Off the Line

            The Official Semi-occasional Publication of

            Team Harco Motorsports          Winter 1999/2000

 

What A Year!!

The last year of the 20th century will be one to remember at Team Harco.  A repeat championship in the Detroit Council autocross series (the 6th consecutive), a repeat class championship in the Detroit Region SCCA Solo II series and the overall rally championship in the Detroit Region, were all claimed by Team Harco in 1999.  A hard fought battle in the CenDiv Road Rally series netted third place for the team of Harvey/Mickle.  Another, Vintage class win at the Press On Regardless rally and a run at the Sno*Drift ProRally were also a part of the fun. Perhaps the biggest news out of the Team Harco camp, for ’99, is the purchase and preparation of a “new” rally car.

 

The Team Harco/ Dragon Lady/ Autometric Colt on its way to another FTD.  This one at the Daimler-Chrysler Tech Center on August 22, 1999.  (Photo by Mark Kleckner)

 

Two FTDs claimed in 1999

Any claims to the Fastest Time of Day (FTD) are quite an accomplishment - but two in one season is doubly great.  The lead driver of the Team Harco/ Dragon Lady/ Autometric Colt turned the trick in 1999.  The first was at the AROC autocross on May 16th.  Then in August, the overall victory was claimed again.  This time it was at the MSCC autocross at the Daimler-Chrysler tech center.  The little Colt has had a minimum amount of development and modification since its competition debut in 1994.  Aside from the beautiful paint which was applied so lovingly, by Autometric Body Shops, in 1995; the car remains essentially unchanged since it was built to be an autocross racer.  The biggest reason for these victories are tires.  Fresh racing tires beat old rubber every time.  Look for more details on the autocross season in this issue.

 

 

Off the Line

 

The Official Semi-occasional Publication of            Team Harco Motorsports                                 Issue #10 -- Winter 1999/2000

 

            Contents

1999 Sno*Drift ProRally …….………..….……………….  1  

CenDiv Rally Review    …......…...............…......…........  2

Detroit Region Rallies  ……………….……………..…….  4

A Good Year On Hoosiers ……………...……………..….  5

A Tale of Two Talons …………..........….…..…….…......  6

Looking Ahead  ....................................………........…...  7

Thank You  ........................…....…….....................…….. 8 

50th Anniversary Press On Regardless ……...…………  10

The Team Harco Calendar  ........…........…...........……. 14

 

 

On the Cover: Team Harco/Dragon Lady/ Autometric autocross Colt.  #18 E Prepared - first in class and Fastest Time of Day - Aug. 22, 1999.  Photo by Mark Kleckner

 

 

Off the Line is edited and published, time permitting, by Scott D. Harvey, Jr.  Guest editorial assistance provided by the Dragon Lady for this issue.

 

 

The name Off the Line, (aside from its many connotations) is used here, without being registered and is used without any ones permission.  Any resemblance between this newsletter and other published columns, of the same name, is not intended to detract from their readership in any way.

 

Comments, Questions, Back Issues, etc.

 

            Team Harco Motorsports

            221 Ormsby

            Waterford, MI 48327-1750

            Central Headquarters (248) 683-0207

            E-mail: TeamHarco@Juno.com  

            (Work hours) (248) 340-8146

            (fax)  (248) 340-4410

 

 

 

 

1999 Sno*Drift ProRally

 

Atlanta, Michigan, February 27, 1999

Bringing a rear wheel drive car to a winter rally is not really regarded as being very wise.  But bringing one to a ProRally is just begging for a free pass to the nearest asylum - especially since studded tires are not allowed.  (“Bringing a knife to a gunfight” probably would have worked too).  The Team Harco crew did just that in February of 1999.

 

Al Zifilippo and I teamed-up again to have a go at another ProRally in Michigan.  We knew our chances were slim - to - none for a good placing.  Our goal was a finish.

 

Halfway through the first stage we encountered a sweeping right hander.  Our speed was not that great but I could not make the car turn to follow the road.  We went straight off into a snow bank.  We assisted the next car off too.  They had to make a choice between either hitting us or going into the snow behind us.  Fortunately they selected the snow.  We helped each other get back on the road and proceeded.  The roads were treacherous and we were not the only ones going off.  In fact we helped pull two others back on to the road.  We had more offs and finally made it to the break for dinner.

 

 

Not in its element, the Team Harco/ Dragon Lady Colt at the 1999 Sno*Drift ProRally.  Early on, obviously.

