Considering the popularity of the  VW Beetle in the UK I was always a bit confused why I never really saw many out circuit racing, sure it isn't the most perfectly set up car for racing, but given the right class and set up they could be competitive. What’s more given all the developments for drag cars the performance and tuning inventory is there for someone to build a really quick circuit Beetle.
There have been a handful of VW Beetle's racing in the UK, particularly in their one make series, but really their home would be in historic racing, competing against cars that can be considered their peers. Ian Brown spotted this and took up the challenge. Coming from a drag racing his knowledge and experience of setting up a high performance Beetle was very good. Circuit racing is a different discipline though, with more time invested in such items as cornering, braking and reliability.
Externally the car has been styled to be like Darrell Vittone's Beetle circuit racer from 1963, keeping it period correct, it is also a nod to the VW drag scene where Ian came from as Darrell's care eventually turned into the famous 'Inch Pincher'. Once the shell had been restored the racing set up began in earnest, the Beetle is running a slightly wider track by virtue of the brake set up, in order to aid cornering and stability, the suspension was an infinitely trickier proposition. Beetles are known to under steer, what with the big weight thrown out back behind the rear axle, but they also over steer due to the lack of weight at the front, this can cause some issues with setting up suspension. What is more a lot of the thoughts on the best approach conflict. Ian and his team picked the pragmatic approach of choosing to go a bit lower and soft with the suspension then gradually fine tune through the season to get the best performance overall.
Engine wise it is a heavily breathed on 1300 making between 130 and 140bhp as the set up is improving. On the track the car is proving competitive with the rest of its class, which is what we'd hope to see from a historic racing Beetle, not just a novelty but something that really gets in the pack and makes a race of it. Considering it is his first season on the track Ian is doing really well in the championship and things will only get better as the car is dialled in and Ian gains experience.
Ian keeps a comprehensive blog on the Just Kampers/Just Beetles website , make sure you check it out to see more of the prep work and get some insight into competing in the HSCC Saloon Car Championship. Better yet, if you get the chance, get out and support Ian or any of the other drivers in the championship when they are competing near you.
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