Getting Started in Hillclimbs/Sprints

Getting Started in Hillclimbs/Sprints

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Discussion

AndyGarton

Original Poster:

399 posts

206 months

Wednesday 26th February 2014
quotequote all
Hi all, I hope this type of post isn't too annoying as I know it's been asked before, but with not quite the specifics I need (I'm reading up on older posts as fast as I can!).

I've recently acquired a fully road legal but competition-ish spec Escort Mk2 (full cage, race seats and harnesses, Honda S2000 engine and box, upgraded suspension and brakes etc). My initial plan was to use it only for track days and B road blasts, but I'm feeling the urgent to dip my toes into racing, albeit starting with time trial type events where the fault if I bend it can only be mine!

As I understand it I'll need a "non-race National B license" to start with, which I don't think requires a half day ARDS test - is this right? Would it make sense to do the ARDS test anyway? I also need to be a member of a "club" I think - is it a case of joining my local club (I'm based in Herts), or do I need to join the club(s) which run the events I'm looking to enter?

Could somebody advise what kind of classes, events and venues I can run with my car please? It's a 1976 Escort originally, but obviously fairly heavily modified as above.

Equipment wise I have a suitable helmet, will I need a fireproof suit, boots and gloves as well though?

Any other advice, links etc greatly appreciated, thanks in advance!

Cheers,
Andy

RESSE

5,692 posts

220 months

Wednesday 26th February 2014
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RESSE

5,692 posts

220 months

Wednesday 26th February 2014
quotequote all
RESSE said:
http://www.msauk.org/uploadedfiles/msa_forms/bluebooks/09/Specific_Regs_Sprints_Hillclimb_Drag_Racing.pdf

Gloves became mandatory a couple of years ago.

RESSE

5,692 posts

220 months

Wednesday 26th February 2014
quotequote all
Depending on the specification of your escort you will probably be in Modified Series Production Cars Over 1400cc and up to 2000cc, but class categories can vary from region to region and championship to championship.





Edited by RESSE on Wednesday 26th February 13:02

LordHaveMurci

12,034 posts

168 months

Wednesday 26th February 2014
quotequote all
AndyGarton said:
Hi all, I hope this type of post isn't too annoying as I know it's been asked before, but with not quite the specifics I need (I'm reading up on older posts as fast as I can!).

I've recently acquired a fully road legal but competition-ish spec Escort Mk2 (full cage, race seats and harnesses, Honda S2000 engine and box, upgraded suspension and brakes etc). My initial plan was to use it only for track days and B road blasts, but I'm feeling the urgent to dip my toes into racing, albeit starting with time trial type events where the fault if I bend it can only be mine!

As I understand it I'll need a "non-race National B license" to start with, which I don't think requires a half day ARDS test - is this right? Would it make sense to do the ARDS test anyway? I also need to be a member of a "club" I think - is it a case of joining my local club (I'm based in Herts), or do I need to join the club(s) which run the events I'm looking to enter?

Could somebody advise what kind of classes, events and venues I can run with my car please? It's a 1976 Escort originally, but obviously fairly heavily modified as above.

Equipment wise I have a suitable helmet, will I need a fireproof suit, boots and gloves as well though?

Any other advice, links etc greatly appreciated, thanks in advance!

Cheers,
Andy
Hi Andy

Yes, Non Race Nat.B License & no ARDS test required, no reason to take it either.
Makes sense to join a club that either runs, or is invited to, the events you want to enter. Speak to them about which class to run in & getting the MSA log book or go online & read the MSA 'Blue Book'.
Overalls, helmet & gloves required, these have to meet required standards so CHECK this! No boots required.
Sounds like you're going to have a whole lot of fun smile

binnerboy

486 posts

149 months

Wednesday 26th February 2014
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definitely join a club,

lists here

http://www.itsmymotorsport.co.uk/lcamc.htm

more on google

and as has been said read the MSA bluebook

stuff on licences

https://www.msauk.org/site/cms/contentviewarticle....


AndyGarton

Original Poster:

399 posts

206 months

Wednesday 26th February 2014
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Really appreciate all the comments so far guys, thanks. Much clearer already, and plenty of reading to do smile

HorneyMX5

5,306 posts

149 months

Wednesday 26th February 2014
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I'm hoping to do my first few sprints this year as well so I'll be keeping an eye on this thread.

RESSE

5,692 posts

220 months

Wednesday 26th February 2014
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I started in 2003 and have been addicted to it ever since - great fun and good banter with fellow competitors.

driving


kimducati

342 posts

163 months

Wednesday 26th February 2014
quotequote all
RESSE said:
Depending on the specification of your escort you will probably be in Modified Series Production Cars Over 1400cc and up to 2000cc, but class categories can vary from region to region and championship to championship.





