Dave Cook Racing Services

[discovery]

Hi guys !
I was just looking through this forum and came upon this thread about the Toyota Camrys.
Ok ! well i was responsible for all the body prep and painting on most of Cooks race cars , and spent many happy hours preparing the two Toyota`s which were shipped out to South Africa , and one of the Toyota`s eventually ended up at Bathurst .
if anyone has any photo`s i would love to see them
Of the two cars , one was painted in Castrol colours and the other in Blue.

[andy97]

This is a link to the blue Camry:
http://www.supertouringregister.com/...ehicle/157.php

The picture you see as my avatar on the left is my DCRS designed Carina/ Corona, although it was built in NZ, I think, & I believe that DC went out to NZ to supervise the build and engineer the cars.

[Verv]

Hi Andy, More than 12 months since last looking at this thread. Yes the Corona's had twin 4 piston calipers when they were first built. This was an AP system called the Balance Brake System. On the Saturday of their first event Ford protested after MANZ, the NZ ASN, had approved them. However at the stewards hearing we were thrown out. It seems the scrutineers were Judges of Fact and we couldn't appeal their decision, even though they had been approved. A simple single 4 piston caliper was then fitted.
One of the Camrys that Dave Cook built in the UK to Super Touring regs and raced in the South African Championship did end up in Australia and was run at Bathurst and other races by Mike Quinn of Pheonix Motor Sport.
Interestingly Dave Cook and Graham Green also helped me when I ran a Honda Super Tourer at Bathurst in 1997, once again with Julian Bailey driving with Warren Luff.
I'd like to contact Dave Cook if anybody could PM me with his contact details.
Keep in touch and let me know how you're going with the Corona.
Cheers, David Vervaart.

[andy97]

Hi Dave, Thanks for the brake info - and the other info, too - pity that the car doesn't have the twin caliper set up now! It has single AP 4 pots.

I have had a problematic year with the car unfortunately - it goes through (standard) gearboxes like nothing on earth (seems to break 5th gear selector - which then jams up other things - when single seater drivers share the car with me!!) and the front brakes have had an alarming tendency to disappear with no warning leaving me with just rears.

I have now blocked off 5th gear (not really needed in the UK) but I did spend a long time trying to find alternative Toyota gearboxes to no real avail. I was assuming that someone would have done a CR competition gear kit as the 'box is shared with the FWD Celica & the mid engined MR2 but it seems not, unless I go doen the very expensive route of adapting the very heavy 4WD box from a Celica GT4. I am hoping that the brake problems are now sorted after a caliper re-build (we changed everything else!) & the engine is having a refresh.

Regards

Andy

[Verv]

Hi Andy, As far as I can recall, the gearbox we used was the standard Corona unit, which as you mentioned is basically the same one used in the MR2. We were allowed to homologate two ratios which we picked some from the Toyota parts list. We also had selector problems which were caused by using the selector cables which didn't like rough changes. Julian initially had some difficulty with this, but once we established the problem he was able to drive it accordingly. You can't drive it like a true competition box, always use the clutch and don't beat the syncro's. Also it's very important to adjust the selector on a regular basis.
Toyota chose the 3S-GE as the engine to use. This was a crate engine supplied out of Japan and from the MR2. We were able to get about 220hp from the slightly modified engine.
As far as the brakes, if you are still using the AP calipers then I'm sure a reputable AP tech can fix this problem.
Cheers, David.

[andy97]

Dave
Many thanks - I have never had a problem with the 'box but my single seater driving colleagues have tried to "drive it like a hewland" and I reckon its this that has caused the problems!!!

The calipers have now been rebuilt by an AP pecialist in Bromsgrove so I am very hopeful that has cured the problem (cooked seals & a damaged piston were found). The engine delivered 207 Bhp on a RR at the start of the year - standard valves, standard lift/ long duration cam & a CR of about 11.5:1. It has forged pistons but standard rods & crank. The refresh will see the valve seats re-ground and maybe a new cam.

[dcrs]

Hi all,

Just looked at this thread and found it quite interesting.

Brief outline:

1975 to 1984; Co owner of CC Racing in Kirkbymoorside with Pete Clark.
Built and ran Gp 1 Works Ford Capris for Gordon Spice Team with Gordon driving and other drivers included Pete, Chris Craft, Andy Rouse. In 1980 ran Capris for Vince Woodman and Jonathan Buncombe. 1983 Built and ran Gp A Opel Monza for Tony Lanfranchi.

Built and ran Capris for Belga in Spa 24Hours, winning in 1978 Gordon Spice/Teddy Pillette, 1979 and 1980 winning with Jean Michel and Phillippe Martin. During this time we built and suppled Capris to: Jeff Allam, Michel De Deyne, Alain and Freddie Semoulin, Roman Fietler and others.

We also ran various sports cars including Dorset Racing Lola T210 for Le Mans 24 Hours and other long distance races for Tony Birchenough, Pete Clark and Nick Mason. Ran De Cadenet dfv for Belga at Le Mans.

Also built Mini 1000's for Chris Lewis and obuilt various other race and rally cars.

In 1984 I set up Dave Cook Racing (DCRS) at Sheriff Hutton.

Built and ran Opel Monza production cars for GM Dealer Sport, John Cleland and Tont Lanfranchi. In 1987 to 1989 built and ran GMDS Vauxhall Carlton Thunder Saloon with John Cleland and Vince Woodman driving.

