Historic Motorsport Prep...
Discussion
I have a 1971 1275GT which is currently a rolling chassis.
I am considering doing a bit of hillclimbing, maybe even having a go at historic circuit racing.
As the car is already in a million bits, I reckon that it is as good a time as any to get the basic prep done.
Does anyone have a typical set of regs, or a list of the modifications that will be needed to ensure that the car would pass scrutineering for historic racing?
Any help would be appreciated.
I am considering doing a bit of hillclimbing, maybe even having a go at historic circuit racing.
As the car is already in a million bits, I reckon that it is as good a time as any to get the basic prep done.
Does anyone have a typical set of regs, or a list of the modifications that will be needed to ensure that the car would pass scrutineering for historic racing?
Any help would be appreciated.
pat
it will really depend that you decide to do with the car, the regs in hill climbing are a lot easier and cheaper than those of circuit racing. if you want a car for all seasons, its best to build one with the circuits in mind from the start.
from a circuit racing point of view, with a car of your age you will need to decide if you want to do 'proper' historics, where the rules are fairly strict (i.e no rose joints, control tyres etc), or look at something that allows more messing - theres even xtreme mighty minis if you want your imagination (and wallet) to run wild!
there are, in affect, two sets of regs you need to consider.
1) the ones the scruitneers are looking for - i.e cage, seats, harnesses, overalls, helmet, extinguisher etc. you will need to satisfy these just to get on the track. most of this info is in the 'blue book' that you get when you get your licence
2) the rules for the particular series - the series i race in have 3 simple rules. 1) tyres must be treaded. 2) no turbo or supercharger (unless std) 3) anything too wild (i.e modern fuel injection etc) will bump you into a 'invitation' class.
if you do fancy a go, remember this - the first year will cost you more money than its safe to add up! - but the grin value is imense.
good luck!
it will really depend that you decide to do with the car, the regs in hill climbing are a lot easier and cheaper than those of circuit racing. if you want a car for all seasons, its best to build one with the circuits in mind from the start.
from a circuit racing point of view, with a car of your age you will need to decide if you want to do 'proper' historics, where the rules are fairly strict (i.e no rose joints, control tyres etc), or look at something that allows more messing - theres even xtreme mighty minis if you want your imagination (and wallet) to run wild!
there are, in affect, two sets of regs you need to consider.
1) the ones the scruitneers are looking for - i.e cage, seats, harnesses, overalls, helmet, extinguisher etc. you will need to satisfy these just to get on the track. most of this info is in the 'blue book' that you get when you get your licence
2) the rules for the particular series - the series i race in have 3 simple rules. 1) tyres must be treaded. 2) no turbo or supercharger (unless std) 3) anything too wild (i.e modern fuel injection etc) will bump you into a 'invitation' class.
if you do fancy a go, remember this - the first year will cost you more money than its safe to add up! - but the grin value is imense.
good luck!
Pat,
As Rich said it's a bit "horses for courses"
Never actually "done" circuit racing but it would apprear to be a big adrenaline rush (did autocross which is a bit (sorry Rich) like circuits but muckier)
Hillclimbing is very much a stand around for long periods with sudden bursts of tension and excitement.
Hillclimbing you can start relatively cheaply and develop the car as your skills are honed, you try to better your own time rather than beat the rest of the field straight off.
Racing can seriously damage your car even if you are a safe driver, there is someone out there who'll nudge you sometime
If you damage the car on the hill it's your fault. For gods sake don't hit Oak Tree at Doune.
Costs: Hillclimbing about £85 to £95 entry for a National event, you generally get about 3 practice and 2 or 3 timed runs depending on weather and who has gone off and blocked the track. You can stand around for hours between runs which, depending on track last about 70 seconds at Harewood, or Doune if I remember rightly, or a lot less at some other tracks. Not a lot of miles for your £.
On the other hand the majority of competitors are friendly and there is generally some very exotic machinery there.
Sory if I am preaching to the converted
Regards
Tony H
As Rich said it's a bit "horses for courses"
Never actually "done" circuit racing but it would apprear to be a big adrenaline rush (did autocross which is a bit (sorry Rich) like circuits but muckier)
Hillclimbing is very much a stand around for long periods with sudden bursts of tension and excitement.
Hillclimbing you can start relatively cheaply and develop the car as your skills are honed, you try to better your own time rather than beat the rest of the field straight off.
Racing can seriously damage your car even if you are a safe driver, there is someone out there who'll nudge you sometime
If you damage the car on the hill it's your fault. For gods sake don't hit Oak Tree at Doune.
Costs: Hillclimbing about £85 to £95 entry for a National event, you generally get about 3 practice and 2 or 3 timed runs depending on weather and who has gone off and blocked the track. You can stand around for hours between runs which, depending on track last about 70 seconds at Harewood, or Doune if I remember rightly, or a lot less at some other tracks. Not a lot of miles for your £.
On the other hand the majority of competitors are friendly and there is generally some very exotic machinery there.
Sory if I am preaching to the converted
Regards
Tony H
I did a fair bit of sprinting and hillclimbing on motorbikes about ten years ago, so I know how much hanging about there can be.
Whilst the occasional hillclimb may be as far as I go, it makes sense to prep the car for historic circuit racing just in case I decide to try it.
I was thinking along the lines of a road legal, NA 5 port with about 100bhp, so nothing too extreme.
My main concerns were whether I need to make a firewall of the front and rear bulkheads, whether I need to plumb in an extinguisher and how extensive a cage is needed and whether it needs to be welded in.
Whilst the occasional hillclimb may be as far as I go, it makes sense to prep the car for historic circuit racing just in case I decide to try it.
I was thinking along the lines of a road legal, NA 5 port with about 100bhp, so nothing too extreme.
My main concerns were whether I need to make a firewall of the front and rear bulkheads, whether I need to plumb in an extinguisher and how extensive a cage is needed and whether it needs to be welded in.
pat
both bulkheads will need to be fire proof - though this is easy to do
extinguishers need to be plumbed in (and strapped down well) - a kit costs about 130 quid though, so not a bank breaker
cages dont have to be welded in, we use the normal fia 6 point type, though i would recomend the addition of the harness bar - its 170 odd quid but worth every penny. some series require it as std fitment now as well
both bulkheads will need to be fire proof - though this is easy to do
extinguishers need to be plumbed in (and strapped down well) - a kit costs about 130 quid though, so not a bank breaker
cages dont have to be welded in, we use the normal fia 6 point type, though i would recomend the addition of the harness bar - its 170 odd quid but worth every penny. some series require it as std fitment now as well
if you were to build to circuit spec then decide to use in hills and sprints you may very well give away a hefty weight advantage to your competitors,
who said sprint competitors are friendly, i know of a pair of drivers, father and son, who are the biggest pair of grassing wining wankers in brum.theres a hint in there somewhere,lol.
carl
who said sprint competitors are friendly, i know of a pair of drivers, father and son, who are the biggest pair of grassing wining wankers in brum.theres a hint in there somewhere,lol.
carl
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