'77 midget - what series can I enter?

[User name]

Morning all - Following on from my previous post(s) regrading entering a race series, building a car etc etc, it looks like I have secured a good partially prepped '77 midget (has been stripped, roll-caged, FG wings/bonnet/boot, FG roof)
As it sits it is just a rolling shell, with lowered/stiffened suspension and little else.

So I'm wondering for a start, before I start spec'ing parts etc, what I'm going to need, and what series I should be looking at (I am a novice, should be taking my ARDS test fairly soon)
I want to enter some sort of historic racing, but don't want to be tied into a series that eats up every weekend and forces me to drive to the far reaches of the country and beyond.
I am based about 2 miles from Donington Park - Maybe year 1 I should get it built, and get some track days in before committing?

Next is what spec should I build it to?
What technical regulations should I look at?
What engine/box combo should I look at?

I don't want to spend a fortune, but at the same time, I can afford to do a reasonably good build, within reason.



Most importantly - What colour should I paint it? :-D

[andy97]

User name said:

Morning all - Following on from my previous post(s) regrading entering a race series, building a car etc etc, it looks like I have secured a good partially prepped '77 midget (has been stripped, roll-caged, FG wings/bonnet/boot, FG roof)
As it sits it is just a rolling shell, with lowered/stiffened suspension and little else.

So I'm wondering for a start, before I start spec'ing parts etc, what I'm going to need, and what series I should be looking at (I am a novice, should be taking my ARDS test fairly soon)
I want to enter some sort of historic racing, but don't want to be tied into a series that eats up every weekend and forces me to drive to the far reaches of the country and beyond.
I am based about 2 miles from Donington Park - Maybe year 1 I should get it built, and get some track days in before committing?

Next is what spec should I build it to?
What technical regulations should I look at?
What engine/box combo should I look at?

I don't want to spend a fortune, but at the same time, I can afford to do a reasonably good build, within reason.



Most importantly - What colour should I paint it? :-D

MG Car Club have a couple of series it can race in, including the Lackford Engineering Midget and Sprite Challenge (Ithink) and the Cockshoot Cup - there are different class options so be careful about reading the regs.

I would also strongly recommend the CSCC "Swinging Sixties" series. Although the car is from 1977, it can run in the 60s series as long as it uses the engine from a 60s spec car, and the bodywork is to the same size, shape and silhouette as the 60s road car, all of which it probably will do. Fibreglass panels are allowed.

My advice would be to build the car to an appropriate class in one of the MG car club series and then it will definitely be useable in the CSCC series as well, and then you can pick and choose the races you want to do. AFAIK, the MG car club races are 20 min sprint races, whereas the CSCC Swinging Sixties races are 40 min races with a compulsory pit stop. In CSCC you can either share a car, making it a 2 driver race, or if you are a solo driver you get out of the car and get back in to simulate the driver change.

And if you speak to Ian Whitt, he will tell you all about racing a Midget; both he and his daughter race them.

Edited by andy97 on Monday 21st May 11:53

[Weslake-Monza]

Take it to Silverstone 2/3 June and ask the scrutes to give it a pre-event scrutiny to save an unexpected safety issue later.

[Drumroll]

I would look at what I want to race in BEFORE I would do any work. Not overly familiar with MGCC regulations, but you could for example make a simple modification to say shocker mounts that may move into a modified class, where all the other cars have fully modified everything.

[Thurbs]

Agreed, race cars need building to the regs or it will be slow or ilegible.

[User name]

Weslake-Monza said:

Take it to Silverstone 2/3 June and ask the scrutes to give it a pre-event scrutiny to save an unexpected safety issue later.

well... no.

I haven't built it yet, its literally a rolling shell, and I have no idea what series I am going to enter, I have no trailer, and im busy that weekend.

If I was going to get someone to look at it, i'd either get them to come to me or take it to Donington.

Drumroll said:

I would look at what I want to race in BEFORE I would do any work. Not overly familiar with MGCC regulations, but you could for example make a simple modification to say shocker mounts that may move into a modified class, where all the other cars have fully modified everything.

Of course, this is why I'm starting to ask questions before I start doing any race-specific modifications.
I want to enter a fairly standard car for a start, as a novice I think this is the best route.

Edited by User name on Tuesday 22 May 09:52

[Drumroll]

User name said:

Drumroll said:

I would look at what I want to race in BEFORE I would do any work. Not overly familiar with MGCC regulations, but you could for example make a simple modification to say shocker mounts that may move into a modified class, where all the other cars have fully modified everything.

Of course, this is why I'm starting to ask questions before I start doing any race-specific modifications.
I want to enter a fairly standard car for a start, as a novice I think this is the best route.

Edited by User name on Tuesday 22 May 09:52

Then why ask about

User name said:

Next is what spec should I build it to? What technical regulations should I look at?What engine/box combo should I look at?

It may not be what you intended, but your answers have come across as quite condescending.

[User name]

Drumroll said:

It may not be what you intended, but your answers have come across as quite condescending.

I'm sorry you feel that way - that was not my intention.

---

I've come here for some general info, whats out there, what I can look at, what I can or cant do in various series (Which Andy kindly supplied).
Maybe that's too broad.

Edited by User name on Tuesday 22 May 15:24

[Drumroll]

Two of us have suggested what you need to do and that is see what series you feel you will be comfortable in. Then look at building the car. Don't just look at the MGCC series especially if you don't feel like travelling to much. Don't dismiss Sprints or Hillclimbs or even Historic Endurance Rallying (HERO) . Lots of things you can do with a midget.

[User name]

I've started to look through the regs ofthe suggested seriec (CSCC, MGOC and MGCC) all have definate positives and negatives, some serious thought needed.

Again, im sorry if my tone has not come across as intended, I think my original question was too broad, so its possibly a bit confusing as to what stage im at.

I have looked at hillclimb/sprint in the past, and its not what I want - I am looking for competitive racing against others on track, not just chasing the clock - This appeals to some (less chance of damage etc) but not me (not right now anyway)

I have made contact with a couple of local groups that should be of use :-)

[Weslake-Monza]

I think you will find while scrutineers will be helpful if you ask them to look at a car while they have a quiet moment at a race meeting (even if this is lunchtime) they are unlikely to come to you to have a look at your car unless you are paying for it to be issued with a log book.

[Norfolkandchance]

I've always fancied HSCC 70s roadsports. Apparently very novice friendly.

[Jon39]

If you have not already done so, my suggestion is go to an MG race meeting, look at the cars and talk to the drivers. They are the best people to answer your questions.

Presumably there are now various different classes, but I was staggered to see the extent of body and suspension modifications, to some of the present racing Midgets and Sprites.