2024 UK Targa/Road Rallying Thread
Discussion
FactoryBacked said:
PaulV said:
FactoryBacked said:
Started my year with the last ever Bagger. Nearly a 250 mile route in the end! Had my best run as a nav after a couple of years of frustration. Found some good flow and finished 2nd in the novice class and 22nd overall out of 70 starters. Fog, ice, mud, gravel, it had it all. Still annoyed I missed one of the final control a which cost is 1st in class by about 4 minutes.
Then it’s Bath Festival after that which I am really looking forward to.
Well done on the Bagger, had planned to do it, but life got in the way.Then it’s Bath Festival after that which I am really looking forward to.
Same with Taunton - too many events - not enough 'passes'
Bath Festival should be good, will be interesting to see how it changes to cope with the new rules (R21).
Defo get the feeling Targas have peaked and will be interesting to see how things change. Hopefully not too drastically. Needs the old endurance regs dusting off.
Proper Endurance events, including the night navigation sections would be very welcome! Probably end up back where they were though, with no navigation and dominated by the fastest cars.
12 cars are coming in thick and fast for me now, Ilkley one last Wednesday ( slightly disappointing fourth place) Malton MC on Monday the 12th, local to me, I’m driving on that, and De Lacy on Friday 16th.
velocemitch said:
Eye up Jez, will see you up at Dishforth, it will be interesting to see what Clitheroe make of the venue, I thought its first use last year by Ripon, left a fair bit to improve upon.
Ilkley and district 12 Car tonight, my first outing of 24, out with my Brother in the Corsa. 63 miles, which is quite long for a 12 Car, almost on the limit for the time available.
No idea what's been planned and not seen any test diagrams, but I'm sure Chris and the team will try their best to put on a good event, Ilkley and district 12 Car tonight, my first outing of 24, out with my Brother in the Corsa. 63 miles, which is quite long for a 12 Car, almost on the limit for the time available.
The JJ Brown was a bit wet but I had a later control, so missed the worst of it, with the organisers saying at the drivers briefing for people to stop
posting videos on social media as it will get the sport banned.
The weather is not looking too bad for the Hexham/John Robson on Sat so will have to see where and in what capacity I end up, but should be a good
night out,
Does anyone here have an understanding of the Targa regs in regards to engine swaps.
My understanding is that there is nothing to prohibit an engine swap in a Targa car
- i.e. I could transplant a Honda S2000 engine into my Mk2 Escort and as long as I keep the standard induction, it can be road rally eligible.
Is that everyone else's understanding?
My understanding is that there is nothing to prohibit an engine swap in a Targa car
- i.e. I could transplant a Honda S2000 engine into my Mk2 Escort and as long as I keep the standard induction, it can be road rally eligible.
Is that everyone else's understanding?
fat80b said:
Does anyone here have an understanding of the Targa regs in regards to engine swaps.
My understanding is that there is nothing to prohibit an engine swap in a Targa car
- i.e. I could transplant a Honda S2000 engine into my Mk2 Escort and as long as I keep the standard induction, it can be road rally eligible.
Is that everyone else's understanding?
I believe that is correct. My understanding is that there is nothing to prohibit an engine swap in a Targa car
- i.e. I could transplant a Honda S2000 engine into my Mk2 Escort and as long as I keep the standard induction, it can be road rally eligible.
Is that everyone else's understanding?
Applicable MSUK Regulations (page 320):-
R18.2.4
R18.2.41
R18.3.1
Thanks - everything comes back to the blue book 
Although I've always feared that the road rally regs will get changed at some point to mandate original engines (or at least engines from within the same brand ).
I currently have a 2L Pinto which is too weedy (an ebay special after my first and best engine ate itself) which suffers from being very difficult to get setup right (something undiagnosed wrong with the single carb that I didn't really want to replace).
I was contemplating going down the splits route now that IK Engineering are selling split 48s but would end up needing to get the engine rebuilt along the way and while I have done this in the past, there is something uninspiring about ending up with another Pinto lump even if it is on split webers. (My last good one was somewhere in the region of 150bhp and while decent enough fun, it wasn't quite where I wanted it to be considering what it cost to build)
Hence ending up thinking about engine options, A Zetec or Duratec doesn't end up being any better for me thanks to the induction restrictions (although there is a caterham inlet that apparently complies which could be a left field option), which leads me to the idea of an F20C lump........
