1275 GT help

darryl beckwith · 28 May 2002, 19:49 (Ref:298745)

:confused:

Hi I am new to this group and need some help
I am considering racing A 1275 GT Mini. Is there a class it could be raced in? And would it be competitive in that class? I would share the car with my Dad who raced Minis and Metros for many years and I have raced FF1600/Formula 750 and am currently leading the Locost championship and 2001 Locost champion. I am considering my option for 2003. I may do the road going bike engine championship or the Mini thing (which my Dad favors). I hope one of you guys can help.
Thanks in advance

Darryl

Slowcoach · 29 May 2002, 07:21 (Ref:299131)

Hi Darryl, welcome to the forum, the first of many posts I hope. I recommend the Classic Touring Car Racing Club (CTCRC) but then I would because I'm a member and already race with them. You will find a fair number of drivers on this forum who are currently racing with this club. Your Mini would be eligable for the Post Historic Touring Car championship (pre '74) and any later series (Group 1-pre'83) you can see all details including Tech. regs and Calenders on " www.csccgb.co.uk " - it's a friendly club which tries to keep costs down and the class structure gives everyone a fair crack at the overall championship.

TimD · 29 May 2002, 07:40 (Ref:299146)

And I'll recommend the CTCRC series too, as it's one of the best spectator events on the club calendar. And there is already an indecently quick 1275GT competing regularly in it, which frequently worries Capris and Dolomites.

By the way, Darryl, I'm guessing that Dad is Colin Beckwith? If so, I can't imagine you'll find a better source of tuning tips anywhere.

No relation to F3 racer Mike Beckwith, by any chance? A man I once bought a used car from!

***Chris Y*** · 29 May 2002, 10:14 (Ref:299304)

Are you and your dad looking at racing Minis in general, or specifically the 1275GT?

I race a Mini, although it's a slightly more modern variant (not a BMW though)

**Peter Mallett** · 29 May 2002, 11:17 (Ref:299354)

I think the CTCRC would benefit from some more minis. The 1275GT is one of the more spectacular cars in the Post Historics.

Stacy · 29 May 2002, 12:03 (Ref:299408)

Quote:

Originally posted by darryl beckwith
:confused:

Hi I am new to this group and need some help
I am considering racing A 1275 GT Mini. Is there a class it could be raced in? And would it be competitive in that class? Darryl

Race it in Group 1's, it would be extremely competitive - possible outright championship winner.

Stacy.

**Peter Mallett** · 29 May 2002, 15:13 (Ref:299536)

Quote:

Originally posted by stacy

Race it in Group 1's, it would be extremely competitive - possible outright championship winner.

Stacy.

I'm not sure that technically it would be as competitive due to the slightly different regs in G1. Post Historics would be better. As was seen at Brands Hatch recently.

Stacy · 29 May 2002, 18:32 (Ref:299704)

Quote:

Originally posted by Peter Mallett

I'm not sure that technically it would be as competitive due to the slightly different regs in G1. Post Historics would be better. As was seen at Brands Hatch recently.

Either or, the spec won't change much. Would still be a favourable car to the other class E entrants as has been shown all last year..

Of course the benefit of the CTCRC is being able to do both at each meeting.

darryl beckwith · 29 May 2002, 18:46 (Ref:299723)

Thanks for everyone’s help and advice. You’re right Tim, my Dad is Colin, but I am no relation to Mike. I think it probably does have to be a 1275 that we would race, as we know where there is one sitting that we think would be suitable. I do have some reservations over racing a front wheel drive car, as all my experience is with rear wheel drive cars. My concern would be whether I would be competitive in one of those funny front wheel drive things! That said a change is as good as a rest, and as Tim said my Dad knows Minis. And probably more important knows people who know Minis. However, I do still have some questions:
1. It appears to me it could be raced in two different classes. However one is a pre ‘83 class. Does that mean the car would have to have been raced or registered before 83?
2. Does anyone know what the going rate would be for a reasonable ready to race 1275 GT? IE how much should I pay
3. As regards to modifications to the car, would all the bolt on bits, etc., such as shock absorbers, rocker shafts, etc. have to have been used when the car was current?

