Starting out hillclimbing and sprinting & what car
Discussion
Cheers guys - my logic against Clio 182s is that it is the obvious choice (I can think of 3 competing off the top of my head) and on hillclimbs with packed entries something a bit different would get you more chance of an entry. Unfortunately Hondas are out of budget!
I have got a mate on board in principal, he just needs board level approval for the expenditure I think...
I have got a mate on board in principal, he just needs board level approval for the expenditure I think...
Vocal Minority said:
Cheers guys - my logic against Clio 182s is that it is the obvious choice (I can think of 3 competing off the top of my head) and on hillclimbs with packed entries something a bit different would get you more chance of an entry.
I wouldn't worry about that, it's usually "first come, first served". Get something that you can afford and would enjoy competing in (but do double check the regs of local series to make sure it sort of fits).Furyblade_Lee said:
... the holy grail in this class is the import only EK9 Civic Type R with 180 bhp from 1.6!! Decent suspension already, this should wipe the floor in the class if you can find one!
They are almost perfect, one was at Goodwood the other week and looked the business. If I ever came into a bit of cash, I'd be sorely tempted to import one. LSD as standard and nice close ratio gearbox and stiffened chassis..When the local region set the class at 1600, I did point out that this car existed and a well driven one would blast the opposition into very small pieces! Will only be a matter of time..
Edited by Dan Friel on Tuesday 19th May 18:14
Vocal Minority said:
Cheers guys - my logic against Clio 182s is that it is the obvious choice (I can think of 3 competing off the top of my head) and on hillclimbs with packed entries something a bit different would get you more chance of an entry. Unfortunately Hondas are out of budget!
I have got a mate on board in principal, he just needs board level approval for the expenditure I think...
I've got a class winning hill climber AX Gt that I will be selling later this year, fitted with LSD, roll cage, twin carbs etc I will send you some details if of any interest?I have got a mate on board in principal, he just needs board level approval for the expenditure I think...
Re: the sharing. Yes it does halve the initial costs (although you'll both have to submit and pay for an entry to each event). But bear in mind you'll wear everything else out (tyres, brakes, etc.) twice as fast.
MR2 GT I've tried but you're in the same class as Integra Type Rs (DC2 and DC5) and RX-8s. Pity, as I found my MR2 GT a really nice car to drive apart from when it went past the limit...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMSq5INDAug
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxRpa1ZKuTg
MR2 GT I've tried but you're in the same class as Integra Type Rs (DC2 and DC5) and RX-8s. Pity, as I found my MR2 GT a really nice car to drive apart from when it went past the limit...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMSq5INDAug
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxRpa1ZKuTg
Sorry to hijack the thread a tad, but I'm in a similar boat to the OP. Did the Gurston Down hillclimb school last week and fancy getting a Nat B and doing a couple of events. I have a completely standard Mk3 MR2, and did consistent 46 sec runs in the dry at Gurston. I didn't want to prang the car, so wasn't pushing as hard as I would at a trackday with more runoff; I suppose there's a couple of secs still to come from the car on the hill with my level of ability and more practice.
I realise that being competitive from the off is not important, but I don't want to be running at the very bottom of the timesheets either. Is it worth competing in the MR2? I have tracked a 'slower' Mk1 MX5 which was 100% predictable in the corners and enabled me to push hard; not as nervous as the mid-engined MR2. Reckon something more benign in its propensity for snap-oversteer would be more fun on the hill?
Budget is only a few £k in total, and don't want to take my 6.0 Monaro hillclimbing!
I realise that being competitive from the off is not important, but I don't want to be running at the very bottom of the timesheets either. Is it worth competing in the MR2? I have tracked a 'slower' Mk1 MX5 which was 100% predictable in the corners and enabled me to push hard; not as nervous as the mid-engined MR2. Reckon something more benign in its propensity for snap-oversteer would be more fun on the hill?
Budget is only a few £k in total, and don't want to take my 6.0 Monaro hillclimbing!
Trev
Probably a good idea, and was thinking along the same lines. I've done a few 'informal' car club non-MSA sprints, and agree that plenty of runoff is good for building confidence in the car. I'm planning on joining Farnborough Motor Club and doing a couple of autosolos first. Cones are more forgiving to hit than armco!
