End of an Era for me.
Ive known that I was going to post this thread on this date for some time but I didn’t expect Sept 2014 to be such an end of an Era month. Was shocked earlier this month to read that two of the ‘top Dogs’ from back in the day would be selling their cars & bringing an end to their Cossie era at least for the time being.
MikeR & Martin were the guys that inspired me to ‘see what the old girl would do’ back in 2002. Martin was on a different planet back then but Mike, Bruce, Kev & Mark edged up the RWD Topspeed record bit by bit 180.3, 180.9, 182.6 , 183.0 , 183.3mph every few months, Glorious days that are sadly gone forever .
By 2004 I had laid out a 5 point plan, it seemed a good idea at the time .
Mark achieved 3 in September 2004 & I ticked off the 4th in April 2005 however the final bit has taken a very very long time.
Foolishly I said I would hold/defend any records set for 10 years. Said in Bravado its finally achieved today on my 69th Birthday .
Don’t have any plans at the mo to continue chasing records, my recent health prob bringing home the fact im not a young buck anymore. Its time to thank all those who have helped & supported me through the years.

The Video sums up the Technical side of Topspeed running with commentary by my son Neil & Andy Clark who is a member on this site. Sorry Andy. Remember they were only young lads at the time .

Photobucket is shite these days so you may have to scroll down to see the video.

 

Time flies Rod, what did Euan pull in his Sapph Rod?? He got into the 180s iirc??

What is the top speed time for a 3dr then Rod?? Is that still Bruce??

 

So what's gonna happen to the saff Rodney.

 

Always had a lot of time for you Rod as you are not the man you appear to be on forums in the flesh, can only wish you well with whatever the future dictates, and Happy birthday BTW

 

Nothing to see here, move along

Car that is never driven at top speed or seen in public is withdrawn from top speed running.

Happy birthday and sincerely best wishes for your health, and congrats on the white saph confined by 1.5 miles record for 10 years, but really, this is not news as we haven't seen any action for god knows how long anyway, and you can retire with your internet ego intact

 

I thought this was going to be a thread about tax disks



still a nice record to hold for all them years, so will we see a breaking for parts thread soon then?

 

its probably a weight lifted from your shoulders announcing your topspeed retirement rod.i cant ever see someone trying to beat your record unless someone buys your car and gives it a go

happy birthday and continued good health

 

I assume you'll stick around to impart your valuable top speed knowledge to members far and wide.

All the best with whatever you focus on instead and hope your health issues are either behind you or dealt with quickly.


Cheers,
Grant

 

188 and done it in the wet. hard to beleive he could put 5mph into all the others using the same turbo and wet weather..

 

all the best Rod

thought you'd only just invested in some more custom parts for the old girl?

 

I think it shows he had all his HP at the end of the straight and gearing was spot on.
I have done 185.5mph in the wet with less hp than his had.

Mark

 

He has and hopefully the engine will be ready by Dec for the dyno.

Mark

 

so the plan is to have at least 1 more run then?

 

True, it was fun back then but with the passage of time I just lost interest in the whole thing but I enjoyed every minute at the time. I'm glad I have sold up and am ready for the next adventure

 

that was a quick car, I remember my ride in it when I went up to buy it, was a quick car just to much tinworm sadly

 

Its still his road car so will be back to that when ready hopefully soon.

Mark

 

Slightly modified t4 if you ask me. I fancy a pop at the t4 record but don't want to go out with a boggo t4 if we're allowed modified bits!
Infact iirc he documented some of the mods. Time will tell. I know my std t4 is flat out so see what it does.

 

To do that speeds at brunters in the wet no doubt it was quick

 

But most hybrids don't work as well as stock so you have a very good chance of doing very well at it.
It would be good to see what yours does.

Mark

 

Didn't your dad ever have ago Jimbo??

What about AG in the Focus??

 

Well I cant see anyone taking the record off you Rod, of course it doesn't help that its more or less impossible to do a top speed run these days (mags cant, the vmax lot don't seem interested in letting old fords have a crack). Good luck to whatever you do next and hope your health stays in top form.

