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TeamW116 - motorsports in Victoria, Aus - who's up for it?

Started by 13B, 27 May 2007, 12:44 AM

13B

Anyone want to get a start in club motorsports and set up a purpose-built W116 club car, let me know.

With my 18 years club motorsports (motorkhana, autocross, rally, sprints and hillclimb) experience, and your car and enthusiasm lets put together a TeamW116 car for the 2008 series (trails to be completed during 2nd half of 2007).

About me: Ian is my name, I race a Mazda RX4 and have been a long time W116 admirer (and owner), and back and the 90's I was s-class register capt. for a few years with the MBCCV, however I could never find anyone who wanted to compete in a W116.  Times change, there are lots of younger W116 enthusiasts and many have multiple and parts cars.  I still can't build my own W116 racer, however I did compete in a few autocrosses in '98 with a red 450SE while the mazda was off the road and was quite pleased with its dirt-manners.

I'll help you:

Join a car club that will let you put your W116 racer on club permit plates
Get your CAMS level 2S lisence for all events including high-speed events
Prepare your car for the type of motorsports discipline you want to get into
Get entry forms sorted out for events during the year

PM me if interested, I don't bite.

I.
450SEL 6.9 #5440 = V MB 690 , 450SE # 43094 = 02010 H , 190E/turbo # 31548 = AOH 68K

13B

Oh, incidently, I'm not just encouraging W116 use, but any old MB sitting around with a few mods will be usable.  TeamW116 just denotes the W116 enthusiasts group (us).

Some ideas for MB race cars from the W116 era:

W114 230.6 with triple 38mm webers and manual box
W123 280 with Holley induction
W126 380SE or 420SE
W116 280S with draw-thru T03 turbo fed by 48mm Weber / manual box
W116 450SE
W108, W116, W114, W123, W126 with non-MB V8 engine (there are a few around)
W108 280SE 3.5

any one else got some cool ideas on chassis and engine combos?

450SEL 6.9 #5440 = V MB 690 , 450SE # 43094 = 02010 H , 190E/turbo # 31548 = AOH 68K

oscar

I don't know about racing one myself though I'd love to be part of it somehow like getting lunches or making coffee on race day.

In 2004 and 05 I worked at the Griffith Offroad 500 as an ambo and whilst there's the myriad of custom built sponsored buggies and the pro drivers in Pajeros and Patrols, there's the odd sedan that makes an appearance like the bronze valiant that tails the field every year just having a go.  Now that I would try.  I know you're not talking offroad but seeing the pics of the old 350se rally car made me think the 280 could be stripped and converted for this once a year event.

Having said that, I've got plenty on my plate this year with a house being built and no disposable income so to speak.  It was said in passing a while back that we should have a team w116 for something.  Be it drags, rally whatever.  I'd be happy to help in someway to see a team start but I don't know how unless it meant cold hard cash.





EDIT:  I'd happily donate the turd 280se to the cause.


1973 350SE, my first & fave

13B

Hi Oscar, I've not done rally or offroading for ages, I'm more into circuit sprints, as I think this is where the MB sedans would excel.... The better cornering and braking capability would offset the slightly lower cubic inch capacity a MB has in relation to similar weighing cars.

I see you're in NSW, there's nothing saying you couldn't come down twice a year with the race-prepped 280SE and compete at Winton, which is near Benalla.  Stay the night in Benalla, compete the next day, then get your partner to drive you home. 

Something to think about.

I.
450SEL 6.9 #5440 = V MB 690 , 450SE # 43094 = 02010 H , 190E/turbo # 31548 = AOH 68K

13B

QuoteI'd happily donate the turd 280se to the cause.

Ok so it looks like we (might) have a car, thanks to Oscar.... if anyone wants to volunteer with driving its probably best to get a message his way.

I saw these other low-buck MBs on eBay, each of which would get you up and running in the sport, and the best thing, they are all under 500 bux each:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Mercedes-Benz-450-sel_W0QQitemZ220115034253QQihZ012QQcategoryZ84600QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

or

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Mercedes-Benz-230-4dr-sedan-4-speed-manual-1968-1969_W0QQitemZ200111559847QQihZ010QQcategoryZ101895QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

or

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/mercedes-benz-sedan-230-1973-4-sp-full-gas-nth-vic-area_W0QQitemZ150125238364QQihZ005QQcategoryZ135577QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

or

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/MERCEDES-BENZ-280SE-SEDAN-GOING-CHEAP_W0QQitemZ200111690172QQihZ010QQcategoryZ135584QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

or....

