The 1985/86 Van Diemen was produced in record numbers and continues to be a favorite of those who have driven it. SCCA's SportsCar magazine listed the car as one of the best used Formula Ford buys in it's review of modern FF's several years ago. The car's success may be it's strong and protective frame design. Van Diemen has been a large producer of sturdy school cars and it seems that this heritage has continued to the present. The '85 model has front rocker arm suspension with bell-crank damper actuation in front. A generous front track width keeps the car steady in cornering. The rear also features rocker arm technology. Dual, side-mounted radiators keep the engine cool. The transaxle is mounted in a cast aluminum unit that combines engine sump reservior, bellhousing, rear anti-sway and rear damper lower mounting points. The car has the standard "Uprated" Kent engine with an iron cylinder head. It has been well maintained and updated. This car is equipped with Koni 3012 double-adjustable dampers on all four corners. They were rebuilt and installed in 2000.
History
Originall owned by Tom Rust Racing, the car has been track raced only 3 seasons. It saw fierce action in '85 and '86 in the west and in '96 it won the MID-AM Championship. Since the end of the '96 season the car has been run in SCCA Solo II events and has been divisionally and nationally competitive with National trophies and the '99 Central and Midwest Division Championships. The car underwent a ground up rebuild in 1995 and has received considerable attantion and maintenance since. HRB Sports in Missouri performed preparation and repair services in the '96 season. The engine was freshened by Williams in '96 and a Farley exhaust was fitted. An uprated Tilton F3-style clutch was installed and the flywheel and slave cylinder modified accordingly by Craig Taylor in '97. An engine rebuild was performed in 2000. It included new pistons, bearings, top end and oil system. At that time a new Ivey carburetor and distributor were installed along with a carb air horn and MSD rev-limiter. New Taylor ignition wires have been installed and in May '03 the original bodywork has been completely overhauled and painted. New G-Force belts and a new SBS battery have been added.
Performance Data
Class: US Formula Ford
Weight: 948 lbs
Engine
Manufacturer: Ford
Displacement: 1.6L
Heads: iron
Block: iron
Clutch: Tilton
Pressure Plate: Tilton
Exhaust: Farley
Fuel System
Fuel Cell
Age: unkown
Fuel Pump: mechanical
Fuel Type: gasoline
Oil/Water System
Radiator: dual
Water Rad Location: side
Water Pump: belt driven
Oil Cooler: none
Electrical System
Ignition: Bosch w/points
Battery: new SBS lightweight
Computer: MSD rev-limiter only
Transmission
Manfacturer: Hewland
Type: MK 9
Gears: Hewland
Rear End
Manufacturer: Hewland
Type: open
Ratio: 10:31
Body
Construction: fiberglass
Color: white
Paint: catalyst
Condition: excellent
completely overhauled
Chassis
Type: tube
Material: steel
Finish: painted, black
Condition: very good
Front Suspension: rocker, nickel plated, excellent condition
