Karts on a Hillclimb???

[Anuauto]

What I dont see mentioned is that most hill climb venues/meetings are already oversubscribed for existing classes of cars. Gurston is one (the only one?) that does not run roadgoing car classes at all - and, since it is currently the nearest hillclimb venue to the populous south east, existing fury on the part of roadgoing competitors would turn to incandescence if a new category of karts was permitted - anywhere! Feel free to find a new venue for a kart hill climb - we are all looking hard enough for car hill climb venues. Kart sprints could be held on existing kart tracks?

[Jedi088]

The main problem might be that when Kart drivers find out the entry fee for a hillclimb is £80 approx for two to three minutes running a weekend they don't think entering a hillclimb is such a good idea.

[ghinzani]

Agree about the money point for sure. I was thinking of hillclimbing my car at Gurston this season after Forest Edge Kart Track and Matchams Kart Track both looked like they would be closing, however although FE Kart Club have relocated to Andover way, it looks like Matchams Kart Club may be able to keep racing at Matchams. Therefore it means there will actually still be some racing within 10 miles of me. I can get three race meetings at Matchams for the price of one hillclimb at Gurston plus its a lot cheaper for spectators and its marginally nearer to Verwood. So karts it will stay I reckon!

[Gizmo]

Does anyone remember a couple of years ago when they had some demo karts around prescott to entertain the punters over lunch?
They came out en masse and ran amok around the crossover before Riley (C of C)balled them out. He then made them go round in one at a time order.

Mind you does anyone remember lunchtimes on any other Mids hill besides Prescott [/B][/QUOTE]

Indeed I do remember, I was there as Chief Hill Marshal with the aforementioned Riley. He balled them out beacuse they had been told to go round one at a time as specified in the permit by the MSA...this they ignored
Got to be fair here...Loton Park are very good at giving decent lunchbreaks...in fact last year on a very hot saturday practice they called a halt after two ish runs and pulled the marshals off the hill for the rest of the day citing the dangers of dehydration...a decision that got the CofC some flak from some drivers...but one which shows what the organisers think of their volunteers

[ghinzani]

Originally posted by Fireblade
And talking of the big boys getting their own way. Just look back at Peter Needhams superlight Westfield and recall the protest that ensued. Their main objection is that for a much smaller budget the karts would steal their thunder.

Does anyone know Peter? Only I got some training from Logica by a guy of the same name and it never occured to me ask if it was he of hillclimb fame.

[Fireblade]

Yes I know Peter Needham. Not the same bloke though I am afraid. Originally from Skipton in Yorkshire.
Peter is a great engineer and lives and works in the Teme Valley Worcs not too far from Shelsley.
A master to watch with a welding torch. mnay people have been grateful for his expertise and workshop afetr a practice shunt at Shelsley. If it can be done he will do it.
Has constructed a views thing, one of them being the infamous Splinter(nuff said). No probs in his hands but a couple of incumbents had some hairy escapes.ie: Roy Adnams at Bottom Ess and Mark Goodyear over Loton Finish..
Peter now builds a car called the Shelsley. A road going sportscar.

[Anuauto]

Agree that the conditions marshals suffer should be the sole reason for abandoning a hillclimb or sprint (racing is different). Too often certain C's of C have abandonned meetings at Wiscombe, Gurston etc destroying the chances of competitors who excell in the rain. If the marshals are prepared to endure it should run. If they are suffering (or,exceptionally,if a grass paddock becomes dangerous): it stops?

[Gizmo]

Hi Anuauto, I think we are in dabger of going off thread here, however, Whilst not having been present at those meetings you mention it would be unwise of me to pass comment on the actions of the officials involved, I do agree in general that, all other things being equal, if the marshals are happy to continue then do so. I am interested to know why you would consider racing to be different.

[Anuauto]

We are talking rain - lots of cars on track is whole different ball game on visibility isn't it.