 

 

It was dark now and the temperature had dropped.  The stage that we really did enjoy, Avery Lake (run twice), was still fresh on our mind.  It was the only stage that did not have excessive amounts of ice, and we were actually able to maintain traction.

 

 

 

Just after the start of stage 11, we met our end.  A tight left turn with glare ice for a road surface sent us straight off into a large tree.  The hood was crumpled and the engine died.  Attempts to re-start were futile.  The radiator had been crushed.  The fan and water pump were mangled.  We were out.  And then to add injury to insult, I pulled a muscle in my back trying to pull the hood up.  That wasn’t enough, Al had banged his knee on the ice at one of our previous offs.  So we spent the next couple of hours in the ambulance while we waited for the stage to completely clear and eventually arrange for a tow.

 

I am happy to report that all injuries have healed and the Colt was repaired (in time for POR).  The Team Harco/ Dragon Lady rally Colt has since been retired from winter rally competition.  (Notice this says nothing about ice racing.)  If studded tires ever become legal, we will likely reevaluate this decision.  For now, the all-wheel-drive sports cars will see the winter action.

 

We are still hoping for a true cold winter one of these years.  There have been no ice races in the Detroit area for more than three years now.  The ice outlook for 2000 is not good.

CenDiv Rally Review

Persistence paid-off for Rob Moran and Dave Parps in the CenDiv Road Rally Championship for 1999.  Rob competed in all but two of the events on the schedule (one of which was his own rally) and won enough of them to lock-up first place.   Dave Parps, who often drives for Rob took second in the standings just two points back.  Scott Harvey/ Jim Mickle had to settle for a tie for third overall.  Dave Parps moved ahead of the Harco crew by virtue of his win at Jim Mickle’s season finale, the Thumbs Up Rally. 

It was a tight battle at the top all season.  Here are some thoughts on the ones that Team Harco competed in.

Ohio Winter Rally, Solon, Ohio.  Feb 6-7, 1999

The non-wintry conditions we have become accustomed to in recent years were present for the Ohio Winter Rally.  A minimum of ice and snow made the route much easier.  Traction was not a problem.  A few hiccups in the route, however, were a bit of a problem.  For the most part, the Ohio Winter was a good rally, but the organizing crew should have come away with a few lessons learned.

When the scoring was done, the New Hampshire team of Mike Friedman and Marc Godfarb had won with 14 points.  Tied for second were Harvey/ Mickle and Gene Henderson/ Bob Martin with 15 points.  Third place was taken by Knight/ Lester (20 pts).  Rob Moran got his season started with a 4th place finish (25 pts), navigating for Herb Spencer.  In fifth and sixth, it was the navigating Rinkels; husband Mark (teamed with Ron Johnstonbaugh) bettered his wife Donna (running with Dave Harkcom) 44 to 62.

Moonlight Monte, Adrian, MI. March 13, 1999

Terry Palmer has moved his rally to this earlier date and adopted an old name for it.

The roads in this area of the state (south-central lower Michigan) are quite nondescript.  Other than a little snow in the fields, there wasn’t much to get excited about.  The route was clearly defined and the rally was well organized.

Harvey/ Mickle took the win (with 13 points).  Second were Gene Henderson and Bob Martin (17).  Third were Parps and Talcott (18).  Secor/Secor were fourth with 21.  Spencer/ Moran took fifth and the Harkcoms were sixth.

A Grand Adventure, Grand Rapids, MI. Apr 24, 1999

The roads were nice, as was the weather, for the third running of A Grand Adventure.  Some control locations were conspicuously placed while a few great locations were left untapped. 

The results show Harvey/Mickle taking the win with 6 points.  A tiebreaker was used to split second and third.  Parps/ Moran got the nod over Henderson/ Martin, even though both teams came home with 8 points.  Mark Henderson and Donna Rinkel took 4th with 15 points and the (father/son) Harkcoms were fifth with 21.

CAST In Stone, Howell, MI. May 15, 1999

Parps/ Lester took a narrow win over Harvey/ Mickle 19 to 20.  Next closest were Shue/ Townsend at 51.  Wittine and Talcott were fourth with 54 and the Harkcoms came in fifth with 65 points.  Rob Moran, by organizing CAST In Stone, assured himself equivalent points for his best finish in competition.  At the time of this rally it would only be second place points.  This was about to change.  While the Harco crew stayed home for the racing season, Rob Moran traveled to Wisconsin and Illinois for four more CenDiv rallies.

Press On Regardless, Boyne City, MI. Sept 10-12

The 50th anniversary POR is covered in depth in a later article.  Among CenDiv competitors, Greg Lester took second place points; Parps and Moran fourth place; and Gene Henderson fifth.

