What events can I enter in a BMW M140i?

[Scribble BM]

Hi Everyone,

Long time viewer and finally decided to take the plunge and get involved in this knowledgeable community.

I have done a fair amount a fast road driving on road trips to Europe, Scotland, etc however I am now getting the itch to get on a track or at least enter some slightly competitive events next year.

I am definitely going to attend a couple of track days but I have been looking for some cheap competitive events that I can enter in a standard BMW M140i.

My first port of call was hillclimbing which looked promising, however I then hit a wall that for my first 6 events I can only use up to a 2000cc car.

I have then been trying to find out if I can enter any targa or asphalt rally events? However I have not managed to find too much info at the minute.

Any recommendations or advice on what I can enter would be greatly appreciated.

I’m not too worried about winning, more a place I can take my car and enjoy it without worrying about the plod or other road users.

[Galveston]

AutoSolo or speed events.

Proper tarmac rallying and you'll need full cage and a million other modifications. Targa or road rallying... you'll smash it to bits on rough tracks that make up parts of the routes.

For hills and sprints, I don't think you need a Nat A licence for a road car, even ones with big engines. The rule applies to single seaters with big engines, or Sports Libre. I could be wrong, but what you've said doesn't sound right.

[stevieturbo]

Javelin trackdays do various events with less daft and restrictive rules ( of course depends on your location etc )

Although even for MSA events, a non race Nat B license should cover you perfectly fine for hills and sprints. You'll need that and relevant safety gear etc.

[Scribble BM]

Thanks.

I’ll have a look into the speed and javelin events.

Also I will contact someone from HSA as their rules aren’t too clear but I think the road going standard class is only up to 2L engines

[Pericoloso]

Have a look at the MSVR track day trophy.
Might be a little too serious racing for starting off.

[stevieturbo]

Scribble BM said:

Thanks.

I’ll have a look into the speed and javelin events.

Also I will contact someone from HSA as their rules aren’t too clear but I think the road going standard class is only up to 2L engines

HSA is very different from MSA....

And there is a road going standard class for 2001+ sub 2 litre...clearly you would not be in that class, you'd just be in a different class.
That doesnt mean you would not be able to take part. But you'd need to find out which events you want to go to and contact those clubs etc, some will have slightly different classes or rules anyway...because nobody really understands the MSA blue book rules.

[meehaja]

I hill climb a 3.2 TT. only done 2 events but today there was a "over 2000cc 2wd" and "over 2000CC 4wd" classes.

[Wingo]

I'm pretty sure your 140 isn't eligible for targa, can't use a modern six pot car, or a car with that engine size and turbo.
For anyone else thinking of targas there are events that are mega smooth, did one last weekend at the Sunderland Nissan factory.
Javelin sprint series is your best bet IMHO if you must use the 140.
Wingo.

[37chevy]

Don’t forget drag racing. You can do RWYBs at Santa Pod for 30 quid or get your MSA licence and race in Sportsman ET

You need zero modifications to race at that level, most people drive their car to the track and drive home at the end of the weekend, just if you’re doing MSA competition a suit, boots, gloves and helmet is required.

Racing is handicapped too, so the slower car gets a head start, so in theory both cars cross the line at the same time, that way it’s down to talent rather than the size of your wallet

Edited by 37chevy on Saturday 15th September 23:59

[carl_w]

In sprints and hillclimbs, just because there isn't a Standard Production class of over 2 litres doesn't mean you can't compete. There is a >2 litre class called "Roadgoing" but it allows modifications to the car. We've had a guy turn up in an M235i and be reasonably competitive.

[Scribble BM]

That’s good to know about the greater than 2.0L class. But I need to check if I can run with the National B license as I obvious won’t get a National A until I have done 6 events.

I will obviously buy all helmet, fire proofs etc where required

[carl_w]

Scribble BM said:

That’s good to know about the greater than 2.0L class. But I need to check if I can run with the National B license as I obvious won’t get a National A until I have done 6 events.

I will obviously buy all helmet, fire proofs etc where required

Yes you can run with a Nat B. See the wording from the regs of my next event:

To compete in a Racing or Sports Libre Car manufactured after 1960 of more than 2000cc (or 1428cc with forced induction), the driver must hold a Speed National A (OPEN) or Race National A licence (H16.1.1), unless the car is currently licensed for use on the public highway and enters the event in a road-legal condition.

Now see the classes -- you'd be in A5 and the Nat A requirement is only for categories C and D. TBH I upgraded to a Nat A because it seemed the right thing to do and all I've done since is pay twice as much for my licence each year.

