Photos by Chris Seddon
AN OVAL RACER AT HEART
Steve Dakin #99 - UK Modifieds
T
he Modifieds are a huge hit in the
USA where the race car there is
classed as either a Modlites or
Dwarf Car Racer, it’s a popular class
with race driver’s right across the country.
Using a high power to weight ratio the UK
Modifieds provide agility and fast
competitive racing, the performance and 060 can only be classed as extreme!
All the cars were originally imported from the
USA, but drivers are now starting to build
their own. The cars are of a space frame
construction with a `stock' body shell bolted
on, they are a reasonably priced formula to
get involved in and have some fast racing
fun. A typical investment of around 7k will
see you `on track', with maintenance and
transportation costs being quite economical,
allowing regular racing on a very modest
budget.
A UK Modified car is built using a fabricated
tubular and or box section frame, fairly
lightweight in design but offers full protection
to the driver. The car has fully adjustable
suspension all round and all cars have 13"
wheels. The formula mainly uses second
20
hand circuit racing tyres which are cheap
and plentiful.
Engines are from large motorbikes and must
be four cylinders in design and can be
acquired from all the major Japanese bikes.
This makes engine parts and even spare
engines easy to come by and all run with
fuel injection. The engine uses its bike
gearbox (which is sequential) and the
engine and gearbox assembly is mounted
lengthways at the front of the car. A flange
replaces the sprocket and this is where the
prop shaft to the rear axle fixes to. These
cars therefore do not have reverse gear.
Braking is via disc brakes and is fully
adjustable with brake bias controls, left foot
braking is common in this type of race car.
The body is made from aluminium sheet
metal and most panels are fairly flat, making
replacement easy and cheap. The long rear
side panels are excellent for signage
(sponsors) and entry and exit to the car is
via an externally opening hatch in the roof
section.
Way back in issue #4 Inside Stock Car
World magazine looked at a new young
driver “Rachel Jenkins” who moved from
Karting to this formula. This time we take a
look at a well-seasoned
dare I say it
“Veteran” of the Ovals, Steve Dakin.
Originally from Manchester Steve now
resides in sunny Morecambe and is a
builder by trade. You could be forgiven for
taking a step back when we say that Steve
has been racing the ovals for 27 years.
(We’re not so sure of that as he tells us he’s
still only 31.)
His interest stated as often it does with a
friend inviting him along to help out in the
pits with an F1 way back in the 70’s. Turns
out it was none other than Doug Cronshaw
#396, the infamous sparring partner of the
Legend Stu Smith Snr. #391. With that as
his starting point it’s no surprise that Steve
was bitten by the racing bug early on. His
first outing was in a “Banger” - a Morris
Marina - and by all accounts, probably not
the best choice in race cars.
Next up and now in the late 80s, it was time
0844 840 8104