Entering a Hillclimb or sprint.

[TheConverted]

I've fancied a go at speed events for a while. However I've never been in a position to do it.

Next year might well be a year I could. However after reading the HSA website I've got a few questions.

I've got know Motorsports experience at all, so bare with me.

I have a MK2 fiesta (1.0 pop) however it's heavily modified. accept the coil overs and exhaust, everything is ford parts. Xr2 ARB, box and brakes. However i have fitted 2.0 zetec on bike carbs. Which I believe puts it in 'sports libre' (Its a road car)

What safety equipment do I need?
And what license ?

Thanks

[heebeegeetee]

Hi. I'm fairly certain that your car may not be best for Motorsport UK events. I stand to be corrected and my info might be out of date, but you might find that for a beginner in Sports Libre, your car may need a roll cage and you may need an 'A' licence, for which you will have to do 6 events at 'B' licence level, in a different car.

MSUK is a byzantine organisation with a byzantine set of rules imo. The rules are contained in the Blue Book, you can download it somewhere I believe, but MSUK won't even make that too easy. It should be in here somewhere. https://www.motorsportuk.org/resource-centre/yearb...

It may be worth you investigating Time Attack, which I believe operates outside of MSUK. These operate sprint type events on race circuits. Some of the MSUK sprint and hillclimb venues are very short, and Time Attack may represent better value. https://www.timeattack.co.uk/about-time-attack/

[TheConverted]

Thanks heebeegeetee. That's why I'm asking as it's not clear from a quick Google.

I have no plans for a roll cage. The cars not been built with speed events in mind, it's purely a toy. And at this point it would be more of a toe dip/casual thing for me. I know it's not going to be competitive, if I end up wanting to be more competitive that can be addressed.
The thought of competing apeals far more than a trackdays.

I hadn't thought about time attack so that's a good idea.

Bit about me, I used to bee a professional sailor and have race yachts most my life at a high level. A few years ago I took a step back. With the arrival of my daughter. However I do miss competing. But lack the funds for most forms of Motorsport.

[andrewcliffe]

Look at Javelins sprint series, they have a different class structure and don’t need an MSuk license.

[carl_w]

I think at best you might qualify for Mod Prod which would also require a cage

[Galveston]

With the engine swap you're straight into Sports Libre which certainly requires a cage and HANS.

Javelin sounds like a good bet for you, but obvious downside is a very limited list of venues compared with MSUK events.

[TheConverted]

Thanks guys.

I will have a look into the suggestions.

If I put a 1 6 cvh in? Would that be ok as it's from a production MK2 or would it need to be a 1.0 ?

Can swap the engine in a few hours on a lift. As it's basically giant Meccano.

[Galveston]

Yeah, a CVH would be fine.

It's the generic model (i.e. Mk2 Fiesta) which matters not the specific derivative (e.g. 1.0 pop).

[Trev450]

If it is your intention to compete in the production car class, the cvh engine together with the mods you've mentioned will be fine. You should note, however, that you would need to retain all the seats and interior trim with the exception of carpets. Also, roll cage and full harness is optional.

[Robmainstgarage]

Why not have ago at a few autosolo's? Half way between a auto test and a sprint, can use the car as is and probably be very competitive and no expensive Hans or helmet

If your set on sprints i think you'd need a cage for sports libe or mod prod, or fit a cvh

[TheConverted]

Thanks guys some good options to look into this year.

[megablade]

All really good suggestions above, eventually though you will end up spending all your money. Do yourself a favour and burn it all now!! :-)

[K17 CAR]

Late into this, my advice would be don't spend anything on the car and enter a few Javelin events, you'll find out pretty quickly if you've got the bug or not.

I dipped my toe 4 years ago with Javelin and had 3 enjoyable seasons with them, it wet my appetite though, last year and this I've entered 2 different MSUK governed championships though sadly only managed 2 events last year and god knows what this year will bring.

If you want any tips on Javelin events feel free too drop me a line, it's a great friendly paddock and on the whole well organised events.

[Furyblade_Lee]

Mate in sprinting we play for 5 quid trophies, if you just want to get into the sport don't worry about winning, ( in anything other that standard production classes, chances are you won't.... ) just take part. Great friendly sport. Just do a season and take it all in, as cheaply as you can. Then you can decide if you want to blow some serious money to try and win in the modified classes!!!!!

[df76]

Furyblade_Lee said:

Mate in sprinting we play for 5 quid trophies, if you just want to get into the sport don't worry about winning, ( in anything other that standard production classes, chances are you won't.... ) just take part. Great friendly sport. Just do a season and take it all in, as cheaply as you can. Then you can decide if you want to blow some serious money to try and win in the modified classes!!!!!

Totally agree, just go and have some fun. You have a near zero chance of being competitive as you learn the venues anyway, so just get out there and give it a go. I've been entering events for the last decade, mostly just for fun and 95% of the time in full knowledge that I had no hope of winning anything. Loved every minute of it (and really hasn't cost me that much).

[TheConverted]

This is the javelin series right?

[Trev450]

I think the last couple of posts are referring to sprints in general.

[classicfred]

https://harewoodhill.co.uk/getting-started-hillcli...

https://barc.blob.core.windows.net/harewood/links/...