- Make and Model : Westfield Megabird. Fully
road legal and type approved 2-seat sportscar built by Westfield
Sportscars in Kingswinford, West Midlands, U.K.
- Chassis and bodywork: Westfield motorsport
chassis - fully triangulated steel tube frame with bonded
and riveted alloy panels with extra bracing and reinforcement,
also full FIA spec roll cage by Custom Cages in the UK.
Bodywork is lightweight GRP (fibreglass) and is non structural
as the car gets its structural rigidity from the immensely
strong chassis.
- Powerplant: Honda Blackbird motorcycle engine
- 1100cc with 6 speed sequential dog box (standard with
engine from bike). Separate transfer box to obtain reverse
gear. Rear wheel drive through a Ford Sierra differential
fitted with a Quaife ATB differential and 4.1:1 final drive
ratio.
- Suspension and Brakes: 4 wheel, fully independent,
double 'A' arm suspension with AVO adjustable dampers and
ride height. 2.25" springs of varying rates (depending on
surface). Adjustable anti-roll bars front and rear. All
suspension joints are "rose" jointed for adjustability and
precision of handling. Brakes are front discs with 4-pot
callipers, rears are discs with 1-pot callipers, providing
exceptional stopping power. Alloy suspension uprights and
hubs for reduced unsprung and reciprocating mass.
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Due
to several teams' failure (us included) to obtain the
required competition insurance to enable us to compete in
the recently run Texaco Stages Rally, the decision was made
to take both Westfields (Graeme Finlayson's visiting car from
the UK and mine) to the Bushy Park race circuit in St. Philip
after the rally. The primary purpose of this was to maximise
our sponsor's exposure for their investment in our cars, an
area to which we are seriously committed. The secondary purposes
were to determine what times Graeme's car would be capable
of bearing in mind it's impressive specification and also
to give me the opportunity to drive my car at the limit in
a safe, controlled environment.
These
agendas were well satisfied by the end of the session, as
several spectators were on hand and were sufficiently impressed
to witness these awesome machines run. After the serious running
was done, we had the opportunity to give some passenger rides
at totally safe, reduced speeds. It speaks volumes about these
cars when after giving a few lucky people who have in some
cases been involved in the sport for decades a drive around
the circuit, they step out of the vehicles absolutely and
totally amazed at these car's performance, handling, braking
and at how stable, safe and solid they are.
My
extreme thanks go out to first of all to my sponsors - Pro
Pac Premium Pet Food and Super Pet Smart, Sheraton Centre
without who it would be impossible to enjoy the sport we love,
and to the guys from Fluke Motorsport who donated the tyres
used to bring you these photos of us "Doing the Dog !".
Thanks folks !
Martz.
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