Standard Production Racing returns for 2007

[DriversKnow]

Thanks to those who enquired about the Cup. There are 3 months before round one, and regisrations have now opened.

Our expectation for non-championship year 1 is to start with ten cars and build towards 15+, so we start the first championship season in 2008 with 20 cars.

Dunlop has just announced a bonus fund to reward drivers competing in the inaugural Cup.

The multi-class structure of the Dunlop Sport Maxx Cup has led Dunlop to offer a bonus package that will reward as many drivers as possible, not just the outright winner.


The top drivers in their class at each round will receive a set of Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tyres, a bonus worth over £600 (depending on the tyre size). Additional prize tyres will be awarded to second and third place winners and for a ‘spirit’ award at each round.

Any competitor who registers with the BARC before March 1st will also receive their first set of tyres free of charge if they also race at the inaugural Snetterton event.

The first round is in three months time at Snetterton, on April 29th.

Any ten-tenthers going to the Maxx?

[Point-5]

I might do a race or two in this series if my car was elligable, its a Punto HGT 1.8.. as far as I can see the suspension, brakes, shell, transmission are ok but I have an aftermarket ECU binging the power from 130bhp to 160bhp... will this rule me out of the championship or just into a different class?

[DriversKnow]

Hi - You would have to source a standard ECU.

There are two other Punto HGTs that a team expects to enter later this year, so you won't be on your own!

[Al Weyman]

ECU's How are you going to police those as a matter of interest?

[Point-5]

Wouldn't be worth my while de-tuning the car for a couple of races , thanks anyway!

[DriversKnow]

Shame, would have been nice to see an Irish championship Punto.

Any other Fiat fans or drivers looking for a cheap car could buy one of these though.................

http://www.crash.net/news_View~t~Max...~id~143611.htm

Here is a summary of off-the-shelf ready to race cars for Sport Maxx:

AMR Racing Punto HGT Class B £7995 (built from used road car)
EJM Preparation Citroen C2GT Class A £14995 (new)
Team Dynamics Civic Type R Class D £25000 (as reported in Motorsport News)
AMR Racing SEAT Leon FR Class C £28000 (new)
888 Astra VXR Class D £39000 (new)

Obviuosly, it is cheaper to do it yourself, and we are expecting self-built cars including Mini Cooper, Alfa 147, Citroen Xsara VTS, MG ZR, Renault Megane, Renault Clios and others to add a bit of variety to the grid.

Regs at : www.barc.net

[GBRM]

I personally would love to enter this championship and see it flourish. I missed out on my late father's Group 1/DTV days and grew up with him running three Monzas (him, Cleland and Lanfranchi) and then his own Monza, a Uno Turbo, 3 Stradas, 2 Astra GTEs, an RS Turbo for him in the end and I though Production Saloons was brilliant, it captured the essence of what Group 1/2 had, win on a Sunday, sell on a Monday. These days how many of us and Joe Public watch the BTCC and think I want that Integra (which I think still isn't available here) or that Seat (that if the misses kerbed would collapse under it's own suspension)??
I think this year will be a struggle and I think there will need to be strict policing, there was always problems in the Production Saloons with turbo boost lights going out (no names mentioned, cough cough, Sands, Smith, Blower, Hathaway maybe even Marshall!!) and it slightly tainted the series and was probably part of it's demis in the '90s.
Someone should make the decison and grab this championship and the BTCC by the scruff of the neck and make it a proper feeder championship, just how it used to be (and used to be), the BTCC needs dumbing down slightly as it stands anyway!

[R59]

You mean the BTCC needs RWD V8's and driving standards!!

Or a meeting at Wimbledon!

Hello Gregor. How's that 'new nail'?? (Don't ask about Harry - long story!)

As for Standard Production Racing - well, there will always be those that are "more standard" than others.

I look forward to seeing it flourish, but it always worries me that it will take competitors from existing well supported championships, leaving them wanting for numbers, and eventually ailing to the point of amalgamation/cancellation. But that's the way with British un-supported un-promoted loved less than the great unwashed by the media Motorsport.

Rob.

[GBRM]

Well, now you've said that Dad always thought that was the way forwards was V8s and RWD but then do we want Aussie Touring Cars or a wet night at the dogs (so to speak!!)?

Little Nail is looking good, I got some great pictures today and other than lack of funds everything is coming together well, will put some new pics on the website over the weekend, it has been severely neglected recently!!

Very true, some people are more standard than others and if you want to highlight it to people just say some cars at Goodwood are more Historic than others.

British Motorsport is at a real crisis point at the moment with all the differant championships and by no means at all do I have the answers, all I'm saying is I'd like to see the old routes, Production Saloons then BTCC. I dislike this whole single seater brigade who aren't good enough for F3/GP2/F1 moving into BTCC but at the end of the day the cars are basically single seaters with a stupid body on, IMHO .

I think at the moment '70s classics are the way forwards, as that's what everyone remembers being beemed live into their sitting room on a Saturday/Sunday and they were really cars you could go out and buy and get a kit from the respective tuner. I think the new kits are great, 888 have done a great job, but to be honest it's absolute rubbish to think you or I or Joe Public will spend that much money on a club event.

