BTRDA Autosolo Newcomers Challenge
Discussion
Evening all,
I am thinking of having a go at this in the New Year. I have always fancied doing a championship of some sort but funding will be pretty limited, and having done a few local club Autotests in the past I thought it seems like a good start. I would aim to get to most of the events even if it does mean driving about a bit, and I will be using my daily car (Mk1 MX5).
If anybody has any experience of this/Autosolo's in general or recommendations for similar stuff then that would be great, Cheers.
I am thinking of having a go at this in the New Year. I have always fancied doing a championship of some sort but funding will be pretty limited, and having done a few local club Autotests in the past I thought it seems like a good start. I would aim to get to most of the events even if it does mean driving about a bit, and I will be using my daily car (Mk1 MX5).
If anybody has any experience of this/Autosolo's in general or recommendations for similar stuff then that would be great, Cheers.
Hi,
I competed in an Autosolo event at Hatfield around the grounds of what seemed like a college. We navigated through access roads, cars parks and over speed humps, something many people weren’t expecting. The event was very well run and everyone was really helpful and friendly which created a competitive yet relaxed atmosphere.
We rotated or duties of driving, marshalling and then resting. This ensures that everyone gets involved and doesn’t get bored (well the Mrs did get bored and left early, but this was more to do with wanting to get home and enjoy the freak UK sunshine).
Hatfield is one of the tighter and potentially more dangerous (to your car) locations due to curbs, walls and other obstacles. Some events take place in more open areas so the chance of damaged is reduced. Saying that, during the day I only saw two curbs gets kissed and only one of those caused damaged.
My car was far from ideal for this type of event [Impreza WRX PPP) but seeing as the event is all in the forward direction and membership / entry was so cheap I thought I’d give it a go.
Your Mk1 sounds much more suitable. It might be worth looking into some mild suspension alignment adjustments if you want to be super competitive. You want the car to change direction easily and reduce understeer, so potentially less rear end grip would help. It’s certainly not necessary, but might be worth looking into. You could possibly achieve the same results with an older set of rear tyres etc.
You’ll be put in a suitable class for your engine size etc so you end up in a competition of your own. This is necessary as the Mini’s are in a class of there own. I had a RX-7 and 205 GTI in my class. The Mazda was running track day tyres of which are allowed as per the MSA Bluebook. This made it all the sweeter when I took the class win in the Scooby and in my first event.
A huge array of cars turned out from Endurance Rally cars to Caterham specials which are great to watch.
My front tyres took a battering and just my luck they were almost brand new, but this was mainly due to the weight of my car. This is one of the reason why I haven’t been back to have another go, it just didn’t feel right taking a 2.0 turbo 4x4 to the redlined in 1st gear!
Another reason is that I’m putting every penny into my Rallycross budget.
All in all it’s worth a go and has to be the cheapest championship (by far) there is.
I competed in an Autosolo event at Hatfield around the grounds of what seemed like a college. We navigated through access roads, cars parks and over speed humps, something many people weren’t expecting. The event was very well run and everyone was really helpful and friendly which created a competitive yet relaxed atmosphere.
We rotated or duties of driving, marshalling and then resting. This ensures that everyone gets involved and doesn’t get bored (well the Mrs did get bored and left early, but this was more to do with wanting to get home and enjoy the freak UK sunshine).
Hatfield is one of the tighter and potentially more dangerous (to your car) locations due to curbs, walls and other obstacles. Some events take place in more open areas so the chance of damaged is reduced. Saying that, during the day I only saw two curbs gets kissed and only one of those caused damaged.
My car was far from ideal for this type of event [Impreza WRX PPP) but seeing as the event is all in the forward direction and membership / entry was so cheap I thought I’d give it a go.
Your Mk1 sounds much more suitable. It might be worth looking into some mild suspension alignment adjustments if you want to be super competitive. You want the car to change direction easily and reduce understeer, so potentially less rear end grip would help. It’s certainly not necessary, but might be worth looking into. You could possibly achieve the same results with an older set of rear tyres etc.
You’ll be put in a suitable class for your engine size etc so you end up in a competition of your own. This is necessary as the Mini’s are in a class of there own. I had a RX-7 and 205 GTI in my class. The Mazda was running track day tyres of which are allowed as per the MSA Bluebook. This made it all the sweeter when I took the class win in the Scooby and in my first event.
