Sprints & Hillclimbs

[davejones]

I’m based in the South East and have been racing roadsports and historic saloons for many years in various series - Just before lockdown I bought into a syndicate and now own a quarter share in a Historic Sports 2000, but although my fellow owners are entering races with it, I fancy having a go at a few Sprints and/or Hillclimbs - Other than taking part in a few SDMC Crystal Palace and North Weald sprints in the past I’m a novice and looking for events to “have a go at” in 2021 - anyone here have any experience and or advice as to clubs/events etc I should be considering?

[Galveston]

There's an active speed championship in the south-east organised by the ASEMC...

http://asemc.co.uk/asemc-aemc-speed-championship/

Perhaps joining one of their member clubs could be a good place to start?

I'm a member of the HSA...

https://www.hillclimbandsprint.co.uk/

... and their website provides loads of info which might be worth a read.

[smokey mow]

In addition to the clubs mentioned above it’s also worth looking at Borough 19. They organise the sprints at north Weald as well as on many other airfields in Essex as well as a Snetterton sprint.

[davejones]

Thanks guys will follow up on the research

[Actus Reus]

Bit late to this but I’m in Hertfordshire Auto and Aero and we’re always on the hunt for more members. We organise events at Hethel and Debden - Debden in particular is a good one I’d say. Feel free to PM (I likely will forget to check back on this thread).

[TimCrighton]

Historic S2000 is a great formula though for circuit racing and can open up some lovely grids like Thundersports with HSCC (Nice to share a grid with a Mclaren M8) and races at places like Spa! Perhaps worth benefiting from some of the fun that can be had with the car!

[aeropilot]

Actus Reus said:

Bit late to this but I’m in Hertfordshire Auto and Aero and we’re always on the hunt for more members. We organise events at Hethel and Debden - Debden in particular is a good one I’d say.

I used love doing the Herts Auto & Aero Sprints at Debden back in the early 90's when I used to Sprint my Sunbeam-Lotus.

Happy days

[Actus Reus]

Debden's layout has changed a bit, I think, after some accidents, but it's good fun - some interesting cars come along and some nice people. Was cancelled in May this year, but ran in October and should run again next May I hope.

[LukeBrown66]

Am seriously considering a bit of sprinting in the future post Covid.

Would be running a road based car in the road categories.

Can anyone shed any light on what type of thing I would need to look at clothing and safety wise in the car? I presume overalls, helmet, gloves?

But I see no cages in some cars, maybe just an extinguisher or something? Obviously this is all blue book stuff, but some guidance would be helpful, am in South east too, so would likely try and race in the area aswell.

[Trev450]

You will require, helmet, race suit and gloves. Boots, etc are optional. Likewise, in the roadgoing classes, cages, harness and extinguishers are also optional.

As far as the car is concerned, mandatory requirements are: timing strut, on/off sticker by the ignition starter switch, and yellow tape on the main battery earth lead.

[carl_w]

Roadgoing: Proban overalls are acceptable
"Standard Cars": helmet required to appropriate standard, arms must be covered

[df76]

carl_w said:

Roadgoing: Proban overalls are acceptable
"Standard Cars": helmet required to appropriate standard, arms must be covered

Yes, and you don't need gloves in the Road Car category either. Start with Section S here, helps to explain quite a lot (and you might also need to ask for clarifications here!). https://www.motorsportuk.org/resource-centre/yearb...

[LukeBrown66]

Thanks guys

Seems I can really do this on the cheap compared to most other sorts of competitive stuff. I was expecting cages, fire extinguishers, cut off switches etc. So hopefully could be out and about next year maybe. Shame no shows as be easier to et stuff, doubt NEC will be on obviously.

[df76]

LukeBrown66 said:

Thanks guys

Seems I can really do this on the cheap compared to most other sorts of competitive stuff. I was expecting cages, fire extinguishers, cut off switches etc. So hopefully could be out and about next year maybe. Shame no shows as be easier to et stuff, doubt NEC will be on obviously.

Also, see the Intro Class, in the other thread, that will come in for 2021. If your local club runs it then all you need is a free Clubman licence (available on the day if needed) and an approved helmet (they start at about £120). You can then run in the Standard category. Moving up to the Road Car isn't expensive either, and you don't need to do anything to the car safety wise.

[LukeBrown66]

Can you point me to other thread chap please?

Have done a quick reckon up, and yes the cheapest suit is about 150, lid I am tempted to buy something better for about 300.

Have gloves anyway, the other stuff is not dear at all.

[df76]

LukeBrown66 said:

Can you point me to other thread chap please?

Have done a quick reckon up, and yes the cheapest suit is about 150, lid I am tempted to buy something better for about 300.

Have gloves anyway, the other stuff is not dear at all.

If buying an expensive lid make sure it has a long homologation expiry date.. details in the Motorsport UK “blue book” section k.

Other thread is here.. https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[davejones]

TimCrighton said:

Historic S2000 is a great formula though for circuit racing and can open up some lovely grids like Thundersports with HSCC (Nice to share a grid with a Mclaren M8) and races at places like Spa! Perhaps worth benefiting from some of the fun that can be had with the car!

Sure it is a great car and a couple of my syndicate have run it with success in events this year, however I get my "racing kicks" in Saloons and Sports cars but feel a little intimidated in this car and want to have fun concentrating on lines and times without being concerned with those around me.
Thanks to everyone for your contributions, I adn't checked in for a while...

[andy97]

davejones said:

Sure it is a great car and a couple of my syndicate have run it with success in events this year, however I get my "racing kicks" in Saloons and Sports cars but feel a little intimidated in this car and want to have fun concentrating on lines and times without being concerned with those around me.
Thanks to everyone for your contributions, I adn't checked in for a while...

There isn’t much run off at most hillclimbs.......

I think I would rather share a car in the Sports 2000 Enduro series on circuits I know!

[LukeBrown66]

Just a quick point, been looking at helmets, obviously safety is paramount, but in a proddy road car, the likelihood of anything awful is pretty low, so a cheaper lid would be preferable. But there seems to be a ceiling of about 80 quid for track day lids and then 300 for anything else, presumably for real racing snell approved race helmets for proper wheel to wheel stuff etc.

For club sprints in a road car, I am presuming something lesser is required, non Snell?

I am also aware that bike stuff is rarely approved, which is annoying as I have a few high quality bike helmets from friends that would be far safer than an 80 quid open face"! But likely not legal.

[df76]

LukeBrown66 said:

Just a quick point, been looking at helmets, obviously safety is paramount, but in a proddy road car, the likelihood of anything awful is pretty low, so a cheaper lid would be preferable. But there seems to be a ceiling of about 80 quid for track day lids and then 300 for anything else, presumably for real racing snell approved race helmets for proper wheel to wheel stuff etc.

For club sprints in a road car, I am presuming something lesser is required, non Snell?

I am also aware that bike stuff is rarely approved, which is annoying as I have a few high quality bike helmets from friends that would be far safer than an 80 quid open face"! But likely not legal.

No, helmets are the one common safety requirement across the categories. 2020 regs as follows, about to be updated any day for 2021.

FIA 8860-2004 (Not valid after 31.12.20)
FIA 8860-2010
FIA 8859-2015
SNELL SA2010 (Not valid after 31.12.23)
SNELL SA2015 (Not valid after 31.12.26)
SNELL SAH2010 (Not valid after 31.12.23)
SNELL SA2020

Some fairly "cheap" options (such as Zamp, Hedtec and V2 Sport) to have a look at.. and YB Racing has a decent sale on OMP helmets on their eBay page (which is the helmet i use and like).

Edited by df76 on Tuesday 8th December 18:12