Johnny Appleseed, Canton, Ohio.  Oct 2, 1999

Greg Lester’s rally was better than ever.  The route was especially good, with lots of really fun transits.  It was sunny and warm with plenty of dust.  Somehow, the civilians seemed to be occupied with other things.  On many occasions the locals have been less than friendly toward the rally competitors.  This time there seemed to be no problems.

A new feature of this year’s Johnny Appleseed was the use of the “work-run” method for many controls.  The number of controls were significantly increased by having the competitors work as control crews.  The first car is waved off and placed at the control location.  The crew of that car then times all the remaining teams as they come in.  When all have come through, the control crew picks a new “out time” and resumes the rally.  If done properly it can really help the rally organizer.  It just adds a little complexity to the scoring.

Harvey/Mickle had a very clean rally and took the win by accumulating only 32 points.  Second place was taken by Parps and Moran with 67 points.  Third was Foster/ Secrest with 71. 

Thumbs Up, Imlay City, Michigan.  Nov. 13, 1999

Jim Mickle’s “Thumbs Up” rally would be celebrating its eleventh running in 1999.  Once on the national calendar, it has become a mainstay on the CenDiv schedule.  There is talk that this rally will return to the national calendar for 2000.  But for 1999, this rally decided several class championships in the Central Division of the SCCA as well as the Detroit Region’s championship.

Parps/Moran won which moved Dave into second place (Rob already had the championship) for the season.  Second were John Kormendi and Rick Shue.  This was John’s first rally in the states (after moving here from Canada).  It looks like we’ll have another tough competitor in this area in the near future.  Jeff and Deb Secor were third, after leading early in the rally.  Ken Swarm wrapped-up the limited class championship by winning the tie breaker in L.  Greg Lester was “along for the ride” to help Ken out.  Fekete and Shaffer were the unlucky team to lose the tie-breaker.  Stock was taken by Keith Ramsay and Donna Sytniak.  Kay and Bennett were second in S.   

 

A good part of the “Team” in Team Harco.  L-R: The Team Harco/ Dragon Lady rally Colt, the Team Harco/ Dragon Lady Talon, the Team Harco/ Dragon Lady/ Autometric autocross Colt.

 

1999 CenDiv Road Rally Championship Final Standings

Equipped Class

1              Rob Moran                             Detroit                    60

2              Dave Parps                             LOL                        58

3T           Scott Harvey Jr                       Detroit                    56

3T           Jim Mickle                              Detroit                    56

4              Greg Lester                             NeOhio                   33

5              Bob Martin                             Detroit                    32

6              Gene Henderson                     Detroit                    31

7              Herb Spencer                          NWOR                    28

8T           Daniel Harkcom                      Detroit                    26

8T           Dave Harkcom                        Detroit                    26

9T           Rick Shue                                Detroit                    18

9T           Mark Henderson                     Detroit                    18

10            Tim Winker                             LOL                        17

 

Limited Class

1              Ken Swarm                             NeOhio                   42

2T           Jim Fekete                               Detroit                    38

2T           Jim Shaffer                              Detroit                    38

3              Harry Ward                             NWOR                    24

4              Eric Jones                                OVR                        21

5T           David Benham                        NE Ohio                  20

5T           Thomas Benham                     Detroit                    20

6T           Greg Woodside                       Detroit                    16

6T           Tom Woodside                       Detroit                    16

7              Steve Phillips                          Indy                        14

8T           James Bialas                            LSR                         10

8T           Chuck Fortino                         Detroit                    10

8T           Jim Kloosterman                     Detroit                    10

8T           Greg Lester                             NeOhio                   10

 

Stock Class

1T           Richard Robinette                   Detroit                    56

1T           Richard Worden                      Detroit                    56

2              Mark Kleckner                        Detroit                    50

3              Brian Scott                              Detroit                    32

4T           Michael Bennett                     Detroit                    25

4T           Robert Kay                             Detroit                    25

5              Kevin Essenberg                     Detroit                    22

6              Keith Ramsay                         Detroit                    20

7              C. Rosenstengle                      WMR                      8

8T           John Gringrich                        NeOhio                   6

8T           Bill Yarroch                             LSR                         6

8T           Michael Yarroch                     LSR                         6

 

Team Harco Online!!

