RE: Racing a Citroen C1 at Spa
Discussion
Sounds great fun!
I don't get one thing though - fitting the cheap ditchfinder tyres? By the sounds of it, this is one of the few areas that you can differentiate your car from the competition. Surely then, spending a bit more on some grippy tyres to improve cornering speed, reduce braking time (I am assuming reducing wheelspin is not really an issue though with 70hp!), etc could make all the difference?
Ditto brakes. I did not see this listed as an item that could not be modified, providing they remained MOTable. Presumably the fittment of some half decent brakes could make a big difference, given weight and power are basically not modifyable?
I don't get one thing though - fitting the cheap ditchfinder tyres? By the sounds of it, this is one of the few areas that you can differentiate your car from the competition. Surely then, spending a bit more on some grippy tyres to improve cornering speed, reduce braking time (I am assuming reducing wheelspin is not really an issue though with 70hp!), etc could make all the difference?
Ditto brakes. I did not see this listed as an item that could not be modified, providing they remained MOTable. Presumably the fittment of some half decent brakes could make a big difference, given weight and power are basically not modifyable?
This does appear to be a pretty popular event. I can imagine it being alot of fun too, with emphasis on being how brave you can be in the corners, full throttle everywhere and next-to-no braking.
There's a guy i follow on Instagram who has a C1 with an EP3 Type-R engine in it. It sounds a bit overkill to me but i bet that it's an absolute riot to drive. I'd love to do something fairly similar.
There's a guy i follow on Instagram who has a C1 with an EP3 Type-R engine in it. It sounds a bit overkill to me but i bet that it's an absolute riot to drive. I'd love to do something fairly similar.
HasToBeV8 said:
Sounds great fun!
I don't get one thing though - fitting the cheap ditchfinder tyres? By the sounds of it, this is one of the few areas that you can differentiate your car from the competition. Surely then, spending a bit more on some grippy tyres to improve cornering speed, reduce braking time (I am assuming reducing wheelspin is not really an issue though with 70hp!), etc could make all the difference?
Ditto brakes. I did not see this listed as an item that could not be modified, providing they remained MOTable. Presumably the fittment of some half decent brakes could make a big difference, given weight and power are basically not modifyable?
Thought the same thing but having looked at the technical regs, they're also restricted. Friction material is free on brakes however...I don't get one thing though - fitting the cheap ditchfinder tyres? By the sounds of it, this is one of the few areas that you can differentiate your car from the competition. Surely then, spending a bit more on some grippy tyres to improve cornering speed, reduce braking time (I am assuming reducing wheelspin is not really an issue though with 70hp!), etc could make all the difference?
Ditto brakes. I did not see this listed as an item that could not be modified, providing they remained MOTable. Presumably the fittment of some half decent brakes could make a big difference, given weight and power are basically not modifyable?
Regs: https://barc.blob.core.windows.net/barcnet/2017-se...
HasToBeV8 said:
Sounds great fun!
I don't get one thing though - fitting the cheap ditchfinder tyres? By the sounds of it, this is one of the few areas that you can differentiate your car from the competition. Surely then, spending a bit more on some grippy tyres to improve cornering speed, reduce braking time (I am assuming reducing wheelspin is not really an issue though with 70hp!), etc could make all the difference?
Ditto brakes. I did not see this listed as an item that could not be modified, providing they remained MOTable. Presumably the fittment of some half decent brakes could make a big difference, given weight and power are basically not modifyable?
The tyres are perfect, anything grippier would spoil all the fun to be honest. With the back setup right you pretty much steer with the throttle, especially in the wet. I don't get one thing though - fitting the cheap ditchfinder tyres? By the sounds of it, this is one of the few areas that you can differentiate your car from the competition. Surely then, spending a bit more on some grippy tyres to improve cornering speed, reduce braking time (I am assuming reducing wheelspin is not really an issue though with 70hp!), etc could make all the difference?
Ditto brakes. I did not see this listed as an item that could not be modified, providing they remained MOTable. Presumably the fittment of some half decent brakes could make a big difference, given weight and power are basically not modifyable?
Corner speed is brilliant, as are the brakes. With the ABs turned off it's easy to lock the wheels even in the dry so definetly don't need a brake upgrade.
These are by far the best cars I've ever raced, Spa was crazy, with moves being made every other corner for the duration of a 2-2:30hr stint. Should see full grids for all the 2018 events off the back of it!
HasToBeV8 said:
Sounds great fun!
I don't get one thing though - fitting the cheap ditchfinder tyres? By the sounds of it, this is one of the few areas that you can differentiate your car from the competition. Surely then, spending a bit more on some grippy tyres to improve cornering speed, reduce braking time (I am assuming reducing wheelspin is not really an issue though with 70hp!), etc could make all the difference?
The tyre choice is down to the overwhelming desire to keep this low cost. The tyres are about £30-40 a corner. Not sure how many sets of tyres will be needed to do the whole 24 hours but probably only a couple of sets, and if everyone is on the same rubber, what does it matter. The cars should all be the same; no desire to "differentiate the cars" from each other, except in a few areas of tweaking set up in a basic way to suit driving style.I don't get one thing though - fitting the cheap ditchfinder tyres? By the sounds of it, this is one of the few areas that you can differentiate your car from the competition. Surely then, spending a bit more on some grippy tyres to improve cornering speed, reduce braking time (I am assuming reducing wheelspin is not really an issue though with 70hp!), etc could make all the difference?
The tyres can be shaved to about 4 mm to help with durability and performance. I think that most teams do this, and keep a set at full tread depth for the wet.
jeremyc said:
That looks brilliant fun!
C1s/Aygos/107s are super little cars - they've got the ethic of cheap and cheerful just right, rare these days. I leased one once on one of those 89 quid a month deals - loved it.
Those Spa laps - less than a litre of fuel a lap!
Girlfriend has an Aygo. When there's just me in it, dare I say, it doesn't actually feel THAT slow, and it makes a nice noise to boot. The only thing I don't like is the amount of effort the steering takes, it feels like it takes a lot of turning for the amount of actually steering you get - although I suppose next to an MR2 Roadster most cars are going to feel like that.
I can imagine this race being an absolute riot. Proof if it were needed that you don't actually need speed/power to have fun.
I can imagine this race being an absolute riot. Proof if it were needed that you don't actually need speed/power to have fun.
liner33 said:
Bought a C1 for my son last year, he learned to drive in it and uses it everyday, I have been nothing but impressed with this little car
We are following this series with interest and hope to spectate at Rockingham and as soon as he is finished with his car we have a use for it
Love it. To wife: Yeah - safe, low power car - great to learn in. To son: Stick with me kiddo - we'll make it a racing car and do night stints at Spa.We are following this series with interest and hope to spectate at Rockingham and as soon as he is finished with his car we have a use for it
Top Dadding.
Smitters said:
liner33 said:
Bought a C1 for my son last year, he learned to drive in it and uses it everyday, I have been nothing but impressed with this little car
We are following this series with interest and hope to spectate at Rockingham and as soon as he is finished with his car we have a use for it
Love it. To wife: Yeah - safe, low power car - great to learn in. To son: Stick with me kiddo - we'll make it a racing car and do night stints at Spa.We are following this series with interest and hope to spectate at Rockingham and as soon as he is finished with his car we have a use for it
Top Dadding.
Just trying to bring him up properly. I think once we have been to the Rockingham race the bug will really bite Without listing all our costs our was fair chunk more than 3k to build without labor. Base Car 1k, Cage if you go for the "fatboy" version is near 1k, suspension cant remember than one, plus seat, harness, safety kit, compulsory bits from the club, the lights of which there is only one type you are allowed plus a full service, brakes etc. Don't expect change from 5k, and that's before you have raced it, fueled it and worked your way through 3 sets of tyres. I am not trying to put a downer on it just a bit of realism, even at 5k its still ridiculously cheap when there are 4 or 5 of you in a team and you can go and race it around Spa for 24 hours!
This looks like a huge amount of fun.This series is fantastic.
I raced one at the Snetterton and Cadwell rounds this year, but missed Spa.
You quickly forget you are 'only' in a C1 as they are so much fun to drive on the limit, allowing great close battles. There are some top drivers involved and the cars are incredibly even. Hope it stays that way.
What's more you can split the cost with your friends which does make it genuinely affordable. The tyres are perfect for the cars, too much grip would massively reduce the fun factor, they are durable and predictable. The organisers are so focussed on making it low cost but respectable (driving standards were hotly policed at the UK rounds I attended) I think it will go from strength to strength. The series currently proving to be a runaway success, we are booked on the grid for Rockingham and cannot wait. Roll on May!
I raced one at the Snetterton and Cadwell rounds this year, but missed Spa.
You quickly forget you are 'only' in a C1 as they are so much fun to drive on the limit, allowing great close battles. There are some top drivers involved and the cars are incredibly even. Hope it stays that way.
What's more you can split the cost with your friends which does make it genuinely affordable. The tyres are perfect for the cars, too much grip would massively reduce the fun factor, they are durable and predictable. The organisers are so focussed on making it low cost but respectable (driving standards were hotly policed at the UK rounds I attended) I think it will go from strength to strength. The series currently proving to be a runaway success, we are booked on the grid for Rockingham and cannot wait. Roll on May!
Re costs etc. The idea is brilliant, 3k build somewhat optimistic in reality, but would think 6-7 would be v achievable. Sadly it looked like there were some cars there that perhaps weren't in 'spirit'. Blueprinted engines etc. Hopefully a reg tweak would handle that. But the use of budget tyres, stock running gear and cheap spares is a winning formula
Good article. Not strictly speaking true or good value for money though. I have raced in that race in the faster BMW powered 2cv and have done for over 10 years. I've never once paid more than 2k euro's. And as for 2cv being expensive? Where is the evidence for this? There are still lots of cars around for under £1k . They use next to no fuel or tyres. When they take a knock everything is replaceable whereas there has been a good few C1 written off this year alone. Nothing against them but please get your facts right.
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