[Gizmo]

Do you not apply the same caveats as before? Why penalise the race drivers who have a talent for racing in the rain? Surely that is what makes the difference between them and other drivers in the given conditions?

[Anuauto]

No - visibility for other drivers becomes the safety issue with racing doesnt it. Sprints and hillclimbs it doesnt arise.

[Jedi088]

Rain is one thing but a river running down and across the track causing flooding as can happen sometimes (I must be unlucky I have been at Barbon Gurston and Wiscombe when meetings have been abandoned ) is a safety issue and while you can wait until the rain stops and the track is cleared the CoC will have to make a decision at some point or the meeting will run on into the night.

[mark ch]

Originally posted by Anuauto
No - visibility for other drivers becomes the safety issue with racing doesnt it. Sprints and hillclimbs it doesnt arise.

It IS an issue at sprints if the red flags can't seen from post the preceeding post the meeting can't start/continue...

But now seriously off topic..

[Fireblade]

Originally Posted by ghinzani

What the entry fee for hillclimbs? that also might be a stumbling point as 30 quid gets us three heats and a final at most places we race.

Wouldn't buy you a breakfast and a can of pop at some hillclimbs.

[devon kev]

Originally Posted by Gizmo

There is a guy who regularly competes a Kart on the Val Des Terres hill on Guernsey...and beats most others !!!

Hillclimbing karts in Guernsey is very popular and competitive.

I seem to remember a 250 kart getting into the top 12 run-off in 2004 or 2005.

Most of the times are conistant with most of the fastest cars .

RECORDS

Formula Libre Karts up to 125cc: Darren Konken 30:41

Senior g/box Karts 126 to 250: Neil Ridley 30:48

100 Guernsey Supreme Karts: Alex Ford 31:00


Compared to

Racing Cars over 2000cc: Martin Groves 29:22

Outright Hill record: Martin Groves 27:86



Not much difference in terms of times .

[Sticker Rub]

Have I just walked into a timewarp?

[Col_Rugby]

Originally Posted by Sticker Rub

Have I just walked into a timewarp?

If you got a basque & stockings on then no, you're DOING the timewarp.

It's just a jump to the left. And then a step to the right.

[Sticker Rub]

Originally Posted by Col_Rugby

If you got a basque & stockings on...

Spooky, how did you know?

[Col_Rugby]

Originally Posted by Sticker Rub

Spooky, how did you know?

Well

[blackx]

Originally Posted by devon kev

Hillclimbing karts in Guernsey is very popular and competitive.

I seem to remember a 250 kart getting into the top 12 run-off in 2004 or 2005.

Most of the times are conistant with most of the fastest cars .

RECORDS

Formula Libre Karts up to 125cc: Darren Konken 30:41

Senior g/box Karts 126 to 250: Neil Ridley 30:48

100 Guernsey Supreme Karts: Alex Ford 31:00


Compared to

Racing Cars over 2000cc: Martin Groves 29:22

Outright Hill record: Martin Groves 27:86



Not much difference in terms of times .

Over 2.5 seconds isnt much of a difference

Its an eternity ...

[mrsweety]

Top 250 twin and driver would blow these times away

HTH

[rescue dude]

Originally Posted by mrsweety

Top 250 twin and driver would blow these times away

HTH

You got to be in it to win it.

I doubt very much they would anyway.

[blackx]

Originally Posted by rescue dude

I doubt very much they would anyway.

Agreed.....

[gsyracer]

Just thought I'd add into this.

MOST of the times that Devon Kev added can't really be compared with a car, as most of them don't start from the startline. As direct drive karts that require bump starting they are allowed a certain run-up, so a 31second time might seem quick but in reality that time should be more a 34-35 second time to account for the run-up.

100cc Karts (Formula A), Rotax Karts (125cc) and all the other direct drive aren't eligible for FTD due to the start position so only Gearbox karts can get FTD.

[Westysprinter]

They banned karts by adding the need for suspension
one guy tried mounting the back axle on rubber blocks and the front stub axles on belville washers but it never got past scruitineering.