Well anyway we could go all day... I've priced out the thins to get the car on the race track.. all cars will need these items, and most are just common sense:

Fire Extinguisher: $30
Bonnet pins: $30
Sabelt racing harness: $220
Brake pads QFM: $250/set
Tyres: Yokohama Advan A048R (used = $200, new = $1000).  A used set, driven properly, will last 1 season, a new set 2-3 seasons.
Helmet: $100 - ? (how much is your head worth?)
Cams Level 2S lisence: $90/yr
Club membership: $50/yr
Club permit registration: $100/yr (approx.)

Stuff you may want to add:

Sports steering wheel: couple hundred $
Race seat: used = $200, new = $350+
Sports exhaust system: $500+
Cold air intake: make it yourself
Boot spoiler: $150 off eBay

Come on people, i seem to be doing most of the talking in this thread...

Ian.

450SEL 6.9 #5440 = V MB 690 , 450SE # 43094 = 02010 H , 190E/turbo # 31548 = AOH 68K

Brian Crump

Sorry 13B - my rally days went west with the Lancia.......a few years ago...
Good luck with it - there must be some takers on here?
Regards,
BC

James R

If you were in the UK, I'd be there for you straight away ! Best of luck. Come on you Ozzies, there  must be a few of you to go for this ! It'd be great.
1978 450SEL 6.9 - GONE!

1979 450SEL - GONE!

Brian Crump

QuoteCome on you Ozzies, there  must be a few of you to go for this !
James - we are all spread across a country the size of Europe and most of us are nowhere near 13B...Sydney to Melbourne is not quite like a drive from London to Scotland.  ;D
Regards,
BC

500eguy

gosh, i would love to be apart of something this cool! it would be awesome:)

13B

Last comment in this for the moment...

If you're worried about the safety aspects of club motorsports, just remember being in a W116 you're in one of the safest vehicles of all time... if you were about to meet a barricade, I's much rather be in a W116 than, say, a 1978 Ford Escort Mk2 or a Datsun 1600 (510)...

450SEL 6.9 #5440 = V MB 690 , 450SE # 43094 = 02010 H , 190E/turbo # 31548 = AOH 68K

oscar

On second thought, I might renig on the 280se.  Why? Two reasons - Because there's much better, more suitable cheap w116's out there.  If I ever setup a car myself for the purpose of club motorsports, I'd rather a 450 or 350 in a w116 chasis.  Secondly, this 280 after being stripped of good bits, one side is destined for mounting on my shed wall like a trophy fish. 

You've answered some questions I had 13B on where do I start and I was going to ask you about any weblinks you know of but I found a lot of info on the CAMS website - www.cams.com.au

You're right, there'd be nothing to stop me from crossing the border to Winton or go to Wakefield Park or Eastern Creek for that matter to compete.  Seriously, I can't imagine it happening anytime soon but it's one thing I'd like to get into. 

A word about clubs.  I read a while back how "Greg" on the mbcnsw forum wished for a motorsport club division for MB owners.  I might have used the wrong terminology there I don't know but I can see what he's getting at now.  Going thru the CAMS site and the requirement that you must join a club to take part, there's surprisingly no MB affiliated clubs.  There's Porsche and BMW but no MB.  What club are/were you in 13B? If I went alone could I join the Griffith Offroad Club yet compete in non-offroad events?  Might be a silly question.

As to your cost list
What about rollbars-how much would they cost?  Would you need a suspension upgrade too?
I've noticed Wakefield Park has SPEED OFF THE STREET DAYS.  A good way to thrash your street legal car around legally, but apart from the mods you mentioned like racing harness and seats, tyres etc - how stock standard can you stay to compete?  Or rather, what do you have to change.
1973 350SE, my first & fave

13B

QuoteI'd rather a 450 or 350 in a w116 chasis

There's nothing like the roar of V8 down the front straight with a free flowing twin exhaust system

QuoteYou're right, there'd be nothing to stop me from crossing the border to Winton or go to Wakefield Park or Eastern Creek for that matter to compete.

