Sprint/Hillclimb TVR
Discussion
I am currently using a 7 replica for sprints/hillclimbs with a bit of success but am considering a change of class, no-one is currently campaigning a TVR here in Scotland so it could be fun and create a bit of interest.
The question is what model ?
Looking to spend around 10-15K, plus the cost of a roll cage and suspension updates/cornerweighting to get the car track ready. Thought of a Griffith - but what model - 500?, a Cerbera ? An early Tuscan ?
The hillclimbs up here are short and twisty (I guess most are) the sprints are longer and can let the car stretch its legs a bit but still include hairpins etc.
Opinions ??
The question is what model ?
Looking to spend around 10-15K, plus the cost of a roll cage and suspension updates/cornerweighting to get the car track ready. Thought of a Griffith - but what model - 500?, a Cerbera ? An early Tuscan ?
The hillclimbs up here are short and twisty (I guess most are) the sprints are longer and can let the car stretch its legs a bit but still include hairpins etc.
Opinions ??
Seven sounds ideal for that and must be great fun. If you're looking for a TVR I guess you'll want one of the modern ones with a big grunty engine, I'd suggest sticking to the RV8 based ones to keep running costs down. That still leaves plenty of options regarding model and engine capacity, personally I'd suggest a V8S since it has a nice torquey V8 plus the chuckability of the S series but then I'm biased, I'm sure everyone you ask will have their own favorite.
That is the kind of info I was looking for, the shorter wheelbase certainly would be better.
I hadn't considered the Chim, my impression of them is as the softer TVR, maybe a wrong/unfair impression, the Griffith is certainly high on the list.
An early Tuscan is also considered but I think the V8 would take the abuse it will undoubtedly receive better than the Speed Six - again that is just my impression and may be unfounded but is why the Giffith seems to me like a good choice.
I hadn't considered the Chim, my impression of them is as the softer TVR, maybe a wrong/unfair impression, the Griffith is certainly high on the list.
An early Tuscan is also considered but I think the V8 would take the abuse it will undoubtedly receive better than the Speed Six - again that is just my impression and may be unfounded but is why the Giffith seems to me like a good choice.
BTW the class I would be in with a post '80 TVR is currently being won by a turbo'd Elise, while I am not looking for a class just to win I would like to remain competitive, I think a well set up Griffith could be competitive particularly on the sprints, though the elise handling would be hard to compete against on the hills.
I have a thing about not driving the same as the herd - I have a Striker while everyone else in my current class is in Caterhams or Westfields, that is one of the reasons I like the idea of a TVR, and it is good for spectators to see something different.
There is a guy up here campaigning Merc 500, it replaced the 7 series BMW he rolled last year, I like his style.
I have a thing about not driving the same as the herd - I have a Striker while everyone else in my current class is in Caterhams or Westfields, that is one of the reasons I like the idea of a TVR, and it is good for spectators to see something different.
There is a guy up here campaigning Merc 500, it replaced the 7 series BMW he rolled last year, I like his style.
You need a big bad Wedge. Cheap to buy. Parts are also cheap and easy to get. Wedges have won the TVR speed championship 4 times out of the last 7 seasons. You could pick up an old Tasmin racer with all the cage and safety gear already fitted. A lot cheaper and more fun I would say... but then I've been sprinting my Wedge since 1997.
Plenty of TVRs are involved in hillclimbs and sprints across the country.
From Vixens to Tuscan racers.
Details here: http://www.tvrspeedchampionship.co.uk/MainTVRFrame...
Might give you some ideas.
Tim
From Vixens to Tuscan racers.
Details here: http://www.tvrspeedchampionship.co.uk/MainTVRFrame...
Might give you some ideas.
Tim
Hi there,
I used to campaign a 1993 4.0 Chimaera (2001 season) and won best newcomer whilst doing so! A couple of us from the Nessie region - a 4.5 Chimaera, a 5.0 Griff and myself used to have a real good time and were really close timewise. Although the grunt matters it's all down to the handling and good brakes/tyres (as you will already know) Apart from on the open circuits (knockhill) the Chimaera was just as quick as the big griff and with the slightly more forgiving handling a bit easier to drive in my opinion. The only mods I did was to change the suspension and bushes, upgrade the brakes the cross drilled/grooved with greenstuff pads and put on yokos.
I would be interested in getting back into the sprints again - we kind of lost interest as a group due to one thing and another - also we were getting grouped with the elises which basically gave us no chance of any victorys due to the tight handling bias of the scottish scene.
Good luck with whatever you pick - I may see you there!
I used to campaign a 1993 4.0 Chimaera (2001 season) and won best newcomer whilst doing so! A couple of us from the Nessie region - a 4.5 Chimaera, a 5.0 Griff and myself used to have a real good time and were really close timewise. Although the grunt matters it's all down to the handling and good brakes/tyres (as you will already know) Apart from on the open circuits (knockhill) the Chimaera was just as quick as the big griff and with the slightly more forgiving handling a bit easier to drive in my opinion. The only mods I did was to change the suspension and bushes, upgrade the brakes the cross drilled/grooved with greenstuff pads and put on yokos.
