first up, i've never raced, so maybe i should keep my nose out of this, but i thought i had to ad something:

Wouldn't it be worthwhile to keep the car balanced as in 50% of the weight to the front of the car, and 50% to the back rather than go extra extra light on everything, and making it more like 70% to 30%???

I know what its like driving a ute on the road which must be about 70 - 30... it gets loose really quick, and once you start sliding, its hard to stop.

To keep it simple the rules state

the body must remain complete apart for a small amount that may be removed to clear tyres and excess brakets may be removed

Any additional compents to the suspension (eg coil overs) shouldnt compromise the cars ability to drive if removed

so removing leaves to fit coil overs isnt an option either had thought of that

Without a set of rules in front of me ,it is difficult to say what to do. What is allowed to be done. And more to the point what have they told you can't be done !! Tony's car never ran as a sports sedan but I guess you are just using it to define the style of modifications. A lot of weight can be saved by using lighter components in the suspension which in turn results in better and sharper handling. These mods can be done step by step as finances allow. I'd start at the front with the struts. Can you shorten them? 50mm out of the pushrod and body is a start. This compensates for the threaded sleeve you add for the adjustable spring seat and all of that can be made of alloy . Alloy calipers shave weight as do hubs. Drilled vented discs on alloy hats .Fiat 124s and 125s have beaut alloy racks that work a treat in 1200s. Are you allowed replica bumpers and alloy mounts of course. If you are required to use leaf springs remove all the leaves and use coilover shocks. Alloy drums from 240Zs work well and are lighter than a disc set up. Do you need to run an alternator , can you run a total loss set up and just recharge the battery. The steel panels are pretty light to begin with but you could still remove all the inside bracing on the boot and bonnet. I always follow the practice of looking at the weight which must be added eg rollcage balanced by the equivilent weight that can be removed. Aircraft parts suppliers have some amazing fittings and fastening to save weight in planes which can be used but they can be expensive. Alloy driveshafts fall into this catagory. And another hint that a lot of guys miss, keep the exhaust system simple, tube is weight and mufflers are worse run the bare minimum and as short as possible out behind the drivers door to the side if the rules allow it. If you have already tried all of these tips its time to acid dip the shell and engine block !!!!!!

The other thought that i had and it pretty extream was to start again

Rebuilding the car from scratch would allow me to reduce wieght in many little places

Dad always wanted to build a b310 sunny coupe with mostly alloy air craft bolts (you can get these for scrap value at the air port) and all brackets in alloy etc etc etc

The cost is the problem

Alloy brake hubs would be nice

tube sway bar and castor bars too

mmm Is that Tony Marsh coupe a fair comparison...we are talking IPRA not sports sedan.
I could drop heaps of weight by using lexan and not glass but IPRA rules dont allow it...
same with using composite doors and cutting out my engine bay and rose jointing everything, but it would be a sports sedan again...

yeah but the tracks up here in Brissy run clockwise, so most of the turns are right-handers. I reckon my fat arse is good ballast

Jenny Craig? I hear that Weightwatchers is good too.

Seriously, some people could lose 20kgs of weight and improve their laptimes.

Call me now. 10kgs for $10*.

Chris

* food extra.

Take a look at this.A 592kg coupe.

http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=2261

I would concentrate on unsprung wieght like the diff. I stripped my car then concentrated on get the cg lower...dropping the motor tranny and mounting things as low as possible.
Whenever trying to get a car light I always remember a story of a California GT3 team. One car was built right to the wieght limit the other was for actress Marsha Mason....she wanted the car to be safe as possible so some more tube was added. Well the go fast car breaks and Mason graciously offers up her car , so the team can get points. Well Her car turned out to be faster due to the stiffer chassis....I just keep this in mind when trying to lose another 100lbs .
Keep in mind I weigh 135lbs so my car can afford to be fat.

Tom

well ive looked at two things really the diff center theres an old alloy center down the back that could be rebuilt with new ratio about three kg big wop

and the rims this is some of the problem anything lighter then hot wires is expensive