Adelaide's Mallala race circuit brings out an unusual mix of cars. Everything from current model Porsches to the traditional old favourites like Mini Coopers and early Datsuns. Then of course there's the odd car like David Tye's Kestrel, which doesn't really fit into either of these categories! It's styled like a classic of yesteryear, but under its skin is 100% hi-tech sophistication. And what's the result of such a blend? Well, just ask the guy in the fully race-prepped 6 litre E-Type Jaguar what he thinks of not being able to get past!
Understandably David likes the concept of being able to keep such mega-dollar purpose-built racecars at bay with a car that many - upon initial impressions - would consider "tame". And what's even better, this is one of the rare racecars that gets driven all the way home - but just make sure you bring along either some warm clothes or a big beamy hat!
This car is tagged number 10 out of a total of 14 Kestrels so far produced, and it's the only one that's scored around 170hp of supercharged Toyota muscle. Others have been equipped with Nissan's SR-series fours and some other more pedestrian engines - but supercharging, that's the real deal!
David was fortunate enough to locate a Japanese-import 4A-GZE Levin Sprinter front cut with all the cream that enabled the engine and its electrics to go into the Kestrel without a glitch. Getting everything from the dashboard forward, he scored the complete loom (that's a Godsend on its own!), igniters, MAP sensor and, of course, the engine and ECU. This truck-load of bits and pieces found their way into the nose cone of the Kestrel; even the standard air-to-air intercooler was retained - albeit in a revised location.
According to David, this particular late model engine is the el-supremo of the many variations of four cylinder ZEs. For example, it uses a restriction-free MAP sensor rather than an airflow meter and also has direct-fire ignition for maximum efficiency. Looking at the factory's dizzy blanking plate plainly shows that other versions use just a single coil ignition system. The install required various mods to make the engine go into its north-south location, including a remote oil pressure sensor, thermostat and custom extractors to name a few.
Once everything was pieced together and the Kestrel had made its debut at the track, one problem did appear - the sump was scraping. No problem though: a wider and shorter custom sump was fabricated and there haven't been any concerns since.
Prior to the intake to the blower, a custom alloy airbox draws cool air in through a series of slats cut in the bonnet and passes it through a large rectangular OE-type filter. After the positive displacement blower has boosted intake pressure to around 10 psi, the aforementioned air-to-air core increases the density of the charge even further. Airflow into the core is abundant, with a dedicated section of the front air pick-up channeled right up close. The rest of the cooling airflow obtained from the front of the car is passed onto the laid-back (by about 45 degrees) aluminium radiator that is helped by an electric cooling fan.
Because the mechanical make-over was donated from a front wheel drive, sadly the factory-matched gearbox couldn't be made to go in with the now longitudinally-mounted motor. Instead, a 5-speed manual 'box from a locally-delivered Sprinter was used, mixed in with the 4AGZE clutch and pressure plate. This is a real sports car so it's only natural that you'll find the drive components at the back-end. Interestingly, a Datsun 180B IRS system has been bolted up. Why? They're cheap, readily available, reliable and they are simple - is that reasons enough for ya? But David's gone one step further by fitting a 4.1:1 ratio diff centre from a Subaru 4WD (some parts from these diffs are interchangeable). The slightly shorter final drive means the car can better push itself out of the many tight corners around the Malalla circuit.
With many corners you also need to able to slow the car down effectively while keeping it balanced. The Kestrel starts in font of the 8-ball in this department. Weighing only 580kg, the car can be sent off through various vectors with consummate ease. Volvos are reputed to have excellent brakes (a fact that's apparent every time I see one on the road!) and so what better car to pull the front discs and 4-pot calipers from? Heat-sensitive paint has been applied to the edge of the discs; so far it has never discoloured. The rear brakes are finned aluminium 240Z drums that were a snap to fit to the Datsun hubs; they are plenty large to work effectively. A driver-adjustable brake bias valve has also been fitted to make the most of the system and to ensure the car doesn't go spinning off into the pastures whenever David hits the anchors.
Starting with a new design slate in the 90s meant the Kestrel could benefit from the most favoured type of race suspension system - double wishbones front and rear. This set up has been bolted to the box and tubular section full chassis that forms the structural backbone of the car. In true "adjust it until it's right" racing style, the car has adjustable platform Spax coil-overs front and rear with 180 and 250lb/inch springs respectively. A considerable 4 degrees of castor is dialled in at the front (soon to be further increased), plus 2 degrees of negative camber and 1mm of total toe out. The back end possesses around ¾ of a degree of neg with 1mm toe out.
The traditional would-you-like-a-cup-of-tea English interior décor works a treat in an overtly retro-styled sports car like this one. And quality leather is welcome in any sort of interior! David doesn't put up with the bear hug of a full race seat, but he pampers himself in a beautifully-stitched soft leather padded cushion that matches the rest of the trim. An expanse of VDO classic white-faced gauges in the polished walnut dash lets him keep tabs on fuel, volts, water temp, oil pressure and temp, rpm, road speed and the time. Momo leather is the steering wheel of choice and an alloy gear knob is used to flick the right cog into position.
Rolling stock is an appropriately-styled set of yellow 14 inch Performance alloys clad in Yokohama's still great A008RS 205/65s. A fifth wheel is mounted on the tail in case a tyre gets holed. Overhead is an alloy roll-over bar that is a requirement for open top cars competing in the Marque Sports Category. But look closer and you might see the LED brake light that has also been incorporated, truly emphasising the dual purposes of this fun car.
Carrying the English sports car theme a little further is the choice of colour that has been sprayed onto the 'glass panels. Yes, old chap, it's BRG - otherwise known as British Racing Green. Normally when you see this colour you're about to hear a twincam Lotus engine or a Cooper S growl, not the whine of a blown and injected Toyota! That must confuse more than the odd competitor, although it does help answer the questions of some other competitors - like the driver of that 600hp E-type Jaguar. After having a sticky-beak under the bonnet after the sprint race, the distinguished gentleman exclaimed "God, there's a supercharger tucked under there!" Yes, there is indeed my friend.
Maybe you'd like to try your hand at another type of sport - fancy a game of cricket old chap?
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