Minimal change to car for entry to competition?

HoTWire · 3 Dec 2007, 15:40 (Ref:2080713)

Okay folks, I've been procrastinating for so long about what I'm going to do in order to better the performance of my car, and what classes I can enter etc. That I've lost sight of the fact its all about getting out there and getting on a track/hill ...

So, here are the facts :

I have a 1979 Datsun Sunny B310 Coupe, its 1400cc, N/A, RWD and pretty much stock at the moment. I have shorter front springs and a set of different wheels on it, but I can put it back to stock pretty quick smart if needs be.

What do I need to do to it to get it out on to a hill. Roll cage? Harness? ?

What can I enter it in to in its current form, and what modifications would I be allowed within that?

2008 is the year of doing rather than talking.

I'm just outside of Bath in Somerset if that makes any difference to what local classes there are.

rescue dude · 3 Dec 2007, 16:16 (Ref:2080739)

If the car is road legal (taxed, mot'ed, insurred) then roadgoing production cars upto 1400cc.

You do not need a rollcage or harness but these are well worth investing in.

When you get your Non race Nat B licence you will get a blue book and all the rules and regs are listed for speed events.

Get a copy of the blue book before you do too much to your car or it may become illegal for you to compete in it. Also it could save you a lot of time and money.

Apply for your licence asap as it takes ages for it to come through.

HoTWire · 3 Dec 2007, 16:59 (Ref:2080779)

Excellent, thats great.

In all likely hood I'll end up with a rollcage and proper seats, harness etc. but I need to get out there and stop just talking about it!

I shall apply for my national B license and take it from there.

Steve Wilkinson · 4 Dec 2007, 11:36 (Ref:2081309)

Quote:

Originally Posted by HoTWire

I'll end up with a rollcage and proper seats, harness etc.

As suggested previously don't forget to check the Blue Book about seats and harnesses. There are specific sections about what you can and can't fit. Also the old seat belts will probably have to be left in situ.

SteveSlowboy · 4 Dec 2007, 13:10 (Ref:2081377)

I think others have said this before - but check the local championships that run events at the venues you're interested in. Many championships have "SR's" (Special Regulations" that may permit other mods or different tyres etc. and therefore differ somewhat from the pure Blue Book rules.

rescue dude · 4 Dec 2007, 19:15 (Ref:2081578)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Wilkinson

As suggested previously don't forget to check the Blue Book about seats and harnesses. There are specific sections about what you can and can't fit. Also the old seat belts will probably have to be left in situ.

I don't have my old belts fitted and have never had a problem.

Some MoT stations may query the harnesses but they should be fine.

b1ackcr0w · 5 Dec 2007, 23:16 (Ref:2082480)

We've said this many many times before, but it really is good advice. When you come to choose your helmet, spend as much as you can possibly afford getting the best quality your budget runs to, and make sure it fits right!

Dan_Q · 12 Dec 2007, 23:07 (Ref:2087562)

Amen to that.

I was advised the same, and when I went to Demon Tweeks for a fitting I couldn't believe the difference in sizes and shapes from different manufacturers. IE a small "impact" helmet was too tight, and a small "sparco" one fell off my head! OMP ones fit me just fine

Also using the size guide in the back of the catalogue isnt good enough- I measured at a medium, but i'm actually a small.

rescue dude · 13 Dec 2007, 09:49 (Ref:2087774)

If you plan to go to Autosport at the Nec you'll be able to try stuff on and usually get it all at the right price.

Don't forget to haggle.

zac510 · 13 Dec 2007, 10:31 (Ref:2087809)

I'm looking towards doing something like this next year too, although as much as I'd love that Sunny, judging by the pistonheads classifieds it might be simpler to just buy a 306 or similar that has already been fitted with a cage, seats and MOT-approved with it all.

Westysprinter · 13 Dec 2007, 12:36 (Ref:2087915)

Approved helmet and a basic race suit, a timing beam strut on the front. a clearly identified battery live (yellow tape around the battery live wire). A designation showing how the ignition is turned off (arrow and off next to the ignition key). I think any seat tilt or lift mechanism has to be disabled. Numbers for the event can be gaffer tape as long as they are readable. Check your tyres are in the blue book and relevant for the class you are going to be running, I'm thinking list 1a for roadgoing up to 1400cc? and last but no least a non race national B licence.
Not necessary but advisiable in no particular order - fire extinguisher, harness, decent seat, roll cage, External ignition cut off. race gloves and boots.

rescue dude · 13 Dec 2007, 13:50 (Ref:2087962)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Westysprinter

I think any seat tilt or lift mechanism has to be disabled.

The seat can be totally standard.

Can make our job a lot easier.

Dan_Q · 14 Dec 2007, 00:27 (Ref:2088320)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Westysprinter

a clearly identified battery live (yellow tape around the battery live wire)

Hi All, is this correct? I compete in a track day based sprint series and the regs on there quote:

Quote:

4-7, Battery terminals must be covered and negative battery leads should be covered in yellow tape to identify them.

If the MSA regs are the live cable then i will contact the organisers.

Many thanks

rescue dude · 14 Dec 2007, 10:06 (Ref:2088617)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan_Q

Hi All, is this correct? I compete in a track day based sprint series and the regs on there quote:

If the MSA regs are the live cable then i will contact the organisers.

Many thanks

The yellow tape goes on the Neutral wire, Not the live!!!

Westysprinter · 17 Dec 2007, 12:31 (Ref:2090476)

Quote:

Originally Posted by rescue dude

The yellow tape goes on the Neutral wire, Not the live!!!

OOps correct

I fitted an MSA cut off anyway.

Dan Friel · 17 Dec 2007, 20:23 (Ref:2090778)

I've done a couple of hillclimbs in a Nissan Primera.. It was a case of taking the child seat out, taping on the numbers and timing spiltter and off we went (slowly).

Dan_Q · 17 Dec 2007, 22:39 (Ref:2090881)

Quote:

Originally Posted by rescue dude

The yellow tape goes on the Neutral wire, Not the live!!!

super

cheers for that

bentimingstrut · 18 Dec 2007, 15:46 (Ref:2091350)

Just remember to remove the "Baby on Board" Stickers from the window as the marshals may get confused in the event of an emergency.

rescue dude · 19 Dec 2007, 09:21 (Ref:2091813)

Quote:

Originally Posted by bentimingstrut

Just remember to remove the "Baby on Board" Stickers from the window as the marshals may get confused in the event of an emergency.

After witnessing some of the antics of a few drivers when things don't go their way, a few drivers should be made to have them on their cars.

blackx · 20 Dec 2007, 10:23 (Ref:2092534)

Quote:

Originally Posted by bentimingstrut

Just remember to remove the "Baby on Board" Stickers from the window as the marshals may get confused in the event of an emergency.

Not quite sure how to take that

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