Edited by RESSE on Wednesday 26th February 13:02
To be in mod prod the car would need to be fitted with an engine block 'externally identifiable' as an original fitment.
The Honda engine swap will put it into Sports Libre up to 2 litre, so it won't be competitive if you're worried about that sort of thing. Always plenty of fun to be had racing yourself (to improve your pb) or any other engine swapped cars though.

Kim

HorneyMX5

5,306 posts

149 months

Wednesday 26th February 2014
quotequote all
I assume a supercharged 1.6 MX5 would be in Mod prod?

carl_w

9,154 posts

257 months

Wednesday 26th February 2014
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jeffw said:
They have very nice trophies. The one I've held for the last two years was first awarded at the Aston Hinton hillclimb, which was run by HCAAC.

I did a blog a while back but as you can see I stopped updating it 2 years ago: http://bogart.org.uk/220_Racing/Blog/Archive.html

carl_w

9,154 posts

257 months

Wednesday 26th February 2014
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HorneyMX5 said:
I assume a supercharged 1.6 MX5 would be in Mod prod?
You say that, but I've seen a supercharged MX-5 in A5 (Roadgoing over 2 litres).

Bertrum

466 posts

222 months

Wednesday 26th February 2014
quotequote all
The escort would be in sports libra, the MX-5 will be In Road going over 2 litre.

I think you need a NAT A for Sports Libra.


carl_w

9,154 posts

257 months

Wednesday 26th February 2014
quotequote all
Bertrum said:
The escort would be in sports libra, the MX-5 will be In Road going over 2 litre.

I think you need a NAT A for Sports Libra.
Nat A (OPEN) for Sports Libre over 2 litres, under 2 litres Nat B should suffice.

AndyGarton

Original Poster:

399 posts

206 months

Thursday 27th February 2014
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Non-race Nat B or Nat B (and so ARDS required) please?

heebeegeetee

28,590 posts

247 months

Thursday 27th February 2014
quotequote all
I think some care is needed over classes.

I'm going through this process at the moment. My understanding is that an Escort with a Honda engine would have to run in the Sports Libre class, and would require a Nation A licence. A beginner would initially be issued with a National B licence and would need to do 4 events in a Nat B car and obtain a signature on an upgrade card each time (upgrade card in Blue Book which comes with licence).

I tried to compete with a supercharged MX5 a few years back and couldn't. The ruling was that a modification can not move a vehicle from one capacity class into another unless you run in sports libre - which meant having to have a full cage etc, which I emphatically didn't want in my everyday car.

I must say though that I hadn't thought of the ARDS aspect, and nobody I have spoken to on licence/class issues has mentioned it. I don't have the Blue Book to hand here at work but I'd be interested to hear what part an ARDS course can play (if any).

I intend to compete in our Toyota turbo'd Smart car (ahem) this year. This car runs in Sports Libre over 2 litres class and I am required to do 8 events in total to obtain the National A Open licence it needs. I only managed to get 3 in last year but am (trying) to plan properly this year and get the remaining rounds in.

(There is an excellent members only event at Curborough on the 30th march, entry fee just £55 and club entry is only £25. Unfortunately I have already ordered my tickets for the Goodwood Members meeting on that same weekend so right from the off there is already a clash frown )

Sprinting and hillclimbing is a simple sport but I have found it useful entering events in a boggo road car to get used to how an event runs through the day without the complication of running some fearsome, difficult little beast, and so I would recommend anyone taking a quiet entry into the sport before turning up in some sort of hot-rod or other.

Anyway I have had my entry at Rockingham on March 16th in my boggo Smart Roadster accepted so will be there in that. smile

AndyGarton

Original Poster:

399 posts

206 months

Thursday 27th February 2014
quotequote all
Yes agreed, doing some events in an unmodified car first makes sense. Frustrating, as I don't have a car I want to use for that, plus ironic that the Escort has all the extra safety equipment etc yet I can't use it without jumping through lots of hoops! I'm not bothered about winning, just being there and improving my own times would be great.

I think I'm back to track days only for now frown

andylaurence

438 posts

210 months

Thursday 27th February 2014
quotequote all
Some of the information here is right and some is not.

You need a helmet, suit and gloves to the right spec.

You need a non-race Nat B licence. Nat A Open is only required for Sports Libre and Racing Cars of over 2000cc. There's no need for an ARDS.

The car will fit into the Sports Libre category, but the class is decided by the club running the event, so you may find yourself in <2000cc, >1800cc, Libre Saloons, Rally Cars or even an age-defined class. I wouldn't worry as no matter what class you're in, you'll have fun. Sports Libre is a good place to be - people tend to be very friendly and helpful. To be honest, that does sum up speed events in general too...