The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

The Number One Club for owners of Triumph's range of small saloons from the 1960s and 1970s.
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PostPosted: Fri Jul 23, 2010 10:18 am 
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Joined: Fri Nov 23, 2007 11:33 pm
Posts: 4727
Location: hampshire
Good point Oli and if there was any doubt as to the Sprints track pedigree when I last visited Thruxton (2 years ago) the lap record for the 2 litre class was held by Mr Garret in his sprint at about 1min 31sec and on the day he could not match that in his Colt Starion turbo!
Some cars are lifted by the sporty models Golf GTI for example and RS2000 other cars are dragged down by their dull models which is what I believe has happened with the Dolomite, because of 1500's and the "old man image" the sprint is well forgotten despite holding all lap records against the cars mentioned IN THEIR DAY.
The late great Gerry Marshall saloon car ace gave up on Vauxhall Viva's to drive Sprints.
Ford had to use £3 litres to beat the 2 litre Sprint :lol: and even then they often failed.

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The lunatic is out................heres Jonny!


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PostPosted: Fri Jul 23, 2010 10:46 pm 
Agreed.

In so many ways far too many people are willing to put down a Dolomite especially a Sprint.
I had spoken to plenty of triumph people about doing a track day in my 1850 and the response was always negative, even Dolomite people were putting me off the idea.
The car more than impressed me throughout the day and ran faultlessly even when pushed hard.

It is true about developement though, just think about how much money, time and effort that had been thrown at such cars like the Escort, then think about how much money Triumph didn't have. :cry:

Fact is the Sprint made a huge impact back then, considering this, and is still used in racing today because it is still a giant killer, capable of great things.
It has been said that people still race them because they are capable of more than people expect.

That must be satisfying. :D

Des.


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PostPosted: Fri Jul 23, 2010 11:56 pm 
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Joined: Fri Nov 23, 2007 11:33 pm
Posts: 4727
Location: hampshire
Only today I visited a scrap yard and the owner claimed that the Sprint was a terrible car that would not go round corners :roll: He said that he and his friends used to race various cars in the past and the Sprint went straight on :shock: .
I have never driven a Sprint that did not oversteer and if set up with stiff front and soft rear can be made to drift all four wheels when required.
The 1850 is also a fine little car especially if its TR7 equipped 8) I am afraid that other Triumph owners look upon the Dolly as inferior as you state.
But when your a member of the SWARM you at least get to show your boot badge to them all :lol:

I can only state what Car And Car Conversions said of the Sprint when it was new.

Its a party animal in a dull frock.

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track action maniac.

The lunatic is out................heres Jonny!


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PostPosted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 9:20 pm 
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Joined: Tue Oct 03, 2006 8:35 pm
Posts: 833
Location: coventry
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Its a party animal in a dull frock.
:D :D :D :D :D


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