Sprints/Hillclimb series in the North?

Sprints/Hillclimb series in the North?

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Discussion

LiamM45

Original Poster:

1,035 posts

179 months

Friday 15th August 2014
quotequote all
Hi.

Looking to take a step up from trackdays to something a little more competitive, one of my friends does sprints in an Alfa 155 at a few tracks in the North, Blyton, Croft, Teesside Autodrome, etc.

I want to use my current car, a modified Astra VXR (2.0 turbo for those who don't know) and I'm wondering whether this will fit into any classes? I'm told road seats and belts are fine, I just need tow points clear, oil catch can, and ignition point marked.

I understand I need an MSA non race B licence or something?

Can anyone else advise on which series to look at? And what safety equipment I need for myself, helmet, suit, etc?

Thank you smile

Dan Friel

3,615 posts

277 months

Friday 15th August 2014
quotequote all
Good thread with lots of decent info is here:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I don't live in the north, so can't comment on series / events, but you need to review regulations to check how your car modifications fit.


Trev450

6,314 posts

171 months

Friday 15th August 2014
quotequote all
You will need a non-race national B licence.

Helmet, gloves and racesuit are compulsory, anything else such as boots, etc are optional.

In addition to the items you've mentioned for the car, you will also need to fit a timing strut.

I'm not sure what championships run in your part of the country, but in the South West where I am your car would be in the over 2.6 litre class due to it being turboed and therefore a 40% cc increase is applied. That would of course put you in the same class as Nissan GTR's and big power Evo's and Subaru's.

LiamM45

Original Poster:

1,035 posts

179 months

Saturday 16th August 2014
quotequote all
Thanks Dan, good link, answered a lot of questions going around in my head.

Trev, regards the kit, it was more what standard the kit needs to be up to that I was interested in, as I imagine this will be the most expensive bit of getting started.

I'm not too bothered about being lumbered in class with GTR's or whatever, I'm a novice I expect to be at the lower end of the time sheets anyway, but I was just worried about being stuck in a class with some mental non road legal contraptions and having to spend a fortune on a roll cage, good seats, etc. I'm planning on doing this on a 'modest' budget shall we say.

Thanks for the responses.

Tibs

488 posts

200 months

Saturday 16th August 2014
quotequote all
An easier and cheaper way is to run in Class X in the Toyota Sprint Series. Class X is for anything really, despite the Toyota part if the series name.

Car will need tow hook arrows and battery lead marking out, but that's it. (Literally some tape would do for these, so pennies in cost).

You need helmet, gloves and a long sleeved top, that's it.

Ready to go, no race licence needed.

Job done I'd say?

Croft, Blyton, Barkston covered by me last year. Great events that are well ran.

PM me if you want anymore info fella :-)

Trev450

6,314 posts

171 months

Saturday 16th August 2014
quotequote all
LiamM45 said:
Trev, regards the kit, it was more what standard the kit needs to be up to that I was interested in, as I imagine this will be the most expensive bit of getting started.
Ah, ok.
Racesuit needs to be either FIA 8856-2000 or FIA 1986 standard

Helmet can be from a wide range of standards (see Blue Book) but FIA 8860-2010 is the most recent update

Gloves need to be to ISO 6940 standard.

It can all be a bit of a minefield, but feel free to post up any questions you may have.



LiamM45

Original Poster:

1,035 posts

179 months

Saturday 16th August 2014
quotequote all
Tibs I've sent you a message mate.

Trev, thanks, will start looking for some kit. Hope my current helmet will do I've only used it twice, just an average motorbike helmet! I have some omp karting gloves will see if they are up to standard.

I guess joining a local motor club will be the next step for looking at events, and then the regs from there?

Trev450

6,314 posts

171 months

Saturday 16th August 2014
quotequote all
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but neither your helmet or gloves are to the correct spec. They need to be flameproof which bike hemets and karting gloves are not required to be.

LiamM45

Original Poster:

1,035 posts

179 months

Saturday 16th August 2014
quotequote all
That's fine, don't mind buying it if I have to, I'll just keep my old gear for karting.

Can you recommend any sensibly priced helmets to fit the rules? Preferably sub £200/250? Quite an open question I know but I've only ever looked on Demon Tweekd for this sort of stuff.

Trev450

6,314 posts

171 months

Saturday 16th August 2014
quotequote all
These are good value for money and I believe they have a good returns policy if they don't fit.

http://www.v2sport.com/


andylaurence

438 posts

210 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
There's also the Hedtec and Plays Kool helmets comfortably in your price range. If you're planning to compete next year, head up to the Autosport show. I would expect them all to be there, so try them on for size and purchase the one you like best. If you buy a race suit and gloves from them, expect a deal...

andyps

7,817 posts

281 months

Thursday 21st August 2014
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Certainly worth doing the Harewood Hillclimb championship. With your Astra you would be in Class 1C and won't manage to win as you would be up against some very fast Evos, but there is fun to be had anyway - you certainly ought to be able to challenge me for fastest fwd car in the class (there is nothing official about it but in my head I am leading that sub-class!). There is an event this Sunday you could come along and watch to see what is needed, competitors are very open and the scrutineers would be happy to help with any questions once they had looked at all the competitors and cars.

PJS917

1,194 posts

247 months

Thursday 21st August 2014
quotequote all
Certainly worth looking at Harewood as Andy has mentioned. Have a look at Longton and District Motor Club as well as they do a hill climb/sprint championship based in the North of England.

LiamM45

Original Poster:

1,035 posts

179 months

Friday 22nd August 2014
quotequote all
Andy L - thought about buying the kit there, cash rules at that show, I've picked up some bargains there before!

Andy - I'm giving drag racing a go this Sunday so won't be able to make harewood. I will check out that class regs though and the Longton motor club, cheers guys!!