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MODSTOX - WHAT IS A MODSTOX STOCK CAR?
Modstox is a “budget” contact short oval formula started in 1993 by Harry
Keeling, ex F1 driver 298 from the early 70s, who built a chassis to
accommodate the Fiat 126 engine, gearbox and suspension to be used by his
two sons for field racing. This soon became popular with their friends
and about 7 cars were built.
Late
in 1993, the chance to race on Wednesday nights at Stoke with the
Progressive 600 formula to fill in between their races became available.
The formula continued to grow and by the end of 1995 over 20 cars had been
built and meetings being held at Stoke, Buxton, Bolton and Grimley near
Worcester.
Towards the end of the 95 season some cars were fitted with a “rear
mounted” Reliant robin 850 cc engine, whilst retaining the Fiat126 gearbox
to see how well they would perform. The speed difference being quite
apparent.
Following driver approval the 95/96 close season saw several new cars
being built but this time in front engined Reliant configuration and also
utilizing the reliant rear axle whilst retaining the Fiat126 transverse
spring front suspension.
The
formula continued to flourish at stoke right up to the end of the 2001
season which saw the closure of Stoke to four wheeled motor sport. With a
lot of uncertainty over the 2001/2 closed season several top grade drivers
made a move to F1’,F2 and V8’s whilst Brisca tracks were unfortunately
unavailable to Modstox for a number of reasons. From 2002/3 Modstox has
continued at independent “grassroots” midland venues Trent (near Burton on
Trent) and Grimley Raceway, whilst the closure of Trent at the end of 2003
saw modstox adding the clay/dirt tracks of Brampton(near Sheffield) and
Ruabon(near Whitchurch) to Grimley for the 2004 & 2005 seasons.
Unfortunately the future of Ruabon is uncertain for 2006.Consequently
Modstox have negotiated the addition of Blyton near Scunthorpe for 2006 in
addition to Brampton & Grimley.
Superficially the cars look similar to F1 and F2 cars but the detail
reveals their cost conscious budget ethos. The engine must be kept to
standard
850
with limited modifications to cylinder head although a racing camshaft is
allowed more on the grounds of “engine policing” rather than the need for
more power. The standard SU 1¼” carburetor is also retained. Suspension
utilizes leaf springs rather than expensive adjustable coilovers with rear
axles being the Reliant robin although Bedford Rascal/Suzuki Supercarry
axles are allowed from 2006 with a view to maintaining availability and
reasonable cost. Similarly the majority of cars retain their fiat126
suspension but with an eye to dwindling supplies metro and Bedford rascal
hubs (complete with disc brakes rather than drums) have been introduced
for 2006 either in fiat transverse leaf or fabricated beam
configurations. Allied to these budget measures are, no adjustable shock
absorbers allowed, limited use of competition tyres (two being permitted
on tarmac for 2006). Cars cost between £400 and £1200 to buy. Racing is
generally limited to once a fortnight between April and October again in
the interests of cost/hobby racing and making the winning of overall
championships attainable to all drivers not just a select few. And to top
it all off you can start racing at the age of 14 so Modstox makes a
sensible first step into the world of motorsport. Proof of Modstox’s
budget credentials was published in the 2003 national bible “Motorsport
News” launched a competition to find the cheapest motorsport formula in
the UK. Modstox came 2nd... The winner …Lawnmower racing!!
If you
are interested in finding out more about Modstox contact :
Chairman
David Roche(99)
d.roche@btinternet.com
or
tel 01782-516449 /07771-736840.
Vice-Chairman Gary Picken(93)
gp93@gprracing.wanandoo.co.uk or tel 01782 327708 /07786 854534
We
will be pleased to send you our latest newsletter and Rules, together with
a For Sale listing. You will not be disappointed with Modstox – a true
full contact budget formula.
Alternatively see our website
www.modstox.org
We look forward to seeing you at the races soon!
2006 Track Guide
For the 2006
season you can see or race Modstox at Brampton Raceway which has just been
taken over by Steve Rees of Startrax (Shale/Clay track at Dinnington -
South Yorkshire) Blyton ( concrete track near Gainsborough) and Grimley
Raceway (Tarmac track - near Worcester)
*********************
Brampton Raceway - Situated only 3 miles from M1 junction 31 - This
clay track has been home to “grassroots” Banger and Specials racing for
the last 30 years - It provides whole family entertainment with drinks and
food available on site - This will be the second season of racing for
Modstox at Brampton and hopefully will provide excellent entertainment for
race fans and would be racers in the south Yorkshire/East midlands area.