Built and ran Astra Touring Cars in 1989 for John Cleland and other Astras for Jeremy Rossiter and Louise Atkin Walker, won BTCC with John.

1990 to 1993 Built and ran Cavaliers for the works with John Cleland, Jeff Allam, Bob Berridge, Chris Hodgets, David Coulthard driving at various times. Nearly won BTCC again in 1992 but denied after last race incident with Steve Soper at Silverstone!

From 1994 to 1996 we built and I race engineered for Toyota South Africa Toyota Camry Touring cars in SA Championship, Julian Bailey, Serge Damseaux, Mike Smith.

Also designed and supplie suspension etc to Toyota New Zealand and race engineered in NZ Championship.

Ran BMW 320i ex works car for Colin Gallie in 1997 BTCC. Race Engineered Lister Sports car in 1998 for Julian Bailey, Tiff Needell.

DCRS along with our sister company Yortech Fabrications supplied bodyshells, roll cages, other components for race and rally cars including MSD Calibras, Lancers BTR, various other race and rally cars.

Designed and supplied all parts for Lexus Touring Car.

Packed up now, just riding my bike and playing my drums.

I lost all data from CC as we had a fire in 1993. Pete Clark was tragically killed in an air crash while he was doing a display in 1995.

Hope this helps some one.

Cheers Dave

[andy97]

Hi Dave, many thanks for contributing. As you can see from this and the sister Capri thread there is a great deal of interest in your cars.

Sadly, I have sold my ex Julian Bailey NZ Toyota, see the picture in my Avatar, and part of me will always regret that but I just couldn't afford the new gearbox it needed. It was a pleasure and a privelige to own and race that car, though, and I have no doubt that it will always be the best car that I have ever owned. It was fantastically well engineered, handled brilliantly and at least I can say I ran an ex works car!

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by dcrs

Hi all,

Just looked at this thread and found it quite interesting.

Brief outline:

1975 to 1984; Co owner of CC Racing in Kirkbymoorside with Pete Clark.
Built and ran Gp 1 Works Ford Capris for Gordon Spice Team with Gordon driving and other drivers included Pete, Chris Craft, Andy Rouse. In 1980 ran Capris for Vince Woodman and Jonathan Buncombe. 1983 Built and ran Gp A Opel Monza for Tony Lanfranchi.

Built and ran Capris for Belga in Spa 24Hours, winning in 1978 Gordon Spice/Teddy Pillette, 1979 and 1980 winning with Jean Michel and Phillippe Martin. During this time we built and suppled Capris to: Jeff Allam, Michel De Deyne, Alain and Freddie Semoulin, Roman Fietler and others.

We also ran various sports cars including Dorset Racing Lola T210 for Le Mans 24 Hours and other long distance races for Tony Birchenough, Pete Clark and Nick Mason. Ran De Cadenet dfv for Belga at Le Mans.

Also built Mini 1000's for Chris Lewis and obuilt various other race and rally cars.

In 1984 I set up Dave Cook Racing (DCRS) at Sheriff Hutton.

Built and ran Opel Monza production cars for GM Dealer Sport, John Cleland and Tont Lanfranchi. In 1987 to 1989 built and ran GMDS Vauxhall Carlton Thunder Saloon with John Cleland and Vince Woodman driving.

Built and ran Astra Touring Cars in 1989 for John Cleland and other Astras for Jeremy Rossiter and Louise Atkin Walker, won BTCC with John.

1990 to 1993 Built and ran Cavaliers for the works with John Cleland, Jeff Allam, Bob Berridge, Chris Hodgets, David Coulthard driving at various times. Nearly won BTCC again in 1992 but denied after last race incident with Steve Soper at Silverstone!

From 1994 to 1996 we built and I race engineered for Toyota South Africa Toyota Camry Touring cars in SA Championship, Julian Bailey, Serge Damseaux, Mike Smith.

Also designed and supplie suspension etc to Toyota New Zealand and race engineered in NZ Championship.

Ran BMW 320i ex works car for Colin Gallie in 1997 BTCC. Race Engineered Lister Sports car in 1998 for Julian Bailey, Tiff Needell.

DCRS along with our sister company Yortech Fabrications supplied bodyshells, roll cages, other components for race and rally cars including MSD Calibras, Lancers BTR, various other race and rally cars.

Designed and supplied all parts for Lexus Touring Car.

Packed up now, just riding my bike and playing my drums.

I lost all data from CC as we had a fire in 1993. Pete Clark was tragically killed in an air crash while he was doing a display in 1995.

Hope this helps some one.

Cheers Dave

Great to have you take the time to join and post something Dave, many many thanks.

Would really appreciate your recollections in the Capri and 635 threads when you next have time!!

Cheers

[paulinhot]

Hello Andy, do you still have any photos of the Toyota ? as I'm trying to turn my street Carina into a replica, regards Paul

[Neil Duke]

Does anybody have Daves contact?

[morninggents]

Try Ben Ferguson of Revival Motorsport Fabrications in Sherrif Hutton, N. Yorks. His number is 01347 879187. When I was there 3 or 4 years ago Dave Cook came in and we got chatting.

[Neil Duke]

Thank you for that,Dave has made contact.