What's a Sidewinder?
From Oval News magazine
Well, besides being a North African snake that moves in the
manner its name suggests, it's also a Midget racomg car.
Down in Sussex, Newhaven to be precise, a chap by the name
of Rick Stevens is building the latest in Midget racers. Rick
(who used to build the Pringett Mistrale Formula Ford) has
produced a very light rear engined racer with a wedge shaped
body, available in kit form.
The car features and full space frame chassis with a detachable
tubular subframe at the rear to carry the BMC 'A' Series transverse
engine/gear box unit and rear suspension. The suspension is
fully adjustable all round, via rose joints, etc, and the
car is suspended on adjustable coil/spring damper units. It's
all included in the kit! The two piece wedge shaped body is
moulded in fibre glass and designed for quick removal (and
quick replacement).
The prototype car, Spedeworth No 69, driven by Bill Boarer
won its first three races, the first of which was straight
from the drawing board, the car having only done four laps
of Ipswich stadium beforehand. In practice at the Aldershot
Stadium, Bill got down to 14.6 secs (Mr Lee watch out!) which
shows the car has plenty of potiential; Bill not liking the
Aldershot track very much.
The car has a very advanced specification and is therefore
equally suited to other forms of racing, e.g. Hillclimbing,
Sprinting, etc. The works car having won its first two Midget
races, straight from the drawing board in the hands of Spedeworth
driver Bill Boarer.
Sidewinder special components kit consists of:-