Race days normally Sunday and bank holiday afternoons. Contact Steve Rees
01484 850081
*********************
Blyton Raceway - Situated just off the A159, between Gainsborough
and Scunthorpe. A tight concrete track with Armco safety fence. This track
is quite smooth but the tight bends make this agood action track. It
offers good family entertainment with a good range of budget racing
formulas. Food and drinks are available from excellent catering outlets.
Race days normally Sunday afternoons with occasional summer Saturday night
speed weekends. Contact Parvis 07956 496949
Grimley Raceway - Situated just off the A449, between Droitwich and
Worcester. A tight Tarmac track with Armco safety fence. This track is
quite smooth and the racing speeds are greater than shale and clay. It
offers good family entertainment with a good range of budget racing
formulas. Food and drinks are available from excellent catering outlets.
Race days normally Sunday and bank holiday afternoons. Contact Alan Lewis
01886 832154
NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2006
Hi and welcome to the third newsletter of the 2006 season – this year
has been a year of transition with modstox making steady progress
throughout the year. The season did start slowly with the non opening of
Brampton and some hurried rejigging of fixtures midseason but the season
has seen car numbers slowly improve to mid teen numbers aided by
successful debuts at warton and Belle vue together with an upsurge of
northern interest firstly from the blackpool posse and later the swinton
car project.. a resource which is still at the early stage but which has
great potential for growth in 2007.. this potential for growth can only
succeed if more cars are built and if the rumour mill bears fruit it
seems a good number of drivers are planning new cars for themselves or
to sell on as means to get more cars on track and help fund their own
racing activities.. with continued driver enthusiasm and a fair wind it
may be possible to see 20 cars on track by the end of next season - a
major milestone for modstox.
CHAMPIONSHIPS
Congratulations first of all to Neil Mack(56) of Stoke for retaining his
points title(silver roof) .The points title adds to neils British (gold
roof), won at Belle Vue. Add to this the Northern & Midland title and
the Champion of Champions title won on the last bend at the final meet
of the season at Blyton and Neil has had the nearest thing to a perfect
season a driver could have. Perhaps Neil should set his sights on the
only title he hasn’t won for the 2007 season… the rollover trophy…im
sure many drivers would like to “help him” to win that one in 2007
Credit should also go to “little brother” Craig Mack(156) who finished
runner up to neil in the points and “stole” the tyrefit trophy from neil
on the last lap at Grimley in august.
.Neil and Craig will no doubt give major credit to ace fettler dad Pat
whose tireless efforts keep neils and craigs cars “on the button” at all
times whilst pat is also seen getting many others back on track between
races…you can see where the boys get their energy from.. A great Mack
team effort in every sense.
An excellent Third place in the points in his first season in modstox
went to Simon Wallace(119) of Blackpool which was a reward for
consistency and he even managed to bag his first title the Shale
Shifters at the inaugural Belle Vue meet, with his preference for shale
expect him to push the mack boys even closer in 2007 aided and abetted
by the blackpool posse as they benefit from a years experience in
modstox.
Simon also takes the Newcomer of the Year title after a season long
battle with teammate Dave Shaw(112) whilst the coveted Rollover Trophy
was won by Neil Cooper(256) after a below par season in terms of
results, expect him to bounce back in 2007.
A complete list of Championship title winners is attached. The only
trophy left to win is the Driver of the Year trophy to be voted on at
the AGM. Whilst talking of trophies a special thank you to Kev Picken
for donating yet more “ unique” championship trophies in 2006 which not
only look good but save the modstox club a lot of money .fitting
perfectly with the Modstox budget formula ethos .
