Mk1 Performance Speed Challenge 2018?

[Pete]

Me and Mark have been mulling this idea over for a while and finally will be sitting down to talk through the finer details of our planned speed series for next year soon.

We're fairly clear that we don't want to go back to what we've done years ago in producing a set of regs and a set of classes, we'd much prefer to keep it light hearted in the spirit of 'run what you bring' . 'What you bring' we do need to define but essentially it will be A series powered (Block, crank, rods. Head free) Minis, variants, derivatives & close relatives. Obviously the cars will vary a lot but we will all know the other cars similar to ours that we want to try and beat so there will still be a spirit of competition without all the nit picking about car spec and engine mods. We will give awards out at the end of the season for most improved, best prepared car, or grass cutter of the year or whatever we finally decide on.

Currently we're thinking of six rounds, with four to count though this may change slightly and we'd also be very keen to attach any rounds to historic themed speed events. There are issues that come with that idea which we will be discussing and trying to solve, eg some of the events have upper limits on car age and even more of a concern is that we potentially swamp the more popular events with entries and some end up missing the cut. Some event organisers may also not recognise us as we're not a conventional club but I'm sure we'll be able to iron any of these issues out.

Another element is the location of the rounds which we'd like to spread from Scotland to the South. Me and Mark both want Harewood, probably the classic event in early June. I'd also suggest Shelsley Classic in July though I'd need to talk to them about the prospects of so many entries in Minis or even a class. I'd also be keen to get Prescott and/or Loton Park though non of these are sprints so maybe Blyton?. Any others we're open to suggestions but we want at least one in Scotland and at least one in the South.

The ultimate goal of doing this of course is to have some FUN with our cars and a good craic , in predominantly road registered cars and any suggestions welcome.

[timell]

Sounds perfect to me Pete. As long as I can get a car sorted and adapted in time, I'll definitely be up for it!
Tim

[coopertim]

Sounds fantastic and just what I'm wanting to get into Pete! Definitely up for it! Need to buy another bloody trailer now!!

Tim

[rpb203]

Does sound really interesting, would the cars need to be 'road' legal, and what sort of safety requirements would need to be, not up to modern standards?
Cheers
Gary

[timell]

Does sound really interesting, would the cars need to be 'road' legal, and what sort of safety requirements would need to be, not up to modern standards?
Cheers
Gary

Just a thought, but many years ago I raced motorbikes in a 'poorman's' Club Class. To help level things out a bit and keep things sensible, our local Club introduced a rule that competitors must actually ride their bikes to a minimum of half the season's meets. Worked really well at the time (late 70's).

[mk1]

As Pete has already said we are only in the early days of sorting this & there is a lot of detail to be "put on the bone" between now & next season. But the key points will be.

1) No formal class structure. We all run together & accept that some cars / drivers will be fast & some will be less so. This does not prevent competition, it adds to it. Improving on your own time is just as important as being the fastest overall.

2) It's friendly. The challenge is more about meeting some mates & us all having a good day out, while at the same time being able to show our cars off doing what they do best.

3) It's open to everyone. We hope to attract both experienced drivers & newcomers. We will be very happy to advise on what you may have to do to your car to compete. But safe to say modifications like cages & slick tyres will not be required. Cars & drivers will however have to comply with MSA Blue Book regulations for hillclimbing & sprinting. (lots of advice will be available)

4) You can still win a pot. We will have informal trophies at the end of the year, but this will not be a series for Pot Hunters.

We hope to have more info as we progress, so watch this space.

[mk1]

Early days yet Gary, But "roadgoing" will be acceptable & only very minor safety requirements are manatory from the MSA. Things like Yellow PVC tape on your Negative battery cable.

Much more info will follow on things like this at a later date.

[mk1]

Just a thought, but many years ago I raced motorbikes in a 'poorman's' Club Class. To help level things out a bit and keep things sensible, our local Club introduced a rule that competitors must actually ride their bikes to a minimum of half the season's meets. Worked really well at the time (late 70's).

