Autosolo 7th August - Rotherham
Autosolo 7th August - Rotherham
Author
Discussion

moribund

Original Poster:

4,274 posts

237 months

Wednesday 27th July 2011
quotequote all
If anyone fancies an Autosolo but was put off by having to travel to darkest Lancashire to find one...

http://www.rotherhammotorclub.org.uk/index.php/SMW...

Hopefully it'll be a sucess for them - I've really enjoyed having a go at these this year but they've all been at least an hours drive away so far. Will be nice if they take off on this side of the Pennines too!

If you've not tried one an Autosolo is a timed run around a track marked with cones, usually in a big carpark. Generally 1st gear only, no special requirements on car or driver, no mods or licenses required - just a test of skill against the clock. A lot more exciting to do than it sounds too.

Trickie Dickie

2,399 posts

257 months

Wednesday 27th July 2011
quotequote all
Thanks for this notice Steve

I prefer the autotests on grass for a bit more fun and less "wear & tear" on the car

I will be doing the next one for Ilkley & District Motor Club near Crossgates Leeds on the 17th August

Just hoping I can use my sons Clio 1.2 and don't have to do in the S Type Jag Auto like last year

Cheers
Trickie

mybrainhurts

90,809 posts

278 months

Wednesday 27th July 2011
quotequote all
Rotherham...?

I escaped once, not going to risk it again....hehe

moribund

Original Poster:

4,274 posts

237 months

Wednesday 27th July 2011
quotequote all
Trickie Dickie said:
Thanks for this notice Steve
I prefer the autotests on grass for a bit more fun and less "wear & tear" on the car
Sort of see where you're coming from re wear and tear in terms of drive shafts I guess, but it'd have to be a guaranteed super smooth dry field before I'd even consider doing one on grass in my Smart smile

I've done a few different venues now and they seem fairly benign to me. I don't think car parks are as grippy as tracks. Autosolos are all forward events too, no reverse moves or stop/starts.

Edited by moribund on Wednesday 27th July 17:55

snotrag

15,488 posts

234 months

Wednesday 27th July 2011
quotequote all
Sounds good, enjoyed these before. As said - it's pretty much harmless fun with nothing special required than whatever car you happen to have?

threespins

833 posts

285 months

Wednesday 27th July 2011
quotequote all
The link does not seem to give a specific time and location, as far as I can tell.

moribund

Original Poster:

4,274 posts

237 months

Wednesday 27th July 2011
quotequote all
The regs are at the bottom of the page. Direct link here: http://www.rotherhammotorclub.org.uk/data/_uploade...

It's being held at the South Yorkshire Transport Museum, S65 3SH.

Programme in the regs says:

Scrutineering opens at 08.15
Signing on opens at 08.15. Leave time to walk the first test.
Drivers’ briefing 09.45. Note: Any competitor not signed on by 09.30 will not be allowed
to enter.
First car starts at 10.00.
Event will finish approx 16.00.

Entry fee £15, need to be a member of an invited club but that won't cost much - just get in touch with them if interested.

Just for clarity - I'm nothing to do with the club, just hoping to compete (not that I'll be competitive!)

PhillipM

6,537 posts

212 months

Monday 1st August 2011
quotequote all
Might nip along, only around the corner from me anyway.

moribund

Original Poster:

4,274 posts

237 months

Monday 1st August 2011
quotequote all
Looks like there's plenty of room for more entries if anyone wants to get in touch with the organiser - go on, you know you want to!

Trickie Dickie

2,399 posts

257 months

Tuesday 2nd August 2011
quotequote all
moribund said:
Looks like there's plenty of room for more entries if anyone wants to get in touch with the organiser - go on, you know you want to!
It is one of the most fun things you can do (with your trousers on!!!!)

PhillipM

6,537 posts

212 months

Thursday 4th August 2011
quotequote all
moribund said:
Looks like there's plenty of room for more entries if anyone wants to get in touch with the organiser - go on, you know you want to!
My car has a 2.2 turn steering rack and no PAS, autosolo is definately not going to suit it without resorting to steroids!


moribund

Original Poster:

4,274 posts

237 months

Thursday 4th August 2011
quotequote all
You wuss! hehe

Trickie Dickie

2,399 posts

257 months

Thursday 4th August 2011
quotequote all
PhillipM said:
My car has a 2.2 turn steering rack and no PAS, autosolo is definately not going to suit it without resorting to steroids!
That's half the fun!!!!!

