EFM Racing - Purcell Race Engineering - Eric Purcell - Van Diemen - Sports 2000

The SCCA General Competition Rules (GCR) defines an S2 as an: "Open cockpit two seater rear engined sports racing car using a standard Ford 2000cc SOHC engine with a two venturi carburetor."

Hmmm... that's a start, but let's look a little closer. Like all Sports Racer classes, the modern day Sports 2000 car has its roots in the exotic sportscars and Can Am cars of the Golden Age of racing, hence the mandated 2 seat configuration and full bodywork that differentiate it from a Formula style racecar. It's the wind cheating bodywork that creates needed downforce and lessens the chance of dangerous and expensive wheel entangled shunts that haunt the Formula classes.

The bodywork is the root of common identification problems between the different Sports Racer classes. Sports 2000 cars are forbidden to have wings and most ground effects. Downforce is created by the sleek bodies themselves. The other Sports Racer categories (ASR, CSR, DSR) are allowed wings and other aerodynamic devices.

All Sports 2000's share "spec engine" regulations with the Formula Continental class. This is a "Pinto" powered 2 liter engine that is theoretically stock. In reality these engines are massaged and thoroughly blueprinted to put out about 150 hp very reliably. The basic stout 2.0 heart of the car is the main contributor to the class's affordability and reliability. The larger and faster A, C, and D brethren are usually powered by more exotic powerplants. Cosworths dominate ASR and CSR. DSR can use large motorcycle engines or smaller automotive engines with various weight breaks leveling that class.

Sports 2000's heavily regulated engine rules are juxtaposed against the freedom to modify the rest of the car within the relatively few rules set by the GCR for most Sports Racer categories. The light monocoque construction of the S2 cars keeps the cars in the 1100 lb range so that acceleration is similar to cars with larger engines. Suspensions vary from pushrod, rocker and outboard styles, depending on the chosen chassis constructor.

The other SCCA Sports Racer body is the Spec Racer Ford. These cars can most easily be identified by their central seating location, tube frame chassis, and a body also sans wings. Normally not in the same Group as an S2, these cars by regulation must all be identical in construction and unmodified from the delivered condition. This completely spec class emphasizes driver skill and chassis setup to win races.

Sports 2000 cars can be relatively inexpensive to buy and operate. Better funded teams in all forms of motorsports will always be involved, but a "little guy" can still mix it up with his friends in a "real racecar" for a reasonable investment. That is why Sports 2000 enjoys its nationwide reputation as the fastest Sports Racer for the buck. ■

David Ferguson

Nik Johnson

Links to other Sports 2000 sites

CHASSIS: Two-seat, open-cockpit, typically with aluminum honeycomb monocoque chassis and an enclosed sports racing fiberglass, kevlar, or carbon fiber body. Leading manufacturers include Carbir, Swift, Lola, Doran, Mallock, Van Dieman and Shrike.

ENGINES: Ford four-cylinder, two-liter displacement SOHC engine with eight valves. Dry sump lubrication. Power is in the 140 HP range. The engine is typically used as a stressed member, forming the back-half of the car and supporting the gearbox and rear suspension.

SUSPENSION: Rocker arm, push rod, or pull rod actuation with double or triple adjustable shocks.

PERFORMANCE: Top speed approximately 150 mph, depending upon gearing. Pulls 1.6 cornering g's with 2.2G peaks. 0-60 in 4.38 seconds.

TRANSMISSION: Longitudinal gearbox with quick-change gear ratios. Typically source form manufacturers such as Hewland or Webster. The gearbox must include a reverse gear and no more than four forward gears. Gear ratios are unrestricted. Rear-wheel-drive only is permitted. Final drive ratio is unrestricted. The differential cannot be modified in any way to limit the normal function. Torque biasing, limited slip and locked differentials are prohibited.

AERODYNAMICS: Downforce from fiberglass or kevlar composite full-width bodywork and rear splitter. Ground packages under the nose and separate tail diffusers.

WHEELBASE: 96 inches.

WEIGHT: Minimum weight 1,310 lbs. with driver. Cars typically weigh near 1,100 lbs.

WHEELS AND TIRES:13-inch wheels made of alloy, a maximum of six inches wide front and eight inches rear. Race compound slicks tires from manufacturers such as Hoosier and Goodyear.

BRAKES: 4 wheel disc brakes with driver-adjustable bias. Most commonly used braking systems utilize steel four-piston calipers and single, 10.5-inch ventilated steel rotors.

FUEL: Stored in a fuel cell. Usually 110 Octane leaded racing fuel from suppliers such as 76 Racing and VP Racing Fuel.

Why Sports 2000 or S2 Class?

Sport 2000 in Europe




Sport 2000 in Europe

Van Diemen Sports 2000 at Portland

Sport 2000 Runoffs at Mid-Ohio 2004 (in the Keyhole Turn)