What modifications do I need to make to sprint a road car.
Discussion
I know I need to read the blue book, but before I get stuck in to that, could anyone give me a quick summary of what needs to be done to get through scrutineering for a speed event? It's a standard road car with MOT/TAX/insurance. I know I need the timing strut but what else is there? Does the traction control/ABS need to be disabled?
I looked into this about 15 years ago and as far as I can remember, there wasn't much needed. No cage, extinguisher, harness for instance - just standard seats and belts.
brierleys said:
I know I need to read the blue book, but before I get stuck in to that, could anyone give me a quick summary of what needs to be done to get through scrutineering for a speed event? It's a standard road car with MOT/TAX/insurance. I know I need the timing strut but what else is there? Does the traction control/ABS need to be disabled?
I looked into this about 15 years ago and as far as I can remember, there wasn't much needed. No cage, extinguisher, harness for instance - just standard seats and belts.
to run in standard road going class you will need:I looked into this about 15 years ago and as far as I can remember, there wasn't much needed. No cage, extinguisher, harness for instance - just standard seats and belts.
a timing strut (you can make one out of an off piece of aluminium and cover it in black tape, easily mountable using reg plate screw)
a sticker with OFF near the ignition key is and an arrow to show which way to turn it off
some yellow tape wrapped around the positive battery cable
brierleys said:
The car is a Boxster. Just been reading the blue book. It does mention roll bars. The Boxster has an inbuilt one. Is this sufficient? Will I have to run with the roof down (plastic back window)?
If you run in the standard car class you don't need any rollcage at all, so whatever you have is sufficient.I've never seen one run with the roof up, but I don't go to that many sprint events, I can't see why you couldn't though.
It's the negative cable that needs to be taped IIRC (unless it is braided). At least mine is.
I asked the scrutineer at an event I was clerking at Llandow to have a look at my car (the Boxster, not the Chamois) as if it were to be entered in a sprint. He said he would check the battery was secure and to run with the roof up. The engine being too difficult to get to to check for throttle return springs.
I asked the scrutineer at an event I was clerking at Llandow to have a look at my car (the Boxster, not the Chamois) as if it were to be entered in a sprint. He said he would check the battery was secure and to run with the roof up. The engine being too difficult to get to to check for throttle return springs.
re the boxster, agreed it is now very modded, but dont think it always was.
if you run the car in std roadgoing, you dont need a cage or even a harness although both are recommended (unsurprisingly). you dont need a fire extinguisher at all, plumbed or otherwise. certain scrutes have views on handheld extinguishers being dangerous in an accident as they can fly out of the cradle and thump the driver in the event of a 'big one'. personally on a std car i wouldnt bother. on things with open carbs spitting and flaming, a plumbed extinguisher helps to stop silly underbonnet fires get out of hand, but given that on sprints and hills your never more than 100yds from a couple of hairy-arsed marshals eager to put out any flames you may have, its nice and safe.
again scrutes like the windows and roof up if poss as it stops debris flying into the car during an off and keeps your arms from flailing about too. i suppose its a case of if the option of a roof up and windows up, then they would prefere it, which seems fair enough.
if you run the car in std roadgoing, you dont need a cage or even a harness although both are recommended (unsurprisingly). you dont need a fire extinguisher at all, plumbed or otherwise. certain scrutes have views on handheld extinguishers being dangerous in an accident as they can fly out of the cradle and thump the driver in the event of a 'big one'. personally on a std car i wouldnt bother. on things with open carbs spitting and flaming, a plumbed extinguisher helps to stop silly underbonnet fires get out of hand, but given that on sprints and hills your never more than 100yds from a couple of hairy-arsed marshals eager to put out any flames you may have, its nice and safe.
again scrutes like the windows and roof up if poss as it stops debris flying into the car during an off and keeps your arms from flailing about too. i suppose its a case of if the option of a roof up and windows up, then they would prefere it, which seems fair enough.
Edited by CNHSS1 on Tuesday 3rd February 16:57
You may need a full face or at least a visor on your helmet if you run with the roof down. Only other thing you may need is a label indicating the door handles if they are not in an obvious to find place. Scrutineers usually always check the battery is not loose as well as the exhaust. Will also need to check your tyres are listed in list 1A if you are entering the standard road car class.
