Hill climbs and Sprints
Discussion
There are classes for sports cars and saloons (with categories of various levels of mods) single-makes, through to full race single seaters. The classes do vary a little from one venue to another.
The new website for the TVR Speed championship gives a lot of answers that apply to other makes too.
www.tvrspeedchampionship.co.uk/
Great fun with least cost/risk
The new website for the TVR Speed championship gives a lot of answers that apply to other makes too.
www.tvrspeedchampionship.co.uk/
Great fun with least cost/risk
have a read of this site, plenty of good info on there www.hillclimbandsprint.co.uk/
you can start off with anything from a standard car, with no mods what so ever, going up to car that would give F1 cars a run for their money.
the atmosphere in the paddock is really friendly, with people always willing to lend you bits or tools should you need them.
you can start off with anything from a standard car, with no mods what so ever, going up to car that would give F1 cars a run for their money.
the atmosphere in the paddock is really friendly, with people always willing to lend you bits or tools should you need them.
Prescott Hillclimb do a great course. Great Hillclimb too.
www.prescott-hillclimb.com/
www.prescott-hillclimb.com/
At a hillclimb or sprint you will normally get two practice and two timed runs. Your practice runs are normally timed as well but don't count for the results. Depending on the venue, cars are set off at 20-30 second intervals to prevent baulking, so there will be 2-4 cars on the course at any given time, two at somewhere short like Wiscombe or Longleat, four at somewhere like Colerne which is nearly 2 miles long. Your run will be driving the course from start to finish, the course being something like a road on a country estate (eg Longleat), a track marked out by cones on an airfield (eg Colerne) or some part of a lap of a race circuit (we run at Castle Combe (3/4 lap) and Llandow for example, Llandow being short we run 1.75 laps).
Timing is by light beam which is split by a special "splitter" you must make and attach to your car, to the specifications laid down in the Motorsports yearbook (aka "Blue Book"
that you receive when you obtain your competition license from the MSA - you must have a competition license for all hillclimb and sprint events.
Typically you get classes along the following lines:
"Roadgoing production cars" - possibly split into saloons and sports (not so much nowadays), definitely with capacity splits at different points. Locally it's 1400xx, 1800cc and 2600cc. Forced induction adds 40% to capacity on petrol engined cars, so for example a Sierra Cosworth counts as 2800cc. In these classes you have to retain the orignal engine type for that body, suspension type and mounts cannot be changed, but springs and shocks can be replaced with better items. Most panels have to stay original material, glass has to stay glass, cars have to have MOT and tax so tyres must be road legal. Wheel and Tyre sizes are often restricted as well. Some regions further restrict your choice of tyres to lists that appear in the MSA "Blue Book".
"Modified production cars" - Non roadgoing versions of production cars. So slicks are allowed, much more weight saving by removing trim, replacing panels and so on.
There are also typically kit car classes along the same lines as the production classes.
"Sports Libre" - This is the covered wheel "anything goes" classes. So something like a Radical or a Mallock or a Metro 6R4 would go here, as would anything that has an engine not as fitted by the manufacturer, e.g. an MG Midget with a K-series engine, or a Morris Minor with a Fiat twin cam as we have in the south west.
"Racing cars" - self explanatory, everything from a Cooper-Harley to ex F3000 cars with Nicholson-McLaren or Judd engines.
Exact classes vary by region and event, some championships (esp one make) have their own structures, but the majority are along those lines.
Entry fees start around £60 for the cheapest events and are edging three figures at some venues as the costs to the organisers vary *very* widely.
It is normally a pretty relaxed day with plenty of time to wander and chat between runs, or work on the car if that's what needs doing.
It would be worth finding a local club that promotes events and joining, or joining the HSA and getting along to an event either to spectate or better to marshal to get an idea of how the day works.
Timing is by light beam which is split by a special "splitter" you must make and attach to your car, to the specifications laid down in the Motorsports yearbook (aka "Blue Book"
that you receive when you obtain your competition license from the MSA - you must have a competition license for all hillclimb and sprint events. Typically you get classes along the following lines:
"Roadgoing production cars" - possibly split into saloons and sports (not so much nowadays), definitely with capacity splits at different points. Locally it's 1400xx, 1800cc and 2600cc. Forced induction adds 40% to capacity on petrol engined cars, so for example a Sierra Cosworth counts as 2800cc. In these classes you have to retain the orignal engine type for that body, suspension type and mounts cannot be changed, but springs and shocks can be replaced with better items. Most panels have to stay original material, glass has to stay glass, cars have to have MOT and tax so tyres must be road legal. Wheel and Tyre sizes are often restricted as well. Some regions further restrict your choice of tyres to lists that appear in the MSA "Blue Book".
"Modified production cars" - Non roadgoing versions of production cars. So slicks are allowed, much more weight saving by removing trim, replacing panels and so on.
There are also typically kit car classes along the same lines as the production classes.
"Sports Libre" - This is the covered wheel "anything goes" classes. So something like a Radical or a Mallock or a Metro 6R4 would go here, as would anything that has an engine not as fitted by the manufacturer, e.g. an MG Midget with a K-series engine, or a Morris Minor with a Fiat twin cam as we have in the south west.
"Racing cars" - self explanatory, everything from a Cooper-Harley to ex F3000 cars with Nicholson-McLaren or Judd engines.
Exact classes vary by region and event, some championships (esp one make) have their own structures, but the majority are along those lines.
Entry fees start around £60 for the cheapest events and are edging three figures at some venues as the costs to the organisers vary *very* widely.
It is normally a pretty relaxed day with plenty of time to wander and chat between runs, or work on the car if that's what needs doing.
It would be worth finding a local club that promotes events and joining, or joining the HSA and getting along to an event either to spectate or better to marshal to get an idea of how the day works.
Excellent advice/information above, specially going to an event to watch or marshal, marshals are very often in short supply and anyone doing it is very much appreciated.
I started three years ago when I did a couple of events in a Tiger i had at the time, it was swiftly sold and a Striker bought, I have done two full seasons in it. The competitors are in the main friendly and very helpful and it is a relatively cheap and safe way into motorsport.
Get out there and do it, you have all winter to get the car prepared.
I started three years ago when I did a couple of events in a Tiger i had at the time, it was swiftly sold and a Striker bought, I have done two full seasons in it. The competitors are in the main friendly and very helpful and it is a relatively cheap and safe way into motorsport.
Get out there and do it, you have all winter to get the car prepared.
Combe Are thinking of running there own sprint next year too!
Incidently, there are two a year, The one earlier in the year use 3/4's of the track (start line to Westway) and the one at the end of the year uses the whole track (start-start) using the pit access in the 'wrong' direction
Incidently, there are two a year, The one earlier in the year use 3/4's of the track (start line to Westway) and the one at the end of the year uses the whole track (start-start) using the pit access in the 'wrong' direction
Ross_328i_sport said:
Thanks for all the information what sort of sjkill level do you need as i would consider myself a beginner really would i be welcome or would i slow down the rest and also 2 practise runs doesnt seem alot to know what corner is coming up next
Hi,
You don't need any skill levelsa at all, 'cos everyone is a beginner at some point.
You won't be holding anyone up, 'cos you only run one at a time, and anyway, your money is as good as anyone.
Seriously planning to have a go meself next year, with m'little supercharged MX5. In fact had planned to start this year, but the bloody taxman put paid to that.
heebeegeetee said:
Ross_328i_sport said:
Thanks for all the information what sort of sjkill level do you need as i would consider myself a beginner really would i be welcome or would i slow down the rest and also 2 practise runs doesnt seem alot to know what corner is coming up next
Hi,
You don't need any skill levelsa at all, 'cos everyone is a beginner at some point.
You won't be holding anyone up, 'cos you only run one at a time, and anyway, your money is as good as anyone.
Seriously planning to have a go meself next year, with m'little supercharged MX5. In fact had planned to start this year, but the bloody taxman put paid to that.
Cheers for the advice i also dislike the taxman but there's no escaping him
If you're starting out it is worth looking at sprints rather than hillclimbs, at least for the first few events. Hillclimbs tend to have much less forgiving scenery, with sprints there are still sometimes corners not to go off at but generally they are a lot more forgiving. They're also more approachable for less powerful cars since you spend less time chugging up steep slopes (if you're coming out in something with a bit of oomph that won't matter as much).
[swing lamp] I remember my first event, Valence School hillclimb in 1996. I was desperately slow but the buzz at the end of my first run was absolutely terrific. [/swing lamp]
I've never really got on well with sprints, though. Enjoyed the Castle Coombe single lap but tend to get lost on airfield courses - and I cannot stand Curborough.
I'd advocate entering as many events as you can at the one or perhaps two courses closest to you. The skill and satisfaction in speed events come from developing the balls and the concentration to place the car accurately on a ten-tenths effort and you'll be at sea for your first couple of events at any given venue, which can make it frustrating if you have to wait months until your next chance to go back and apply what you've learned.
I've never really got on well with sprints, though. Enjoyed the Castle Coombe single lap but tend to get lost on airfield courses - and I cannot stand Curborough.
I'd advocate entering as many events as you can at the one or perhaps two courses closest to you. The skill and satisfaction in speed events come from developing the balls and the concentration to place the car accurately on a ten-tenths effort and you'll be at sea for your first couple of events at any given venue, which can make it frustrating if you have to wait months until your next chance to go back and apply what you've learned.
Nick_F said:
I remember my first event, Valence School hillclimb in 1996. I was desperately slow but the buzz at the end of my first run was absolutely terrific.
Is that Valence as in France? Jeez, some of those hillclimbs they do in Europe! Y'know, involving Alps and stuff.
