I want to start Hillclimbing - Jaguar Lister Knobbly Replica

[Sauls]

Hi - Im new to Pistonheads and am after making contact with anyone that can help with advise on how i can get started in motorsport (possibly hillclimbing to start).
I live in Chelmsford, Essex and have just restored a Lister Jaguar Replica - JWB 976C. www.stevens-racing.co.uk - I want to start doing some motorsport in 2012 and thought hillclimbing could be a good intro. My car has a long racing career - but I dont - although do have a national B race license. Has anyone out there got any good advise on what clubs to join etc. - or would be interested in helping.
Regards,
Saul

[andye30m3]

I'm not sure if there's any hillclimbs all that close to essex but there are quite a few sprint venues such as debden, north weald and the permanent race circuits.

Google Sevenoaks motor club, borough 19 motor club and tunbridge wells motor club.

they all run sprint championships in the south east.

[Sauls]

Thanks - Tunbridge Wells MC was a good shout - looks like they run just the type of event i am looking for - will keep an eye out for the 2012 calendar. Cheers Saul

[carl_w]

Also Google AEMC Sprint Championship which will tell you which events are on -- in fact I think they have a 2012 calendar of all events of which they're aware so you can find some stuff local to you.

I think there are at least two clubs near Chelmsford, although IIRC they concentrate on Stage Rallying.
http://chelmsfordmc.co.uk/
http://www.wecc.co.uk/Begin.htm

[stuartj]

Also worth looking at the SR & GT Challenge – good low cost circuit racing with a very friendly crowd, I used to race in that and there was a Lister replica out then – they are at :
http://www.srgtc.org.uk/index.htm

[Sauls]

I have been to numerous SR&GT events - its a bit too 'full on' for me at the moment. My car did compete in the series from 2004 - 2007 (driven by John Wilkes)and there was also another chevvy engined lister replica. My step father also competed in his GT40 and 917 replicas. Perhaps i'll give it a go in 2013 when the car and myself have had a few other outings - and if im brave enough. Cheers though. Saul

[Norfolkit]

Best bet from where you are based OP is probably Borough 19, all of their events would be in easy reach for you, although they run sprints rather than hillclimbs. Would also give you an invite into the various regional championships for an extra £20 or so registration fee, where you will find some hillclimbs. Very well organised club and a friendly bunch too.

http://b19.tjgraphics.co.uk/

Edited by Norfolkit on Wednesday 28th December 14:25

[Shoestringracer]

If you just want a bit of fun then hillclimbing is great. I've done several in my Midget (see shoestringMGracer.com). In my views hills often have a more historic feel than circuits (other than Goodwood) and are worth the extra journey. You'll need to work out which class you'd be in and may well find that your car is not competitive becuase of the class structure. This doesn't matter if you just want to have a go though. Some clubs / championships use a target system where times are assessed against some kind of benchmark, often decided by a comitee. The targets might be specific to a particular car and somtimes driver so the aim is to get as close to the target as possible. If you modify the car your target will move so this might suit you if you don;t want to make too many mods. Look at uphill racers for advice.

[Sam_68]

If you haven't come across it yet, consider signing up to the Uphill Racers Forum. Lots of useful information and advice on there about the various championships, rules & regs, etc.

[Spydaman]

Try the HSA. They have a championship which takes in all the hillclimb venues around the country. I entered in my road-going Porsche 718RSK copy. I only did the events local to me that I could drive to, race and drive home. I had a great time and ended up winning my class although it was a bit of a hollow victory as not many entered. Still great fun though and a real social event. The other bonus is pics and videos of you appear on the net.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jemMpiditH8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJkif39AkZs

[andye30m3]

Just a quick thought but if your in Essex the event in Crystal palace park is worth entering http://www.motorsportatthepalace.co.uk/

not the best run and quite short but has a great atmosphere I did it last year and was very pleased I'd got involved

[carl_w]

andye30m3 said:

Just a quick thought but if your in Essex the event in Crystal palace park is worth entering http://www.motorsportatthepalace.co.uk/

not the best run and quite short but has a great atmosphere I did it last year and was very pleased I'd got involved

Pretty keen to do this this year, and the Brighton Speed Trials. Don't have a car yet, but I can always use the Z4.

[andye30m3]

carl_w said:

andye30m3 said:

Just a quick thought but if your in Essex the event in Crystal palace park is worth entering http://www.motorsportatthepalace.co.uk/

not the best run and quite short but has a great atmosphere I did it last year and was very pleased I'd got involved

Pretty keen to do this this year, and the Brighton Speed Trials. Don't have a car yet, but I can always use the Z4.

There's not a lot of room for spins so best leave the MR2 at home!

Have you decided what your using next year? still thinking e36 m3?

[carl_w]

andye30m3 said:

There's not a lot of room for spins so best leave the MR2 at home!

Have you decided what your using next year? still thinking e36 m3?

No, the MR2 is sold. Its replacement is a secret (we have some ideas but haven't executed them yet)
I'm tempted to register in A4 with a Mosler M900 or a Gumpert Apollo, wait for the 2x GT3s to spend a load of money and then change class before the start of the season: "sorry lads, I dumped the Mosler and bought this Citroen Saxo instead"

[andye30m3]

carl_w said:

o, the MR2 is sold. Its replacement is a secret (we have some ideas but haven't executed them yet)
I'm tempted to register in A4 with a Mosler M900 or a Gumpert Apollo, wait for the 2x GT3s to spend a load of money and then change class before the start of the season: "sorry lads, I dumped the Mosler and bought this Citroen Saxo instead"

At least one of them is already spending a fair bit, saw the engine in bits last week, I've told the dealer who's building the engine to tell him I'm buying a GT2 RS off them for a wind up

[Count Johnny]

Hello Saul

What are you doing here?

I can't help with your query, but I thought I'd say hello.

Regards

Iain
(Liz and Pete's brother in law).

[Sauls]

Iain - good to hear from you. Just wanted to see if there was anyone local wanted to help. Want to do some hillclimbing - but its a bit limited over here. Jag is all up and running - but haven't got time to do much more than a few sprints this year. How is yours - back in one piece yet? Cheers Saul

[carl_w]

I got an e-mail today about two hillclimbs in France for UK competitors. They look like proper long-course closed road European circuits. May be of interest?

http://www.hillclimbfrance.co.uk/

[Count Johnny]

Sauls said:

How is yours - back in one piece yet? Cheers Saul

All of the wishbones (plus spares) have been re-designed, manufactured and installed. Similarly, the new front spliiter and rear wing support structures have been re-designed, fabricated and installed - so it's just the bodywork to go. A snip at ten or fifteen grand, by the time we've finished. Obviously, it's probably best not to mention that to the missus (or her sister)!

Reading the post, above, I wonder whether you might like to start off with some sprints and hillclimbs in the UK.

I don't know if you know, but hillclimbs are pretty 'hardcore' sur le continent:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-f0p4Qu2qxc&fea...

Just a thought....

[Sauls]

Mums the word re cost - all sounds good though. Let me know when you are next out - I would love to come along and watch a pro at work. Keep in touch. Saul