I would be interested in getting back into the sprints again - we kind of lost interest as a group due to one thing and another - also we were getting grouped with the elises which basically gave us no chance of any victorys due to the tight handling bias of the scottish scene.
Good luck with whatever you pick - I may see you there!
A well set up Griffith 500 should do nicely. I did a few in a badly set up Griffith 500 and to be frank, it was only marginally quicker than my old 350i on a twisty track such as Three Sisters. It was naturally better on courses with longer straights such as Aintree. Suspension upgrade is a must before I ever do another sprint. Then I will be competitive.
Going back to the 350i, a Wedge is a good choice particularly as the TVRCC Sprint challenge is calculated with a power to weight ratio, which penalises a standard Griffith 500 in my opinion as they are supposedly 340bhp but nearly always are under this. A decent Wedge with some serious upgrades would be an awesome tool for Sprinting and would be easily achievable within your budget. (LOOK UP SIMON COLE TVRCC SPEED CHAMPIONSHIP WINNER, NUMEROUS TIMES)
In my ideal world, I'd run a 'spare' Wedge for Sprinting and keep the Griff for special occasions only! But I can't afford both so as I say, I will upgrade the Griffith before returning to timed competition.
Good luck with your final decision.
Going back to the 350i, a Wedge is a good choice particularly as the TVRCC Sprint challenge is calculated with a power to weight ratio, which penalises a standard Griffith 500 in my opinion as they are supposedly 340bhp but nearly always are under this. A decent Wedge with some serious upgrades would be an awesome tool for Sprinting and would be easily achievable within your budget. (LOOK UP SIMON COLE TVRCC SPEED CHAMPIONSHIP WINNER, NUMEROUS TIMES)
In my ideal world, I'd run a 'spare' Wedge for Sprinting and keep the Griff for special occasions only! But I can't afford both so as I say, I will upgrade the Griffith before returning to timed competition.
Good luck with your final decision.
Simon had a 'perfect' season last year.
The TVRCC Speed Championship award 25 pts for a win, with best 8 rounds counting to final score.
Yes, you guessed it, a 'perfect' 200 from Simon.
Very impressive, if a little soul destroying for us mere mortals.
Simon, has built a BMW and is trying his hand at rallying this year. No doubt he'll be racking up the wins in that too.
Tim
The TVRCC Speed Championship award 25 pts for a win, with best 8 rounds counting to final score.
Yes, you guessed it, a 'perfect' 200 from Simon.
Very impressive, if a little soul destroying for us mere mortals.
Simon, has built a BMW and is trying his hand at rallying this year. No doubt he'll be racking up the wins in that too.
Tim
To be fair Simon Cole's car isn't really representative of the TVR you would start with, it's not really a factory TVR wedge any more with it's bespoke suspension, 4.8 litre V8 on downdraught Jenveys, emerald ECU, R380 gearbox etc etc. However it is an indication of what you can achieve though, plus he's a fantastic driver and a genuinely knowledgeable enthusiastic chap and a lovely person too 
sickening isn't it? 
sickening isn't it? Corpulent Tosser said:
:thumbsup:
Great response, still not sure what route to go but wedges have now been added to the list, still a little concerned about being competitive against Elises but it could be fun trying.
Cheers
Murray
Elises etc down sarf are kept in their own class because there was little that could compete with them. They are put into the kit car group. They are extremely light and nimble and there is no way a TVR can match that straight out of the box. However that is not the point. Great response, still not sure what route to go but wedges have now been added to the list, still a little concerned about being competitive against Elises but it could be fun trying.
Cheers
Murray
TVR's have a lot of potential and the Wedge is an ideal candidate. It is a lot cheaper than a Griff/Chimaera and the extra savings can fund a lot of development. Also bear in mind that it is something different and the one thing about sprinting is the ability to continually improve the car and driver. If you want to win against a turbo'd elise from day one then a TVR is not the way to go. If you want to have the challenge of developing the car and the fun of driving something different then it is.
I have regularly beaten 4WD and Elise times and some single seaters so it can be done. As they say, it is not the arrival but the getting there that is the real fun. Or in my case turning up in a 20 year old car and beating modern day machinery. Then there is nothing like the sound of a TVR on full chat to stir the blood.
The real question is how much do you want to spend and do you want to invest a lot of time etc developing the car?
Back in 1959/60 when the early Minis began to run rings round the 3.8 Jags, etc on the race circuits and rallies, everyone in the more cumbersome vehicles didn't just throw the towel in either.
To me one of the attractions of hillclimbing is the sheer variety of competing vehicles. Almost a mini-Goodwood every meeting.
To me one of the attractions of hillclimbing is the sheer variety of competing vehicles. Almost a mini-Goodwood every meeting.
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