Probably a good idea, and was thinking along the same lines. I've done a few 'informal' car club non-MSA sprints, and agree that plenty of runoff is good for building confidence in the car. I'm planning on joining Farnborough Motor Club and doing a couple of autosolos first. Cones are more forgiving to hit than armco!
speedtwelve said:
Sorry to hijack the thread a tad,
Is it worth competing in the MR2? I have tracked a 'slower' Mk1 MX5 which was 100% predictable in the corners and enabled me to push hard; not as nervous as the mid-engined MR2. Reckon something more benign in its propensity for snap-oversteer would be more fun on the hill?
Budget is only a few £k in total, and don't want to take my 6.0 Monaro hillclimbing!
I've tracked and raced MR2's including a Mk3 which has terrific handling in the dry but not so inspiring in the wet, plus it feels like it needs a load more power to make it any good up a hill. Is it worth competing in the MR2? I have tracked a 'slower' Mk1 MX5 which was 100% predictable in the corners and enabled me to push hard; not as nervous as the mid-engined MR2. Reckon something more benign in its propensity for snap-oversteer would be more fun on the hill?
Budget is only a few £k in total, and don't want to take my 6.0 Monaro hillclimbing!
JonHowell89 said:
this is something ive been looking at getting into myself, with my eyes on a clio172 cup or something vtec, probably an EG.
anyone know of any clubs down in South Wales?
It depends on which championship you want to enter really. For the Welsh Trident Engineering speed championship there are quite a few competitors that belong to Swansea MC. I tend to do mainly South Western championship rounds so belong to Bristol Pegasus MC.anyone know of any clubs down in South Wales?
Trev450 said:
JonHowell89 said:
this is something ive been looking at getting into myself, with my eyes on a clio172 cup or something vtec, probably an EG.
anyone know of any clubs down in South Wales?
It depends on which championship you want to enter really. For the Welsh Trident Engineering speed championship there are quite a few competitors that belong to Swansea MC. I tend to do mainly South Western championship rounds so belong to Bristol Pegasus MC.anyone know of any clubs down in South Wales?
Hello gents, just thought I'd join in on this too as I'm about to start out hillclimbing.
I have always been into historic rallying and lately have been doing some endurance racing and more track focused stuff. My rally car is pretty much set up for a half decent hillclimb spec so am going to start out slinging it up the hill at Harewood to see what's what.
I've done a few before; Rest & Be Thankful, Gurston Down, Shelsley Walsh and Goodwood more times than I can remember. I still see myself as a perfect novice though so will be great to have a 'home' hill that I can gradually learn and get the best out of.
The car should go alright - it's a 1981 Porsche 944. Fully stripped and caged, 985kg and a superb suspension setup. Power isn't huge at around 170hp but am currently having a pure competition engine built which should see anything up to 190. 200hp/t should be ample for a first season I reckon
- looking at the other entries in my class at Harewood (1F) it would seem that I'm likely going to be up against a Ferrari 360, TVR Chimera and a TVR V8S. I fancy my chances with that lot quite frankly.
I have always been into historic rallying and lately have been doing some endurance racing and more track focused stuff. My rally car is pretty much set up for a half decent hillclimb spec so am going to start out slinging it up the hill at Harewood to see what's what.
I've done a few before; Rest & Be Thankful, Gurston Down, Shelsley Walsh and Goodwood more times than I can remember. I still see myself as a perfect novice though so will be great to have a 'home' hill that I can gradually learn and get the best out of.
The car should go alright - it's a 1981 Porsche 944. Fully stripped and caged, 985kg and a superb suspension setup. Power isn't huge at around 170hp but am currently having a pure competition engine built which should see anything up to 190. 200hp/t should be ample for a first season I reckon
- looking at the other entries in my class at Harewood (1F) it would seem that I'm likely going to be up against a Ferrari 360, TVR Chimera and a TVR V8S. I fancy my chances with that lot quite frankly.JonHowell89 said:
Trev450 said:
JonHowell89 said:
this is something ive been looking at getting into myself, with my eyes on a clio172 cup or something vtec, probably an EG.
anyone know of any clubs down in South Wales?
It depends on which championship you want to enter really. For the Welsh Trident Engineering speed championship there are quite a few competitors that belong to Swansea MC. I tend to do mainly South Western championship rounds so belong to Bristol Pegasus MC.anyone know of any clubs down in South Wales?
If you have some free time this weekend we are at Pembrey for both days for a round of a number of championships.
