Description:

Porsche 924 Championship cars were built to very tight regulations, with strict modifications to mechanical components and bodywork. Engine modifications were restricted to a specific camshaft profile and injection 'tweaks', and the horsepower of every car was dyno checked to ensure within a set limit. Gearbox and final drive were standard 924, and brakes were original disc / drum with only supplementary cooling and different friction material allowed. Suspension modifications were allowed, using adjustable dampers, uprated springs and anti roll bars from other Porsche models. Wheels were 15" x 7" alloys fitted with specific size and compound Toyo 888 tyres. With much attention paid to ride height, camber and track settings, this combined with the 924's virtually equal front/rear weight distribution gave the cars superb handling and close racing.

I purchased 'Tango' around 2009 with a specific race in mind, a 6hr endurance event at Snetterton in 2010. However, the car needed far more work than anticipated to be race ready, and it was 2011 before Tango reached the start line of the same event. Work included a gearbox rebuild, engine rebuild, re-wiring, new hub bearings, brake discs and drums. I also purchased 4 new additional 15" x 7" Compomotive wheels, and fitted one set with soft compound tyres and one set with medium.

Tango finished the 6hr race despite a fuel pressure issue, resolved by replacing the high pressure pump. Unfortunately we didn't have a spare, but luckily it was a Saturday so one of the crew made a 40 mile round trip to buy one! The car proved remarkably easy to drive, the word 'foolproof' coming to mind, so we were encouraged to have another go....

One year later Tango started the same race again, this time with two pumps in parallel and a changeover switch. Of course there was no issue this time, and the car ran like clockwork for 6hrs, finishing 3rd o/a in the GT/Saloon category. After the race, tyres and brakes were only half worn, and the fuel consumption calculated to be as good as some road cars! Just for fun, in September we took Tango to Spa for a 1hr race, finishing well but yearning for another 100bhp to go with the handling!

The 4th and final race for Tango in my ownership was at Donington in 2013, another endurance event. This time, our entry was for charity, with guest drivers including professional GT / sportscar peddler Andy Meyrick and voice of Radio Le Mans, John Hindaugh. Sadly,  a broken accelerator pedal and overheating spoiled any chance of a good result, but once again, Tango finished, and not last! On inspection back at base, oil was found in the cooling system, suggesting head gasket failure or worse....

Fast forward to this winter, when I finally got round to removing the engine and stripping for inspection. The problem turned out to be a cracked cylinder head, the result scored bores and maybe more. Luckily my spares included a very healthy short engine and a 'scrapper' complete unit that gave up it's cylinder head for the rebuild. This turned out to be in good health also, just requiring cleaning up, valves re-seating and new stem oil seals. After fitting the 'new' unit, it started up easily and is running very sweetly, although the car has NOT been track tested.

Full car spec- Body shell from early 80s 924. (Has VIN but no documents.) Painted Porsche Continental Orange, no rot, but naturally some dings, dents and scuffs, and a little surface rust from stone damage. But for a circa 35 year old shell, it's very good. It has a welded in full roll cage fitted. (The car is offered for sale still with the sponsorship decals from Donington, but these are normal type removeable stickers.) Screen is excellent laminated type, other windows are plastic, side ones renewed when I rebuilt the car. Rear hatchback centre section is a little cloudy in one place, but doesn't interfere with rear vision. The seat is a Sparco Evo2 Plus (wider than normal Evo), set on runners to allow for different drivers. It is an FIA homologated type, and the 'Expiration' date was end of 2015, so it may be that for some racing it would need to be changed. Belts are TRS 6 point, and again, have an 'Expiry' date at end of 2015, so the same applies. The steering wheel is a quick release type, new when I rebuilt the car, and makes getting in and out of the car much easier! Fire extinguisher is a Lifeline electrical plumbed in system. The bottle was new in 2010 and is due a service July this year. As mentioned above, there are 2 sets of Compomotive rims, one with half worn soft  888s and one with mediums. There are also another 8 half worn medium compound tyres (loose) included. One other point, the exhaust system is based on a 924 road car's and is therefore never going to bother the noise police! I have a stillage full of mostly used spares, including radiator, rack, wishbones, front uprights and smaller stuff that is included in the sale. Purchaser can also have all the spare engine parts, broken or otherwise, with pleasure! I have lots more photos to show, including some taken of the 'new' engine build- please email a request.

In conclusion, Tango is the cheapest race car I have owned or driven, and has given more fun per £ than almost anything! Will be sad to see the old war-horse go, but other projects are waiting....