jeffmerkur

Hi Everyone ,

I have question that someone might know the answer too . What was the purpose of the holes in the fender on some RS 500 touring car race cars ? Are they there to let heat out of the engine compartment
or do they have another purpose ? Not everyone ran them so I was wondering what was the thinking behind them . If anyone has pictures of what I'm talking about please send them to me .

Thanks , Jeff

KSA-Cossie

iTrader: (4)

I think you mean it was to let cold air in m8.

jeffmerkur

The holes I'm talking about are in the upper rear coner of the fender close to the door . Andy Rouse had them on his Merkur and later on his Sierra .I recently saw fotage ogf the Labats Blue RS 500 Touring car and it had them also . Any body else have any ideas . I don't think they are there to let air in but What do I know .You guys in the U.K. where lucky enough to see these car in person and I never have .

KSA-Cossie

iTrader: (4)

Not a clue then m8.

vyper developments

Hi,
I think you will find these holes were for the air operated jacks which lift the car up for wheel changes, four units were fitted to each car.

CheeRS, Mike.

jeffmerkur

Hi ,

I don't think it's for air lines to hook up for jacks. Try this link and go to the bottom of the page and download "Top Gear RS 500 Test Drive" ,at www.85XR.com/Links_Other.htm . In the video clip the guy test drives the Labats Blue RS 500 and you can clearly see the holes I'm talking about . There are no air line fittings and the holes are in both fender
near the top of the fender by the doors . It's a 7.5 minute video clip so
I wouldn't try to download it with out high speed internet .

-Jeff

Fastmaul

Wow you can actually see there's no air lines on that!! you must be good!! LOL.
It's either the Air lines for the jacks, or the engine cut off switch/ fire extinguishser.

lamb chops

Wow thanks for the topgear link not seen that before, very cool!!

Like Fastmaul says they are cut off switches for engine etc, there are two red leavers in the cut out.

martinrs500labatts

this is the sister car to mine,

100% same spec

only difference was tim harvey was a quicker driver than lawrence bristow,

hence my car would normally beat lawrences car,

one side is for fire pull and engine cut and the other side is for the air jacks.

martinrs500labatts

and its a shame but lawrences car is now gone forever,

my one is the only labatts sierra left.

Fastmaul

Woo hoo I was right.

jeffmerkur

Ok , I was wrong ! I should of known better than to second guess you guys . Thanks so much for those pictures .

Did any Sierra race/touring car ever run heat extractors in the fender ?

Fastmaul

I don't think so Jeff, just the vents on the hood if I'm not mistaken.
Oh, where are you from anyway? you can always join other merkur nuts at www.merkursport.com

jeffmerkur

I join this list hoping to find someone who was selling Cossie parts . I would like to get some Cossie front hubs and carriers for my XR . No luck yet .
I live in U.S. and I think that is part of the problem because it's a pain to ship big items like that . I belong to the MCA and IMON . I try to stay active in the Merkur Clubs and Lists .