Mazda Progress

[smee]

I have uploaded some photo's of my cars progress for those interested.




Yes the Blue is Familia,
Yes they are series IV RX7 calipers
Just need to put everything back into it now when it comes back from being sprayed.
It will debut soon.

[AV1611]

Hey Smee

Looking good!

Maybe you can answer one thing for me, because I've never been able to understand it. Why do people like yourself, Phil Donoghoe and others go to all the trouble of building immaculate rally cars, and then spray them with rocks and mud and run them into embankments, trees, etc etc?

I mean, build a good car by all means, but who cares how it looks! Personally, I'd be worried to take it off the bitumen!

[rowdytoot]

Geez that blue colour looks familia

AV1611- it's so noobies like me can buy a really nicely presented and put together car for bugga all $$ so don't discourage him... if he stops building them then what the hell am I gunna buy next?? :p

smee-- what colour is the outside gunna be?? or is that a secret?

Rowds

[smee]

Originally posted by AV1611

Why do people like yourself, Phil Donoghoe and others go to all the trouble of building immaculate rally cars, and then spray them with rocks and mud and run them into embankments, trees, etc etc?
I mean, build a good car by all means, but who cares how it looks! Personally, I'd be worried to take it off the bitumen!

The following is my opinion and may not reflect those views held by all users or persons with access to these forums

And why do people go out and marry or galavant around with sexy looking females or males depending on which way you are transposed, when ugly fat or old ones will do the same.

It's a hobby. I don't spend my time down the pub, but spend time in the garage setting things up. I am finished with representative sport and have sustained too many injuries to continue seriously or socially. Although I still keep ride for fun and competition.
If it's clean and well presented it reflects well on our sport and generally. If I have a problem I can see it almost instantly instead of having to clear of years of grime and muck.

My wife and I enjoy the sport and put alot back into it. It is my nirvana so to speak. Well not after paying import duty yesterday, but still got 2 x 6 inch harnesses and other goodies for under $1000 with almost 5 years on the belts.

Rowds.

shhhhhh Secret Squirel

[david.reynolds]

nice work...... good to see another familia out there , well almost out there

[Paul M]

Looking good Smee, the attention to detail is superb.

If you need any help just sing (or PM).

Paul

[Tim]

Looking swish smee.

[Daniel]

Originally posted by smee
If it's clean and well presented it reflects well on our sport and generally.

Agree 100% - We have enough issues with Forestry, Rero and residents. If the majority of cars a heaps of X then it only adds to their perception.


Nice looking car Smee. I didn't see any gearbox photos though

[tortfeaser]

What's the go with the new cage rules from the FIA flowing on to CAMS cars? I note that your cage doesn't have the straight bar going from the top of the A pillar down to the foot of the A pillar leg. I read something in the CAMS mag but didn't take much notice ('cos I'm not building a car) that all new cages had to have this bar as well as twin diagonals in the main hoop and a roof bar.

The new A pillar bar has got to make egress more difficult.

[Spac]

That's a FIA only thing. The FIA had 'done a CAMS' and mandated the new type of cage, while only having one or two places accredited to homologate them in the WORLD.

CAMS has recognised this a being Dumb (yay!), and will still be happy with "CAMS approved" roll-cages.

Which then poses a whole heap of questions about World's Best Practice and whether they should be deviating from it, but that's another story...

In any case, if you wanted to build a S4/5 RX-7 to the new FIA specs, you wouldn't be able to get in or out of it.

[Ric Cary]

Well Said Smee! car looks great, as I have allways said their is nothing in the rules that says you have to turn up with a ship box to compete.

Ric Cary

[dusty]

Good on you Smee, its good to see people taking the time and effort to prepare and present something of a high standard.
I was lucky enough to win the award for best presented car at the BiB. It was a big surprise to me but it was a nice to be recognised for all the hours my son and I have spent in the shed.
Sometimes I get more enjoyment from building bits and pieces and developing my little 1200 than I do racing it through the forrest - gees, I can't believe Iv'e actually admited that
I look forward to checking your car out whenever its finished and ready to rumble.

[smee]

I still have two bars to go into the cage.
These will go from where the A pillar meets the roof or slightly lower and into the bottom of the front legs. It is all set up for this, and just needs to be put in. They will be black in colour and need to go in last, otherwise you cannot put the dash or other bits in.
In regards to the FIA thing you would have to put the cross bars into the roof ( I have one of these), and an extra diag in the main hoop, which I already have.

I made my fuel tank guard yesterday. Looks very swish. A few layers of Kevlar and fibreglass can do wonders. Now to pop the tank out of the stuff so I can trim it down hopefully without blunting too many blades.

[smee]

OK, Thread dredge.

Most of you will have seen that the car is out there competing, hitting trees, blowing up gearboxes etc. It even has a new house to live in (with the same owners).

Photo's here of the build up, crashes and rebuild.
Rally Car Buildup - Stephen's Photos

Video's of car competing here.
YouTube - smee323's Channel

We have an event this weekend, sowill post event report and hpefully more pictures after the completion.

[Velocity Racing]

wow.. thread dredge indeed..! As always looks great..!

Good luck this weekend, I'll try and make it up for a look but not 100% yet.. Knock Sandy off for me

cheers
Lewis