Choosing your first rally car can be complicated, but Hyundai's reliable little Excel is a good option.
Getting started as a competitor in rallying is no easy task, and one of the more difficult decisions is deciding what car to build or buy. Once you have made the choice and parted with your hard-earned money, you then need to work out how much the car is going to cost you to run in each event, how expensive the spare parts are, and whether the car is going to retain any on-sale value in the future. Since 2006, competitors in Victoria and New South Wales have had the option of competing in a one-make series for Hyundai Excels that has not only provided crews with value for money, but has also been used as a stepping stone for drivers to launch successful careers higher up the rallying tree. While the cars may not be super fast or sound all that inspiring from the outside, a well set up Excel can be incredibly fun and rewarding to drive, and can be the perfect way to hone your rally driving skills.
Ged Blum jumps his Excel in a round of the Australian Rally Championship. Photo: John Doutch
“I’ve had great fun driving both the Excels that I’ve owned, and I’d recommend it as a starting point for anyone making their way in the sport,” Blum says. “And even for more experienced competitors who just want to get out there and compete, without spending a fortune.”The Excels run in standard production trim, meaning extras such as stronger suspension and roll cages are allowed, but mechanically the cars must be kept standard – even the drum brake rear end has to be maintained. If building your own car from scratch is your preferred option, then finding a bodyshell to start with won’t be a problem – and won’t break the bank.
“I bought my first Excel for $1500 and that was cheap back then,” Blum adds.“Now you can get a complete unregistered car for under $500.”
The Excel's engine is super reliable, but replacements can be found cheaply.
“The engine in my current car had done 130,000km when I bought it for $150, and the gearbox cost about the same – it really is cheap.”He says that the purchase of a steel roll cage will cost in the vicinity of $800, or a qualified welder could easily weld one up, and then get it log-booked.
A strong roll cage not only provides ample safety, but also increases the strength of the bodyshell.
“Suspension is the biggest cost,” he adds. “Budget set-ups are about $1500, and while they’re perfect for beginners, these units struggle once you start pushing hard.
“A good quality suspension set-up will set you back around $3000, or you can spend up to $5000 for custom-made units from some of the suspension specialists.”
Adding all the under body protection, light bars/pods and safety equipment shouldn’t cost you any more than for other rally cars, ensuring that you finish up with one of the most cost-effective cars in the event.
The interior of the Excel is simple and uncomplicated.
GED SAYS ….
Excels are slow, there’s no denying that, but it actually works in your favour. Because the power isn’t there, you have to make up speed in every possible section, hold it flat on blind crests, carry more speed through corners, and avoid doing anything that will slow you down, like getting too sideways or braking too much. Any bad driving loses time. They’re heaps of fun, and it’s a great feeling to beat a WRX in a standard ‘girl’s car’. People soon shut up about them being slow. I came third outright in a VRC stage in 2013, four seconds behind the stage winer. That was the best feeling I’ve ever had in a car, and it was with a 220,000km engine too.
GED’S FUN FACTS
- You can get 250km competitive to a tank of fuel (45 litres).
- Six tyres will generally last a whole season.
- You can run standard brake shoes without a problem.
- Front disc rotors are $30 each, brand new.
- Running fully synthetic brake fluid is essential. Anything with a boiling point under 300 degrees is a waste of time. The fluid boils and gives a spongey pedal.
Despite a lack of power in standard trim, the Excel can be thrown around and is great fun to drive - as demonstrated by Ged Blum. Photo: John Doutch
Ged Blum contested a range of events in his Excel, from national and state championship events, through to club rallies.
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