Much easier to cover those large distances in a large comfortable car like an MB.

QuoteA word about clubs.  I read a while back how "Greg" on the mbcnsw forum wished for a motorsport club division for MB owners.  I might have used the wrong terminology there I don't know but I can see what he's getting at now.  Going thru the CAMS site and the requirement that you must join a club to take part, there's surprisingly no MB affiliated clubs.  There's Porsche and BMW but no MB.  What club are/were you in 13B?

I tried for 2 years to get a motorsport register happening for the MBCCV, but it repeatedly fell on deaf ears.  Not to take anything away from the MBCCV, but in the late 90s they we just too focused on restorations and social events, and had little time/interest in its younger members or people wishing to modify cars.  They also recognised this was a shame due to MBs long illustrious history in motorsports but still did nothing. 

I used to be with Monash Sporting Car Club before it folded, but while it was invited to plenty of events, they weren't part of the club-plate (CH plate) scheme, so when they finished up I looked around and went with Ford Four Car Club.  FFCC sounds like an unlikely club for a Mazda racing W116 enthusiast but I was impressed with a) FFCCs favourable treatment of non-Ford members, b) they are part of the club permit scheme and are not anal about modifying cars, and c) they get invited to a ton of events.  I'd have a look at http://www.ffcc.asn.au

But to summarise... to enter events, you need to be a member of a cams affiliated car club, and the same goes for your cams lisence.  Club plates, again you need to be a member of a cams affiliated club.  You don't need club plates if you wish to trailer your beast to events however I prefer to drive.

QuoteWhat about rollbars-how much would they cost?  Would you need a suspension upgrade too?

At the entry level, or just while getting started, I wouldn't bother, but yes a roll cage is a good idea, and will set you back around $2000 and will give your W116 V8 much track-cred before even hitting the tarmac.  As for suspension, as long as its in good condition, that will get you started.  Scrutineering before each events points out things like worn wheel bearings, tie rod ends, ball joints etc.  W116s are already good handling cars compared to other cars of its time (see that Ronin clip on Youtube if you don't believe me) so you should be capable of respectable track finesse without major upgrades.  By comparison my RX4 has very ancient suspension design (cart springs out back) so lots was needed to be done to make it handle speeds over 230km/h.  I also needed to fit 4 wheel disc brakes.

To put it simply, if I was going out with a stock 450SE rust bucket lucky to hit 180 down the front straight I wouldn't worry about the suspension, but if I had a turbo charged 560SE engine and capable of 250km/h+ in a W116 then I would definately upgrade the suspension, and probably at least the front brakes as well (ie. Brembo them).

Hope this helps,

Ian.
450SEL 6.9 #5440 = V MB 690 , 450SE # 43094 = 02010 H , 190E/turbo # 31548 = AOH 68K

oscar

Yes, definitely a great help.  Good reading too thanks!!!! 
1973 350SE, my first & fave

Grant V

Guys,

All I can say is 'GO FOR IT!", 'cause motror racing is even better than sex!

I started racing my Finnie last year and it's developed into a very competant car. The nice thing about it is that it's loads of fun, a good challenge and something different from the normal pack of Alfas, Minis and Anglias. Sure, it's not the best choice for a racing car, but it winds the springs on the smile dial.

Sorry to bore you guys who've seen these already:





"You've bought another bloody car?!? We should have you committed!" he shrieked, storming out of the room

13B

Looks no stranger than my weapon of choice:  :)



Gotta love the triple weber setup... I can already see a manual 280S W116 or W126 with a warmed over bored-out twin-cam with a setup like this... 

The pic of your Finnie neatly encompasses all that I've said earlier in the thread about the mods to the car, you can see the bonnet retainers, sports seat, low profile tyres, roll cage.  Tell you what, aren't bundts the perfect competition wheel at 6.5" wide!???

Can I request more pics of the finnie, including the interior and suspension / undercar pictures?
450SEL 6.9 #5440 = V MB 690 , 450SE # 43094 = 02010 H , 190E/turbo # 31548 = AOH 68K