Got caliper clearance??

[mk1_salami]

Was up at knockhill today in this car. Very impressive track tool, especially round the corners and on the brakes. Can anyone say caliper clearance?? 8 pots under 15 inch wheels:

 

[mk1_salami]

It's a Vauxhall Nova. I'm not a fan of Nova's (or usually their owners!!) in general but this is an exception and very special. I think it won its class at Time Attack Ireland earlier this year.

It has a rebuilt 2.0 16v Engine with new everything - pistons etc (I don't know the full details). It rev's to 8,250 rpm and has been rolling roaded at 250 bhp. It's just had a dog box gearbox fitted and has some sort of fancy Quaiffe diff apperntly. Every panel is fiberglass with the exception of the roof which is still metal. It also has a fancy computer dash, racing fuel cell and full cage.

You woulnd't believe how this thing goes round corners. Incredible. Here are some pics.

 

[mk1_salami]

What a waste on a lot of time and effort - they could have put that into a decent car

To be fair I don't think he could care less about how it looks. He built it to go fast, and it certainly works very well indeed.

But I'd agree. If it was me I'd have dropped 20k + into another car!

 

[mk1_salami]

8 pot calipers on an 800kg car? Why
He could have saved a fortune by buying something more appropriate like a Wilwood Dynalite kit. I think some people just get carried away. There's nothing wrong with a sorted Nova as a track car, I just don't see what it gains by having 8 piston calipers.

And the 8 pots... he didnt fit them. He built the car, sold it to a guy in Ireland who entered into Time Attack and was competitive with the 8 pots on it. He then bought it back. Can't be too bad. And why not??

Here is some more info when it was owned by the bloke in Ireland:
http://www.totalopel.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2334

 

[mk1_salami]

Yeah well I guess its all good fun. It's his hobby and wass most likely one of the fastest cars at Knockhill today. He actually bought a Supercharged Exige and sold it because he preferred this! His next project is a Racing Puma with Focus RS engine. I'm looking forward to seeing it

 

[Deleted member 66701]

he could have started off with something newer.

Just because something in newer doesn't make it better.

Most of the new hot hatches are ludicrously overweight.

 

[mk1_salami]

HAHAHA Quality thats my mate pauls car, I thought he had sold it.

Good guy, Been round knockhill once in it and can say i was keeking my pants, That was before a few of the last moddifications.

When i last saw the car before he sold it, it was as wide as it could legaly go and yess all pannels are plastic other than the roof, Windows are all perspex other than windscreen, and last i heard he had bought a blueprint engine,

Runs a sweet set of throtle bodys,

2 out of 4 people in one of the images was banned. The second guy on the rightma sold Had a racing puit for a TT Quatro and got an R6 was always trying to pop wheelies and couldnt do it, finaly managed it couldnt get it down and shot passed a police car, Was quite funny.

The guy furthest guy on the left was caught doing 120 in a Pulsar on the way to Knockhill racing the nova, Nova wasnt going fast at that point hence why he can still drive.

I'm wondering if I know you... You're talking about Steven and Ian. I'm good friends with both. The wheelie story was pretty funny. I was with him on my bike that day. Silly boy

 

[mk1_salami]

Here's a youtube video I found of the car if anyone is interested!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-Hro5reVWw

 

[mk1_salami]

I was at Crail and saw that grey Nova. I think it was running 11's? Crazy.

WHoa 2.28s thats my old R6

 

[mk1_salami]

Yeah the camel yellow one. Best time i saw him run was a flat 11. Very impressive. I didn't get any quicker than 11.8 with it. I suspect some mods have been done! That, and he can launch it (most of the time!)