For most of us, being diagnosed with
cancer would spell the end of the world. For Allan Lewis, it proved to be the
beginning of a new chapter in life, thanks in part to the gift of a Mk2 Focus
RS.
One
of the best things about the package is how quickly the team members can turn
it around in comparison to some of their V8 counterparts.
The one area we haven’t mentioned until now
is the suspension, and for good reason, as it’s all as it was in NZPC issue No.
150. right down to the wheel alignment. “We know there are plenty of
refinements we could make to the suspension, but we haven’t needed to yet. Once
we start to struggle, that’s when we will start to make some changes. The stock
R32 rear sub frame has terrible geometry, (but] it’s improved in the R33 and
even belter in the R34 I know if we swap in an R34 one, it’s worth a reasonable
amount in the 60-foot,” Robbie says.
Unlike
many other import-based cars, Robbie's runs in both Import and V8 classes,
swapping between each class depending on the event. “I actually prefer running
at the V8 events; the racing is so close and competitive, he says
More often than not Robbie chooses to run
in drag classes with the V8 guys, and over the last two NZDRA/IHRA seasons,
running in Super Sedan, the R.I.P.S team claimed more than a few national
records, something that sometimes didn’t sit so well with the old guard. They
are starting to take note, and not in a pat-you-on-the-back, nice work sort of
way, bit in a ‘we are going to make submissions for rule changes to even the
playing field’. First it was penalties for four-valve heads and EFI, and now it
looks like all the indexes will be changed so the older tech cars can be
competitive in the class again and separate EFI records will be introduced.
Seat:
Racetech Steering Wheel: Momo Instrumentation: Link Dash Extra: Carbon dash,
carbon door trims, RJS 5-point harness, Wilwood pedal box
But we aren’t here to discuss the politics
of drag racing, and neither is Robbie. Like we said earlier, the team is only
focused on one thing, going as fast as possible — something we don’t doubt will
happen in the coming season of racing, as the team really begins to start
pushing the boundaries of what everyone has thought is achievable with such a
set-up. Exciting times are ahead, people, so grab some popcorn and go sit in
the stands at Me'emere — trust us when we say it will be worth it!