GRADING
As is often the case there are few changes in the final grading..the
only changes being Dave shaw(112) ending up as blue whilst Nathan
Picken(95) dropping down to yellow, Steve Denbigh(12) also moves back up
to yellow. .However looking down at the final grading it is good to see
Arron O (Olszewski) finish blue after some impressive performances. Poor
seasons for 2005 reds Gary Picken(93) and Neil Cooper(256) down to
yellows whilst the grading of Ricky/Ryan and Andrew (14/17/114) is
unrepresentative since these boys all shared one car in 2006 and so with
only 1 race per meet their averages are way down on what they could
achieve. Finally a word for Steve Denbigh(12) not the best car ,maybe
not even the best driver but you cant doubt Steve’s dedication and
enthusiasm for racing as this one man band proved yet again modstox is
the budget formula. He has to win the the top trier award (if we had
one… I can feel a new trophy coming on kev!) ..racing at every meeting
this season ..the only other driver to achieve this feat ..”mr perfect”
neil mack
MECHANICS RACE
Modstox had their first ever mechanics race as a curtain faller to the
season at Blyton on 1st October. Mechanics race – this event was the
brainchild of Chairman Dave and I have to say I had a few fears re
drivers writing off cars or worse still hurting themselves but the event
turned out to be an enjoyable event for drivers and spectators (owners)
alike and really helped to make the final Blyton meet a bit special for
everyone. Despite losing the 95 and 356 cars due to damage an excellent
10 cars made it out for Modstox inaugural mechanics race ..a few last
minute driver car change combos are detailed on the attached sheet.1st
bend action saw kev(91) and ryan(17) tangle allowing ben(12) to lead
with 256,99,6 and 119 following. 6 moved through to take a comfortable
lead whilst teammates 256 and 99 tussled for 2nd whilst a recovering 91
made up a lot of ground only to clash with 17 again. Winner was Ian
Broomhead in the 156 car.2nd was Dave Roche in the 99 car. And third
Andrew Wood in the 256 car. Not a classic race in its purist sense but
every driver seemed to enjoy the race and have a hard luck story to tell
at some point during the race. Many thanks to all the drivers who gave
up their cars for this race.. many thanks also for kev providing the
trophies again and neil mack turning photographer to record the winners,
the chairman is already planning the 2007 event!! Where he hopes to go
one better!
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MODSTOX 2006 -RESULTS AT A GLANCE |
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TRACK |
No. of cars/drivers |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
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Blyton |
8/10 |
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|
H1 |
112 |
17 |
56 |
NOF |
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H2 |
56 |
356 |
119 |
112 |
156 |
12 |
95 |
|
|
F |
56 |
156 |
356 |
119 |
95 |
14 |
NOF |
|
|
GN |
112 |
119 |
56 |
356 |
156 |
95 |
12 |
|
Blyton |
9/10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
H1 |
56 |
119 |
156 |
17 |
256 |
12 |
95 |
|
|
H2 |
156 |
56 |
119 |
114 |
95 |
12 |
14 |
|
|
F |
56 |
119 |
17 |
156 |
12 |
NOF |
|
|
|
GN |
56 |
156 |
119 |
256 |
114 |
12 |
NOF |
|
Grimley |
9/10 |
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|
H1 |
156 |
56 |
17 |
12 |
99 |
112 |
NOF |
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|
H2 |
156 |
56 |
256 |
12 |
14 |
99 |
NOF |
|
|
F |
56 |
156 |
256 |
12 |
93 |
99 |
112 |
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GN |
C |
A |
N |
C |
E |
L |
E |
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Buxton |
9/10 |
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H1 |
112 |
156 |
56 |
95 |
256 |
12 |
NOF |
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|
H2 |
56 |
112 |
95 |
17 |
99 |
256 |
12 |
|
|
F |
56 |
156 |
95 |
119 |
12 |
99 |
114 |
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Warton |
10/11 |
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H1 |
56 |
119 |
114 |
99 |
93 |
12 |
118 |
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H2 |
56 |
114 |
119 |
95 |
93 |
12 |
NOF |
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|
F |
56 |
112 |
119 |
95 |
17 |
256 |
93 |
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|
GN |
56 |
99 |
256 |
112 |
12 |
NOF |
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Blyton |
11/15 |
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H1 |
99 |
119 |
356 |
276 |
56 |
114 |
95 |
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H2 |
119 |
99 |
56 |
356 |
95 |
93 |
170 |
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|
F |
56 |
119 |
50 |
356 |
93 |
95 |
14 |
|
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GN |
56 |
119 |
99 |
50 |
95 |
356 |
120 |
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Grimley |
11/12 |
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Tyrefit ch |
156 |
112 |
95 |
114 |
99 |
256 |
356 |
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H2 |
156 |
114 |
56 |
95 |
356 |
99 |
93 |
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|
F |
156 |
56 |
99 |
12 |
93 |
356 |
256 |
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GN |
C |
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