Mike Downey's Turbo Corsa
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Here's a shot of Mike on the autocross course. During the '80s, Mike raced his Corvair about once a month. He still races, but not as frequently. He says that work, family and other activities take priority. The autocross has seen a rebirth in his local club, the Cactus Corvair Club, where many members, from the experienced to the new, young and old, are running the slalom in all types of Corvairs from prepared cars to early model 4-doors and Rampsides. |
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"When I raced in the 1980s," Mike told me, "I was running the 110 engine. I find the 110 to be much better suited to right, low speed autocross courses because it has better low end torque characteristics. I remember one autocross that I organized in 1987 where I used the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Pro Solo style layout, which was a dual course (mirror image) with a short drag strip with Christmas tree starting. |
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When my turn came, I found myself staged next to a Ferrari 308! It may sound like a fishing tale, but I had the guy all the way into second gear, at which time he blew by me like he was headed into orbit. I was fun while it lasted!" |
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The Corsa is equipped with quick steering, Crown Manufacturing HD springs and adjustable shocks. All brake components are stock '65 including the single master cylinder. During the restoration, Mike replaced or rebuilt all components. Brake shoes are Velvetouch metallic. The after market wheels are 14 x 7" Western "Superlite," and the tires are BFGoodrich Comp T/A, 215-60R14 all around. A set of stock 13" rims, tires and wheel disks are on hand for competitions like the CORSA convention Concours. At the 1996 CORSA national in Albuquerque, Mike entered the Stock Class event and scored second place with 91 points (behind the 1999 Ed Cole Award winner, Steve Kirkton). |
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