Historic road rallies

[Chris71]

Hi,

No luck in the motorsport section, so I thought I'd try here...

I'm loosely involved with the restoration of a 1949 sports racer that we're toying with the idea of rallying it. The idea was sparked by the historic Mille Miglia and the forthcoming Leige Rome Leige and I just wondered what other events were out there? It has to be all tarmac and it would be good if some or all of the sections were on closed roads (I believe the entire route of the RLR is). We'd be a novice crew with a relatively fragile car (with period - i.e. totally absent - safety features) so we're looking for an enthusiastic, rather than white-knuckle pace. Something a little more affordable than the likes of the Mille Miglia would be handy too!

Any suggestions?

Chris

[BMWChris]

I don't know of events that fall between the regularity type stuff people like the HRCR do and the full on (and expensive) MM type events. That doesn't mean they don't exist. Yuo could try classic rally chat?

[Chris71]

The regularity events might be a good start. What's the driving like? We jut wanted something that would provide a safe opportunity to drive a bit more enthusiastically than the usual classic car tour.

Presumably if you're on a regularity event you don't need FIA papers?

[lowdrag]

Regularity rallies include a scrutineering so a fire extinguisher is compulsory and on some they like to see a battery cut out switch, plus of course they check the lights and indicators too.. Some limit the regularity equipment to period such as a Halda but with my Brantz I have had no problems with at all. FIA papers though are not a requirement for rallying - only for racing. As regards driving "enthusiastically" you'll find that most entrance papers require you to abide by the relevant speed limit - not that most people do of course.

Have you thought in taking part in a few hill climbs? There are plenty out there and for example my Jaguar club do one at Prescott each June with no scrutineering or actual timing equipment since it is classed as a "parade", not racing. Great fun though.

[BMWChris]

Good idea Lowdrag

Lots of oweners club have hillclimb / sprint championships (normally called "speed championships").

If you just want to 'have a go' join a local motor club and enter a sprint. I am a member of the Borough 19 club just so that I can do their Hethel event becuase it happens to be on my door step. I won't be competetive - my 1500 is in the 1400-2000 class with moderns and, since it hasn't got bumpers it is classed as modified, so I'm competing with things like S2000s with 250bhp. (I've got about 80!).

You can share the car so you'll always have someone to compete against. Some clubs use various target systems that mean you all have a chance of winning and you get to go to great venues like Prescott and Goodwood.

You'll need a license (£40), helmet (200?), suit (60) and gloves. Entry fees somewhere around £100 - about the same as a one day road rally.

[Chris71]

The car doesn't even have seatbelts, let alone an ignition cut and fire extinguisher!

It was originally designed for circuit racing and road races - Targa Florio, Mille Miglia etc. The idea was to use it for something similar vaguely to those (in a slightly more sedate modern sort of a way!) with some nice driving roads and perhaps some a bit of friendly competition.

I've been meaning to have a go at sprints and hillclimbs for ages, but if I do that I'll take the Caterham - competitive performance, nice meaty roll cage and I only have myself to answer to!

[Furyblade_Lee]

Chris, I looked into a classic rally in the Alps I saw advertised to do in my '72 Scimitar. 7 days, hotels included, not sure if the roads were closed or not. Seemed a good jolly-up. The price? 7,000 euros to you Sir! I suppose it keeps the rif-raf like me out, but that is bloody steep! We go to the Alps every year for a 10 day hoon, but it would be nice one day if I could organise something a bit more formal but only a few hundred pounds, for 2-3 days of the trip, maybe a regularity trial or something. But I have no idea where to start!

[velocemitch]

Not sure about elligibilty, but what about this event?. It's more long distance endurance than a sprint rally and it's not closed road, but having followed a few of them over some quite moorland roads last year, I can assure you it's not a gentle dawdle.

http://www.endurorally.com/fscot2010/index.html

Or alternatively investigate;

http://www.hero.org.uk/

and

http://www.classicrally.org.uk/

Whereabouts in the world are you?, UK?, North south Middle???

Edit, Damn links don't work, but do google searches for the words and you should find them.

Edited by velocemitch on Thursday 21st January 19:17

[Chris71]

Furyblade_Lee said:

Chris, I looked into a classic rally in the Alps I saw advertised to do in my '72 Scimitar. 7 days, hotels included, not sure if the roads were closed or not. Seemed a good jolly-up. The price? 7,000 euros to you Sir!

Yep, that is a bit steep isn't it. I think the line is we could find a reasonable budget for something special, but it would have to be very special for the sort of prices we're hearing from events like the Mille Miglia. It's alleged to be a bit of an old boys' club too.

velocemitch said:

Not sure about elligibilty, but what about this event?. It's more long distance endurance than a sprint rally and it's not closed road, but having followed a few of them over some quite moorland roads last year, I can assure you it's not a gentle dawdle.

I had a quick look at the Flying Scotsman and it looked very interesting, but sadly it's for pre-war cars. We've got one of those in the stable too, but that's the next job after this one!

We're based in Devon and London respectively. Something in the UK would obviously be convenient and more cost effective, but some Alpine scenery and some nice hairpins wouldn't go amiss!

This is all for next year realistically. The aim is to get the car back on the road this year and then back into condition (perhaps with any necessary papers or mods) in time for 2011.

[a8hex]

If you want to be allowed to drive enthusiastically then how about doing a few trackdays.
These don't always involve needing non period safety features.

[Chris71]

a8hex said:

If you want to be allowed to drive enthusiastically then how about doing a few trackdays.
These don't always involve needing non period safety features.

To be honest we're looking for something that would be a bit more of an experience.

I'm a regular track day goer in my own (modern) car and if it was just the usual afternoon at Brands Hatch I'd take that. We were talking about doing a track or airfield day to get used to the car before taking on a rally, but the basic idea is my dad wants to do something really memorable with the car before he gets too old (his words not mine!)

[Helen Goff]

just for a warm up for the 2010 season. i'm doing http://www.theregisclassictour.co.uk/2010tour.htm in March.

my 1958 Police car hasn't got any seats belts either. but, i always carry a fire extingisher in all my cars. just in case.

Edited by Helen Goff on Friday 22 January 15:28

[lowdrag]

So, summing up, you want to have fun without adding all the security bits and pieces, you want your Dad to have wonderful memories, you have another car for track days anyway, so what can we suggest? Simple!

Just get a few friends together, take your cars south east and head up into the Alps. After a few days, once you have done the Nufenen, the Gavia (my favourite), the Stelvio, the St. Bernard, the Simplon, plus others, your Dad will have enough memories to bore his friends ad infinitum. I guarantee it.