Hill climb and sprint first timer

[Roboticarm]

Hi all

Done a few track days and fancy doing something different, hill climbs and sprints seem to fit the bill.
I posted in the "regional PH'ers" section and got some great advice on local venues.

Been doing some reading up on various sites and other threads on here so wanted to check I'd understood correctly and seek additional guidance please.

To get started using a standard road car I think I need:

• A car. I've got a 2019 abarth 595 turismo. The 1.4 turbo seems to be fine for standard class
• A timing strut. Looks like a these can be home made and attached to the front number plate mount
• Race numbers. Can purchase magnetics ones on eBay
• Ignition sticker and tow stickers. Can purchase on eBay
• A helmet. Already own one from doing track days / being a biker before the kids were born
• A license. Have got my RS Clubman license via the free online process
• Club membership, £10 to join a local club

Sounds quite straightforward, have I understood correctly ?

Is there anything else I need to be aware of or any advice for newbies.

As I say, I've done some track days in my (now gone due to head gasket failure) Celica track car but this would be my first venture into sprinting / hill climbing and the first time the abarth did anything other than a commute.

I'd be very appreciative of any advice you can give

Edited by Roboticarm on Sunday 3rd May 14:15

[Truckosaurus]

There will be a 40% multiplier on the Abarth, so will be in the 2.0 class not 1.4, so might be worth turning the boost up a notch or two to be on a par with the Clios etc.

The freebie Clubman licence won't be enough, you'll need the interclub one for £69.

Your helmet will need a certain safety rating (as will suit, gloves etc), look in the Blue Book (on the MotorsportUK website) for the values.

[Trev450]

You seem to have got a grasp of most of what's required and Truckosaurus has filled in a couple of bits you've missed.You will also need to identify the main battery earth lead by wrapping it in yellow tape. Finally, you may want to consider entering a championship that includes the venues you want to compete at as you will automatically receive regs as a contender and usually get priority entry.

[Roboticarm]

Truckosaurus said:

There will be a 40% multiplier on the Abarth, so will be in the 2.0 class not 1.4, so might be worth turning the boost up a notch or two to be on a par with the Clios etc.

The freebie Clubman licence won't be enough, you'll need the interclub one for £69.

Your helmet will need a certain safety rating (as will suit, gloves etc), look in the Blue Book (on the MotorsportUK website) for the values.

Thank you
My Abarth is the 165bhp model so stats wise will be a good match for the 172/182s (exact same 0-60 according the parkers and general view is abarth held back on the numbers on the 165 to help the 180 sell) , feels quicker than my old 172 did.
Just had another look around licenses and you are of course correct, I need the interclub which it looks like is now £99.
The website isn't really clear on requirements, looks like it's £99 plus and eyesight test, is that right or are there other requirements ?
Thanks

[Roboticarm]

Trev450 said:

You seem to have got a grasp of most of what's required and Truckosaurus has filled in a couple of bits you've missed.You will also need to identify the main battery earth lead by wrapping it in yellow tape. Finally, you may want to consider entering a championship that includes the venues you want to compete at as you will automatically receive regs as a contender and usually get priority entry.

Thank you, had missed the yellow lead requirement, I assume by main earth they mean the lead to the negative battery terminal ?
Thanks for the advice re championship, will look into the detail, looks like Liverpool motor club will be the best local one for me to join and they cover 2 or the nearby venues

[df76]

Roboticarm said:

Truckosaurus said:

There will be a 40% multiplier on the Abarth, so will be in the 2.0 class not 1.4, so might be worth turning the boost up a notch or two to be on a par with the Clios etc.

The freebie Clubman licence won't be enough, you'll need the interclub one for £69.

Your helmet will need a certain safety rating (as will suit, gloves etc), look in the Blue Book (on the MotorsportUK website) for the values.

Thank you
My Abarth is the 165bhp model so stats wise will be a good match for the 172/182s (exact same 0-60 according the parkers and general view is abarth held back on the numbers on the 165 to help the 180 sell) , feels quicker than my old 172 did.
Just had another look around licenses and you are of course correct, I need the interclub which it looks like is now £99.
The website isn't really clear on requirements, looks like it's £99 plus and eyesight test, is that right or are there other requirements ?
Thanks

Afraid that the multiplier for the "Standard" class is 1.7 and the limit is a 2 litre engine, so that means that the Abarth can't be used in that category. However, could be used in the "Road Car" category and that would have the 1.4 factor applied. You could still use the car, but it obviously wouldn't be competitive and you'd need overalls in addition to a helment.

[df76]

You need a RS Inter Club licence, form is here: https://www.motorsportuk.org/wp-content/uploads/20...

It's £69 and no need for an eye test.

Also, you don't need gloves anymore in the "Road Cars" category and overalls can be Proban (no need for nomex).

[Roboticarm]

df76 said:

Afraid that the multiplier for the "Standard" class is 1.7 and the limit is a 2 litre engine, so that means that the Abarth can't be used in that category. However, could be used in the "Road Car" category and that would have the 1.4 factor applied. You could still use the car, but it obviously wouldn't be competitive and you'd need overalls in addition to a helment.

Thank you, so the only difference in terms of requirements between standard and road is the need for overalls ? If so then that would be fine.
Not too concerned about being competitive to begin with, want to see if I enjoy it. If I do I'd probably look to buy a more suitable cheap car just for this use.
Recently sold a corolla t sport which would have been good for this

[Roboticarm]

df76 said:

You need a RS Inter Club licence, form is here: https://www.motorsportuk.org/wp-content/uploads/20...

It's £69 and no need for an eye test.

