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I've now owned '78 Firebird Racer
for nearly six years now, having taken part in the first
2002, 2003 and the complete 2005 season with the Historic
Sports Car Club's (HSCC) 70's RoadSports Championship.
I bought the car as a standard '78 firebird, with all
the preparation being done by Robin Gray of Autopontiac,
who has also had a go in the car when i wasn't driving
it!
This is a historic track racing series,
a the name suggest for production sports and GT cars
from the 70's. Cars must remain road legal, and only
limited modifications to engine, brakes and suspension
are allowed - creating a fun, fast competition, but
limiting the expense for everyone involved.
Engine uses the required standard
Pontiac 400 block and heads and Rochester carb, but
with suitably heavy secondary jets. Cam is free, so
i'm running a Ram Air 4 with appropriate lifters and
racing timing gear and chain. Forged pistons are a must,
given the constant hammering the engine undertakes.
Electric fuel pump is fitted and sits next to the battery
in the boot.
Transmission is via the standard
'78 Borg Warner T10, although as luck would have it,
the car came fitted with the close ratio version - ideal
for track racing. Im running a 3:42 diff ratio, which
will give a top speed of 153mph if the engine is revved
up to 6,000rpm - although i generally dont take the
motor past 5,000rpm at the moment. Fastest ive managed
on a track so far is just over 135mph coming out of
folly at Castle Coombe.
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