New to Hill-Climbing/Sprints

[Jon39]

I can give you an example of how you can get in a muddle with engine changes.

A Seat Marbella with I think an engine from a Lancia, and the 4 wheel drive transmission from a Panda 4x4.
I believe the Marbella is a Seat version of the Fiat Panda. The engine is only about 1 litre.

The car has been put in a class with some big capacity single seaters and other very quick cars.
Off the line, over the initial measured distance, the time is very competitive because of the four wheel drive, but after that just cannot compete with any other car in the class.

Unfortunately, there is never a prize for the first 60 feet or so, and therefore coming last in class is a given at every event.

If you want to be competitive, you are quite right to ask for the opinion of present competitors, because certain modifications move cars into classes, where there is no chance of a good result.

[Vocal Minority]

MagicalTrevor said:

Vocal Minority said:

MagicalTrevor said:

I think, in most places, a standard RX8 would do well with 230bhp and I'd definitely recommend starting in road-going.

It's very, very heavy for hill climbing - as I am finding out!

I had no idea they were so heavy! Well that's poor advice, I assumed/thought they were reasonably lightweight.

In the grand scheme they are - but up against 980 kg hot hatches with tuned engines as live in my class (also bearing in mind that 230 claimed is really more like 210-215 at the flywheel and 170 at the wheels....

[egor110]

Drumroll said:

egor110 said:

Drumroll said:

egor110 said:

Hence why quarry is responsible for something like 40% of track accidents in the UK

Where did that statistic come from?

They state it at marshals training

Because someone states it doesn't make it true. For a circuit that has limited race meetings and track days I personally don't see how 40% of all accidents happen there. If you had said Paddock Hill (Brands hatch) then I could see it.

As I originally said where is the actual statistic? Having been involved in Motorsport for over 40 years I am not aware of any actual statistics on "accidents per corner" (doesn't mean they don't exist but not aware of them)

I guess possibly msa have the figures of accidents at every race so that’s where they’d know how dangerous a corner is.

Re paddock hill you have a nice big sand pit to run in unlike quarry.

[MagicalTrevor]

It's strange, Quarry doesn't phase me at all, it's Camp and Tower that worry me more

[MG CHRIS]

There are also non Msa sprints held throughout the country there is a Japanese sprint series which was the Toyota sprint series which suffered failing numbers so has merged and brought in a mx5 class, Toyota class, Subaru after the loss of the mlr series in one event. There is also the javelin sprint series which is open to pretty much everything.

Both are run by javelin track day organisers and are proving extremely popular.

[shaunroche]

This year has been my first year Sprinting and Hill climbing and any sort of Motorsport ever in a 1975 Dolomite Sprint - I can echo the comments on here on how friendly and encouraging everyone has been, much to my relief!

If I was starting again, and just wanted to get stuck in, I would immediately go out and get a 172 Clio - I am so impressed at how quick they can be and how nimble.....considering you can potentially go and get quite a decent one for around 4K, I would certainly consider it if I didn't have my sprint.

After my first year, yes a lot of power would be very nice, but consistently getting the right line, whilst being smooth and getting the braking right is the key - I should know, I've been no where near all year, but it has been a lot of fun trying!

[binnerboy]

if you want a challenge that doesn't cost much this is work a look

http://bristolmc.org.uk/mx5challenge/

the regs are tight to prevent cheque books ruining the fun, it is all about the driver, hence why I am currently 6th.

a standard mk1 or mk2 mx5 would be can be competitive.

As the SW has a weird capacity split so we have our own class at the sprints. As the 1.8 mx5 is 1840 cc it puts them in the 1800 - 2600 cc class and therefore without a hope in hell of winning.

there are about 15 entrants in each event , The HSA does a specific mx5 class as well

https://www.hillclimbandsprint.co.uk/classes.asp

so if you want a cheap starter car then the mx5 has options

[griffdude]

Classic Marques Speed Challenge is a power to weight competition, so CCs don’t apply, with approx 26 possible events (sprints & hillclimbs) over the season. There are 80+ entrants this season so it’s a pretty successful formula.