Hi Richard good to hear from you 😃 I cant be much help I’m afraid I’ve been out of the sport for so long the escorts out there are so expensive to run/ maintain and are a world away away from what we rallied in the 70’s and 80’s but I guess the main thing is to enjoy what your doing whichever car you choose. Hope Belgium goes well like yourself I loved it out there 😊 looking forward to the videos of the event regards David
There's a certain red mini which has more fun than anyone out on the stages. If it were me I would build a modest Escort, slow down and enjoy the participation 👍
Nice to see you posting again(and out with the woofer!) and I can appreciate your dilemma. Opinions are a bit like- well you’ve heard the phrase, but my thoughts- R5 is now the clubman class, expensive yes, but getting to the stage where finding parts from a fellow competitor on event is probably easier than for a Mitsubishi, and as for running the car, you appear to have a good network around you? My thought would be to document everything you do, but stick to mileages etc and send the bigger items ( transmissions etc) to Neil to keep the value in the car. The thought of a fit mark2 is great, but at a SV event you could be constantly throwing tyres at it at quite an expense. Closed roads events are a great way to go, and Belgium seems by far the best option. Have you ever thought of widening your experience and doing some gravel? I know most out there from a tarmac background wince at the thought, but average speeds are a lot lower, damage to the car( if properly guarded) is minimal, and I genuinely believe it brings any of us on in terms of driving ability, which when faced with a moment on say wet tar can be of great benefit. I think you could go a few different routes (mk2, historic, newer 208R4 or whatever but a significant element of on event costs wouldn’t change ands I think you would be asking yourself why you’d sold a more able car to go slower! Don’t get me wrong, a fit mk2 or a Lancer E9 would be great fun, but both would feel wanting compared to what you have( my opinion- don’t shoot me peeps!) So- keep doing Belgian events, bring the car home and keep on top of it yourself but keep Neil involved, and maybe spend a wee bit of time investigating some gravel events( some are on Neil Buckley’s doorstep so he could run you there. All above is meant with the best possible intent- you’ve been good enough to show us behind the scenes of R5 ownership, and the important thing is to keep enjoying it- sometimes that’s about trying new and less familiar routes. Good luck and enjoy whichever route you choose!
A fabulous and thoughtful reply. You’ve pretty much nailed it in that post. Gravel is something I have done, but not very much. I do like it though. Belgium is where the magic happens for me.
How difficult is to adapt the paddle shifter?. How much it costs? If you are doubtful about the R5 buy a Fiesta or Clio RALLY3. Cars you can basically use everywhere and are cheap to mantain
A proper Modern spec MK2 will cost as much as a R5 Fiesta, you will still need to maintain it , and will also need someone to run it on events, a rebuld on a Millington or KGP will be every bit as expensive as the Fiesta, and all the running gear will be the same sort of price, MK2's are fetching crazy money, a MK2 with a 2lt XE in it that is presentable is making over 50k these days, it's crazy,
As a privateer what’s the need to win? Its your money and car at risk As a spectator and optimistic future competitor my hero’s have always been the drivers that are sideways and enjoying driving the car . For me the real winner will always be the driver with the biggest smile on his or her face who have driven to entertain If you told me I could win a rally or have the budget to enter twice as many events but never win for me it would be easy choice! Just my thoughts and view tho rich! 😊
@@Richard_Weaver in that case if 2 or 3 rallies in a group 4 escort or group A evo isn’t as enjoyable as 1 rally in a r5 for you then there’s your answer! Its a risk reward and a money to enjoyment ratio only you can truly know which gives you the best feeling once the helmet comes off
I was competing in a grass roots motorsport and decided not to step up and crack on and try for class wins. Had more fun as it was cheaper, less hassle and i was in with a chance. The chance to take part in your hobby more often and still be in stiff competition wind for me.
I don’t regret stepping up, and the car now have really is the ultimate rally car. Nothing I have driven compares. That said, a good Escort is bloody brilliant.