As for Jimbo trying the T4 record, go for it lad! There's a high 180 in it I reckon.

 

A 60 trim wheel would free up 30 bhp where it counts though mark!

Staffi the old man had no interest, doing 5sec to 100 is more him

Ag did 196.6 in the focus with 670 but charge temps were 90degrees iirc with the snow plough on so melted

Anyway back to subject for rod

 

as far as I remember bd16 cams, cnc ported head, roller bearing t4 turbo and a massive iirc 4.5" bore exhaust

its quite a few years back now but I think that's what the car was, monumental spec for the time it blew me away performance wise, id of bought it had it not been such a rough shell, knowing what I know now id of bought it anyway as it was worth ALOT more in parts

 

Strange comment, My car has probably done more Topspeed runs at Brunters/Woodbridge than any other road car in the UK. 28 Times, of which 26 reached the bottom. My car did not need to run again after 2005 as no one got close to times it ran back then.

Just remember im 69 so lets see what Topspeeds you run when you are past 60. I managed a 201.3mph at that age so don't knock things you have not yet done . Mark retired from driving the car back then so only a threat to the record would have got me to run again.

 

Mine ran 183.3mph with 486bhp (your old man fiddled the figures to show 504bhp on the Dyno) but it never had that in the car.

Ade's ran 185.5mph with 520bhp in the rain.

Euan was claiming 580bhp so his speed is about right , all three cars had Power at the end of the straight.

 

that's slander Rod

 

At this point I have no plans, I am more interested in getting some incredible Power figures on the engine Dyno. Mark wanted a free hand so its up to him. It is not for running in a car the Turbo is to large for the road.
The car will return as my road car running a EFR9180 which will see over 800bhp on pump with incredible spool. That's not enough Power to set records but on race may push close to 900bhp which could tad 210mph.

I wish to drive the car if it runs again & the only way that will happen is a challenge from the 850bhp Roosh Ford GT which has run 206mph at Brunters & is the only other Ford to run 206mph in the UK according to Vmax.

 

Well it was Ahmed on the dials so perhaps Harvey is only 50% to blame.

This was Marks 1st big Torque engine back in 1999 he expected 500bhp but it did not make it so unsafe ignition was added to break 500bhp.
It was Dynoed same day as Bruces 541bhp .
It came runner up at TOTB ran a 11.8 @ 127mph quarter 0-100 8.1 & set a RWD Topspeed record so I guess Mark knew the direction to take his engines. More to an engine that outright Power & Mark has never looked back with this type of engine.

 

I think you need to leave it now Rod and move on Btw, the car I'm getting has a quoted top speed of 212mph but its never going to Brunters!

 

So from fiddling a dyno to the mapper adding unsafe ignition lol love your way with words rod.
Euans at 580 is incredible for a t4, hence my slight lean towards modified in some way but it wouldnt stop me being happy with whatever my t4 engine ran aslong as it was up there.

 

Rod

i have always found you to be a very nice fella to chat to and always enjoyed your company the few times we have seen each other

You have achieved more than most could or will ever even try and for that nobody can take anything away from you

Have a great retirement and take it easy , you deserve it

Paul

 

I remember the day well! The look on the guys from tvr's faces when it first launched lol they new then there car was well out of its depth!

 

Morning guys!

 

come on rod a Nissan qashqai did 207 mph at brunters yesterday lol

 

The most we measured my car at was 505 at the wheels so maybe 550 bhp tops.

 

I was at Vmax on Saturday; good event!

I understand anyone could enter that paid and it didn't matter what car you brought so Fords would have been welcome. There was a BMW 330d Touring doing it, as well as a few other prestige cars.

The 1000+bhp Nissan Qashqai was hilarious! LaFerrari and Veryon both did over 205mph down there, too.

 

PMSL


G'day

The mess about with that sale, leading to breaking it did you a big favour financially eh