Getting Started in Hillclimbs/Sprints
Discussion
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
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
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
I think I'm back to track days only for now
Thanks guys, sounds a bit more promising. I think the next step then is to join a club and either attend a club meet, or actual event, with the car to get some expert opinion.
This is she btw:
(Reader's car thread here: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... )
This is she btw:
(Reader's car thread here: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... )
I haven't really got that far yet Mark! Basically any event within a couple of hours of Tring (in Herts) that will have me 
I'm about to join the Herts County Auto and Aero Club which will hopefully get me well on the way...
(Thanks hugely again for all the great advice guys, much appreciated.)
I'm about to join the Herts County Auto and Aero Club which will hopefully get me well on the way...
(Thanks hugely again for all the great advice guys, much appreciated.)
Apologies for the naive question, but what's the difference between "non-race Nat B" and "Nat B"? I'm hoping speed events mean the former, because, well, they aren't races. If it's the latter, how do I get one? ARDS test is a non-issue (I'd quite like to do this anyway as a "fun" day out, and to learn some stuff). If it means getting signatures from events though, major issue/catch 22 for me.
Edited by AndyGarton on Thursday 27th February 14:05
A bit annoyed with the MSA!
I just paid 95 quid for the "Go Racing Pack" which arrived today - you don't even get the Blue Book in hard copy any more, just the DVD, plus a pen, in a fancy box. The application form they included is for "Race" licenses only, not the Non-Race National B. I've since downloaded the PDF form from their site for nothing!
(I had also attempted to apply online, but after 20 minutes of faffing with photos etc, it fails at the end with a vague "you must apply by post" error.)
Bit of a shambles really, and 95 quid for a pen
I just paid 95 quid for the "Go Racing Pack" which arrived today - you don't even get the Blue Book in hard copy any more, just the DVD, plus a pen, in a fancy box. The application form they included is for "Race" licenses only, not the Non-Race National B. I've since downloaded the PDF form from their site for nothing!
(I had also attempted to apply online, but after 20 minutes of faffing with photos etc, it fails at the end with a vague "you must apply by post" error.)
Bit of a shambles really, and 95 quid for a pen
Nobody told me as such, but the error message I got from my online application ("you must apply by post") kinda implied it. My fault ultimately I guess, although the PDF form is nowhere to be seen on the actual "apply for a license" page (only on the separate "forms" page). Anyway, lesson learned
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