The R5 is a top machine and super competitive but id invest in a MK2 and The rally of the lakes in killarney Ireland is on the first weekend of May that would of been the rally to head for
Richard i have to agree that running these cars are not cheap and as a privateer it certainly stretches the wallet and my advise to anyone wanting to get one should really do their homework on the true running costs
I totally respect you for living the R5 dream. However, you dont sound like you are getting the same level of enjoyment out of the sport, that you used to get in the Evo. If you want to stay on tarmac, then buy a darrian! Seriously hear me out. As you know i run a Darrian. Its a 32 year old car, with 40 year old technology. No traction control, no electronic gizmos, just driver input - it doesnt even have ppwer steering, just a rack from a hillman imp. 100% run from my home garage, with help from a good mate. I would guess, my car, as a package, is probably valued at less than you are spending in a year on running an R5. We were swapping times within a second of each other at Bovington. I am loving my rallying and there is nothing better than raw rear wheel drive power in a darrian which can be just as competitive on tarmac events as an R5. A new one has all the electronics, traction control, power steering yadda yadda and will beat top spec escorts and r5's all day long. Just my thoughts - whatever you decide, make sure it gives you that smile and energy of the Evo days 👍🏽
Thanks Dan. A good reply and words of wisdom. The only gripe with the Darrian is you can’t easily use them in Belgium. My thoughts have strayed that way however…
@@Richard_Weaver my first thought was similar to what Dan has written, you've got doubt in your mind now about the R5 so you're not at 100% enjoyment - and whilst you may not be 100% ready to sell the it right now, potentially sticking with it can just lower your enjoyment and can be a good way to spoil what you love doing.
Hi Richard good to hear from you 😃 I cant be much help I’m afraid I’ve been out of the sport for so long the escorts out there are so expensive to run/ maintain and are a world away away from what we rallied in the 70’s and 80’s but I guess the main thing is to enjoy what your doing whichever car you choose. Hope Belgium goes well like yourself I loved it out there 😊 looking forward to the videos of the event regards David
Thanks David, I really appreciate the comment. As the years roll by things don’t get any cheaper!
Good luck mista. Looking fwd to the next update
Thanks mate
There's a certain red mini which has more fun than anyone out on the stages. If it were me I would build a modest Escort, slow down and enjoy the participation 👍
Whatever I do, need something QUICK! Just be done a lot of rallying and ultimately I need something properly fast.
Nice to see you posting again(and out with the woofer!) and I can appreciate your dilemma.
Opinions are a bit like- well you’ve heard the phrase, but my thoughts-
R5 is now the clubman class, expensive yes, but getting to the stage where finding parts from a fellow competitor on event is probably easier than for a Mitsubishi, and as for running the car, you appear to have a good network around you?
My thought would be to document everything you do, but stick to mileages etc and send the bigger items ( transmissions etc) to Neil to keep the value in the car.
The thought of a fit mark2 is great, but at a SV event you could be constantly throwing tyres at it at quite an expense.
Closed roads events are a great way to go, and Belgium seems by far the best option.
Have you ever thought of widening your experience and doing some gravel?
I know most out there from a tarmac background wince at the thought, but average speeds are a lot lower, damage to the car( if properly guarded) is minimal, and I genuinely believe it brings any of us on in terms of driving ability, which when faced with a moment on say wet tar can be of great benefit.
I think you could go a few different routes (mk2, historic, newer 208R4 or whatever but a significant element of on event costs wouldn’t change ands I think you would be asking yourself why you’d sold a more able car to go slower!
Don’t get me wrong, a fit mk2 or a Lancer E9 would be great fun, but both would feel wanting compared to what you have( my opinion- don’t shoot me peeps!)
So- keep doing Belgian events, bring the car home and keep on top of it yourself but keep Neil involved, and maybe spend a wee bit of time investigating some gravel events( some are on Neil Buckley’s doorstep so he could run you there.
All above is meant with the best possible intent- you’ve been good enough to show us behind the scenes of R5 ownership, and the important thing is to keep enjoying it- sometimes that’s about trying new and less familiar routes.
Good luck and enjoy whichever route you choose!
A fabulous and thoughtful reply. You’ve pretty much nailed it in that post. Gravel is something I have done, but not very much. I do like it though. Belgium is where the magic happens for me.
In “livery”. I like the analogy. Cheaper to run than a horse tho!
You can also park a car in the shed for six months and ignore it if you don’t want to use it, it doesn’t eat any grass!
Good luck on the Monteberg Rally! I will be there spectating :)
Fingers crossed!
Great to meet you in Beverley, hope all goes well for you in Belgium
Fab to meet you too.
Might be a mad idea but if Belgium is where your heart lies. Why not take a look at a GT3 ? They’re used a fair bit are they not?
Not mad by any means. A wonderful suggestion and I have to say, something I have considered.
How difficult is to adapt the paddle shifter?. How much it costs?
