Tow hooks.

[msherry21]

Happy Friday people!! As the mk1 will be used on tracks alot its definately going to see more than its fare share of gravel and will no doubt be needing pulled out from time to time. Are the standard eye hooks suitable for this or should I get some new ones, I've seen a few on various motorsport websites, How do you fit them to the car though? Any help or further info would be great, Are there any other things I should be thinking about specifically for track action, I have a fire extinguisher but its not remote fitted to spray in the engine. I've still to fit cut off switches to the exterior.

Cheers folks.
Michael.

[BSM]

We cut the factory ones off Jiff's car but I would think the new ones need to be fitted to the strongest part fof the front of the car. A drop bracket of some sort or something fabbed up from the front crossmember should do the trick! As for the rear I would say the same. Make sure they have plenty of clearance as some track recovery vehicles have high tow points and could damage the bumper ect if they not low enough etc.

[biteme]

^^^^^^^^^^ as he says.

Love the confidence you have in your driving there mate!

[Charged]

This is what happens when you tow from the front bumper towing eye

http://s63.photobucket.com/albums/h135/retrocarrestoration/?action=view&current=Damage28-04-062.jpg

[Marksman]

Don't forget there are two sets on the front of the MK1. Little ones on the bumper bar (best to cut those off to avoid temptation) and proper ones underneath bolted to the chassis.

Owen.

[msherry21]

I didn't realise that Owen, nice one, I'll have a look tomorrow sometime so I know where to put the TOW stickers. I'll also get the grinder out again and get rid of the small hooks, are they're any good places to tow from the rear?

[Jim-SR]

the ones bolted to the chassis are where i jack my car from if i dont have a low entry jack to hand. they hold up to supporting almost half the cars weight just fine, so id think they will hold up to being towed. the ones on the bumper bar are certainly asking for trouble, given that most bumper bars are rotten!

[MartG]

If your front bumper bar isn't rusty, then its perfectly OK to tow using the eye attached to it. As most however are rusted to nothing ( the one on my track car could be wobbled by hand ) then either use the ones on the underside or fit an aftermarket one to something solid

My trackcar has the bumper bar removed, and a towing eye bolted into one of the bumper attachment bolt holes
http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/1875/dscf5909pz5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Rear - the rear bumper bar doesn't rust as badly as the front one, so the towing eyes on it are usually fine. Here's mine after a bit of lightening

Rear bumper bar before....

http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/6650/barbeforeef4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

After...approx 5.5kg lighter, and leaving the foam insert out saves another 1.5Kg

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/3686/after1ec5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Skin refitted

http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/6822/dscf4100bq5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)