Argo/Formula Asia/Monoposti

[MikeBz]

Do any of the Monoposti present know anything about this car here? It appears to have been run in Monoposto (green blob). How do these cars compare to say a standard FVL/FOL?

Mike

[SpawnyWhippet]

Yes, there were a few of these running in Monoposto in 2004, but with not much success. Not sure if it was a driver or car issue. My gut feeling is that a FVL / F3 would be ultimately quicker, but I never drove a Argo.

[MikeBz]

Thanks Andy. Can you name any of the drivers (PM me if you like)?

[Bob Pearson]

What happened to the picture Mike? I was wondering if it is one of the FF2000 variants, but without the picture I don't know. Argo made a number of them over a few years, some of which are still running in the URS Classic FF2000 formula. If it is one of them it would be best used in that arena.
There was an Argo F3 in the late eighties which was very successful in Mono, he may still be there.

[MikeBz]

Try this.

[SpawnyWhippet]

Times from Silverstone Monoposto race on 3/4/04. 28 drivers took place, the Argos were 26th and 28th and 10 - 15 secs per lap off the pace - not impressive. I wouldn't touch an Argo with a barge pole. You'd be much better off with an FVL, or even a FF Zetec.

Pos.....Driver...........Car..............Time

P.1 Jonathan Lewis.....FF2000...........57.774
P.26 John Welsh.........Argo FA2000...1:07.933
P.28 Michael Fitch......Argo Zetec......1:12.397

[Bob Pearson]

Hang on a mo Andy, no-one can spend 68 or 72 seconds getting round Silverstone national in the dry without having a problem with themselves or the car. I still haven't seen a photo, so I still don't know what it is.

[SpawnyWhippet]

It looks a little like a 97 Tatuus, but uglier. However, these were the fastest laps over a complete race distance, both cars finished the race. Diabolical times, I know. I was only on 3 cylinders for most of it and had 1 wooden tyre and was lapping around 61 - 62 secs

[MikeBz]

Good effort to get round only 1 tyre, especially a wooden one

I'm sure the 2nd link I posted above works Bob. Failing that here it is in gory detail: http://www.racingcarsforsale.co.uk/s...description=28

[Bob Pearson]

You're right about the ugly, having owned many Tatuus FR's I feel insulted that you would even mention one in the same breath. In the FR field it actually looks like the early Martini. I can't help but feel there is probably a better home for your £7k

[steveng]

If you look at these cars I think they are the same 'tub' (chassis) as a FVL as far as I know. There were some pictures of them 'undressed' and they look very similar to me. At our level it is all about drivers anyway. Sadly, I couldn't do a 57 around Silverstone in anyone's car. The day I get round it in under a minute will be one for great rejoicing! I'm not expecting that day anytime soon either.

[andy97]

I think that the cars were built by David Sears racing when he took over the rights to Argo. They were built for a one make series, funnily enough, in Asia. The cars have the same basic chassis design as Vauxhall Lotus (inc the "planks") but different Front & Rear Suspension, and a 2 litre Zetec.

3 of them turned out at Silverstone but their debut was inauspicious as Andy mentioned above. I don't think they were seen much after that. Not sure how experienced the drivers were but I think they were on some ancient odd rubber, too.

I can't help feeling that you'd be better off with a Vauxhall Lotus - there are several for sale in the GBP5500-6500 bracket and there are loads of spares about, plus loads of people who know how to set them up and with whom you can benchmark your own performance. There are often about 9-10 out amongst the full Mono 2000 grid.

[Neil1982]

I think that the engines were Zeta not Zetec. Zeta is the chain driven cam engine as used in the RS 2000 of the early 90s. They were all prepared, supplied and supported in the field (Malaysia?) by Aldon Automotive. Indeed Roger spent some time living out there.

Francis Phillips used one (left over at Aldon) in his Ralt before selling it to Alan Everett (engine that is not Ralt). Alan did not use it for long switching in late 2004 to a new Scholar built Zetec.

The Mono handbook refers to this engine in permitted modifications, timing chain tensioner.

[SpawnyWhippet]

Any updates Mike, did you ditch the Argo plan? Seriously, you should invest in a 97 Tatuus or something - you can run in in more series than the Argo, it will be a better car and parts will be easier to come across.

[MikeBz]

I'm still prevaricating... But was only mildly curious about the Argo.

[andoiwebb]

you sounded quite keen earlier judging by the new topic? wouldn't get too keen though, pretty they're not!

[MikeBz]

Shouldn't you be trying to sell me a well-used FVL

[ianpearson]

Originally Posted by Andydickens

Any updates Mike, did you ditch the Argo plan? Seriously, you should invest in a 97 Tatuus or something - you can run in in more series than the Argo, it will be a better car and parts will be easier to come across.

Or a 98 or 99 tatuus, I know of a very quick one advertised on racecarsdirect that was doing high 46 second laps round brands hatch indy circuit, more than quick enough to win a mono race

[kickstart]

Originally Posted by ianpearson

Or a 98 or 99 tatuus, I know of a very quick one advertised on racecarsdirect that was doing high 46 second laps round brands hatch indy circuit, more than quick enough to win a mono race

What are you planning to race next season ?

Having run a FR in F4 and occasionally mono I really don't agree with the quote that the cars don't handle at 40mm, I agree that they are not as quick probably 2 seconds a lap slower in Mono trim (FR) but it is a level playing field as the height restriction is well known and there are plenty of quick guys out in old F3 cars in Mono.

[Bob Pearson]

Don't you think a 2 second loss of pace due to handling change constutes "not handling" 2 seconds lost, even by my relatively slow pace would call for deep depression and sleepless nights.

[ianpearson]

Originally Posted by kickstart

What are you planning to race next season ?

Having run a FR in F4 and occasionally mono I really don't agree with the quote that the cars don't handle at 40mm, I agree that they are not as quick probably 2 seconds a lap slower in Mono trim (FR) but it is a level playing field as the height restriction is well known and there are plenty of quick guys out in old F3 cars in Mono.

It will probably be BARC renault, but its dependant on selling a couple of our well sorted & proven pre 2000 cars, so i can move up a class. I'd probably drive a pre 2000 car again rather than do nothing, the prize money nearly covers the cost of your entries so its cheap racing

[SpawnyWhippet]

Originally Posted by ianpearson

Or a 98 or 99 tatuus, I know of a very quick one advertised on racecarsdirect that was doing high 46 second laps round brands hatch indy circuit, more than quick enough to win a mono race

Unfortunately, as soon as you make the thing Mono-legal, it will be doing low 49's in the hands of a decent driver. In the hands of a not so decent driver, your old Swift SC95R that I ran in Mono spec for my first year of racing couldn't get under 51 secs.