Well not exactly.  But if we were, it would look a lot like the site that Mark “Skip” Kleckner is working on.  Skip has been kind enough to post quite a number of shots of the Harco Colts.  You can get there by going here:  www.tir.com/~kleckner/

The proud owner of a ’74 Colt rally car, Skip has collected a lot of information on the model.  Contacts with several owners in Australia make this site all the more interesting.

And if you like clever rhetoric, try the Intergalactic Cosmic Satch Carlson web site:  www.alaska.net/~satch/  From there you could check out his “vintage” rally story.  Our friend Satch is quite the cunning linguist.  He wrote a wonderful column some years ago for AutoWeek.  It was the primary reason they were able to sell me a subscription.

Check out www.detroit-scca.org too.  Lots of good stuff.

Detroit Region Rallies

Son of Sno*Drift, White Lake, MI, Jan 23, 1999

The editor of this publication organized the first running of Son of Sno*Drift.  It was felt that a winter rally was missing from the Detroit region Road Rally schedule, so I volunteered to put one on.  The rally drew 21 teams and all but one finished.  Eighty percent of the entrants were in either the Stock or Novice class.  The weather turned warm a couple weeks before the rally and most of the snow and ice melted off the roads.  The speeds had been intended to be brisk for winter driving conditions.  As it was, they turned out to be a little sedate for the muddy roads that were encountered.

Gene Henderson and Rob Moran took the win with Dave and Daniel Harkcom placing second.  There were no unfavorable comments that I heard from the competitors or workers.

Even the Dragon Lady had a hand in the running of this rally, as she helped work two controls.  Her exposure to rallying has made an impact.  She has since, while at a dealership, noticed a poster of a flying Subaru.  Apparently her thoughts at the time were “Wouldn’t Team Harco like a rally car like that?”  The answer is YES!

Some good suggestions were offered on improving future events.  It was a satisfying accomplishment for the organizers.  Now it is hoped that this rally will grow in popularity and take a deserving place with the rest of the fine events on the Detroit Region rally schedule.  Son of Sno*Drift II is scheduled for January 15th, 2000.

 

Moonlight Monte, Adrian, MI. March 13, 1999

A Detroit Region and CenDiv rally.  See the CenDiv Review for more details.

 

A Grand Adventure, Grand Rapids, MI. Apr 24, 1999

An event presented by the Western Michigan Region - A Grand Adventure - counts toward both the Detroit Region and the CenDiv rally championships.  See the CenDiv Review for more details.

 

CAST In Stone, Howell, MI. May 15, 1999

A Detroit Region and CenDiv rally.  See the CenDiv Review for more details.

 

Dawnbuster, Ann Arbor, MI. June 19-20, 1999

The Detroit Region’s traditional all night endurance rally saw the pairing of Scott Harvey and John Gingrich in the Team Harco/ Dragon Lady Talon.  The two work together

 

during the week as suppliers on a program with the Ford Motor Company.  They have many meetings together and learned of their respective interest in rallying.  It worked out that the two did not have partners for this rally.  John has a great deal of experience as a navigator in his native state of Ohio.  He opined that this, all night, format of rallying was more to his liking anyway, as opposed to the shorter, daylight rallies that are popular.  We decided to run in “L” as John likes to use the Curta and I have only an Alfa Pro (“B” box) rally odometer for use in the Talon.

We worked well together and were able to take the class win in Limited and also claim second overall.  The dusk-to-dawn rally used some excellent roads and very brisk speeds.  The only bad thing about this rally was the lack of mileaged instructions.  Until Richard Worden’s philosophy changes - the Harco team will likely work this event in the future.

 

August Madness, Grand Blanc, MI. Aug 14-15, 1999

Mark “Skip” Kleckner has taken this rally a little further north and later into the night.  Not quite an all night rally, it has moved to a finish early in the morning.  This rally seems to be headed in a more rural direction.  Which is to say, further away from populated areas and later into the night.  Not long ago, August Madness was a short, daylight rally with few really challenging roads.  My perception is that “Skip” wants to make this a mini-POR.

I’m all for it.

The following is an excerpt from the story “Skip” wrote:

“Taking the overall win, and first in E class was the duo of Shue and Townsend in the SHO with 10 points over 10 controls.  This was the same winning score from last year.  They barely edged out Harkcom/Lester, who were gearing up for the Finger Lakes 1000/Historic NY.  Harvey/Mickle missed two pauses to come in third.  If not for those missed pauses, they would have won with a score of 5 points!

 

Limited class had only one entry.  The "Jims" had a SNAFU in the first half that gave them 74 points on Leg 2.

They redeemed themselves by winning the second half of the rally overall with four points over five controls.