Thanks. Useful advice. I've sent my entry form off now that I know I don't need a cage.
My preference on track days is to have the roof up for the reasons mentioned. I also get a better sense of speed for some reason.
Just one more thing. Traction control and ABS. Do they need to be disabled (not that either have been much use on the track)? I can't see them mentioned anywhere in the blue book.
My preference on track days is to have the roof up for the reasons mentioned. I also get a better sense of speed for some reason.
Just one more thing. Traction control and ABS. Do they need to be disabled (not that either have been much use on the track)? I can't see them mentioned anywhere in the blue book.
zac510 said:
Are you able to explain that rule (or the test, the rule seems simple enough) in a bit more detail to me?
Well if you can't get in the car with a crash helmet on then it's going to be a bit difficult to compete. 
Even with a car designed to fit somebody 6'4 tall, me+lid wouldn't fit with the roof up until I lowered the seat.
Goodwood GRRC sprint. I have no idea if I'll get a place.
I normally race karts with Club 100 (which is excellent by the way if you've ever heard of it). I'm fairly new to track days and got my National B license last year. I don't know what other car events I'll be doing but this is a start.
I'm just a bit worried about turning up with a near standard car, being turned away and thus taking up a place that someone else could have had because I didn't know what I was doing.
I normally race karts with Club 100 (which is excellent by the way if you've ever heard of it). I'm fairly new to track days and got my National B license last year. I don't know what other car events I'll be doing but this is a start.
I'm just a bit worried about turning up with a near standard car, being turned away and thus taking up a place that someone else could have had because I didn't know what I was doing.
brierleys said:
I'm just a bit worried about turning up with a near standard car, being turned away and thus taking up a place that someone else could have had because I didn't know what I was doing.
Before your first event, go along to another sprint and get your car scrutineered, get your helmet and race suit inspected and approved, get it noise tested. You should be aware that regs aren't always the same (permitted noise levels vary, for example) so ideally go to an event organised by the same club at the same venue.Once you have passed all these checks you can be reasonably confident that you will be able to compete before spending your hard-earned cash on entry fees.
By the way, if you're only planning to do one event that can sometimes be badly received at popular events because it means that somebody who may be fighting for a championship position might have been excluded.
brierleys said:
Goodwood GRRC sprint. I have no idea if I'll get a place.
I'm just a bit worried about turning up with a near standard car, being turned away and thus taking up a place that someone else could have had because I didn't know what I was doing.
Dont worry, it wont happen. As long as there is a standard prod class you will not be turned away, any minor detail can be sorted on the day, a friendly bunch sprinters I am sure someone would lend you whatever is needed. I have seen stuff turn up that look like they are stright from Hertz. Dont forget your race numbers! if you have a dark car you will need white numbers or black on a white roundal.I'm just a bit worried about turning up with a near standard car, being turned away and thus taking up a place that someone else could have had because I didn't know what I was doing.
eastlmark said:
a friendly bunch sprinters I am sure someone would lend you whatever is needed. I have seen stuff turn up that look like they are stright from Hertz. Dont forget your race numbers!
yep defo agree a friendly bunch, often your closest rival is the same guy lending you a hand or lending you a spare part to keep you going. amazing commaradarie in the paddock and very few 'egos' either unlike other areas of motorsport lol. whether its an un-modified car (a porsche isnt pants even std is it?) or V8 single seater, the grin-factor is the same. you pay your entrance fee, you have the right to play, same as the rest of us.Fully agree with popping along to an event to get the car scrutineered and a feel for how the day progresses too.
Never heard anything re ABS or TC having to be switched off either
after a few events though, your newbie immunity from the banter and general p***-taking from your fellow sprinters will be over and you will have to participate and give as good as you get! its not in the Blue Book, but im sure its a rule somewhere
good luck
Edited by CNHSS1 on Tuesday 3rd February 23:53
Edited by CNHSS1 on Tuesday 3rd February 23:55
Gassing Station | General Motorsport | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff