Hi All,

I have for years been interested in events such as the Kidney Kar Rally and Variety Club Bash and this last weekend acquired a taste of what competing is like and want more.

I have for long noticed a decided lack of volkswagen representation amongst the competitors cars in these events and feel compelled to do something about it!

I was thinking of bolting on a Baja kit and bumpers to a stock standard 1961 K&L swingarm beetle I have sitting out back (donor car). The beetle would need to be raised a couple of inches and have bash plates welded in. I was thinking a 1641cc motor would provide the required reliability and power.

Anyway, having no experience in off-road beetles I was hoping to gain any advice/knowledge anyone can impart. For starters am I better off starting with a ball-joint or irs pan? etc.

The Kidney Kar Rally and the like are predominantly endurance events so I'm hoping to avoid major alterations, just something that can take being driven on back roads for several thousand km's at a time and have the clearance to negotiate some tricky fire trails.

Cheers,

Tim.

I know of 4 vws that went in the qld variety club rally last year. I think VWMA did a short articel on it. and i also here there may be a articel coming out in VWMA that may be of inerest to you.

I wanna go as a co-pilot Would be great fun and its for a worthy cause

I've gone on the last three great endeavour rallies and had a ball. This we have build a 1960 BAJA powered by a ea81 and will be leaving for the rally in July. We will be travelling Kingaroy to Coffs Harbour vai Tasmania. We cover approx 5000ks in tendays with 90% being offroad. Its great fun and is for a great cause. Will pos some pictures once the car is finished.

BJ

keep it as stock as possible. just cut it and whack the baja kit on. make sure u have some good tow points. stock 1600 twin port should be fine.

maybe do something about a bigger fuel tank. some nice comfy seats. take the rear seat out and make sure u have alot of spare parts.

maybe turn the rear up a couple of splines but u probobly wouldnt have to. run some big rubber. and you are set.

still hinting there vern... lol u know u are th co-pilot when the time comes for the beast to come out to play


steff........................

I am looking for as much practice as I can get

Those pics would be awesome thanks BJ.

I have heard about turning the rear splines - anyone know of a good tech article on the net or have one handy?

Would it be necessary or recommended to go with a rear IRS conversion? I am thinking that bigger rubber and turning the rear splines would give me the 2-3 inches lift that I'd like. How does that kind of setup handle?

So far the shopping list reads:
Baja Kit,
Comfy Seats,
Big Rubber,
Custom fuel tank,
6 point Rollbar,
Front, rear and side bars (i have this thing about hitting trees),

A BIG windscreen washer bottle...

Sorry vern but the co-pilot seat's being fought over by my brothers already.

I just found this on the variety club website and noticed the sticker over the drivers window. Any leads on who this might be?

[Edited on 1-3-2005 by 68beetle]

[Edited on 1-3-2005 by 68beetle]

I was thinking of getting some of those tear-offs the motorcross guys use. The windscreen aint that big after all....

yes- the acr was built with support from micks motors and help from the VWDCQ. that was the second year it went in the rally. It runs a 1600cc motor iam spretty sure. Old dubber from here should be able to spread more light on the issue as iam sure he helped with the work.

Thanks for that.

I've just sent Old Dubber a U2U to see if he wants to offer any advice.

Tim

Have replied to U2U - give me a call

Grahame

Thanks Grahame - I'll try and call this weekend.

Funny that i made my mind up to do this last weekend and so far this week have been donated 2 complete beetles. Fate perhaps??