Austin Healey Sprite 1380 Racer – 1965

Austin Healey Sprite from 1965.

The car was built around a brand new Heritage body-shell, late nineties or early 2000.
It was raced extensively by Antonio Bertini and later Michele Tommasi, in race series such as the FISC(http://www.fisc-racing.com/drivers/bert.html) and HRDC.
In 2006 the car was prepared by Rae Davis for the Goodwood Fordwater Trophy, where Michele Tommasi achieved a 3rd grid position during qualifying against much more powerful cars.
Sadly, it ended the actual race in gravel after an exhilarating battle with the front running cars. Since then it has been raced until it was acquired by the current owner early 2013.
After a few track days the car was sent to Rae Davis for an extensive
restoration, which saw almost every part of the car refurbished, renewed and improved. The engine was checked and repaired where necessary, the Weber carburetor was refurbished, new Rae Davis fully adjustable shock absorbers were installed, a new fuel pump, clutch, brakes, hubs, starter motor, etc… were sourced and mounted, as well as new – and much lighter – Ashley hardtop, bonnet and duck tail were used.
The car was bare metal resprayed.
A roll cage was custom made, the setup being completed by a new light weight Tillett race seat.

Specification
The spec can be summarized as:
• Built to UK/MSA race specifications: Goodwood, HRDC, CSCC, Masters, etc…
• Full Race 1380cc Engine
• Steel Crank S Rods
• Omega Pistons
• Alloy Flywheel with 7.5″ AP Racing Sintered Clutch
• Big Valve Head
• High Ratio Forged Rockers
• Piper 320 Cam
• 45 DCOE Webber
• Straight Cut Close Ratio Gearbox
• Limited Slip Diff
• 2 Piece Competition Half Shafts
• Adjustable Lever Arm Shocks all round
• Full Roll Cage
• Tillet Racing Seat

All major and expensive work has been done and with a few finishing touches the car is ready for track days and races.
Work to be done:
• Installation of an exhaust system
• Rev-counter and (optionally) speedometer
• Seatbelts
• Fire extinguisher system
• Oil pressure tube to gauge is missing
• A new battery is required
• Rolling road tuning
• Final tweaks