Category A: Road-Going Series Production Cars (S10.10.1) and Road Going Specialist Production Cars
(S10.10. 2) and Standard Cars (S11.9.1) excluding cars in Appendix 1
1. ‘Standard Cars’ (including cars in Appendix 2) up to 1600cc – 2wd only, list 1A tyres only
2. ‘Standard Cars’ (including cars in Appendix 2) from 1601cc to 2000cc – 2wd only, list 1A tyres only
3. Up to 1600cc – 2wd only, list 1a or 1b tyres
4. 1601cc to 2300cc – 2wd only, list 1a or 1b tyres
5. 2301cc and over – 2wd only, list 1a or 1b tyres
6. 4 wheel drive cars of all capacities, list 1a or 1b tyres
Road-Going Kit Type and Replica Cars (including cars in Appendix 1)
7. Up to 1700cc (excluding motorcycle-engined cars), list 1a or 1b tyres
8. 1701cc and over (including motorcycle-engined cars of any capacity), list 1a or 1b tyres
Category B: Modified Series/Specialist Production Cars (S10.10.3/4) and Modified Specialist Production Cars (S.10.10.4) excluding Modifieds with motorcycle engines and excluding those listed in Appendix 1
9. Up to 1400cc
10. 1401cc to 2000cc
11. 2001cc and over
Road-Going Kit Type and Replica Cars (including cars in Appendix 1)
12. Up to 2000cc
13. Over 2000cc (including motorcycle-engined cars of any capacity)
Category C: Sports Libre Cars (S10.10.6), Modified Cars (S10.10.3 and S10.10.4) that are listed in Appendix 1 and any Modifieds with motorcycle engines
14. Sports Libre Cars up to 1800cc, plus motorcycle-engined cars up to 1100cc
15. Sports Libre Cars over 1800cc, motorcycle-engined cars over 1100cc
Category D: Racing Cars (S10.10.7)
16. Up to 1100cc
17. 1101cc and over
18. ‘Formula Ford’ Racing Cars (see appendix 3)
Category E: Marque Classes (Log books may be required to comply with MSA regulations)
19. Ginetta Owners Club
20. Reliant Scimitar & Sabre Owners Club
21. TR Register
22. Lotus
In the event of more than 6 entries, Marque classes may be formed at the Organiser's discretion. These will be listed in the Final Instructions. (n.b. MSA Blue Book section K is not negated by these regulations).
Category F: Allcomers (Any other vehicle. Log books may be required to comply with MSA regulations)

[Steve H]

Stick to your trackday plan as the starting point, see where you go from there. BMWCC GB runs their own trackdays with free tuition which are worth a look.

[Scribble BM]

Thanks for all that info Carl! Much appreciated.

I will have a look at the calendar in the new year to see what events I could run and speak to a local club (Probably Liverpool Motor Club).

Steve, I’m a member of BMWCC and hoping to do some more of their events next year. Hopefully it starts off the year with Anglesey in February again!

[Steve H]

Hopefully I'd be at the Anglesey event, there's an Oulton in November as well..............

[330ti]

dont run before you can walk ! Do a track day or ten first. "Fast road" driving is nothing like track driving. You may be shocked how fast it is on track.

[Bobo W]

A couple of quick questions:
- Is the BMW your everyday car?
- is the motivation to go on track the opportunity to find out just how quick you / the BMW can go or is there a competitive element to match up against others?

On a personal level I wouldn't track / race my everyday car just for the fear that if something happens (which it invariably does) it would inconvenience me somewhat. On that basis I wouldn't push as hard as I could hence why being in the fortunate position to have a toy means that I track that and not the everyday. I started on airfield days, moved onto tracks, have been all over Europe and with a fair bit of tuition have had a brilliant time with no intention to get into the competitive stuff.

Equally I have a number of friends who, while they like the track days, have gone down the competitive route, initially with sprints and now hill climbing. The common theme here though is that the standard road car is anything but now as it's a long slippery slope to be more competitive notwithstanding the elephant in the room around the costs.

Anyway, whatever you do, have fun.

[carl_w]

Bobo W said:

I started on airfield days, moved onto tracks, have been all over Europe and with a fair bit of tuition have had a brilliant time with no intention to get into the competitive stuff.

Equally I have a number of friends who, while they like the track days, have gone down the competitive route, initially with sprints and now hill climbing.

Interesting. I started with track days back in 2000/2001 then had a massive gap before entering the AEMC Sprint Championship in 2009. Now when I do track days it seems like bumbling around for no purpose as the element of competition isn't there.

I guess you need to do what floats your boat.

[Scribble BM]

Thanks for all the great feedback!

After having a think and listening to people’s comments I will spend next year doing some track days but will attend a sprint event and hillclimb to get a feel for it and speak to a few people involved.

Steve, I can’t afford Oulton in November on the run to Christmas but I’ll be popping down in the afternoon if the weather is good.

[Trev450]

If you make it to any of the sprints in the south west (ASWMC Speed Championship) you are most welcome to seek me out for a chat.