Building a Chim racer for the TVR challenge

[CanoeSniffer]

Now starting to plan proper for making sure I get into a race car this season or next.

I don't have the resource to run one myself so I'm hoping I can pitch a few quid at some racey fellows and they can assist me.

The plan was to buy whatever's cheap, fun and eligible for a good series that's all cert'd and in date.

I'd probably have to sell my '93 Chim 400 to fund it, the thought of which makes me a bit sad. So alternatively

Why not race the Chim?! It's an ideal donor, being cosmetically borked and not worth much, but pretty mechanically sound. It's got the 3,9 engine with a 500cfm edelbrock carb, GGP shocks and 300mm brakes on the front. I'm only looking to get on track, not to be competitive (yet!), so is this get-away-with-able?

And crucially... What safety gear is required, and what's a likely budget to get the car converted? I've tried finding the championship regs but had no joy.

Also, can I compete on a National B licence?

Cheers

[CanoeSniffer]

T4NGO said:

Says ur in Wiltshire, so not a million miles away from TVRSSW, I'd give them a call.

I'm a very lucky boy to be close to Neil Garners, Str8Six, Topcats.. Lots of phone calls to make. Hadn't considered TVRSSW though, do they build racecars?

Griffithy said:

Hi Sniffer!
Very interesting questions.
I thought that Tuscan Racers are still quite cheap to buy.
Makes me wonder if it really is worth it and how much you would have to invest in a Chim to only come close.
At least the Tuscan would keep its value in racetrim.

I don't consider £30-40k to be cheap!

I love the idea of racing a TVR, and I'll bet the Tuscan racers are worth every penny, but simply getting on track is the priority and when there are competitive series around in fun affordable cars like the MX5s, MR2s and RX8s with fully built and competitive racers available for £5-10k the extra buzz of being in a TVR doesn't financially make sense.

The same goes for my Chim, it would be a massive buzz to be on the (back of the) same grid as the AJP and LS powered TVR racing monsters that I've hero-worshipped for years, but it has to financially make sense compared to buying a prepped car. I honestly don't think I'd lose any value in my Chim, it's non-original and tatty so not worth much as a road car.

It would be nice if anyone with a blood, sweat'n'tears TVR racer conversion under their belt could give me an idea of costs when done in the shed to play against simply giving the car to one of the big names to build up.

[CanoeSniffer]

I thought the Chim racer had sold to be honest. Could be a game changer that one! I'll look it up again and give it some serious thought.

Mike, privileged to have your input you may be just the man I need to ask, can you compete in the TVR challenge on a national B? And are the regs the same between TVR Challenge and say the GT cup, anything you need to change on the Cerb? And whilst I have you to quiz, what's the licence requirement for the GT Cup? I see Topcats need a pilot for the Marcos...

RE converting my Chim, all sounds very easy when you're not actually doing it it doesn't sound terribly bad but the fire suppression system is something I wouldn't feel qualified to go anywhere near. I've started putting the feelers out getting a idea of the cost of all the kit and installation of what I can't do myself, that'll be the biggest factor in whether racing mine is a goer.

[CanoeSniffer]

So I’ve discounted building my own Chim up. Too much time, money, blood sweat and tears involved before that’ll ever be fit to race. It’s an epic track car but I think it would be a hopeless race car.

I need to get into the paddock for one of the TVR Challenge races, I’m gutted to be missing the TVR festival in May at my local track Combe because I’m doing a 24hr kart race that weekend, but if you fellas will have me ing around the paddock for another weekend I’d really appreciate it.

Buying Mike Luck’s old car is definitely on the table, but I need to understand what it requires to turn up and race, in terms of tyres spares tools etc. I’m one-man-banding it and I don’t really know anyone who I could rope in for spanner duty, my mates are mostly pretty hopeless on the tools. Any one of you guys running an RV8 car anywhere close to standard and can give me some more info on what I need to be bringing? How many blokes do you realistically need in the paddock on your behalf, what tasks would you regularly need to do in the paddock to keep the car fighting fit, what were the running costs like? So many questions, sorry!

Is anyone racing their TVR in Bernie’s V8s alongside the Challenge? If I do buy the Chim that series would be a must for me!

Thanks, Mike

[CanoeSniffer]

8nil said:

Life is a short and mysterious mistress. My advice?.......head first and get stuck in!
Martin

This is exactly the sort of attitude that I love, and that my personal accountant (the other half) is terrified of me having

Thank you for the advice Martin, great to hear from you. It’s brilliant to have the insight of the more experienced guys, but hearing from someone not as far advanced from my position makes it all seem a little more feasible if that makes sense.

Best of luck with your racer, hopefully we’ll be sharing grids next year

[CanoeSniffer]

Superb. That's all the inspiration I need.