I'm impressed.
Hillclimbing -
My brother and I used to drive to the Hillclimb, compete and drive home. (I think you should get extra points for doing that)
If you get there early which you should anyway, its wise to walk the course. You will most likely be suprised at just how steep parts of it are compared to spectating or even riding up in a car. It does allow you to get a really close look at danger areas and corners you can trim etc.
At most venues the run will be really brief, just a matter of seconds. Like you said, it does make it very hard to learn hence walking the track - also a good idea to walk up and watch some others do it.
A big thing to remember at places like Wiscombe, it is lined by trees so its not like a track day were you have the pleasure of drifting off line onto the grass. Its a really prescise thing which is why a driving scool is not a bad idea, they will also point out lines which you may not think of etc.
Another important thing is be competitive but it we found it hard to compete with people that trailor their car to the track, ultra sticky tyres etc. I found myself in the old TVR in the same class as a Subaru P1..not a fair contest but great fun!
My brother and I used to drive to the Hillclimb, compete and drive home. (I think you should get extra points for doing that
) If you get there early which you should anyway, its wise to walk the course. You will most likely be suprised at just how steep parts of it are compared to spectating or even riding up in a car. It does allow you to get a really close look at danger areas and corners you can trim etc.
At most venues the run will be really brief, just a matter of seconds. Like you said, it does make it very hard to learn hence walking the track - also a good idea to walk up and watch some others do it.
A big thing to remember at places like Wiscombe, it is lined by trees so its not like a track day were you have the pleasure of drifting off line onto the grass. Its a really prescise thing which is why a driving scool is not a bad idea, they will also point out lines which you may not think of etc.
Another important thing is be competitive but it we found it hard to compete with people that trailor their car to the track, ultra sticky tyres etc. I found myself in the old TVR in the same class as a Subaru P1..not a fair contest but great fun!
Ross_328i_sport said:
Thanks for all the information what sort of sjkill level do you need as i would consider myself a beginner really would i be welcome or would i slow down the rest and also 2 practise runs doesnt seem alot to know what corner is coming up next
As heebeegeetee said your skill level is not important, though keeping it on the grey bits and off the green will certainly endear you to marshals and fellow competitors, too many cars in the horticulture slows the whole event down, so taking it steady (or as steady as you can given that you will be getting such a rush) for the first couple of runs is a good idea.
At events where more than one car is on track at a time plenty time is left between the cars and they only get close if one has a problem and the marshals are watching for this and put out a flag to warn the following car, so no need for concern there.
As has been said before going to watch an event, or better still marshal at an event will give you a better idea of just what is involved.
I really enjoy it and wish I had started years ago, now looking forward to next season.
I personally love sprinting. It can be relatively low cost, non damaging & above all FUN.
Depending hoe seriously you want to be it can be quite intense, you know you don't have any time to settle into a rythm, you have to be on it from the minute you start as the runs are pretty short, that's all part of the challenge. Makes things interesting when you get a day with showers.
Depending hoe seriously you want to be it can be quite intense, you know you don't have any time to settle into a rythm, you have to be on it from the minute you start as the runs are pretty short, that's all part of the challenge. Makes things interesting when you get a day with showers.
heebeegeetee said:
Nick_F said:
I remember my first event, Valence School hillclimb in 1996. I was desperately slow but the buzz at the end of my first run was absolutely terrific.
Is that Valence as in France? Jeez, some of those hillclimbs they do in Europe! Y'know, involving Alps and stuff.
I'm impressed.
Sadly no, I'm afraid. It was a now disused venue near Sevenoaks.
I'm looking at one or two French events as possibilities for next year, though. Serious stuff, mind you:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wgzi7A02kSY
Used to sprint my old Sunbeam-Lotus back in the late 80's/early 90's.
Great fun, cheap-ish motorsport (was then, don't know about now) with a nice paddock atmosphere.
Would love to have had a go at a hillclimb, but other than Valance, there were no hills in the south-east. Used to love sprinting at Lydden, Watton, Debden, Goodwood etc. North Weald was the only really naff venue....all 2nd gear with a bit or 3rd in the Sunbeam.
Yup, agree Curborough is horrid.
Best thing to do is check out where a sprint event is and go along for a look and a chat with a few people, or better still join a local motorclub that organises or join organises sprint events and they will help all you need.
Great fun, cheap-ish motorsport (was then, don't know about now) with a nice paddock atmosphere.
Would love to have had a go at a hillclimb, but other than Valance, there were no hills in the south-east. Used to love sprinting at Lydden, Watton, Debden, Goodwood etc. North Weald was the only really naff venue....all 2nd gear with a bit or 3rd in the Sunbeam.
Yup, agree Curborough is horrid.
Best thing to do is check out where a sprint event is and go along for a look and a chat with a few people, or better still join a local motorclub that organises or join organises sprint events and they will help all you need.
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