M52 2.8 Compact Stage Rally Car (previously 4age/XE )

[norasport]

Hi Guys, I am now the proud possessor of Andy's Compact, I have been on the forum before asking about specs and engines and cars for sale. For the last 2 years I have been hiring the Langworth (that's near Lincoln) 325i Challege car and enjoyed myself immensely when the engine, that should be engines worked.

The shortest period was at the rally at RAF Cottesmore (sorry forgot the name of it!) when we failed to complete the first stage with terminal overheating problems.

I have rallied in my youth in Minis and Escorts with some success but now look forward to getting the Compact ready for a quick test day with Javelin at Blyton on Dec 29th

The Boys at Langworth will be looking after the car, and I will be doing selected ANEMMC rounds and others of interest that take my fancy.

Unfortunately, ( well not really!) I race a "Superlite" in the British Champs, and have done for 12 years.

These machines are great fun to drive (just like a BM really) and I have to fit the rallies inbetween events. We are going to be on Motors TV again soon starting on Dec 22 at 8 or 9pm I think, or see the Championship website at http://www.norasport.com The 650 machines have around 130hp from the 2 stroke rotax engine. They weigh less than 250kgs so power to weight is good, top speed around 100 and to make it more interesting they have a fixed axle so lots of sideways ( just like a BM!).

I would like to thank all you guys particularly Andy for all your help to get me BMW mounted for 2012

I can't wait


Mike Bayliss
in sunny Lincolnshire ( just looked out of the window ----it's raining again...Oh well!!

[rearwheelsteercompact]

Hi Mike,
Now everybody knows your identity (I had kept it under my hat not knowing your wishes re publicity )

I'm looking forward to you having success with the car.

Now where did I put my knitting needles ?

[mef]

Hi Mike and welcome!

I just checked out your Superlight NORA link but know where on that website does it tell me anything about what a superlight is (I thought it was a Caterham), please tell us more!

Cheers,

Martin

[Daishag]

Is a superlight basically the same as Class 8-12 Grasser (AutoGrass) which is a spaced framed special with what ever power plant the class allows ???

Just a guess at that coz im sure a mate who does enduro races with a KTM 4 stroke has mentioned them before !!!

Cheers Dave aka Daishag Rallying 07805835655

[norasport]

The Nora superlites are tubular construction Drakart machines that were originally designed in Canada for when the snow melted and all the snowmobile racers went round scratching their heads wondering what to do at the weekends! as they use the same engine and parts of drive system.

If you want to know more the generic term is a "Superlite" but we all run homolgated Drakart machines either with the 620cc twin Rotax 2 stroke engine which uses a drive belt with variable diameter pulleys one at the engine end and one at the drive end, so no gears to change and auto clutch so you can lock the rear wheels to help it round the corners. The brakes are heavily biased to the rear on tight circuits. Left foot brakes while right foot makes it louder!

Before we raced them on rallycross type surfaces we all used to race the 600's on all off road with big jumps. Now due to the mods we have made for tarmac we can't use them off-road anymore which is a shame, but a lot cleaner!

We all must use 13" Avon race tyres


Try the http://www.drakart.co.uk site for more technical stuff.

The 900 class run the same chassis but with a Fireblade engine and gearbox.

There are some good videos on Utube including some new ones at Cadwell in November

Mike