posting photos of RV8 GT2 project

[Phillip G]

Racers,

Here are several photos on the progress of this MG RV8 SCCA GT2 project.

Keep them on the track,

Phillip G
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[Phillip G]

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[Phillip G]

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[Phillip G]

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[Phillip G]

Here is a photo of the original RV8 tail lite and beside it the "wrapped" fibreglass copy, for racing (racing accidents).

Original RV8 tail lites are unobtainian.

Keep them on the track
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[Phillip G]

Racers,

Here is the  "wrapped" fibreglass copy of the RV8 tail lite and beside it the original RV8 tail lite.

Racing accidents do happen.

Keep them on the track.

Phillip G

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[Phillip G]

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[Phillip G]

Front & rear views of the SCCA RV8 GT2 project

Front and rear fibreglass bumpers were molded from the original RV8 parts and the copies from the molds had to be modified in width because of the increase in size of the front and rear flares.  The GT car is actually 8 inches wider than the stock RV8 - to accommodate the unlimited SCCA GT2 spec on wheel size.
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[Phillip G]

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[Phillip G]

photos of the original RV8 bumper...and another photo of the fibreglass first copy from the mold of the rear bumper

this first copy was later extended 8 inches in width in order to accommodate the rear flares and it was modified for aerodynamics on the lower rear section...it still appears correct in appearance.

Original copies from the mold are simple - racing mods make for many difficulties
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[Phillip G]

front and rear major additions to the SCCA GT2 MGR V8 project
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[Phillip G]

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[Phillip G]

& the middle
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[Phillip G]

Unlike Production classes for MG models, SCCA GT2 RV8 rules allow almost unlimited mods to bodywork - doors included

posted...handformed aluminum RV8 doors by (artist and fabricator) Mark Canaday !
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[Phillip G]

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[Phillip G]

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[roverman]

Phillip, Truly a thing of beauty...makes my "Huffaker" look-well vintage? roverman.

[willbowen]

Phillip;

  The car looks awesome. I myself 5 years ago tried to lobby the scca to get the TR8 back in GT-2 they laughed at me.  Now that you have done all the work I'm starting to think that i need to see you and the car.  It will be nice to hear and see it on the track.  CHEERS!!!!   William

[Phillip G]

William,

I checked in the 2009 SCCA GCR and find that only the Triumph GT6 and the Triumph TR6 (of all the Triumph cars) are officially eligible for SCCA GT racing - and they are in the GT3 class. They also are eligible in the Production classes, but with many different specs.

As you note. the TR8 is not listed in the GT2 class.  I bet if you were to petition the SCCA CRB (Competition Racing Board) They would entertain the addition of the TR8 in the GT2 class.  The board seems to be very interested in encouraging new entries.

Prepare a good pitch in writing with good reasons for inclusion and I think the SCCA CRB will listen to your arguments.

Conducting and paying for an SCCA sanctioned race is very expensive and the SCCA encourages entries in every way possible to help pay the huge bill due after each race, which is why I think you can talk them into adding the TR8 into the GT2 class - more possible entries.

Keep them on the track,

Phillip G

[willbowen]

Phillip;

  I just recieved an e-mail form the SCCA SE Director and i'm preparing a leeter and state the facts.  Thanks for your ear.
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[Phillip G]

William,

Great news! Work with the SCCA and the SCCA CRB and I bet you can get the TR8 recognzed in the GT 2 class.  It belongs there.

If two of us are competing with the same Rover 3.5 V8 it will make it much easier for the SCCA tech people and for you and me.

I wish we had use of the 3.9 or 4.0 Rover blocks ( the original factory MGB GT V8 used the 3.9 Rover block, I think), but presently the GCR requires the 3.5 Rover block for both the MGB GT V8 and for thr RV 8 in the GT 2 class. If you get thr TR8 accepted/eligible for GT 2, we should petition (the following year) for the 4.0 block and 4.0 displacement, for it would be so much more economically feasible to be competitive in class.

The real restriction in class for the Rover (3.5 presently) is the 38 mm SIR - Single Inlet Restriction.  Study the 2009 GCR for the GT2 inlet restriction spec.

Good luck with the SCCA CRB and the SE Director.  What/who is the SE(?) director ?  The staff in Topeka is always helpful and the SCCA is a membership club that I have always found very reasonable and responsive, especially if you treat the club office staff with the respect they deserve.  Try to remember that they have impossible jobs and work loads and  that they do their best to work with rabid, enthusiastic members who many times are at- the-least sometimes unreasonable.

Keep up good correspondence with the SCCA Topeka home office...and,

Keep them on the track.

Phillip G

[willbowen]

Phillp;

   I'm in Florida and i went through my region....Butch Kummer a GT-1 Board member turned my e-mail over to the Competition Board, I just sent the request for acceptance and build specification...I used to own a Huffaker copy TR8 back in the 80's.  I guess you are out west my friend.  If you look on Woodys Wedge Shops page he has some neat stuff there for V8's...If you need me for anything give me a ring...

William
willabowen@aol.com

[willbowen]

Phillip;

One question?  What wheels and sizes have you built your chassis around?

[Moderator]

I wish we had use of the 3.9 or 4.0 Rover blocks ( the original factory MGB GT V8 used the 3.9 Rover block, I think), but presently the GCR requires the 3.5 Rover block for both the MGB GT V8 and for thr RV 8 in the GT 2 class. If you get thr TR8 accepted/eligible for GT 2, we should petition (the following year) for the 4.0 block and 4.0 displacement, for it would be so much more economically feasible to be competitive in class.


The real restriction in class for the Rover (3.5 presently) is the 38 mm SIR - Single Inlet Restriction. Study the 2009 GCR for the GT2 inlet restriction spec.

The original "factory" MGB GT V8 and the Triumph TR8 both used 3.5L Rover engines with the very same 3.50" bore and 2.80" stroke as the original Buick/Olds 215. The factory MG "RV8" used a larger (3.9L) version of the engine. All these cars came with two-bolt-main versions of the Rover engine block.

Personally, I think SCCA should standardize their engine spec with the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association's ("SVRA") Group 8 Class A engine restrictions for MGB GT V8. In SVRA, MGB GT V8's are limited to 3.50 bore by 2.80 stroke (plus an allowance for 0.040-over pistons, I think), but they can get there by putting thicker-walled sleeves into a later model Rover block if they want to. Why not let people build a more robust engine when it doesn't give them an unfair advantage in terms of power? Check out the How-It-Was-Done articles in our photo gallery for information about how Les Gonda's and Keith Burnett's cars were built - they both used four-bolt-main blocks.

In my opinion, SCCA should also explicitly exempt the 3.5L engined MG's and Triumphs from the (goofy) 38mm SIR requirement in the interest of helping these cars be competitive. Frankly, I think it should be technically possible for Les Gonda to race his MGB GT V8 in SCCA GT2 without substantial modification - fitting a 38mm SIR on Les Gonda's car would take a bunch of work... and even with his four Weber DCOE carbs, I doubt he has appreciably more power than other SCCA GT2 racers. (I don't know how much power Les Gonda has, but I'm guessing his car probably wouldn't be especially competitive anyhow due to its heavier weight and smaller tires.)  Other racers would surely welcome him, and fans would love to see his car in the hunt.

[Phillip G]

William,

Good news.

I bet you can convince the SCCA Competition Racing Board to add and include the TR8 into the list of of cars eligible for the GT2 class.  It should already be on the list, along with the Sunbeam Tiger and the BGT V8 and the RV8 and the host of other small block V8's.

Supply all the information requested by the SCCA and I think you will be successful.

Keep them on the track.

Phillip G