 

Stock was closely contested with Worden/Robinette edging out the usual crowd by Kay/Bennett by only 13 points, and Ramsay/Sytniak by only 21 points.  The newlywed Essenburgs had a respectable score of 249 running pure seat-of-pants!  These stock competitors are getting serious; Worden's SAAB was sporting brand new Hakkas, and Kay's Contour had some chunky RE43's that could have belonged to a tractor.”

 

Couldn’t have put it any better myself.

Press On Regardless, Boyne City, MI, Sept. 10-12

The complete story, and scores, were published in the Nov-Dec issue of the Detroit Region’s newsletter, Open Exhaust.  Of special note; an edited version of your humble scribe’s story ran in the national magazine, SportsCar.  The December 1999 issue included a small banner on the cover, two full pages of article and all of the photos which were sent with the article.  All the fun and personal anecdotes were eliminated.  But a good portion of the sloppy punctuation was cleaned-up. The less politically correct version is here for your reading enjoyment.

Of interest in the points championship, the Team Harco crew of Scott Harvey, Jr and Bryan Murphy won the Vintage class.  Unable to match their second overall placement from 1998, the team did enjoy the 50th anniversary running of the old rally.  It must be said, though, that we long for the really tough and challenging aspects that have made the Press On Regardless rally such a legend.

Thumbs Up, Imlay City, MI. Nov. 13, 1999

Thumbs Up is also another CenDiv and Detroit Region Championship event.  See “CenDiv Rally Review” for more.

1999 Detroit Region Road Rally Championship Final Standings

Overall Points (all classes)

                Name                                       points                      # scores

1              Scott Harvey Jr                       64                            7                 2           Rob Moran                             57                            7                 3                Richard Worden                      55                            6                 4           Richard Robinette                   51                            6                 5T                Michael Bennett                     45                            6              5T           Robert Kay                             45                            6                6            Jim Mickle                     44                            5                7            Mark Kleckner                        40                            5              8T           Jim Fekete                               38                            4                8T         Jim Shaffer                              38                            4                9            David Harkcom                       36.8                                7                10          Kevin Essenburg                     35                            6

Equipped Class

1              Rob Moran                             48                            5                 2T        Scott Harvey                           44                            5                 2T        Jim Mickle                     44                            5                 3           David Harkcom                       32                            5                4            Daniel Harkcom                      27                            5                  5          Mark Henderson                     17.6                         5                6            Bob Martin                             16                                2

Limited Class

1T           Jim Fekete/ Jim Shaffer           38                            4                 2           Tom Wooside                         16                            2                 3           Scott Harvey                    10                            1                 4           Greg Woodside                       8                              1                

 

 

Stock Class

1              Richard Worden                      50                           5                 2           Richard Robinette                   46                            5                 3T        Bob Kay/Mike Bennett  40                            5                 3T        Mark Kleckner                        40                            5                 4           Kevin Essenburg                     32                            5                 5           Keith Ramsay                         28                            4                6            Brian Scott                              16                                2               

A Good Year on Hoosiers     (Or was it Hoosyears?)

1999 was a great season at the track for the Team Harco/ Autometric/ Dragon Lady Colt.  The term “track” must be used loosely here, as most autocrosses are really on courses laid out on large areas of concrete (or asphalt).  It sounded good though.

At the track, the Waterford Hills race track, the little Colt kicked butt again.  July 3rd the Michigan Sports Car Club had the track.  The Corvette Club of Michigan had it on their traditional 4th of July date.  Both days the little Colt dominated its class and surprised its share of non-believers.  It’s a lot of fun beating up on those poor little Corvettes.

Class championships in the Detroit Council (DCSCC) series and the Detroit SCCA series marked a return to the “double play” we’ve won now, 5 of the last 6 years.  Throw in the two Fastest Time of Day runs (see cover) in the DCSCC season and a first place at the CenDIv Solo II in Grand Blanc, and you have some strong highlights.

A fourth place listing in the CenDiv championship is a step up, as the team ran three events (of 8) in the series.  The target is still the “Honda from Hell”.  The boys from HART have the backing of Honda racing.  Something that Team Harco can not claim.  The HART boys are so strong they claimed 2nd and 3rd at the 1999 Solo II National Championship.

A huge in-flux of cash and parts would be needed for the little Colt to be as thoroughly developed as the HART Honda is.  Suspension, engine, drivetrain, and the fuel system would all have to be re-engineered to be competitive with that car.