Although I've always feared that the road rally regs will get changed at some point to mandate original engines (or at least engines from within the same brand ).I currently have a 2L Pinto which is too weedy (an ebay special after my first and best engine ate itself) which suffers from being very difficult to get setup right (something undiagnosed wrong with the single carb that I didn't really want to replace).
I was contemplating going down the splits route now that IK Engineering are selling split 48s but would end up needing to get the engine rebuilt along the way and while I have done this in the past, there is something uninspiring about ending up with another Pinto lump even if it is on split webers. (My last good one was somewhere in the region of 150bhp and while decent enough fun, it wasn't quite where I wanted it to be considering what it cost to build)
Hence ending up thinking about engine options, A Zetec or Duratec doesn't end up being any better for me thanks to the induction restrictions (although there is a caterham inlet that apparently complies which could be a left field option), which leads me to the idea of an F20C lump........
Yes currently legal, there was talk of limiting the engines to manufacturers, but it was never implemented.
There are a number of Escorts around with modern engines.
Aside from that, I had a good run out on Monday evening on Malton MC’s last 12 car of the season. Had a novice navigator with me, so got simple preplot instructions and with a certain amount of local knowledge had a really good run.
Third overall, just a couple of minutes behind the leaders.
It felt pretty good to be catching and passing modern cars in a fifty year old Alfa!
There are a number of Escorts around with modern engines.
Aside from that, I had a good run out on Monday evening on Malton MC’s last 12 car of the season. Had a novice navigator with me, so got simple preplot instructions and with a certain amount of local knowledge had a really good run.
Third overall, just a couple of minutes behind the leaders.
It felt pretty good to be catching and passing modern cars in a fifty year old Alfa!
PaulV said:
I believe that is correct.
Applicable MSUK Regulations (page 320):-
R18.2.4
R18.2.41
R18.3.1
For 2024, don't forget that Targa Rallies have separate technical regs (R21) so what you need to look at is R21.16 to R21.21.Applicable MSUK Regulations (page 320):-
R18.2.4
R18.2.41
R18.3.1
Again, you have to use the standard injection system with them. There does not appear to be anything preventing engine swaps.
There's a couple of Honda engined Escorts knocking about and I know someone who's building one, so not against the rules.
I seem to remember something in Wales, that whilst they weren't illegal they were frowned upon as they didn't want a load of 9k screaming, 240bhp Escorts filling up the grid, spoilsports,
I seem to remember something in Wales, that whilst they weren't illegal they were frowned upon as they didn't want a load of 9k screaming, 240bhp Escorts filling up the grid, spoilsports,
It's the next (7th) round of the Weald MC 12 Car Championship tonight, run by Borough 18 MC and based near Faversham in Kent.
It's not been a brilliant season for us so far, 2 x DNS due to family commitments, 1 poor result due to me putting the car in a ditch and 1 poor result due to the car breaking. But it's all good fun and the roads in the area look fun for the navigator at least!
It's not been a brilliant season for us so far, 2 x DNS due to family commitments, 1 poor result due to me putting the car in a ditch and 1 poor result due to the car breaking. But it's all good fun and the roads in the area look fun for the navigator at least!
Press Release from the Kent Targa Rally:
We are pleased to announce that this years Kent Targa Rally will be on Saturday 11th of May 2024 at Manston Airport in Kent.
This new event will be aimed at both newcomers to the sport, as well as experienced crews and we believe this is a perfect opportunity for existing Autosolo or Autotest competitors to take a step into the world of rallying.
For an entry fee of £99 we are planning to run 18 tests during the day which will cover 40 miles, 90% of which will be on sealed surfaces. There will be some small sections on smooth gravel and grass but we do not expect sump guards to be needed. All vehicles compliant with R21 Targa or R19 Historic will be eligible to compete and there will be NO additional requirement for roll cage or harnesses.