[quote=benjj]Hello gents, just thought I'd join in on this too as I'm about to start out hillclimbing.
I have always been into historic rallying and lately have been doing some endurance racing and more track focused stuff. My rally car is pretty much set up for a half decent hillclimb spec so am going to start out slinging it up the hill at Harewood to see what's what.
I've done a few before; Rest & Be Thankful, Gurston Down, Shelsley Walsh and Goodwood more times than I can remember. I still see myself as a perfect novice though so will be great to have a 'home' hill that I can gradually learn and get the best out of.
The car should go alright - it's a 1981 Porsche 944. Fully stripped and caged, 985kg and a superb suspension setup. Power isn't huge at around 170hp but am currently having a pure competition engine built which should see anything up to 190. 200hp/t should be ample for a first season I reckon - looking at the other entries in my class at Harewood (1F) it would seem that I'm likely going to be up against a Ferrari 360, TVR Chimera and a TVR V8S. I fancy my chances with that lot quite frankly.
Good luck and keep it on the grey bits,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, mostly
I have always been into historic rallying and lately have been doing some endurance racing and more track focused stuff. My rally car is pretty much set up for a half decent hillclimb spec so am going to start out slinging it up the hill at Harewood to see what's what.
I've done a few before; Rest & Be Thankful, Gurston Down, Shelsley Walsh and Goodwood more times than I can remember. I still see myself as a perfect novice though so will be great to have a 'home' hill that I can gradually learn and get the best out of.
The car should go alright - it's a 1981 Porsche 944. Fully stripped and caged, 985kg and a superb suspension setup. Power isn't huge at around 170hp but am currently having a pure competition engine built which should see anything up to 190. 200hp/t should be ample for a first season I reckon
- looking at the other entries in my class at Harewood (1F) it would seem that I'm likely going to be up against a Ferrari 360, TVR Chimera and a TVR V8S. I fancy my chances with that lot quite frankly.Good luck and keep it on the grey bits,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, mostly
Guys - quick question around insurance.
If its a road going car, will a standard road going insurance be alright for hill climbs or sprinting (on the understanding I can't claim for any damage I do to the car competing) - or will any form of competition void the lot? In which case do I need something specialist?
If its a road going car, will a standard road going insurance be alright for hill climbs or sprinting (on the understanding I can't claim for any damage I do to the car competing) - or will any form of competition void the lot? In which case do I need something specialist?
By way of an update:
I have bought a car!
I have gone with an MR2 GT - not the obvious choice I will freely admit, but before you all throw pencils at me and ask 'why didn't you buy a Clio' - the answer is I just didn't want one. I understand that they will be a better tool for the job, but just didn't fancy it.
Decided that for my sub £2000 budget, an RX8 was too much of a bork-risk. Apparently the quoted figures on performance are optimistic, with magazines getting 0-60 times of around 7 seconds (not 6.4) and hp at the wheels being more like 190 rather than 230. The reduced advantage just didn't seem worth the potential for expensive repair bills.
Anyway - to learn what I am doing and just quietly enjoy myself at the bottom of the time sheets (and for the princely outlay of £1400) this will do me:
I have bought a car!
I have gone with an MR2 GT - not the obvious choice I will freely admit, but before you all throw pencils at me and ask 'why didn't you buy a Clio' - the answer is I just didn't want one. I understand that they will be a better tool for the job, but just didn't fancy it.
Decided that for my sub £2000 budget, an RX8 was too much of a bork-risk. Apparently the quoted figures on performance are optimistic, with magazines getting 0-60 times of around 7 seconds (not 6.4) and hp at the wheels being more like 190 rather than 230. The reduced advantage just didn't seem worth the potential for expensive repair bills.
Anyway - to learn what I am doing and just quietly enjoy myself at the bottom of the time sheets (and for the princely outlay of £1400) this will do me:
I am not 100% at the moment.
Either the 'Service Hydraulics Speed Championship' (The Midland Speed Championship to you and me), or the Midland Hillclimb Championship.
I am leaning toward the latter and doing some sprints on an ad hoc basis. Though the former may give me more options for upgrading the B license quicker.
No need to decide immediately
Either the 'Service Hydraulics Speed Championship' (The Midland Speed Championship to you and me), or the Midland Hillclimb Championship.
I am leaning toward the latter and doing some sprints on an ad hoc basis. Though the former may give me more options for upgrading the B license quicker.
No need to decide immediately
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