The BARC need to be accomadating but hard, no manufacturer involvement and I personally think no specialised "team" involvement for the first year and then after that they can get involved.

If you look at the old mags I'm sure everyone will agree that there was probably more press coverage on the Monroe Shock Absorbers and Uniroyal Tyres production Saloons championships than there was on the (then) BTCC and any other championship and I am willing to bet that everyone in the BTCC in the '90s at some stage raced in the production saloons (barring Johny Foreigner!).

Unfortunately there is now too many people involved at too much a high level within a club and too many championships go wandering. I really don't know the answer and all I can comment on is my 25 years being with Dad in whatever championship and as much as I am a nobody I'd like to think I have seen some great championships and some f in awful championships (anyone remember the P100 championship??) and I don't think any of us have the answer, other than getting the right people to run the clubs we want, not old fuddy duddys running the championships that they think we should have.

P.S. I'm running in the Post Historic (Pre '74) and the Classic Group 1 (Pre '84) championships run by the CTCRC and I would seriously consider the Heritage and Top Hat stuff if it wasn't full of people with more money than me and people with an axe to grind about Dad.

Anyway, that's far too much from me, but I do really think there is a Championship for Production Saloons with the right policing.

[DriversKnow]

Originally Posted by GBRM

all I'm saying is I'd like to see the old routes, Production Saloons then BTCC. I dislike this whole single seater brigade who aren't good enough for F3/GP2/F1 moving into BTCC but at the end of the day the cars are basically single seaters with a stupid body on, IMHO .


The BARC need to be accomadating but hard, no manufacturer involvement and I personally think no specialised "team" involvement for the first year and then after that they can get involved.

If you look at the old mags I'm sure everyone will agree that there was probably more press coverage on the Monroe Shock Absorbers and Uniroyal Tyres production Saloons championships than there was on the (then) BTCC and any other championship and I am willing to bet that everyone in the BTCC in the '90s at some stage raced in the production saloons (barring Johny Foreigner!).

Anyway, that's far too much from me, but I do really think there is a Championship for Production Saloons with the right policing.

Great feedback, thanks!

Yes, the first season is a trial season of pilot races, with the first championship season in 2008. Early indications are that we will have 10-12 cars in April and over 15 at the end of the year, with some very interesting car/driver combinations.

On the subject of policing, all I can say is that BARC/MSA are now very experienced in this area. They will be measuring power to weight ratios very strictly, as well as regular eligibility checks.

As a feeder series to the BTCC it is in a strong position.

- Dunlop sponsor both
- BARC run both
- SEAT, Vauxhall and Dynamics are likely to be represented in both
- Evo are the media partner to both
- Matt Neal is heading up the Dunlop Sport Maxx Race Academy , announced today. (see below)

More info and regs at barc.net or driversknow.co.uk

In 2007, the Dunlop Race Academy will be part of the inaugural Dunlop Sport Maxx Cup and British Touring Car Championship winner Matt Neal will be joining the training team and panel of judges to find a racing star of the future.

Matt Neal said: “ Dunlop Race Academy will offer a schedule of training to budding BTCC drivers and then the chance to race on track with experienced drivers in the BARC/Dunlop Sport Maxx Cup for one winner"

The competition stages have also been widened to encompass three regional semi-finals with 21 finalists taking part from across the UK. The chosen entrants will undergo training with experts such as Le Mans 24-hour racing driver, Calum Lockie. The winner gets to race in the final round at Brands Hatch on October 7th in the 200bhp Dunlop SEAT Leon FR"

[Al Weyman]

Look forward to seeing you out in the pre-74's Gregor, probable be a late start from me as I am a summer person.

As a feeder series to the BTCC it is in a strong position.

Why does it have to be a feeder series for anything let alone that championship. By promoting it as such I think you may regret it as you might end up with the same driving standards they have. I would prefer to watch your championship if supported than cars running around that bear little or no relationship to the road version.

[GBRM]

Al - at the moment I might have a late start, A I've run out of money (if you know anyone that wants memorbilia of Dads' send them my way please!!) and B Gerry J has decided to take a break on the engine, but at least the first round isn't until the 21st/22nd of April (great the 21st being the 2nd anniversary of Dad's passing, REALLY looking forward to that being my first foray!!), but luckily I know Brands very well, now I've said that I'll end up in the barriers or break something!

Anyway, going back to what was said (the PR doesn't appear on the website though??) I can understand it being a feeder series into the "best" saloon car championship in the UK but the BTCC as it stands at the moment is rubbish and I'm more than happy to go on record as saying that.

Dad hated the recent championships (FWD) and for a few out there you might remember him driving the Vectra (apparently Cleland's, but I can assure you it wasn't, handlebars on the wrong side to start with) for an article in CCC and he said he really couldn't tell it was FWD (because of the electronic front diff) but he could tell you it was f in horrible to drive, but he would have loved to have raced it.

