This is a day I have been waiting for ever since I started this blog earlier this year. Today I purchased my first open wheel race car.
I purchased a 1991 Euroswift. These cars from what I am told are basically a copy of the Swift DB1 but with side radiators and different front suspension arms for a little more safety in the foot box area.
I bought the car off of Apexspeed.com. this forum is the place to go for anything and everything Formula Ford. The car itself is coming from Delaware, so I enlisted the services of BATS motorsports to ship the car from Delaware
Now I have to start figuring out what I need to get the car ready. I know I need the following:
- layshaft & cut first gear – this is the input shaft for the transmission. From what I am told, it’s not a hard job to change. this will let me run the low gear ratios I need for autocross.
- gear sets – I need better gears ratio options. The transmission in these cars are a quick change setup, so in theory I could changes ratios at the track without too much hassle.
- Tires – I definitely want a new set of race tires.
- a small open trailer – I have a full size trailer now, but I have issues with the tight narrow road I live on and all the traffic that loves to park on it. I am amazed that I have not taken out someones mirror yet pulling the trailer to the house. I need something smaller for the regional events that I participate in.
The only big issue that remains is the distance. Dealing with a private party over this distance can be a hassle. The timing might be tight too. I sent the check via UPS and it should arrive by end of the second day. the shipping company will arrive either that afternoon, or the next day. then I wait as my car slowly makes its way across the country in the back of a semi-truck. It’s going to be a long wait.
We have a crappy single axle, wood-ramped trailer we used for our 7 for years. It was originally built for a FV, but I’m not sure if it’s wide enough for a FF. It will need new tires, but you can have it for zero dollars.
–Pat Kelly