Until that happens we will continue to have fun and keep winning at the regional level.  Continuing development is occurring, though not on a grand scale.  Two new racing tires were purchased in 1999.  Soft-compound Goodyear racing slicks, they were.  They were so sticky that I had the car up on two wheels several times at the CenDiv Solo at Perrysburg (OH).  A quick survey of the scene revealed that all the vehicle’s weight is in the driver’s seat.

In the “continuing development” column, be sure to include that ballast has been added to the right side of the car (toward the rear, of course).

 

The Team Harco/Dragon Lady/Autometric Colt in action at the Detroit Region’s Season Ender Solo at Milford.  Photo by Norman Graham (Oct. 17,1999)

Another significant development is the addition of an air dam.  While its actual performance enhancement is debatable, its change to the front of the car, is not.  I think it gives the car a little more aggressive look, plus it provides room for more sponsor space (for dragons, for example) and my favorite tire brands - “Goodier” and “Hoosyear”.

Speaking of tires - they are the largest factor between winning and losing.  Those FTDs did not come on worn tires.  The 1999 season has ended with lots of worn tires.  The 2000 season will hinge on how well we can allocate resources toward the purchase of new tires.

A Tale of Two Talons

I used this article title last year, not knowing how much more appropriate it would be this year.  Last year it was in reference to the schizophrenic behavior of the Team Harco/ Dragon Lady Talon.  I am happy to report the “Ultimate Rally Machine” is doing well and chalking-up rally wins throughout the region.  To paraphrase, that great intellectual Curly Howard: “It’s one of the best rally cars in the country --- if not the city.”  With 160,000 miles on the odometer the URM has a new name --- “Eagle 1”.

The reason for this treason?  Well, there may be a new ultimate rally machine in the Harco stable.  It is known as “Talon 2”.  This car is nearly identical to “Eagle 1”, though a year older.  It’s a 1990 model with AWD, a 2.0 liter turbo engine, a 5-speed, about 135, 000 miles and, almost, best of all, it’s red.

It really started with the purchase of a roll cage from Steve Gingras, at the 1999 Sno*Drift ProRally.  At the cost, I figured I could get my money’s worth somehow.  A month later, Al Zifilippo gave me a lead on a used Talon with the stuff I wanted.  We talked them down a little and made the deal.  I drove the car home a week later and parked it in the drive for two months.

The first thing that came off (after the oil drain plug) was the timing belt.  It looked good - the oil did not.  All engine belts, the tensioner, tensioner pulleys and bearings, water pump and oil cooler lines were replaced with new Mitsubishi parts.  All hoses, filters, fluids were replaced.  The engine was ready to be started again by June.  The cage was bolted in - at the expense of the windshield.

After a while, the car was made legal for the road.  More miles on the car revealed how poor the brakes were.  It had been the intention all along to completely rebuild the brake system, but the system’s condition was quite unsafe.  The suspension would also be of primary importance.  This car, after all, is destined to be a ProRally car.

Now you’ve done it!!  The cage had to be the first clue.  The bill for the racing seat, the rally lights and those bloody rally shocks really confirmed it.  This is no small-time undertaking.  The work involved in converting a stock vehicle into a car that just meets the rules - let alone one that is expected to be competitive in its class - is enormous.

I could bore you with the details, but … oh what the hell, I will anyway.  The engine is stock.  Compression is good, turbo is likely shot.  Internally, nothing has been touched.  Externally, all potential service items have been replaced (with the exception of the radiator - no spare, yet, either).  The alternator has been upgraded to a 90 amp unit.  The upgraded battery has a 925 CCA rating.  Driving lights (two Cibie Oscar SC driving beams, one Cibie Apollo Turini pencil beam and a similar Turini cornering lamp) were custom wired to a switch panel in the dash. A master switch can kill power to these circuits as well as that of the navigator’s map light.  The circuit to the rally odometer (an Alfa Pro) is isolated to reduce the risk of voltage spikes scrambling its brains.

Rules require mud flaps at the rear wheels, and any driven wheel.  I guess that’s all four on this beast.  Some nice polysomething material was used; and they look mean.  Plus they can really flap a lot of mud.  A harder, polycarbonate, material was used to protect the under-chassis brake and fuel lines.  A cushion of kids’ swimming “noodles” was zip-tied between the tubes and the polycarbonate sheets.  The same principal (some call it the “KISS” principal) was used for fuel tank protection.

Tow hooks (another rules mandated item) were found cowering in a corner of the garage.  These babies are from a full size GMC truck, so you know they must be good.  The rear hook bolted right to the bumper (after a couple of holes were drilled, and I finally found the nut inside the bumper).  The front needed a little more finesse.