The test routes and manoeuvres around the airfield will be defined by cones and navigation will be via an A3 roadbook containing test diagrams of the route. The tests have been designed by regular competitors in accordance with latest MSUK guidance.
Regulations will be published on Friday 22nd of March.
Manston is a huge venue and we will need a large number of marshals to ensure the safe and smooth running of the event. If you are new to rally marshalling, then this event will be an ideal introduction as we have a selection of important, but low stress, observation roles plus the normal key start and finish timing jobs.
We would also specifically like to appeal to any Rally Safety Radio Marshal crews to join us as we will be running the Motorsport UK safety radio system with a licenced radio controller.
Marshals are invited to register now via the following link:
https://mtc1.uk/Marshals/KentTarga24/MarshalForm.p...
We are pleased to announce that this years Kent Targa Rally will be on Saturday 11th of May 2024 at Manston Airport in Kent.
This new event will be aimed at both newcomers to the sport, as well as experienced crews and we believe this is a perfect opportunity for existing Autosolo or Autotest competitors to take a step into the world of rallying.
For an entry fee of £99 we are planning to run 18 tests during the day which will cover 40 miles, 90% of which will be on sealed surfaces. There will be some small sections on smooth gravel and grass but we do not expect sump guards to be needed. All vehicles compliant with R21 Targa or R19 Historic will be eligible to compete and there will be NO additional requirement for roll cage or harnesses.
The test routes and manoeuvres around the airfield will be defined by cones and navigation will be via an A3 roadbook containing test diagrams of the route. The tests have been designed by regular competitors in accordance with latest MSUK guidance.
Regulations will be published on Friday 22nd of March.
Manston is a huge venue and we will need a large number of marshals to ensure the safe and smooth running of the event. If you are new to rally marshalling, then this event will be an ideal introduction as we have a selection of important, but low stress, observation roles plus the normal key start and finish timing jobs.
We would also specifically like to appeal to any Rally Safety Radio Marshal crews to join us as we will be running the Motorsport UK safety radio system with a licenced radio controller.
Marshals are invited to register now via the following link:
https://mtc1.uk/Marshals/KentTarga24/MarshalForm.p...
thepawbroon said:
It's the next (7th) round of the Weald MC 12 Car Championship tonight, run by Borough 18 MC and based near Faversham in Kent.
A challenging evening for both sides of the car again, some difficulty interpreting one instruction cost us 1Fail and 20min, so (I think) 6th place is the result. The route was great for drivers, with some really rough roads - incredibly all were "yellow" on the map - here's one wee gravel example.
Speaking of which, some navigators had real difficulty discerning between Yellow and White on the map, I don't know if it was a printing issue with that particular map, or what, but a few guys mentioned it..
I'm off to marshal on Farnborough & DMCs' Bramley Targa tomorrow, always a good beginner-friendly event
It was a good day marshalling the Stop/Finish lines at the Bramley Targa Rally, put on by the ever-wonderful Farnborough District Motor Club.
This brilliant Clubmans event had it all, a close battle for the lead, a wide variety of cars, lots of newcomers and teenagers, a good level of diversity and plenty of very capable volunteers.
Some photos of the more unusual entrants for your enjoyment:
This brilliant Clubmans event had it all, a close battle for the lead, a wide variety of cars, lots of newcomers and teenagers, a good level of diversity and plenty of very capable volunteers.
Some photos of the more unusual entrants for your enjoyment:
Didn't have a great run on the Taunton Rally a few weeks ago. Had some good flow again and we were setting times consistently in the top ten despite the thick fog which made it not much fun at all.
A notorious ford was in full flow and as it washed up over the bonnet and spots I expected the worst. The cold water popped one headlight completely and a few miles later a misfire started and got slowly worse so we tapped out whilst we were at the closest point to home.
Bath Festival at the weekend was a much happier ending! Started at car 60, only the third rally in the BMW Compact so definitely still learning RWD. We were fast asleep on the morning loop and got baulked really badly on a few tests but a double egg butty at lunch did the trick and we set some very respectable times on the afternoon loop. Well inside the top 20 and some inside the top 15. Plenty of moments but thankfully got away with them all.
