Classic car rallys
Discussion
Hi i have a hankering to try a rally or two. I'm not looking @ anything too arduous to start with (like LeJog for instance)
I drive a 1967 Sunbeam Alpine I don't fancy modifying it at this stage (unless I really get the bug) I'm based in the Midlands any recommendations how/where to start?
I drive a 1967 Sunbeam Alpine I don't fancy modifying it at this stage (unless I really get the bug) I'm based in the Midlands any recommendations how/where to start?
Have a look on the HRCR website;
http://www.hrcr.co.uk/Clubmans_Rally_Championship/
Ross Traders in July would be a good place to start, well organised and popular event fairly local to you. Later in the year there is the Throckmorton Challange too.
HRCR used to run what they called the 100 series events, which were a series of 100 mile daylight regularity rallies without any tests, those were ideal as a start point, but I'm not sure they do them anymore.
I'm not aware of any others in the Midlands apart from the Huntsman which is happening in the first weekedn of July, but entries are full as far as I know and it has a lot of test mileage, (I'm entered in a 205).
There are a few things which you would find essential on these events, first (obviously!) is a navigator, don't undersetimate their roll it's the most important by far in the early days. You need an acurate Trip meter, look for Brantz, Romertimer+, or Terratrip. Some stop watches or a rally clock (Brantz or Roamertimer). To start on something like the Ross Traders you would need a Nat B competition licence from the MSA too, about £40.00 with a few medical questions if you aren't in the flush of youth anymore.
Stuff like sump Guards, Knobbly Tyres, Rally Seats, Roll Cages etc are not essential, but if you get serious you would be best advise to think about them.
http://www.hrcr.co.uk/Clubmans_Rally_Championship/
Ross Traders in July would be a good place to start, well organised and popular event fairly local to you. Later in the year there is the Throckmorton Challange too.
HRCR used to run what they called the 100 series events, which were a series of 100 mile daylight regularity rallies without any tests, those were ideal as a start point, but I'm not sure they do them anymore.
I'm not aware of any others in the Midlands apart from the Huntsman which is happening in the first weekedn of July, but entries are full as far as I know and it has a lot of test mileage, (I'm entered in a 205).
There are a few things which you would find essential on these events, first (obviously!) is a navigator, don't undersetimate their roll it's the most important by far in the early days. You need an acurate Trip meter, look for Brantz, Romertimer+, or Terratrip. Some stop watches or a rally clock (Brantz or Roamertimer). To start on something like the Ross Traders you would need a Nat B competition licence from the MSA too, about £40.00 with a few medical questions if you aren't in the flush of youth anymore.
Stuff like sump Guards, Knobbly Tyres, Rally Seats, Roll Cages etc are not essential, but if you get serious you would be best advise to think about them.
I think this will suit me as well. I’ve been looking for something I can run my Midget in, this looks just the thing.
I’ve spent most of the day looking through the HRCR web site, my car has quite a few period mods, but it looks like it’ll still comply with the regs, so I’m going to go along to the East Anglian Classic and see what it’s all about.
Having looked at the navigation handbook, the various types of route instructions look quite daunting. Finding someone to co drive will be hard enough, (I think the Mrs could be persuaded) but once she sees what she would be faced with I’m sure she’ll say that’s not her idea of a day of motoring fun.
Shoestringracer, could you give me a better idea of what to expect, are the navigational instruction all that varied. Grid refs and tulips are OK, but herringbones and the various grid instructions are very confusing for a beginner. I’m sure I’ll find out most of what I want to know at the East Anglian Classic, but I doubt anyone will have time to talk to me on the day.
I’ve spent most of the day looking through the HRCR web site, my car has quite a few period mods, but it looks like it’ll still comply with the regs, so I’m going to go along to the East Anglian Classic and see what it’s all about.
Having looked at the navigation handbook, the various types of route instructions look quite daunting. Finding someone to co drive will be hard enough, (I think the Mrs could be persuaded) but once she sees what she would be faced with I’m sure she’ll say that’s not her idea of a day of motoring fun.
Shoestringracer, could you give me a better idea of what to expect, are the navigational instruction all that varied. Grid refs and tulips are OK, but herringbones and the various grid instructions are very confusing for a beginner. I’m sure I’ll find out most of what I want to know at the East Anglian Classic, but I doubt anyone will have time to talk to me on the day.
To be fair the HRCR series is very much decided on regularity times, which depend on accurate navigation and timing. Good test times although important certainly won't bring a good result without a good performance on the road sections, it's very difficult to gain more than a few seconds on a test, but it is very very easy to loose five minutes or more by a mistake on the road. The navigation instructions are very likely to be fairly complex, some will also be given out as 'plot and bash' that is you are given the instructions as you start the section, plotting on the move. It will get very busy on the left hand side of the car.
There are a couple of events in the HRCR championship which also have a 'run' along side the 'Rally' the Ilkley Jubilee and Yorkshire Classic, both do this (both ooop North and both have been run for this year). The route instructions for the 'run' are given out at the start and are usually tulips, but you get to do the vast majority of the regularities and tests, so it's good place to start. My first event (as a driver) was the run section of the Jubilee back in 2006, I enjoyed it so much I was hooked but have switched sides now and navigate.
