Hillclimb modifications

[beejay]

The Mini is getting a bit of a resto and the intention is to hillclimb at some point in Modified Production class. Theres a few things I was planning on doing soon but after reading through the Blue book am a little unsure if they're legal.

First is a beam type rear subframe with coilovers. Thats keeping the original type of suspension just moving where the spring mounts, so should be ok?

Second is this rule:

I 84 - Chassis must remain to manufacturers original specification in construction and material within wheel hub centres.

- Would that mean cutting out the rear seat and pockets would be illegal? (Slight issue as I've cut some of the pockets away to brace the doors whilst welding...). I've never considered them to be that structural but guess they are part of the chassis.
- De-bumpering and potentially cutting parts of the rear valance off should be ok
- Removing the spare wheel well to get a fuel tank in the boot might be an issue too.
- Not sure how it would affect a removable front. Not a flimsy flip front mind, thinking weld the inner/outer wings and front panel together and bolting them at the inner wing, A-panel and to the subframe at the front mounts. Plus some brace bars to be on the safe side Guessing its a no-no no matter how rigidly attached to the body.

Any racing types about who have any hints or other recommended improvements?
(Hopefully getting the sills back on this weekend!)

[Cooperman]

I'm not a hillclimb regulations expert, but as a rally person. However, one might say that retaining the original chassis will include the front and rear subframes. That's not to say you can't lighten both of these items.
The inside door pockets are not part of the chassis as they comprise part of the interior structure and trim, so that's probably OK.
As regards the boot floor, if you are fitting a safer fuel tank it's probably OK.
Really it's best to have a chat with a scrutineer who officiates at hillclimbs. If you find a club that organises hillclimbs, have a chat with their comp. sec. Alternatively, call the MSA Technical Department at Motorsport House and ask them for a local scrutineer who would have the right experience. All scrutineers are listed in the Blue Book. At the end of the day, nothing anyone on here ssays matters as it's the scrutineer who will decide at the start of each event, so best get the correct info 'from the hourse's mouth'.

[haynes]

The rear seat bins and the rear seat swab are required, this caused a bit of aggro at my local hill climb because they were removed from the majority of cars then someone decided to enforce a new interpretation of the rules. Ive got a feeling the wings have to be steel and welded on too.

[guru_1071]

hillclimbing is a funny sport and a lot of people doing it seem to get more pleasure from getting other cars banned or bumped into higher classes than the actual driving (i witnessed a guy get bumped from the results at harewood once because his rear fog light didnt work, and, as it was no longer a legal road saloon he got scratched from the results promoting the complainee to winner!!! (this is true, its one of the many things i saw that encouraged me to do circuit racing))

i would say that a beam axel would prevent you from racing in road saloons, as would the removable fron (the body work must remain standard between wheel centres or something like that)

[Cooperman]

Funny lot, those hillclimbers! Go rallying, young man.

[Skyedriver]

S'funny,I never saw any of these problems, but there again I was never in a position where it was worth anyone protesting against me......
Always loved my hillclimbing,and am currently soul searching whether to go back to it rather than rallying as I have found in my recent, limited experience, rallying through rough farmyards is a rather rough, damaging pastime.


unrelated ps: finally found a hoist and the engine came out yesterday..

[Flat6]

Long time since I went hillclimbing (over 10yrs) but for Road Production class you certainly had to retain original subframes front and rear (although all the usual Mini suspension mods were permitted). Removable wings was a no-no although fibreglass bonnet & boot were allowed. The car also had to be road legal (inc tyres), retain full interior trim, be MOTd and driven to the event. I'd recommend this class tbh as you've got half a chance of being competitive without spending a fortune..

Modified production was a different ball game, and to be competitive you needed serious £££. A number of cars were running removable fronts (not necessarily steel) and advanced suspension set ups, and I even think one or two sneaked in with alternative (not 5-port) heads..

When I started out I went to a local meeting and one of the scrutineers was kind enough to give my car a quick once over so I knew when entered it would be ok..

[DanGT]

There are two lots of ruls to think about. The blue book and the sprint regs you want to go into.

In the class I race in (road going moded production)
Original subframe
Origanl wings
You can remove the carpets from the inside but thats it
Boot floor must be origanel
Boonnet and boot can be changed
Some ruls are infoced more than otheres. Safty ruls are always infoced.

I have also found that if you come last no one looks at you car if you get top 3 they will look a lot closer.

Go along to a sprint/hillclimb and talk to the other competeters. We are normaly a frendly bunch and want as many people to race with as posible.

Good luck and have fun.

[beejay]

Thanks for the comments, it does seem like a bit of a minefield!
Think I'll be heading over to Shelsey soon to see whats what. The removable front is not really an issue (one of those things it'd be nice to have), it's only the possible need to retain the rear pockets that is. As I say I've cut the front edge of those away and the thought of having to weld them back up annoys me

(Sills didn't go back on as the Scimitar emptied its diff oil everywhere...)