If I can do a grass autotests in an S Type 2.5L AUTOMATIC Jag (and still win an award!!!)
then anything apart from a Juggernaut is better, and possible and fun!!!!!

Trickie

moribund

Original Poster:

4,274 posts

237 months

Thursday 4th August 2011
quotequote all
Ahh, but the award you won was "The Most Innappropriate Vehicle of the Day" medal!

Trickie Dickie

2,399 posts

257 months

Thursday 4th August 2011
quotequote all
moribund said:
Ahh, but the award you won was "The Most Innappropriate Vehicle of the Day" medal!
Who Told You?

PhillipM

6,537 posts

212 months

Sunday 7th August 2011
quotequote all
Trickie Dickie said:
That's half the fun!!!!!

If I can do a grass autotests in an S Type 2.5L AUTOMATIC Jag (and still win an award!!!)
then anything apart from a Juggernaut is better, and possible and fun!!!!!

Trickie
Grass + lazy 2.5L engine + PAS.

vs

Concrete + knackered 1.4 on decidedly delicate gearbox + light flywheel + grabby kevlar clutch + turning circle of a ship + 2.2 rack with no pas.

Think your might still have been a bit easier than mine wink
I went along to watch today and there's no way I've got around in mine even with generous use of the handbrake without doing several shunts.

Watched for an hour and headed to the bikini car wash instead hehe

Edited by PhillipM on Sunday 7th August 17:05

Trickie Dickie

2,399 posts

257 months

Sunday 7th August 2011
quotequote all
PhillipM said:
Grass + lazy 2.5L engine + PAS.

vs

Concrete + knackered 1.4 on decidedly delicate gearbox + light flywheel + grabby kevlar clutch + turning circle of a ship + 2.2 rack with no pas.

Think your might still have been a bit easier than mine wink
I went along to watch today and there's no way I've got around in mine even with generous use of the handbrake without doing several shunts.

Watched for an hour and headed to the bikini car wash instead hehe

Edited by PhillipM on Sunday 7th August 17:05
Come and watch the grass autotest on 17th and see what you think

I will post up more details asap

Cheers
Trickie

PhillipM

6,537 posts

212 months

Sunday 7th August 2011
quotequote all
Grass might be okay, be easier on the steering + gearbox.

Looked like everyone was enjoying it anyway, if my car wasn't such a heap I would have signed on and had a go hehe

Edited by PhillipM on Sunday 7th August 18:39

moribund

Original Poster:

4,274 posts

237 months

Sunday 7th August 2011
quotequote all
Hi Phil, a few people came to watch - I think I spotted you, should have come over and said hi, sorry smile

Today ended up not being a great example of an Autosolo as it was far too complicated and tight for everyone - most people got lost at least once and most were using reverse a couple a times per test. I had 2 "wrong tests" out of 9 runs and used reverse on all except 1, and sill came half way up the order.

It was Rotherhams' first go at one of these and the course designer still had his Autotest head on, a solo should be much simpler and flow much more, kind of like a 1st gear sprint event.

They're keen to have anther go though and and have a much better idea now of what to do. It was a good day out despite the course, they're a friendly bunch and up for a laugh!

PhillipM

6,537 posts

212 months

Sunday 7th August 2011
quotequote all
I didn't think the course was too bad tbh, everyone looked like they were enjoying the challenge anyway, even if it was a touch tight for some.
You need a class for non-road legal cars, would have soon got around it with the 2wd buggy biggrin
Although, given my memory for courses, I might have ended up in Asda....

I might run the 306 in one and just see how it goes perhaps, but I think it would struggle without me at least fitting PAS, so I could steer and use the handbrake at the same time. (One handed steering is a good way to break your wrist in my 306 as it's set-up currently.)
A grass event might convince me there as the steering will be lighter and I'm already on my 3rd gearbox as it is wink


Surprised with the nice variety of cars on show too, I spent 15 minutes just wandering around them whilst the course was being changed hehe
Where's the next one?





Edited by PhillipM on Sunday 7th August 20:32