Wednesday 17th June 2015

Leaders Hillclimb Multi Car Challenge - Corsa VXR

Punchy, diff-equipped Corsa VXR has the potential to be a proper hillclimb weapon - to Loton Park to find out

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There's a bit of history between Loton Park and myself. Every previous visit has been notable by a trip onto the grass at some point during the weekend. The most memorable, or downright terrifying, was a sideways excursion towards the large oak tree at Loggerheads. Fortunately, it didn't put me off returning in a Vauxhall Corsa VXR for the next round of the Multi Car Hillclimb Challenge.

Drexler diff a real boon at Loton

I'd reasoned part of my failure to gel with Loton was just trying too hard on a course that is very technical. You need to be inch perfect on every corner, so the Corsa VXR would need to be nimble.

Thankfully, the car borrowed for this round of the Multi Car Hillclimb Challenge supported by Primo PLC came with the Performance Pack, which could have been tailor-made for hillclimbing. It includes a Drexler limited slip differential, larger 330mm Brembo front brake discs and firmer suspension. The 205hp 1.6-litre turbocharged engine takes the Corsa from 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds and it has a six-speed manual gearbox, so all good news for driving at Loton Park.

Tool for the job
The start of the weekend kicked off with steady rain and it didn't ease off all day. It meant the two practice runs on Saturday were all about learning smooth lines, which was just what I needed. This approach resulted in me bettering team-mate David Finlay with a second run of 70.87 seconds ahead of his 72.35. Had the weekend finished here, I would have been quietly happy.

Al went well in the wet... then it dried!

Due to a very busy programme, there was no time for another practice run on Sunday morning, which was a problem. The sun was now out and the track totally dry, so effectively it was the start of a completely different event.

A slightly cautious first competition run proved I could still find all of the turn-in and clipping points I'd practiced the previous day in the wet. It also showed the Corsa needed some deft footwork to get it off the line cleanly. In the end, I managed identical 2.85-second acceleration runs over the first 64-feet.

However, my second competition run felt a lot better. Into Hall Corner, I braked later and used the Drexler differential's bite to pull the car through and make the most of the track's width here. Then it was sticking to the right-hand side where the grip is for as long as possible through Loggerheads and down to Fletcher's Dellow for a dab on the brakes. All of this is in second gear, with third only briefly required for the drop down to Triangle. Again, a late apex felt good, as did the small lift then touch of the brakes for the right-left flick of Keepers Corner.

Looking good
At this point, I knew it was going well and the Corsa felt good. The engine takes a moment to come on strong as the turbo gets into its stride, but it pulled well out of Triangle and Keepers. There was also decent, predictable traction from the front tyres and the rear end stayed in line even with the ESP fully disengaged.

The diversity of hillclimb entrants!

Pressing on up Cedar Straight, which is anything but straight, third gear saw the Corsa giving its all before a change to fourth. And this is where my Loton curse reared up again. Pulling the gear lever from third to fourth, it just refused to engage and meant a second attempt that rammed it home. All this took only a couple of seconds, but it was enough to spoil what was looking like a decent time.

No point in wasting the run, though, so I pushed on through Fallow and the steep uphill section to Museum Corner and then over the line. Annoyed the run was let down by something not my fault, there was some compensation in a 66.50-second time to record my best of the weekend. I was still disappointed not to have broken into the 65-second bracket, which team-mate David duly managed with a impressive run of 65.29 seconds, which you can see in the video.

Every car ahead of us in the A2 Class was on much stickier tyres than our standard Michelin rubber, so the Vauxhall Corsa VXR acquitted itself very well. Shame about the missed gear, which means there is still unfinished business between me and Loton Park.

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Previous reports:
Mercedes AMG A45
Abarth 695 Biposto
BMW i8

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Watch the video here
 

Photos: Rich Danby

 

[anonymous-user]

Not sure what it is but I just can't get into the Corsa VXR.
Latest Astra VXR is very nice though.

[anonymous-user]

Actually I'd like to know how these everyday fast cars compete against older everyday fast cars at such events. IE your Scoobies and Evos.

[Mark A S]

Thanks for the loan of the bucket chaps
Have fun at Doune, at least the commute will be better!

[griffdude]

GravelMachineGun said:

Actually I'd like to know how these everyday fast cars compete against older everyday fast cars at such events. IE your Scoobies and Evos.

Here you go

http://www.resultsman.co.uk/LiveTiming/EventViewer...

[andyps]

2.85 for the first 64 feet is pretty good for FWD on standard rubber I think.

In terms of comparison with Evos and Imprezas it is difficult to tell as they don't often run as they left the factory - taking the over 2ltr road going class at Harewood the usual winner is an Evo which is modified, not sure how much but one has over 600bhp. At the last event those two were 3 seconds faster than an unmodified Evo 7 - look at the results for class 1c here http://www.harewoodhill.com/downloads/pdf/eventRes...

For comparison when Al was at Harewood in the Biposto his best time was 70.60.

[Richair]

griffdude said:

GravelMachineGun said:

Actually I'd like to know how these everyday fast cars compete against older everyday fast cars at such events. IE your Scoobies and Evos.

Here you go

http://www.resultsman.co.uk/LiveTiming/EventViewer...

Or if you'd like some times from a fellow PH'er in similar conditions earlier this year in my near stock (standard suspension, bar geometry and List 1a road tyres, full interior) 1995 Impreza STI Wagon:

http://www.resultsman.co.uk/LiveTiming/EventViewer...

That day I was 7th of a class of 14, plus I know the course well as it's my local hill. Still I was very pleased with that! Anything around 60 seconds in this class is very fast though (well prepared Evo's, Impreza's, 1M's and GT3's on list 1b's are usually below 60 secs in good conditions.

I think the boys did well as it's a very scary and technical track!!

[alisdairsuttie]

Even a stock standard Evo or Impreza is going to mug the Corsa VXR due to traction off the line and out of corners, plus the acceleration they offer. A more realistic comparison is with the Clio 172/182 entrants in the A1 class. They are running much better tyres and are putting in times pretty much the same as the Corsa's.

The fun of the A1 and A2 classes is the diversity of machinery that can end up with very similar times. At Loton, we had a Jaguar E-type, Honda Accord Type-R, supercharged Elises, 996 and 997 Turbos, an Impreza and Nissan GTR. Even if we can't beat them, it's great to be competing at such a challenging track.

Hope to see you at Harewood, Andy, and feel free to borrow the bucket any time Mark!

[Clivey]

That little Corsa looks pretty damn good! I expect the haters will arrive shortly, though.

[AW90]

Did they just take tail lights from an Astra?