Also, you don't need gloves anymore in the "Road Cars" category and overalls can be Proban (no need for nomex).

Thanks, hadn't seen the category on the right of the form £69 and no eye test is much better

[df76]

Roboticarm said:

df76 said:

Afraid that the multiplier for the "Standard" class is 1.7 and the limit is a 2 litre engine, so that means that the Abarth can't be used in that category. However, could be used in the "Road Car" category and that would have the 1.4 factor applied. You could still use the car, but it obviously wouldn't be competitive and you'd need overalls in addition to a helment.

Thank you, so the only difference in terms of requirements between standard and road is the need for overalls ? If so then that would be fine.
Not too concerned about being competitive to begin with, want to see if I enjoy it. If I do I'd probably look to buy a more suitable cheap car just for this use.
Recently sold a corolla t sport which would have been good for this

Yes, exactly. I have used a bog standard car in the "Road Car" category before, no issues. And yes, the only difference is the need for overalls (good second hand bargains on eBay). Good idea just to give is a trial without additional expense, and you can also work out what cars are needed for your local area. The capacity break points for the classes are obviously critical.

I looked at a Coralla T Sport (and celica) but ended up with a EP3 Type R as a bit of a project.

[Roboticarm]

df76 said:

Yes, exactly. I have used a bog standard car in the "Road Car" category before, no issues. And yes, the only difference is the need for overalls (good second hand bargains on eBay). Good idea just to give is a trial without additional expense, and you can also work out what cars are needed for your local area. The capacity break points for the classes are obviously critical.

I looked at a Coralla T Sport (and celica) but ended up with a EP3 Type R as a bit of a project.

Thank you, looks like the overalls aren't too expensive.
I've had a few celicas in the past including a stripped out track day car, might be a good solution if I enjoy doing it.

[Roboticarm]

Thank you for all the replies so far.
Really glad I asked the question, thought I'd done some decent research but I'd missed a few key points including the yellow lead, the category the car would fall into, the license required and the need for overalls.

[df76]

Roboticarm said:

df76 said:

Yes, exactly. I have used a bog standard car in the "Road Car" category before, no issues. And yes, the only difference is the need for overalls (good second hand bargains on eBay). Good idea just to give is a trial without additional expense, and you can also work out what cars are needed for your local area. The capacity break points for the classes are obviously critical.

I looked at a Coralla T Sport (and celica) but ended up with a EP3 Type R as a bit of a project.

Thank you, looks like the overalls aren't too expensive.
I've had a few celicas in the past including a stripped out track day car, might be a good solution if I enjoy doing it.

Reckon a decent 190 would be good. But be careful on committing to any big changes before reading the regs. You can actually do plenty to the engine if you want, but you have to retain the interior in “Road Cars”. Although sounds like you have the right approach anyway.

[Roboticarm]

df76 said:

Reckon a decent 190 would be good. But be careful on committing to any big changes before reading the regs. You can actually do plenty to the engine if you want, but you have to retain the interior in “Road Cars”. Although sounds like you have the right approach anyway.

Thank you, sounds like I need to read the regs, first thing I would think to with a car for this purpose would be to start removing weight, made a huge difference on the last Celica but sounds like that's a no go.
Really appreciate the advice, thank you

[Trev450]

Roboticarm said:

Trev450 said:

You seem to have got a grasp of most of what's required and Truckosaurus has filled in a couple of bits you've missed.You will also need to identify the main battery earth lead by wrapping it in yellow tape. Finally, you may want to consider entering a championship that includes the venues you want to compete at as you will automatically receive regs as a contender and usually get priority entry.

Thank you, had missed the yellow lead requirement, I assume by main earth they mean the lead to the negative battery terminal ?
Thanks for the advice re championship, will look into the detail, looks like Liverpool motor club will be the best local one for me to join and they cover 2 or the nearby venues

Yes that's right. You don't need to tape the whole lead up, just enough for it to be clearly identified.

[Roboticarm]

Trev450 said:

Yes that's right. You don't need to tape the whole lead up, just enough for it to be clearly identified.

Thank you.

[df76]

Its no problem, nothing else better to do! 90% of what you need to know is in sections 10 and 12 of this: https://www.motorsportuk.org/wp-content/uploads/20...

I wouldn’t rush to get a 2020 licence tbh. Research local events carefully. Series like this could be of interest. https://bristolmc.org.uk/2020-bristol-two-litre-cu...

[Roboticarm]

df76 said:

Its no problem, nothing else better to do! 90% of what you need to know is in sections 10 and 12 of this: https://www.motorsportuk.org/wp-content/uploads/20...

I wouldn’t rush to get a 2020 licence tbh. Research local events carefully. Series like this could be of interest. https://bristolmc.org.uk/2020-bristol-two-litre-cu...

Thanks, will have a read of those
I'd assumed a licenses lasts 12 months, but if it's for the calendar year then might be worth holding and getting one for 2021

[df76]

Roboticarm said:

Thanks, will have a read of those
I'd assumed a licenses lasts 12 months, but if it's for the calendar year then might be worth holding and getting one for 2021

Comp licence is calendar year, so wait. Many clubs will be 12 months for membership but does vary.

[Truckosaurus]

Roboticarm said:

...first thing I would think to with a car for this purpose would be to start removing weight, made a huge difference on the last Celica but sounds like that's a no go....

My Mini still has its rear seats but you can't actually sit in them because there's a rollcage in the way

Some of the 'road car' rules are needlessly restrictive, there should be more events that insist you drive the car to and from the track (I think it's Curborough that has that in the regs for its championship).