If you are doubtful about the R5 buy a Fiesta or Clio RALLY3. Cars you can basically use everywhere and are cheap to mantain
Paddle shift is instantly adaptable. You just do it. No thinking required.
@@Richard_Weaver WoW, now in WRC they have been saying they needed to change the gearbox for 2025 rally2+ cars
A proper Modern spec MK2 will cost as much as a R5 Fiesta, you will still need to maintain it , and will also need someone to run it on events, a rebuld on a Millington or KGP will be every bit as expensive as the Fiesta, and all the running gear will be the same sort of price, MK2's are fetching crazy money, a MK2 with a 2lt XE in it that is presentable is making over 50k these days, it's crazy,
Rebuild on a Millington or KGP is more frequent too.
Rebuild every 1000 stage miles on a Millington
As a privateer what’s the need to win?
Its your money and car at risk
As a spectator and optimistic future competitor my hero’s have always been the drivers that are sideways and enjoying driving the car .
For me the real winner will always be the driver with the biggest smile on his or her face who have driven to entertain
If you told me I could win a rally or have the budget to enter twice as many events but never win for me it would be easy choice!
Just my thoughts and view tho rich! 😊
This is a dilemma. Nothing is like and R5 to drive. It really is the ultimate rally car.
@@Richard_Weaver in that case if 2 or 3 rallies in a group 4 escort or group A evo isn’t as enjoyable as 1 rally in a r5 for you then there’s your answer! Its a risk reward and a money to enjoyment ratio only you can truly know which gives you the best feeling once the helmet comes off
Quality over quantity! It will cost more over the long run too
So are you saying keep the R5 or change for a different car?
@@Richard_Weaver keep it, you go back you will end up regretting getting rid of it and then getting another one!
I was competing in a grass roots motorsport and decided not to step up and crack on and try for class wins. Had more fun as it was cheaper, less hassle and i was in with a chance. The chance to take part in your hobby more often and still be in stiff competition wind for me.
I don’t regret stepping up, and the car now have really is the ultimate rally car. Nothing I have driven compares. That said, a good Escort is bloody brilliant.
The R5 is a top machine and super competitive but id invest in a MK2 and The rally of the lakes in killarney Ireland is on the first weekend of May that would of been the rally to head for
I’ve always wanted to do that event to be fair 👍🏻
Richard i have to agree that running these cars are not cheap and as a privateer it certainly stretches the wallet and my advise to anyone wanting to get one should really do their homework on the true running costs
Anyone wanting to buy one probably needs to watch all the vids I’ve made! Rallying is crazy expensive.
I totally respect you for living the R5 dream. However, you dont sound like you are getting the same level of enjoyment out of the sport, that you used to get in the Evo. If you want to stay on tarmac, then buy a darrian! Seriously hear me out. As you know i run a Darrian. Its a 32 year old car, with 40 year old technology. No traction control, no electronic gizmos, just driver input - it doesnt even have ppwer steering, just a rack from a hillman imp. 100% run from my home garage, with help from a good mate. I would guess, my car, as a package, is probably valued at less than you are spending in a year on running an R5. We were swapping times within a second of each other at Bovington. I am loving my rallying and there is nothing better than raw rear wheel drive power in a darrian which can be just as competitive on tarmac events as an R5. A new one has all the electronics, traction control, power steering yadda yadda and will beat top spec escorts and r5's all day long. Just my thoughts - whatever you decide, make sure it gives you that smile and energy of the Evo days 👍🏽
Thanks Dan. A good reply and words of wisdom. The only gripe with the Darrian is you can’t easily use them in Belgium. My thoughts have strayed that way however…
@@Richard_Weaver my first thought was similar to what Dan has written, you've got doubt in your mind now about the R5 so you're not at 100% enjoyment - and whilst you may not be 100% ready to sell the it right now, potentially sticking with it can just lower your enjoyment and can be a good way to spoil what you love doing.
@autoplasMetro6r4v6 I’ll get the weekend out the way and have a think
Hi how about a Darrian 2 or 2.5
A very serious consideration, but can’t use in Belgium save for about 2 x events. Sadly.
@@Richard_Weaver But so much opportunity in the UK and Ireland
Go historic? BHRC is competitive and I imagine (I might be wrong) a historic spec escort is cheaper to run and just as much fun?
Yes. Historic escort is cheaper (I ran one). Belgium is where my heart lies.