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1978 - The Sunbeam followed on next. Sticky
was pipped at the post by Londoner Ted Allen to being the
first Hot Rodder to race a Sunbeam but Allen's had the Ford
1700cc Kent engine tucked in front whilst Sticky was working
with an orginal Chrysler powerplant. The car debuted with
a black paintjob before finally appearing in white with a
single black stipe just under the windows. The car was again
prepared by Dan Doherty and had backing from Smiths Engineering
Works.
The Sunbeam became quite a successful 'Rod.
Ted Allen's car also did quite well and there were other notable
examples from Noel Robinson (another Ulster racer), Rod Birley,
Andy Hardy and Alan Dent.
Sticky's final Sunbeam sported a new number
- 988. With Hot Rod racing now at something of a peak, a national
numbering system was adopted. The West Country (Autospeed)
drivers were allocated the 700 series, the Scots got the 800's
whilst the Irish drivers picked up the 900's. The car also
attracted backing from one of the Talbot main dealers who
assisted Sticky with spare parts and the like.
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The 411 Escort
