nothing to overcome the aerodynamic drag of the car  --  that's a question of power and drag factor. With low power, it's essential to have low drag factor to get a decent top speed. This is why the fully bodied cars (Fury, Genesis, etc.) do so much better than the 7 replicas on fast race circuits, even though some of them have very similar chassis/suspension to related 7s. (A 7 basically has the aerodynamics of a house and, if less than 200bhp will hit terminal velocity short of 130mph). Ergo, to race, go Fury or similar. There is a website here which might interest you.

However, your question asks about 7 replicas. If you are interested in sprinting and hill climbing, you can easily do a whole season without needing to spend much time at speeds over 100mph (by avoiding Goodwood and Croft). Here, the aerodynamic disadvantages of the 7 shape become much less relevant, and you will see literally hundreds of "Caterfields" competing. There doesn't seem to be much to chose between the various chassis. Most of the fastest drivers use Caterhams or Westfields, but you'll see plenty of other 7esque chassis putting in competitive times  --  and plenty of relatively slow Cs and Ws. It all seems to be down to level of preparation, time spent on sorting the handling  --  and (as always) deep pockets are a help. Here, you'll probably find the 'road legal' classes the best populated  --  SVA desirable.

If it's simply track days you are intending to do, any 7 is likely to give you a great time and be faster than most cars present (although (at the risk of showing prejudice) I would tend to avoid a Robin Hood or a Dutton, which are aimed primarily at the road market). Note that most track day operators require cars to be road registered (taxed, insured, MOT), and many enforce the rule. I think it has something to do with their own insurance.

Apologies if I've stated the obvious,

HTH

[perksy]

Think if i wanted something purely for Track use i'd be taking a good look at the RAW Striker

Have to say i was impressed after My last visit to see Mel at RAW

The car Handled very well indeed...

[gixermark]

thanks guys..

i would be after something to be competitive in racing... but would be nice to have the option of taking it for short runs on the road - the championship here is for std engines... so engine life wouldn't be a problem..

I looked at a well built MK indy with a gsxr1000 engine yesrterday - but its been built specifocally for racing, so SVA would be very difficult - although you could purchase a registration from a deceased seven.. probably not totally legit - but i know its been done before....

there is also a stuart taylor with a blade engine looks more road focussed, but has the obvious advantages of being road legal...

budget is obviously a factor - i'm looking at ~6k which is obviously a limiting factor....

[Mark Stanton]

i would be after something to be competitive in racing... but would be nice to have the option of taking it for short runs on the road

which means road use would be a nightmare         a competitive race car won't work on the road and visa versa    

budget is obviously a factor - i'm looking at ~6k which is obviously a limiting factor....

Puts you into 750MC Locost Championship budget       for which you should get a competitive car

If you want to be competitive in a BEC such as 750MC RGB you'll probably need to look at bigger budget  

[gixermark]

Thanks Mark...

looked into the lowcost series... based on 1300cc car engines - doesn't appeal, it defo has to be BEC for me - thats one decision that i have made..

from looking at the 750mc regs and the speed series regs, i would really need a car that is either road registered, or at least able to be MOT'd.. which unfortunately rules out the nice car i looked at yesterday..

[Mark Stanton]

G'Mark - please bear in mind the 750MC RGB and the WSCC Speed Series are 2 completely differing championships and event disciplines    

The 750 is circuit racing. The SS is sprints and hillclimbs - often the cars are very different specs and performances and built to their own regs.

Get along to as many meets of both as you can and have a good nosey around the paddock and get a feel of which one is for you      

[samcooke]

What are you aiming to cover with the 6 bags? Just the car? Just the racing? Both?

You'll get a blade engined Fury or Locost type for £6k but it'll  be a 'well used' back of the grid job. Well developed mid to front field cars will cost you twice that and that's before entry fees, fuel, tyres, brakes, repairs, upgrades, etc.

If you're considering the RGB definitely get a blade engined car. To be competitive with any other engine is much more expensive.