We are fortunate in the North of England as we have the NESCRO series of classic Rallies, which are much more focussed on test times than navigation, some of these events don't have any regularities at all. They are very much based on which crew is quickest on the tests.
http://www.nescro.co.uk/n/
I am not aware of an equivelent series down south though, there has always been a strange 'regionality' to Historic road events in the UK, not sure why.
There are a couple of events in the HRCR championship which also have a 'run' along side the 'Rally' the Ilkley Jubilee and Yorkshire Classic, both do this (both ooop North and both have been run for this year). The route instructions for the 'run' are given out at the start and are usually tulips, but you get to do the vast majority of the regularities and tests, so it's good place to start. My first event (as a driver) was the run section of the Jubilee back in 2006, I enjoyed it so much I was hooked but have switched sides now and navigate.
We are fortunate in the North of England as we have the NESCRO series of classic Rallies, which are much more focussed on test times than navigation, some of these events don't have any regularities at all. They are very much based on which crew is quickest on the tests.
http://www.nescro.co.uk/n/
I am not aware of an equivelent series down south though, there has always been a strange 'regionality' to Historic road events in the UK, not sure why.
Yes, that's always the best place to start, look for one which is Road Rally biased and runs 12 Cars, you might be best looking to wards the West and the Borders, Road Rallying is very big in Wales.
A 12 Car is the best place to cut your teeth and get the hang of the basics like timing, control procedures, plotting and route following. Though they tend not to run at this time of year as they need dark evenings.
A 12 Car is the best place to cut your teeth and get the hang of the basics like timing, control procedures, plotting and route following. Though they tend not to run at this time of year as they need dark evenings.
Desk20 said:
I think this will suit me as well. I’ve been looking for something I can run my Midget in, this looks just the thing.
I’ve spent most of the day looking through the HRCR web site, my car has quite a few period mods, but it looks like it’ll still comply with the regs, so I’m going to go along to the East Anglian Classic and see what it’s all about.
Having looked at the navigation handbook, the various types of route instructions look quite daunting. Finding someone to co drive will be hard enough, (I think the Mrs could be persuaded) but once she sees what she would be faced with I’m sure she’ll say that’s not her idea of a day of motoring fun.
Shoestringracer, could you give me a better idea of what to expect, are the navigational instruction all that varied. Grid refs and tulips are OK, but herringbones and the various grid instructions are very confusing for a beginner. I’m sure I’ll find out most of what I want to know at the East Anglian Classic, but I doubt anyone will have time to talk to me on the day.
When I started I wasn't too interested in the navigation but actually we really enjoyed the regularity bit - good opportunity for team work. They seemed to get more complex as the rally went on. 12 cars with your local club are a great way to practice and we went on a sort of taster day with HRCR where my navigator went off to be taught the navigation stuff. I wouldn't get too hung up about a rally trip meter at first. We managed to finish mid table in our second rally (with 60 cars) using just the odometer and speedo.I’ve spent most of the day looking through the HRCR web site, my car has quite a few period mods, but it looks like it’ll still comply with the regs, so I’m going to go along to the East Anglian Classic and see what it’s all about.
Having looked at the navigation handbook, the various types of route instructions look quite daunting. Finding someone to co drive will be hard enough, (I think the Mrs could be persuaded) but once she sees what she would be faced with I’m sure she’ll say that’s not her idea of a day of motoring fun.
Shoestringracer, could you give me a better idea of what to expect, are the navigational instruction all that varied. Grid refs and tulips are OK, but herringbones and the various grid instructions are very confusing for a beginner. I’m sure I’ll find out most of what I want to know at the East Anglian Classic, but I doubt anyone will have time to talk to me on the day.
You won't see a lot other than the start of a rally since the route is not released (so that you have to navigate, obviously) though they may well tell you where the tests are if you ask nicely. The best way to see the cars would probably be to marshall. They are almost always looking for people and some of the roles are begginer friendly.
I know somebody who is desperate for a Nav on a Road Rally in Lancashire and Cumbria next Saturday night, that would be a baptism of fire allright... a 140 Mile, pre-plot blast in a 205 Rallye. He's a quick driver too, but we've beaten him in the last three events and would like to do again.... 
his Nav has let him down though 
his Nav has let him down though velocemitch said:
I know somebody who is desperate for a Nav on a Road Rally in Lancashire and Cumbria next Saturday night, that would be a baptism of fire allright... a 140 Mile, pre-plot blast in a 205 Rallye. He's a quick driver too, but we've beaten him in the last three events and would like to do again.... his Nav has let him down though
Your right that would be a baptism of fire, if only it was a bit closer........................... his Nav has let him down though Thanks for your help, that’s given me plenty to think about.
Maybe my Mrs isn’t the right person to navigate – she got lost going along the A12 yesterday!
I have the contact details of the chief marshal of the East Anglian Classic, so I may start there. I still think its worth while going along to the start of the event though, I should be able to make some contacts to talk to after the event when time allows.
Maybe my Mrs isn’t the right person to navigate – she got lost going along the A12 yesterday!
I have the contact details of the chief marshal of the East Anglian Classic, so I may start there. I still think its worth while going along to the start of the event though, I should be able to make some contacts to talk to after the event when time allows.
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