Boys and their toys

At a WOBS Committee meeting at the beginning of the year Marie-Clare pleaded with Committee members to supply her with news for Wobsnet and the Blue Paper. This is what I came up with…

I have recently bought a racing car! It is a Van Diemen RF83 Formula Ford 2000 in which I will be contesting in Class B of the National Formula 4 championship run by the 750 Motor Club. This championship is run over 14 rounds on all the major circuits in the country.

Nick Barnett in his Van Diemen RF83 Formula Ford 2000

FF2000 cars were very popular in the late 1970s to early 1980s and many of today’s top drivers like Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill and Martin Brundle started their careers in these cars. Ayton Senna won the championship in 1982 in a car very similar to mine. The car is powered by a two litre Ford Pinto engine in a fairly mild state of tune, but the very light weight and the use of slicks and wings means that it has a power to weight ratio of a Porche turbo and cornering ability which requires me to do exercises to strengthen the muscles of my neck!

Club racing is an amateur sport in this country and attracts people of all ages, background and ability and you can race anything from an ex-F1 car to a 2CV. You do not need a lot of mechanical know-how or a big budget—just a lot of enthusiasm and a willingness to get up at 5am on race day.

If you have ever thought of doing it instead of talking about it, do give me a call (log into the member's area for Nick's contact details - Ed). I’d be happy to help or advise if I can.

Nick Barnett (Gervase 1968-73)