As far as I have an emotional link to it but I reckon Dad would've been competitive (please compare any of the drivers in it to when they raced against him, yes he might have been a big fish in a small pond, coz the manufacturers wouldn't touch him) and I think you'll find he would/could've beat all of them. Anyway!!

Unfortunately we are at the stage all of the cars are gonna be FWD and I still don't understand why we homolgate cars that aren't sold in this country; how does that work??!!

I could post about a diminutive Scotsman who got a 2 door sportscar included in the then BTCC and if you see the pictures of him pushing a Dolomite Sprint around a circuit you think how the hell could that happen, but it did in '79 so there's no reason why it won't now, IMHO, no matter what the BARC and "the famous" Dunlop say.

The BTCC is a joke at the moment, car-wise and driving-wise and that's not to say the drivers are rubbish but they have no honour and I can't believe that Ray Bellm is the "mentor" (I think he still is??) and lets them get away with what happens.

Anyway, when I knock ten people off to win my first race I won't complain, so we'll see what happens!!

[rallycrosscraig]

does anyone know if a Mini Cooper challenge spec car would fit the rules for this new series or were they built to a modified spec and would be difficult to make fit these reg's? thinking of one of the original cooper models not a cooper S.

thanks

[DriversKnow]

Originally Posted by rallycrosscraig

does anyone know if a Mini Cooper challenge spec car would fit the rules for this new series or were they built to a modified spec and would be difficult to make fit these reg's? thinking of one of the original cooper models not a cooper S.

thanks

To the best of my knowledge, the John Cooper cars are close to standard, and as the JCW parts were listed as official options in the BMW-Mini price list, this should not be an issue.

However, please check with the scrutineer. The Coopers are eligible to race in the MINI Challenge Club class, but with a quick change from the race rubber to the standard road Dunlop's to be used in the Sport Maxx Cup it gives the possibility for MINI drivers to do 4 races (two double headers) at each Dunlop Great and British meeting

[DriversKnow]

News to be released today..............


Dunlop have put together a package for at least five of the six rounds of the BARC/ Dunlop Sport Maxx Cup. The new television deal will offer more race action of the Dunlop Sport Maxx Cup to wider audiences with greater coverage on Sky Sports and Motors TV - making it an attractive series to new competitors.

Sky Sports will now feature the BARC / Dunlop Sport Maxx Cup in a 90-minute show, with highlights from the Dunlop Great & British Festivals that will broadcast to over 8 million homes across the UK and Ireland.

Motors TV is to dedicate a half-hour show featuring the Dunlop Sport Maxx Cup and will broadcast to over 15 million homes across Europe.

[DriversKnow]

The First ever round at Snetterton on April 29th has attracted 12 entries, a promising start for a series that will become a full championship in 2008.

Our aim is to have 18 cars by the end of the year and full grids for the first championship year in 2008

It is an interesting mix as well:

Two Nissan 350Zs, Clio, Megane R26, Seat Leon, Fiat Punto, MG ZR, Alfa 147, Mini Cooper, Lupo GTi...........

Timetable at www.driversknow.co.uk/greatbritishfestivals

Hope to see you there.

[rallycrosscraig]

Do you know if they'd consider extending the list of cars eligble to include the Honda Integra Type R. My one is a year 2000 UK supplied car so its too old, but would they accomodate it?

[DriversKnow]

Craig,

Only UK market cars are allowed, but I'm sure the Dunlop Britcar Production S1 Championship (eerc.co.uk) or Dunlop Motorsport News South East serise will welcome you!

[Al Weyman]

Is the 350Z really a saloon car? http://redlinemax.com/catalog/images...t-fb1_pic2.gif

[carrera]

The series is for production based saloon and closed sports coupe cars.

Nice mix of cars; they missed off the Citroen though, probably as it is sitting on Toyos! lol

[Al Weyman]

Sorry missed that bit.

[rallycrosscraig]

my Honda Integra DC-2 is a UK offiical car (its just too old for the series)
The newer Integra, the DC5 was non uk car import only

so its an age thing I am asking

[Rod Birley]

Craig you are more than welcome to join the BARC south east DMN championship. Regs are on the BARC website in the south east centre section. Registration is just £15.

[DriversKnow]

Hi Craig.

Sorry for my ignorance, as I didn't realise the Integra was officially sold in the UK. I stand corrected!

As I'm just the sponsor rep, and shouldn't meddle in eligibility decisions could you contact either Dale Wells at BARC or the Sport Maxx scrutineer listed in the regs:

http://www.barc.net/competitors/regu...nalVersion.pdf

If you get two sets of wheels you could then do the Sport Maxx on road tyres and the Dunlop Motorsport News South East on race tyres!

[DriversKnow]

Just a quick note to thank everyone involved in the first ever Sport Maxx Cup event yesterday. The first race in particular was a fantastic scrap between the Astra VXR, Megane 230 and Nissan 350Z, with equally close battles between the Clio, SEAT and MGs in Class C and the Cooper, 147 and Lupo in class B.


With a couple more cars due out at Oulton and more mid season this has got off to a great start.

Look out for the TV coverage on Sky and Motors in a couple of weeks time.