Low cost motorsport in your road car - Blandford 2nd Dec
Discussion
If anyone wants to have a go at very low cost, very low risk motorsport read on...
I belong to a car club (Bournemouth and District) and they host a variety of events throughout the year. These include tarmac rallies, sprints etc which require helmets, overalls and fully prepared competition cars... BUT they also have events you can enter in your standard road car - whatever it is.
A good example is happening at Blandford on 2nd December. They are hosting a tarmac slalom. Any car can be used - anything from a MOT failure 1.0 Corsa (which can be very competitive!) through to a standard Fiesta, MX5 or even TVR Chimaera can and have taken part. No car preparation at all is required and you don't need a helmet or race suit.
A few years ago I invited a group of PHers in Elises, an SLK55 AMG and even Peter in his Viper. We all had a brilliant time. The only real expense is tyres - if you choose to drive a fast RWD car smoking the tyres everywhere as Peter did (and I often do
)
I have previously entered in my old MX5, TVR Chimeara and tarmac rally car and Miss Notax in her Elise - but really anything goes. Last time a couple of friends bought MOT failure BMW 328s and ragged them to death...
The event consist of driving as fast as you can against the clock on a set course around cones. Only one car is on the course at any time and all there is to hit are cones. The correct course around the cones is shown on a map you are given and you can take a passenger to give you directions! Entry is only £20 plus £5 (I think) to join the club for a day.
Let me know if you'd like any other info
I belong to a car club (Bournemouth and District) and they host a variety of events throughout the year. These include tarmac rallies, sprints etc which require helmets, overalls and fully prepared competition cars... BUT they also have events you can enter in your standard road car - whatever it is.
A good example is happening at Blandford on 2nd December. They are hosting a tarmac slalom. Any car can be used - anything from a MOT failure 1.0 Corsa (which can be very competitive!) through to a standard Fiesta, MX5 or even TVR Chimaera can and have taken part. No car preparation at all is required and you don't need a helmet or race suit.
A few years ago I invited a group of PHers in Elises, an SLK55 AMG and even Peter in his Viper. We all had a brilliant time. The only real expense is tyres - if you choose to drive a fast RWD car smoking the tyres everywhere as Peter did (and I often do
)I have previously entered in my old MX5, TVR Chimeara and tarmac rally car and Miss Notax in her Elise - but really anything goes. Last time a couple of friends bought MOT failure BMW 328s and ragged them to death...
The event consist of driving as fast as you can against the clock on a set course around cones. Only one car is on the course at any time and all there is to hit are cones. The correct course around the cones is shown on a map you are given and you can take a passenger to give you directions! Entry is only £20 plus £5 (I think) to join the club for a day.
Let me know if you'd like any other info
I went to that and I'd love to go along again. Was in the red Deronda last time. Yep tyres got pretty well worn especially the Viper as I recall. I've got a Midas that would be fun to take up there though I'm not sure it would be back together in time.
By the way Yes the Corsa was indeed very competitive last time.
Hey I even found a photo from that event too!
By the way Yes the Corsa was indeed very competitive last time.
Hey I even found a photo from that event too!
Edited by qdos on Monday 12th November 22:59
been looking around for events like these.Great to see there is some interest
The regulations are here:
http://www.bdcc.org.uk/winterslalom021212regs.pdf
and the entry form is here:
http://www.bdcc.org.uk/winterslalom021212entryform...
You used to be able to join the club for a day for £5, but it seems they may now only offer annual membership at £20.50 - I will check. Either way, it is very cheap motorsport fun and they hold various events like this throughout the year. Some of the photos on the club website (www.bdcc.org.uk) may misslead you - this event is held on tarmac but some others are held on the loose (this is me having fun at a grass slalom in the TVR (which you may have seen before):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyeChgOvhrs&pla...
To answer the query about tyres, race tyres are not permitted so no slicks, anything road legal should be fine - but I wouldn't use anything too fancy or expensive - it is a bit of fun afterall and if you are enthusiastic you will wear them out! Having said that I've competed various times in my TVR and the tyres are generally still legal when I've finished. If you really want to cook your tyres it is worth bringing a spare set of wheels and tyres for the driven wheels at least. Miss Notax won several times in her Elise with zero tyre wear - but then she was driving sensibly whereas I prefer extreme oversteer
The regulations are here:
http://www.bdcc.org.uk/winterslalom021212regs.pdf
and the entry form is here:
http://www.bdcc.org.uk/winterslalom021212entryform...
You used to be able to join the club for a day for £5, but it seems they may now only offer annual membership at £20.50 - I will check. Either way, it is very cheap motorsport fun and they hold various events like this throughout the year. Some of the photos on the club website (www.bdcc.org.uk) may misslead you - this event is held on tarmac but some others are held on the loose (this is me having fun at a grass slalom in the TVR (which you may have seen before
):http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyeChgOvhrs&pla...
To answer the query about tyres, race tyres are not permitted so no slicks, anything road legal should be fine - but I wouldn't use anything too fancy or expensive - it is a bit of fun afterall and if you are enthusiastic you will wear them out! Having said that I've competed various times in my TVR and the tyres are generally still legal when I've finished. If you really want to cook your tyres it is worth bringing a spare set of wheels and tyres for the driven wheels at least. Miss Notax won several times in her Elise with zero tyre wear - but then she was driving sensibly whereas I prefer extreme oversteer
shentodj said:
Is it possible to just spectate? Don't mind paying, joining cub etc.
If so, can you let me have some details.
Regards,
Shentodj
It isn't really designed for spectating, but having said that it is pretty informal - once you've got past security as it is a military base. Best bet is to meet up with a 'competitor' and jump in their car - you will need to plan this in advance as the base needs to know who is in which car when entries are submitted. It is good fun to watch and you may be asked to co drive for someone - every competing car has two people in it. Bear in mind you are liekly to freeze your nadgers off though - there is no protection from the elements.If so, can you let me have some details.
Regards,
Shentodj
mgbond said:
Arrrrr, would love to do this but that's the day I have a hospital tour in prep for little Bondy |D
What time does it start and finish?
Hope all goes well with mini Bondy. The gates open at 9am and cars need to be scutineered by 10am, with the competition starting at 10.30am. It will end around 3-4pm I guess and you would need to bring lunch and drinks as there is nothing on site. Hope you can make it What time does it start and finish?
Gooly said:
How long would the course be roughly? Are there any videos from the last meet?
Each course is probably only 300 - 400m long. They run three at the same time and there are generally around 18 different tests. Although you compete against the clock they often run two identical tests side by side meaning that you can compete directly against another car by starting at the same time It sounds short but is really good fun - you'll generally be in first and second gear. You have the opportunity to do handbrake turns around the cones or slide the car, but neither is mandatory and sometimes it is quicker just to drive neatly (albeit not as much fun!) There are trophies for the fastest times etc and Miss Notax has beaten several times as I'm out there to have fun and slide everywhere whilst she always takes the neat approach. The other crucial thing is not to get lost on the course - easier said than done and a relief that they are allowing passengers for this one to give you directions...I do have some video somewhere, I'll see if I can dig some out...
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