Prepping a banger for racing.

[Weatherman]

I mentioned this in a different topic, but then I thought this "motorsports" section would be the best for asking the following - lets say me and my friend got our cheap banger. Now, how do we prepare it for a race? We have to keep prices low and there are only 3 other entrants, so no need to build a full spec rally car, as the other cars will be cheap and cheerful too.
Now, weight reduction is an obvious one.
Power increase? Too expensive.

Now for weight reduction - chuck out rear seats, ok. I'm thinking about the bootlit now. Do we really need it? Logic tells me there is no essential welding in the bootlit as it opens, so is it safe to whack it off? It isn't meant to look nice, and function comes before form in our cars. Bootlids are quite heavy, after all.

But the things that is most important is safety. There is every chance that one of the cars will roll over, so what can we do to minimise injury in these cases? Fit a roll cage, I guess. But how? Also, we should do something to the fuel system to prevent leakage and fire hazard. What exactly should we do?
Thanks guys!

[Racefan_uk]

Amazing what typing 'Banger Racing UK Regs' into google turns up.

http://www.ybapublications.co.uk/shortcircuit/main...

[Graham]

For first time, probably much simpler to do an arrive and drive... I was at skeggy on boxing day, and for about 150 quid all in you could just turn up and drive.


G

[mikee boy]

Banger racing (and indeed all forms of organised motorsport) have a series of rules and guidelines to stop idiots killing themselves in poorly prepared cars. Slowly burning to death in an upside-down Granada with a collapsed roof will soon tarnish an otherwise enjoyable afternoon, as would watching your mate do the same in his car.

Bangers = impact = injury
Engines = fuel = fire

At the very least get along to a Banger meeting and see the precautions they take, or even better to a race paddock and have a chat with a scrutineer. I would suggest rollcage, fire extinguisher, fireproof clothing, helmet and fireproof gloves, sturdy seat and harness as an absolute minimum. You'll have more fun ramming your mate safely than putting him into a wheelchair or a burns unit.

Worth checking out some of the Banger crashed on YouTube. I'm amazed those idiots ever get out of their terribly-prepared rust-traps.

[Weatherman]

Great response Mikee Boy, I'll look into it. Thanks for all the other suggestions guys!

[TheMighty]

You may suggest a rollcage but it would probably be illegal. There are different rules for bangers depending on the organising club but most allow the only armouring of the car to be an H frame or post behind the driver not a full cage. You will also need "banger plates" right across the drivers door and at each end of the passenger door. "banger bolts" and plates are also allowed to strenthen and hold the bonnet in place. National Bangers will have the radiator re-sited whereas the "rookie" tap and spin classes will have the rad kept in standard position I think. Most organisations BAN fuel injection I believe as its seen as too much of a fire risk. If I were you I'd be getting in contact with the club/organistation where you aim to run the car.

[Weatherman]

The guys we're rolling with don't seem to be too bothered about the rules.. You know how it is in Italy. Pretty much anything goes. So give me all your ideas and we'll see what we can get.
Rollcage it is.
Fire extinguisher.
Remove windows.

Roll cage is the hardest to do - what simple, reliable way is there to build a roll cage?