1998 Van Diemen RF98/2 FC Honda "Groot" and 14' Trailer

[pleavens]

SOLD

Thanks Apexspeed

“Groot” is my 1998 Van Diemen RF98/2 FC converted to FF spec with Honda power in 2014. Since my purchase, I have run the car in 3 seasons of autocross and 1 hillclimb event. The car is extremely competitive in autocross running top scratch times at the 2018 SCCA national championships, but could easily be returned to road race trim. I am selling to make room for a Stohr sports racer.

-Honda Fit conversion (2014)
-LD200 gearbox
-Penske 3-way adjustable shocks (rebuilt & dynoed by Guy Ankeny 2017)
-Medina Spares “fork” style front and rear sway bars
-1 set OZ Magnesium wheels (wheels new in 2018, set used Hoosier R25B)
-2 sets OZ Aluminum wheels (one set new 2018 Hoosier Rains, one set used Hoosier R25B)
-1 set travel wheels
-Full set of alignment rod carriers front and rear with rods, strings and weights
-Misc speciality tools included
-Original “T” style sway bars with cockpit adjuster for front bar
-SCCA Logs (2007) and newer manuals from Honda conversion

Location: Chehalis, WA
Contact: Phil Leavens (360) 740-4472 9-5 weekdays (Pacific time)

Photo Gallery
https://drive.google.com/drive/folde...BLqU0AiG4t3w9F

Upgrades for Autocross Use

1) Wheelbase Shortening
The car has Medina Rear A-Arm Mounts to shorten the wheelbase to 102”. I have the original mounts but the Medina mounts also have a setting to emulate the original arm position.

2) Steering Arms
The car has a set of shortened arms installed (with a second set of spares) to speed up the steering, while providing 100% Ackerman. We've used these arms at speeds up to 100mph and found the car to still be stable. I do not have the stock arms but new arms are available through Primus racing for either full or zero Ackerman.
https://www.primusracingparts.com/Fr...yle_p_389.html

3) Fixed First Gear
2.8462:1 Fixed First from Taylor that could be removed and sold separately if not needed. Standard slider shaft comes with car.
https://www.taylor-race.com/1337-ratio-2846-fixed-first


Gearing
Top gears installed: 16/35 - 18/34 - 19/32
Extra gears included: 14/36 - 15/30 - 16/31 - 18/32 - 21/31 - 21/25

Trailer Also Available

2014 MTI 14x7 + “V Nose” Trailer
Aluminum Construction
E-Track on Floor
Remote electric winch
Race Ramps

Price for the car: $29,500
Trailer: $3,800

[OneWayOut]

Is that a handheld fire bottle mounted outside the car?

[lowside67]

It is - we do not run a fire system for autocross which the car is used 99% of the time for. That was a one time chance for us to run a hillclimb and the rules just required a "hard mounted portable extinguisher" so that was the easy button!

-Mark

[pleavens]

Deposit in hand on car and trailer.

[t walgamuth]

It is - we do not run a fire system for autocross which the car is used 99% of the time for. That was a one time chance for us to run a hillclimb and the rules just required a "hard mounted portable extinguisher" so that was the easy button!

-Mark

The video of the hill climb took my breath away!

[lowside67]

The video of the hill climb took my breath away!

It’s better when you are sitting lower, you can’t see the cliffs

-Mark

[t walgamuth]

It is - we do not run a fire system for autocross which the car is used 99% of the time for. That was a one time chance for us to run a hillclimb and the rules just required a "hard mounted portable extinguisher" so that was the easy button!

-Mark

I just watched this again and it took my breath away again! With all the trees it looked like the sixties again!

[billtebbutt]

I just watched this again and it took my breath away again! With all the trees it looked like the sixties again!

I admire the driver's courage. There's not a chance i would run that course, let alone that hard/fast and aggressively, in a formula car.... Or, perhaps, any race car.

best,
BT

[lowside67]

I admire the driver's courage. There's not a chance i would run that course, let alone that hard/fast and aggressively, in a formula car.... Or, perhaps, any race car.

best,
BT

It might be foolhardiness rather than courage! I am looking forward to returning, seeking the overall hill record in my new Stohr (or Phil's if he lets me borrow his!)

Cheers
Mark

[TimH]

It might be foolhardiness rather than courage! I am looking forward to returning, seeking the overall hill record in my new Stohr (or Phil's if he lets me borrow his!)

Yikes! That's a whole 'nother dimension of sphincter tone.

[scorp997]

this is an event I have yet to run, hillclimbs are really not my thing

I have been told by many people who have done this event that if you go off, make sure it is to driver’s right!! Apparently the tow rig’s cable isn’t long enough to reach cars when they go too far off!

I admire the driver's courage. There's not a chance i would run that course, let alone that hard/fast and aggressively, in a formula car.... Or, perhaps, any race car.

best,
BT

[Rick Kirchner]

this is an event I have yet to run, hillclimbs are really not my thing

I have been told by many people who have done this event that if you go off, make sure it is to driver’s right!! Apparently the tow rig’s cable isn’t long enough to reach cars when they go too far off!

It won't matter. the car will burn up in the ensuing grass fire.....

[t walgamuth]

It won't matter. the car will burn up in the ensuing grass fire.....

Put up some guard rails and I'd run it...prolly.

[Lynn]

No Gloves?

[scorp997]

I was thinking the same thing, Sovren is usually pretty strict on safety gear.

No Gloves?

[pleavens]

Different club, (NHA) different rules. Much more casual event than it's being made out to be.


Phil

[pleavens]

Having said the above, if/when I do run my WF1 on this hill, it will be with full gear. The FF was far less likely to have a big off, more of a fast Sunday drive than a "race" per se.


Phil

[t walgamuth]

...yes, but still....