Hope you can help.

Many thanks
Darryl

Stacy · 29 May 2002, 19:43 (Ref:299762)

Quote:

Originally posted by darryl beckwith
1. It appears to me it could be raced in two different classes. However one is a pre ‘83 class. Does that mean the car would have to have been raced or registered before 83?
2. Does anyone know what the going rate would be for a reasonable ready to race 1275 GT? IE how much should I pay
3. As regards to modifications to the car, would all the bolt on bits, etc., such as shock absorbers, rocker shafts, etc. have to have been used when the car was current?

1. No, the type of car had to be in production before Dec 31st Dec 1982. For Post Historics it needed to be in production before 31st Dec 1973. For example I race a 1984 Mazda RX7, but of the type made in 1982.

2. Race car market is somewhat subjective really.

3. I refer you to the regulations at www.classictouringcars.com which outline all the technical requirements and tells you what can and can't be changed.

Cheers

Stacy

Truckosaurus · 30 May 2002, 10:41 (Ref:300212)

How far can you stretch the "type of car had to be in production before..." rule?

For example, my 1990 Rover Mini Cooper is not that disimilar to an early Sixties Mini Cooper and the more modern enhancements such as electronic ignition, better gearbox, longer final drive, HIF 1.75" SU carb etc. are things which the rules allow to be modernised on the older cars anyway.

**Peter Mallett** · 30 May 2002, 11:07 (Ref:300236)

Guy,

We're talking Homologation here. So if it didn't have (say) 13" wheels before the closing date you can't run them.

Stacy · 30 May 2002, 12:14 (Ref:300309)

Quote:

Originally posted by Guy Humpage
How far can you stretch the "type of car had to be in production before..." rule?

Guy,

All this information is in the regs. Basically the shell needs to be the same as the one in production before the cut off, so does the spec.

A small correction to Pete's note is that the cut off of the Dec 31st is for parts in production. This is your rule of thumb. However, if your car was homologated for Group 1 - and the mini was - then you can use whatever was on the homologated form, even if it was homologated after the cut off.

The case in point is the Dolomite Sprints. In the BTCC in 73 they ran SU's, but Webers were homologated in 1976 - thus they are permitted to run Webers in pre-74's.

It's pretty self explanatory really, but as I said you need to read the regs - they are all on-line at www.classictouringcars.com

Stacy

Truckosaurus · 30 May 2002, 13:37 (Ref:300394)

Thanks for the replies, I've had a quick read through the regs, although this is purely academic as I'm not in the position to join you on track.

As another aside, does the CTCRC have much of a problem with people trying to sneak past the letter (or spirit) of the rules with updated technology on their cars, or does everyone behave in a 'gentlemanly' manner about it?

Hopefully I'll get to see at least one of your rounds this summer.

Stacy · 30 May 2002, 13:58 (Ref:300406)

Some people always try and "interpret" the regulations, and to me it's half the game.

However, there are a great number of very knowledgeable people in the club with a shocking amount of otherwise utterly useless information locked away in their head.

For example Ken Clarke our chairman, while probably not being able to program his video, could tell you the engine specs, power outputs, suspension types, colour options and wheel sizes of almost every eligible car in the club.. In addition someone else always knows the car, and what spec you should be running. Word soon filters down.

Scrutineering is becoming more and more effective, and fellow racers will always pick up on gearchanges, engine notes, suspension and the rest from the sidelines - these people race themselves and you can't kid a kidder..

Thus your chances of getting away with anything, especially anywhere near the front, are nil I'm afraid.

Stacy

Slowcoach · 30 May 2002, 14:20 (Ref:300420)

Unless......unless you enter Classic Thunder were anything goes......well almost! I can remember one race last year with three minis and they filled 3 of the first four places ! Mind you it was snowing........

DAVID PATERSON · 31 May 2002, 07:40 (Ref:301084)

We had round 2 of our State Championship for Historic Touring Cars last weekend at Queensland Raceway here in Australia, and it rained in qualifying, very unusal for Queensland, and we had a Mini on pole!