A huge array of cars turned out from Endurance Rally cars to Caterham specials which are great to watch.
My front tyres took a battering and just my luck they were almost brand new, but this was mainly due to the weight of my car. This is one of the reason why I haven’t been back to have another go, it just didn’t feel right taking a 2.0 turbo 4x4 to the redlined in 1st gear!
Another reason is that I’m putting every penny into my Rallycross budget.
All in all it’s worth a go and has to be the cheapest championship (by far) there is.
Cheers chiefs, and well done on your success in the event! One of the events I did in the past was at a similar sort of venue to that (You sure it wasn't the Hatfield uni campus?) and if anything the solid obstacles added to the experience a little! I will be making a few changes to the car over time and getting the alignment sorted, though seeing as it's my daily hack I won't be compromising it too much. Good to hear you enjoyed it, definitely seems worthwhile for the relatively small outlay involved in competing.
Autosolo's are great fun. I did some a few years ago just as they were in their infancy and found them a great way to learn the traction limits of your car and how to go quickly without lots of arm twirling and tyre smoking!
Oxford Motor Club organise a couple and so do Farnborough and District and Ross and District Motor Clubs. They've been developing the sport and helping the MSA with the rule making since AutoSolos' inception.
http://www.oxfordmotorclub.co.uk
http://www.farnboroughdmc.org.uk
http://www.rossmotorsports.co.uk
Good Luck
Warren
Oxford Motor Club organise a couple and so do Farnborough and District and Ross and District Motor Clubs. They've been developing the sport and helping the MSA with the rule making since AutoSolos' inception.
http://www.oxfordmotorclub.co.uk
http://www.farnboroughdmc.org.uk
http://www.rossmotorsports.co.uk
Good Luck
Warren
Might as well stick in a plug for Bristol MC's solo at Castle Combe next month, which is a round of the BTRDA challenge and the Cotswold championship
http://www.bristolmc.org.uk/EventRegs/soloregs.htm
Bristol MC introduced autosolo to the UK in 2002 and ran the very first one at Aust on the site of the old Severn View services carpark. I entered in my old Audi coupe quattro.
http://www.bristolmc.org.uk/EventRegs/soloregs.htm
Bristol MC introduced autosolo to the UK in 2002 and ran the very first one at Aust on the site of the old Severn View services carpark. I entered in my old Audi coupe quattro.
Using a mk1 mx5, good choice
this was me on my second Autosolo
http://vimeo.com/10371647
in my totally standard, at the time, mk1.
Hoping to fit some in this year around my Hillclimb calender
this was me on my second Autosolo
http://vimeo.com/10371647
in my totally standard, at the time, mk1.
Hoping to fit some in this year around my Hillclimb calender
I went along an marshalled at an Autosolo arranged by Sevenoaks & District motor club at North Weald. http://www.sevenoaksmotorclub.com/
Looked like really good fun and a really nice relaxed environment.
Hoping to have a go this year if I don't do as many sprints as last year.
Looked like really good fun and a really nice relaxed environment.
Hoping to have a go this year if I don't do as many sprints as last year.
MxJames said:
Using a mk1 mx5, good choice
this was me on my second Autosolo
http://vimeo.com/10371647
in my totally standard, at the time, mk1.
Hoping to fit some in this year around my Hillclimb calender
Looks good!this was me on my second Autosolo
http://vimeo.com/10371647
in my totally standard, at the time, mk1.
Hoping to fit some in this year around my Hillclimb calender
Sent off my Registration for Oxford MC and the Challenge today, going to try and make the first event next weekend if I can find some wheels/tyres!
carl_w said:
Have you thought about Sprinting? Longer circuits than Autosolo so you can get a decent speed up, and they don't change the course between runs 
I am interested in Sprinting as a step after this, though this seemed a cheap and accessible way to get involved, I understand sprints cost a bit more in terms of entry fees?JayPee said:
carl_w said:
Have you thought about Sprinting? Longer circuits than Autosolo so you can get a decent speed up, and they don't change the course between runs
I am interested in Sprinting as a step after this, though this seemed a cheap and accessible way to get involved, I understand sprints cost a bit more in terms of entry fees?
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