A quick install/remove light mount had been devised.  The front hook was modified to nicely integrate with one of the light mounts.  These mounts were two plates which came from one of my Colts.  Their use in a prior life was to tie the vehicle to its transport device.  Excess weight for the Colt is now serving a useful purpose on T2.  Some nice welding by Mike (Skip’s friend) made things beautiful.  Mike even re-welded the roll cage, remember the windshield?  A weld had to be cut to get the rear portion of the cage into the car.  Insurance has since taken care of the windshield.

The brakes were completely rebuilt.  A rebuilt master cylinder, rebuilt front calipers, new rotors and the set of rear calipers that Akebono contributed in 1998 have all been installed.  BBA Friction (material) is on all four corners.  This car stops!  A rear limited slip differential unit was obtained from Brian Scott (also campaigning a Talon in ProRally).  A set of GAB rally shocks and struts were ordered and have been installed.  Proper rally springs have not been obtained, as yet.  With the first rally for Talon 2, a winter rally, special springs have been considered non-essential.  The dampers are incredibly firm even with the stock springs in place.

The clutch slave cylinder and master cylinders were rebuilt.  The transmission is suspect.  The fluid was contaminated at the time of its draining.  Shifting is not bad, but this component has proven to be the weak link when this car is used in competition.

 

The latest addition to the Team Harco stable – “Talon 2”.  Lots of good parts and lots of cash.

 

An overriding logic applies here; the first outing is a winter rally.  We’ll try to go easy on the gearbox and look for upgrades later.  The need for traction far exceeds our expectation of speed.  Wheels and tires are therefore getting priority over a new turbocharger.  Blizzak winter ice tires have been selected.

A lot of work has gone in to this car, but a great deal remains if it is to be proven a contender.  We’ll know more after the 2000 Sno*Drift ProRally.  (January 28-29,  Atlanta, MI)

 

Looking Ahead

After a great season, you must always look to the future.  The new year (decade, century, millennium, etc) could be a watershed, breakthrough, classic (insert your own superlative here …..) year for Team Harco Motorsports. 

There is a lot to look forward to.  The proven results with the autocross car.  (How does the “Red Rocker” sound?).  The many wins with the road rally Talon (“Eagle 1”, nee “the Ultimate Rally Machine”).  The good results with the rally Colt (No clever name here).  All proven winners. 

Now there is a new bird in the nest.  There is no doubt; the performance potential of “Talon 2” will be under scrutiny for the next few years.  If things go as planned, it should be a vehicle that can be taken to some good placements in the PGT class of the ProRally series.  “Out of the box”, stock, it has so much more performance than the, heavily modified, Colt I have been rallying since 1981.  (And it was used, to good effect, for its first few years, beginning in 1975).  I am really looking forward to running this car and, hopefully, developing it into the winner it should be.

Not to get too engrossed in this T2 business, here is a look back at last year’s “Looking Ahead” segment:

“The 1999 Team Harco calendar looks a lot like it did last year.  If anything, the level of competition will continue to escalate and our goals will also be aimed high.  Better showings in the CenDiv Solo events, and repeat regional championships are planed for 1999.  More Pro Rally events and repeat championships in road rally are also targeted for the new year.  High on the list of wishes, is to win the Detroit Region rally championship.  It has been even more elusive than winning the Divisional Championship.  We also expect to go after the National Championship at the USRRC (United States Road Rally Challenge).  The Talon was out of commission in November, 1998 and the team of Harvey/Mickle had to withdraw their entry.”

The predictions came true in all but one obvious area.  We did not contest the USRRC.  For 1999 it was held near San Francisco, California.  2000 may be our year; the RoadRally Challenge will be run in Wisconsin.  (A little closer to home).

“With the continued support of our friends and sponsors, we are confidant that 1999 can be an even better year than 1998.”

Look at that.  Can I just plug-in 2000 and 1999 for the years?

 

 

Thank You

I am very grateful to all those who have helped with our efforts.  There are many new friends and helpers this year.  As usual, most of the loyal supporters are back and I want to thank you all.

The “Dragon Lady” (Sue Vartanian) has really stepped up her support of Team Harco.  Her financial contributions have been the biggest reason that “Talon 2” has been on schedule for its competition debut.  (Sno*Drift ProRally)

The work involved in creating a race car is daunting.  The costs are staggering.  Thanks to the Dragon Lady, a great number of the essential parts and components have been obtained.

