jps
|
| posted on 17/12/13 at 02:11 PM |
|
|
Road rallying - anyone on here doing it?
I know there are people on here with a number of different motor-related interests - so wondered if anyone could point towards a forum, like this one,
which covers rallying?
To explain - I am toying with the idea of getting into road rallying/endurance rallying - on a 'cheap' rather than 'highly
competitive' basis...
If anyone on here has experience - I will outline what i'm thinking:
A Ford Ka - fitted with the necessary safety equipment (roll cage/buckets/full harness/etc) but no performance mods - and then using it for a handful
of events a year - i.e. rounds of this: http://www.endurance-rallying.co.uk/index.html and local targa and road rallies.
Am I being too optimistic to think I can get a car together for under 4k and then spend perhaps 1k a year on competition/running costs (minus any
obvious expenditure if I bend it!)?
[Edited on 17/12/13 by jps]
|
|
|
|
|
amalyos
|
| posted on 17/12/13 at 02:25 PM |
|
|
I competed for years in road rallies in the 80's, great fun. Mine was a full tarmac spec RS2000, but you can do it cheaply.
One of the most competative guys used to rally in a 1.3 Mk3 escort, that just had belts in it. When he sold it, it had only 1 owner, never raced or
rallied, in the advert!!
The great thing with road rallying is you can make it as expensive or cheap as you want. I'm not sure on the regs now, from what I remember
they were pushing them towards standard cars.
http://stevembuild.blogspot.com
|
|
|
MikeRJ
|
| posted on 17/12/13 at 02:29 PM |
|
|
I service for a chap that does a lot of stage and road rallying. The main forum for the UK is the British Rally
Forum.
Do you have a van and trailer to transport the car and hold spares, tools, tyres etc? Do you already have an MSA licence?
[Edited on 17/12/13 by MikeRJ]
|
|
|
jps
|
| posted on 17/12/13 at 02:53 PM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by MikeRJ
Do you have a van and trailer to transport the car and hold spares, tools, tyres etc? Do you already have an MSA licence?
[Edited on 17/12/13 by MikeRJ]
No and no. I am thinking i'll drive to the events and back - and i'm thinking of forms of competition where i'm less likely to stuff
the car and things like tyre changes/chase cars etc are very limited/not allowed anyway (i.e. not full on stage rallying!). Obviously i'd have
some sort of 'plan B' incase i binned it.
Assume the MSA is just a case of applying and forking out the cash?
|
|
|
yozza
|
| posted on 17/12/13 at 03:20 PM |
|
|
I have never understood why rally cars (MSA logbook) go for so much money compared to say a track car with all the safety equipment in them. Is it a
case of being able to get the car through scrutineering etc or is the reason more technical? We have a closed road stage here on Wirral once a year
and it is something I would love to do in my track car but need to find out the cost etc. I assumed a rally would need allsorts of back up even if
done on the cheap. I would love to know how accessible it is, cost etc. Sorry I cant help.
Joe
|
|
|
jps
|
| posted on 17/12/13 at 03:38 PM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by yozza
I have never understood why rally cars (MSA logbook) go for so much money compared to say a track car with all the safety equipment in them. Is it a
case of being able to get the car through scrutineering etc or is the reason more technical? We have a closed road stage here on Wirral once a year
and it is something I would love to do in my track car but need to find out the cost etc. I assumed a rally would need allsorts of back up even if
done on the cheap. I would love to know how accessible it is, cost etc. Sorry I cant help.
Joe
Perhaps it's a bit like "you can build a 7 replica for £250" but - check out here for some info which is making me think it is at
least semi affordable...
http://www.endurance-rallying.co.uk/getstarted.html
http://www.endurance-rallying.co.uk/downloads/CarBuildFlyer.pdf
|
|
|
pewe
|
| posted on 17/12/13 at 04:07 PM |
|
|
Might be worth looking at local motorclubs.
Some are reviving 12 car rallies which aren't as rule restricted as full road rallies.
Try googling for more info.
Certainly my club - Farnborough District Motor Club (FDMC) have run a number in the last year.
Seems like a good way of entering that partic. branch of the sport without shelling out huge amounts of money.
HTH.
Cheers, Pewe10 
|
|
|
fishywick
|
| posted on 17/12/13 at 04:18 PM |
|
|
I would have a look at Targa rallies. A new concept whereby a permit allows 'Targa' cars to participate in a Historic Rally or can be run
as a Targa rally in it's own right, although not sure if that has been done as yet.
Basically any car after 1981/2 with tax and MOT. No MSA licence. Public roads are used to navigate to each test area on private land. These vary from
an autotest style ie. fairly tight around cones on tarmac to rough forest roads getting closer to a proper stage.
