Category Archives: Vauxhall

Pro ET – Race Ventora

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The Vauxhall Victor FD Series was built between 1967 – 1972 the Ventora ws launched in 1968 with a 3294 cc / 201 cui 6 cylinder motor replacing the standard Victor FD series 4 cylinder motor.

Race Ventora, Silverstone

This Race Ventora, seen here at the Silverstone Classic, is powered by a 468 cui / 7669 cc V8 and driven by Ray Walker Pro ET drag events.

Race Ventora, Silverstone

Pro ET races see drivers paint the elapsed time (dial in) they believe they can achieve on their back window’s races are then staged between cars of different performance levels with the release times staggered by the difference dial in times. So that each driver should, in theory, cross the finish line at the same time.

Race Ventora, Silverstone

If a driver jumps his release time he is out, known as a ‘Red Light’, if a driver beats his dial in he is out, known as a ‘Break Out’, unless both drivers beat their dial ins in which case the driver who beats his dial in by the least amount wins.

While I was looking for information on Ray’s car i came across some information on another Vauxhall Victor of the same FD type that goes by the name of Red Victor.

Red Victor has gone through three evolutions and in the process lays claim to being the world fastest street legal car with a 0-60mph time of 0.9 seconds !

This link takes you to a youtube clip of Red Victor 2 and this second link takes you to a fascinating thread on the building of Red Victor 3.

I’ve just finished watching Tony Stewart round out a tremendous victory at Homestead Miami over his championship rival Carl Edwards. Kudos to all the fans of the Big 14 what an achievement to win the Cup as an owner driver. Commiserations to Carl who has earned my admiration for the way he competed and handled his defeat having drawn with Tony on points and lost on tie braking victories. Can’t wait until the new season starts at Daytona in February.

Thanks for joining me on this Pro ET edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Vintage Splits – Vauxhall 30/98

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Two weeks ago I blogged about some Vauxhall 30/98’s that I saw at VSCC meetings on the Hills at Prescott and Loton Park. Todays Photographs are of another 30/98 I saw earlier this year at Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Vauxhall 30/98, Goodwood Festival of Speed

The known history of elements of this car date back to the 1949 when Alan Southon built a Vauxhall 30/98, registration HAA 383, from parts that were once on the inventory of the Phoenix Green Garage in Hampshire. Sometime after completion Alan used the car in the Brighton Speed Trials.

Vauxhall 30/98, Goodwood Festival of Speed

During the 1950’s the remains of HAA 383 were found in a field in Scotland and the car was reassembled by Carrick Watson still with the registration HAA 383, body number OE 101, chassis number OE 304 and engine number OE 232.

Vauxhall 30/98, Goodwood Festival of Speed

At some point the body OE 101 was reunited with it’s original OE 101 chassis in return for a new chassis and body. The new body was fitted to chassis OE 304 along with an older OD engine.

Vauxhall 30/98, Goodwood Festival of Speed

While the new chassis received the OE 232 engine, a Peppercorn Tourer style body, a Peugeot front axle, a back axle from a Vauxhall 23/60 and the number plate that was generated when Alan Southon built his car from the parts obtained from the Phoenix Green Garage.

Vauxhall 30/98, Goodwood Festival of Speed

HAA 383 has since competed in a number of VSCC events and taken part on the Fluella Pass Hill Climb near Davos in Switzerland. The car has also recently been fitted with a replacement cylinder head made in Australia where 60% of all 30/98’s were originally sold.

My thanks to Pre War Car on who’s site further details about HAA 383 are to be found.

Thanks for joining me on another Carceology edition of ‘Getting’ a li’l psycho on tyres’, I hope you will join me again tomorrow ! Don’t forget to come back now !

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