The other facets of the Team Harco program have also benefited from “Dragon dollars”.  New tires for the autocross Colt, preparation and expenses for POR, Sno*Drift and the other rallies can all be credited to the Dragon Lady.

Still more dragons are showing up on the Harco vehicles when they go into competition.  Three little “classy” dragons made their appearance on the new air dam of the autocross Colt.  The newest Talon is expected to have the “full dragon jacket” on before Sno*Drift.  Thank you Dragon Lady!!

Autometric Body Shops came back for 1999.  Larry Smith, of Autometric, has been a great supporter of our autocross efforts.  A very nice contribution helped Team Harco run an expended schedule and aided in the two championships claimed.

Autometric is one of the finest body shops in the Detroit area.  There are several locations to serve.  I have firsthand experience at the Pontiac (Bloomfield) branch.  You cannot believe the vehicles that go through this place.  Ferraris, Porsches, Lamborghinis, Aston Martins, you name it.  This particular office is advertised as the “German Car Specialists”.  There is no doubt.  The Mercedes, the Porsches, the BMWs, the Audis.  It’s incredible.  The fact that the owners of these cars trust them to Autometric is all that needs to be said.

Thank you, Mr. Smith.  Please don’t forget us.  We’ll never forget you.

Jim Mickle has taught me as much about road rally as anyone.  Not only from a competitors point of view, but also as an organizer.  His leadership, by example, is unmatched in the world of TSD rallying.  As teammates, we have won a high percentage of the events we have entered.  On a more selfish level, Jim, I thank you for this.

This is a repeat from last year.  I can’t say it any better.  Thank you Jim.

Bryan Murphy has won the Vintage class for us at POR the last two years. This guy is the consummate rally guy.  Time and location have been a problem for Bryan for about a year or so.  Not being in town, or not having time in the schedule, have kept him away from a lot of the rallies he used run or organize.  Somehow he finds time for POR though.  Thank you, Bryan.

Al Zifilippo is as much a friend as a teammate. We have shared some great times together since teaming-up on our first rally in 1992.  For 1999 Al and I teamed-up for Sno*Drift.  He said he had a good time.  I did too, but I would have preferred a less dramatic result.

Thanks Al for the sighting of the Talon which is now “Talon 2”.  We worked out a deal and then I went to work on converting it to a rally car.

Al also came out for some autocross action in the “Red Rocker”.  Let’s just say he looks good in red.

Thank you to Al and Mary Zifilippo’s friends, Mike and Marsha Wilson, of Atlanta, Michigan.  These folks graciously let us into their home while we were there for the ’99 Sno*Drift Pro Rally.

Mark “Skip” Kleckner has been a close comrade for a while.  Then he bought Al Zifilippo’s rally Colt.  We are now sharing parts, contacts and information.

“Skip” has taken some great photos of the Colts in action and has enjoyed the driving experience that is the “Red Rocker”.  Taken by the explosive power that the autocross Colt possesses, “Skip” has contracted an Australian engine builder to provide him with a trick 1600 rally engine for his Colt.

“Skippy” has become so enamored with the Colt he has devoted a great deal of his web site to the model.  (See “Team Harco Online”.)

Randy Kent at Moran Mitsubishi has been my fourth dependent.  Thankfully he is giving me a better break than the government is.  If you need parts for your DSM or other Mitsubishi product you should check here first.  Ask for Randy.  Just don’t tell him you know me J.

Chris Watson of BBA Friction has provided three full sets of their excellent brake linings for the Talon.  T2 has had a complete brake overhaul.  Along with the BBA friction material and my own rebuild of the front calipers, a set of rebuilt rear calipers were installed.  The rear calipers were left over from the full set of calipers that Christa Patterson of Akebono donated in 1998.  This combination of new (rebuilt) calipers and aggressive linings has resulted in the greatest braking performance I have experienced in a Talon.  Thank you Chris and Christa.

I hope Allen Hewitt stays in his current house for a long time to come.  This will allow me to maintain possession of his tire machine.  This is one of the most used pieces of equipment in the Harco garage.  Thank you Allen.  Please don’t move.

 

Lee Kesh and Ray Zeigler, at the Lawrence Tech fabrication lab, have helped in many ways.  These guys help with those little jobs that are too big for the Harco garage.  Sand blasting of the T2 calipers was the most recent work.  A nice bag of (quality blasting) sand was donated which went to use on the vintage magnesium Minilights that the rally Colt uses.  Thank you, gentlemen, for your assistance.

John Gingrich for cranking the Curta, all night long, at Dawnbuster.