There's no doubt this form of rallying can be done very cheaply.
Much depends on what your local clubs actually organise.
|
|
|
MikeRJ
|
| posted on 17/12/13 at 04:26 PM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by yozza
I have never understood why rally cars (MSA logbook) go for so much money compared to say a track car with all the safety equipment in them. Is it a
case of being able to get the car through scrutineering etc or is the reason more technical?
The car has to be inspected and comply with certain standards before a logbook is even issued, and that requires a proper approved cage, plumbed in
extinguisher, seats and harnesses that are both approved and "in date" etc. Also special stage rally cars tend to have completely seam
welded and reinforced bodyshells which is a very time consuming task. There's no reason a suitably equipped track car couldn't get log
booked however.
The MSA licence needed for most road evnts is a Non-race National B, and this can simply be applied for with no tests etc. needed. Fortunately you
won't need fireproof overalls, gloves, helmets and intercoms etc. as that gets very expensive.
|
|
|
Neb
|
| posted on 17/12/13 at 05:24 PM |
|
|
Hi Jps,
I compete on the ERRC (although only did the Xpart this year due to other commitments Inc a Locost) and have done since 2006. I have done about 20 odd
Enduros and have had mixed success (more of that later).
I built my S1 106 Rallye over last Chrimbo for under £1k and was featured in PPC in the March & April editions.
I was also part of the ERRC team that went to Silverstone in the summer to attend the Go Motorsport day. I mostly did the autosolo rides but my car
was on the stand as well.
The social aspect of the championship is fantastic with a few beers in the bar after events.
I have a couple of suggestions:
1. KA's run in the 1300cc class and are a touch under powered and slightly heavy compared to the 106's (106's are 100bhp and weight
under the ton in full rally trim). I would suggest a Rover 200 or MGZR as a first foray. They are reliable, parts are cheap and there is loads of
experience out there as well as cars currently for sale including Owen Turners car. Owen (& bro Jamie) build them for a living and have been
champions for the last few years.
If you stick with the KA there is chap up your way called Keith Lane who runs a Silver KA on the championship (Essex).
2. I would suggest a built car, i have built 3 now and you never get your money back. We first built a S1 106 Rallye (repair costs were high but we
did well in the class) then a Rover 214 (still being used on the championship) and most recently the 106 above.
Of the 3 the Rover was the best as the suspension travel was far superior compared to the french pocket rockets, although the 106's are more fun
to drive in my opinion.
3. All events have their own personality.
The XPart last year was rough in places but VFM was outstanding. The bar afterwards as is big draw for me.
The South West uses some super smooth forestry commission "stages" and the road rally at night is brilliant.
The Ross is the only event i haven't done - so can't comment.
The Bullnose used to be a day only sprint with no night leg, using farmyards, stubble fields and vairous interesting other venues. I really like this
one.
The Bournemouth is a new event for this season which i would imagine to be navigator biased, as it is being orgainsed by one of the best navigators in
the country (who is also a great driver).
The Exmoor - also uses some great FC "stages" some of which are used on the Somerset stages rally and also a run up the infamous Porlock
Hill toll road. Also a awesome night leg across the moors. My personal favourite event of the calender. Again great bar afterwards too at Butlins
Minehead!
The Bustard can be rough (I believe it was this year but a 20 mile test in Glastonbury is a super experience. Also a great night leg & bar.
4. Find your self a good navigator or do loads of 12 cars etc with someone you will use regularly. I compete with my old man who has been a stage
rally co driver for 40+ years as is spot on in the tests (we were regularly in the top 5 for the day legs) but when the night road rally came along we
dropped down as he couldn't keep up with the plot and bash. Still we had fun.... and a few beers afterwards.... there is a bit of a ring here
regarding the bar....!
5. Talk to as many people as you can about it, everyone is great on the ERRC, no one is stuck up and more than happy to lend a hand where they can.
You mentioned the CMC Targas above - i was the clerk of the course for the M&H Targa last month. Also a great way of getting lots of mileage for
your money (30+ for £50). The Tests you may have experienced on it (if you did it) are very similar to the ERRC.
HTH
|
|
|
bob
|
| posted on 17/12/13 at 07:58 PM |
|
|
http://www.guildofmotorendurance.co.uk/
Nice crowd,few people have been involved from this forum.
Probably more information can be found by contacting "hicost" on here.
|
|
|
Volvorsport
|
| posted on 17/12/13 at 11:40 PM |
|
|
the endurance events and Targa rallies are made for the wifes nissan micra......
www.dbsmotorsport.co.uk
getting dirty under a bus
|
|
|
jps
|
| posted on 17/12/13 at 11:46 PM |
|
|
Thanks guys - very encouraging - i'll do some more digging!
|
|
|