This is indeed a good idea, but we are looking to do something that is more inclusive. Take the lineup @ Harewood this year for example, Me, John North, Bill Needham & a few others would be excluded by such a rule.

[Pete]

The classes we choose are usually always roadgoing which means you don't NEED a cage (but I awlays recommend one!). If they're not and the car is taxed and MOTd you still won't. The mandatory certified skid lid, overalls and gloves still apply as per Blue Book.

As for tyres, if we have our own class they won't care but if we don't they may have to be road legal as per Blue Book. Anyone else ever run R7s? They're still not listed for some reason but I've used them at Shelsley Classic several times where it's so informal and the classes are so broad such things don't matter.

[GeorgeA]

Sounds a fantastic idea.

Another element is the location of the rounds which we'd like to spread from Scotland to the South.

for a Scottish event i'd recommend "Kames Motorsport Circuit"
http://www.eastayrshirecc.co.uk/


Camping is Available + Local accomadation + Static Caravan park next to the track.

Its a 800m Track and you do 2 laps per run & everything can be seen from the paddock. Its easy drive from the motorway.

One event you could always ask about is Knockhill its by far the best sprint i've ever done! I think Murph as done it as well. Wigton MC used to have it as part of their championship it was also around of the British that weekend as well.

Flat out up hill over the start finish line into a 90 Right was always good fun lol

Track Length 2.000 km (1.243 miles) you used to do 2 laps amost (Starting and finishing in the pits.
Its not ran for a few years but when i googled it they have an event there this year as part of the British championship. The lady at knock hill told me to contact "Paul Parker" at the British sprint hill climb championship if i wanted an entry. Might be worth asking him if you can add onto it next year.

http://www.on-track.co.uk/event-sprint- ... ssociation

[billycooper]

I'm sure ill be up for that !, and I totally agree with the format, Harewood class works, so why try to change it !

Yep Knockhill was awesome George, never done Kames mind, maybe the Ingliston event, I'm sure the Mini Works boys and other Scottish members could be keen, and the Irish boys could ferry in to Stranraer maybe.

[timell]

Just a thought, but many years ago I raced motorbikes in a 'poorman's' Club Class. To help level things out a bit and keep things sensible, our local Club introduced a rule that competitors must actually ride their bikes to a minimum of half the season's meets. Worked really well at the time (late 70's).

This is indeed a good idea, but we are looking to do something that is more inclusive. Take the lineup @ Harewood this year for example, Me, John North, Bill Needham & a few others would be excluded by such a rule.

Aye, understood and an excellent plan....always been hugely in favour of inclusivity. Better dig out my 8 port and fit the 5 speed sequential box then

[mk1]

Better dig out my 8 port and fit the 5 speed sequential box then.

That's what I call a plan!

[mk1coopers]

Better get one of those NFS alloy S blocks from Rich then paint it green for that 'competitive' edge

[rich@minispares.com]

Better get one of those NFS alloy S blocks from Rich then paint it green for that 'competitive' edge

there is only one person in the world who is going to get one of them.......

[mk1coopers]

[mk1]

In all fairness, I can't see the alloy block working as is. Too much thermal expansion.

Great for creating a bit of interest & showing people that the game's afoot as Sherlock Holmes would say, but pretty useless for actually building an engine with.

[rich@minispares.com]

In all fairness, I can't see the alloy block working as is. Too much thermal expansion.

Great for creating a bit of interest & showing people that the game's afoot as Sherlock Holmes would say, but pretty useless for actually building an engine with.

pfffff


just look at it as a mk1 k series prototype...................

[GeorgeA]

lol you could just take a leaf out of the blue book for road going cars "Engine must be original type and material"

[SMOKE GREY]

Like the sound of this, might bring the Orangebox on to the hills, 70 plus bhp 998 and 3.5 inch rims I could have some fun.