Not bad considering we were on the same set of finest Ditchfinders all day and everyone else seemed to be switching between racers and knobblies between test venues.
We ended the day 2nd overall in the Clubman event and 1st in class which was amazing considering how far off the pace we were in the morning. If we had gone at the same pace all day we would have won the clubman event.
It is always such a good rally and thankfully had survived the worst of the new regs. The use of two controls at PCs is genius to keep things moving and was quite fun to try to use them tactically to get ahead.
PaulV, saw you guys heading off with the car on the trailer while we were queuing up to start test 5 back at Castle Combe. What happened?
Primrose Road Rally is next in mid March and then Stu Wood targa in mid April.
A notorious ford was in full flow and as it washed up over the bonnet and spots I expected the worst. The cold water popped one headlight completely and a few miles later a misfire started and got slowly worse so we tapped out whilst we were at the closest point to home.
Bath Festival at the weekend was a much happier ending! Started at car 60, only the third rally in the BMW Compact so definitely still learning RWD. We were fast asleep on the morning loop and got baulked really badly on a few tests but a double egg butty at lunch did the trick and we set some very respectable times on the afternoon loop. Well inside the top 20 and some inside the top 15. Plenty of moments but thankfully got away with them all.
Not bad considering we were on the same set of finest Ditchfinders all day and everyone else seemed to be switching between racers and knobblies between test venues.
We ended the day 2nd overall in the Clubman event and 1st in class which was amazing considering how far off the pace we were in the morning. If we had gone at the same pace all day we would have won the clubman event.
It is always such a good rally and thankfully had survived the worst of the new regs. The use of two controls at PCs is genius to keep things moving and was quite fun to try to use them tactically to get ahead.
PaulV, saw you guys heading off with the car on the trailer while we were queuing up to start test 5 back at Castle Combe. What happened?
Primrose Road Rally is next in mid March and then Stu Wood targa in mid April.
FactoryBacked said:
PaulV, saw you guys heading off with the car on the trailer while we were queuing up to start test 5 back at Castle Combe. What happened?
The newly fitted clutch started to slip on test 5.Supposedly good for 220bhp, way over what the car has.
Alex was rather miffed to say the least.
A pity as we were quite good on pace (baulking notwithstanding)
Mixed start to the year. Spent a lot of time fixing the clio 182 after the beating it took on the Knutsford Targa at Tong park
Did a 12 car in the clio and did Ok with a 4th. The navigator usually drives and sometime wins on HRCR rounds. We usually have a good laugh which is what it is all about.
Junior took over the Clio for the Dishforth targa with his mate navigating. The aux belt tensioner went wonky within a few hundred yards of the first test, losing power steering, the alternator but most critically the water pump. Didn't stop them being 6th overall after the first three tests, beating the bogey on one of them.
The car had had enough though and wasn't fixable so retirement and a trip home on a rope was the final result. Hopefully the engine isn't damaged.
I marshalled all day and into the dark. The excellent weather after the early fog cleared made for an enjoyable day. Junior and his nav took up marshalling as well.
Not done an autotest yet this year either, too many broken cars to fix myself or they are sat in a queue at the local prepmeisters. I've organised or marshalled on a few autotests. We had 4 first timers on the one I organised this month.
What we do next depends on which cars are fixed first!
Did a 12 car in the clio and did Ok with a 4th. The navigator usually drives and sometime wins on HRCR rounds. We usually have a good laugh which is what it is all about.
Junior took over the Clio for the Dishforth targa with his mate navigating. The aux belt tensioner went wonky within a few hundred yards of the first test, losing power steering, the alternator but most critically the water pump. Didn't stop them being 6th overall after the first three tests, beating the bogey on one of them.
The car had had enough though and wasn't fixable so retirement and a trip home on a rope was the final result. Hopefully the engine isn't damaged.
I marshalled all day and into the dark. The excellent weather after the early fog cleared made for an enjoyable day. Junior and his nav took up marshalling as well.
Not done an autotest yet this year either, too many broken cars to fix myself or they are sat in a queue at the local prepmeisters. I've organised or marshalled on a few autotests. We had 4 first timers on the one I organised this month.
What we do next depends on which cars are fixed first!
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