Just reincarnating this thread so as not to wander away from the subject on the "Transporter by Ford" thread.
This was Malcolms post :-
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Ron Earp
Hell, Malcolm tows his GT40 with an Audi 100 - That is Audi 5000 for us US people. We US people are spolied or over-tow, not sure which yet! And I am forever getting hassled in the paddock about "A Lightning, you can't tow with that!"
Here are some pics of Malcolm and I heading to Donnington to wail around a bit, worked great!
I think I peaked at 85 mph with that trailer combo without snaking! Then I realised I was going a bit too fast so slowed the train up a bit! Trailer weighs 512 kg and was designed specifically for a GTD 40. It is up for sale...... __________________
Malcolm
Most trailers will tow at any speed so long as they are setup correctly. Basically this means centre of gravity and centre of pressure slightly ahead of the axle centre. Wheels set to slight tow in and axle mounted so as to toein slightly on bump. No ridiculously short drawbar.
But Malcolm's post reminded me of my first tow vehicle in my early days racing. A 1966 Hillman 1725cc Super Minx wagon. About 65 hp at the flywheel! It wouldn't even do 85 mph
WITHOUT the trailer!
I remember at one stage a mate and I decided to make the long and hilly trip north to Levin For the national championship 'Gold Star" race to race our 1.6 litre National Formula singleseaters. Both were "NZ Specials" his was the Humber Begg and my was the Valour Ford, both pushrod motors.
We figured the best way to save money on the notoriously expensive ferry crossing to the North Island was to put an extra deck on my single axle trailer and carry both cars one on top of the other. All towed by the long suffering Super Minx which was also laden down with crew and spares and fuel etc. An interesting trip, we were down to low gear going up the Ngauranga Gorge on the main highway out of Wellington and getting outdragged by fully laden buses and lorries. I vividly remember the side brackets of the towbar scraping on the ground going round corners as we tried to maintain speed as we attacked the hills. Basically an uneventful trip apart from one blown tyre. Maybe not surprising.....
Pity I didn't have photos. We never used to worry about that sort of thing. Used to live for the day and not think about the past, or documenting anything for future reference. Great times...
Cheers