So I was on ebay and...

[Richspec]

it looks like I've bought another mini, of sorts..

(despite all my storage being full)

Looking like the potential use is hillclimb and sprints in sports libre and trackdays.

Steep learning curve ahead I think, I've never competed in anything before but thought 'fuck it, now or never'.

Pics when its 100% mine !

[850RS]

Congrats!!! Can’t wait to see the photos!

[mk1]

Ditto

[Richspec]

As word is getting out, and the mighty bearded one guessed straight away..
This is what i collect on Friday, (pic from ebay previous sale- as it looks cleaner!)

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R1 powered spaceframe

The plan is to work through it, see what it needs in regards to the blue book and look to go hillclimbing and sprinting with it, although first events should probably be something non competitive to learn it a bit.!

Step number 1 is measure the seat brackets and get a seat that fits that gap and us, hopefully! so it can be moved around, then work through what i need.
From what i understand so far it would end up in the sports libre class, so thats 5/6 point harnesses, HANS device to go with safety wear, plumbed in fire extinguisher, external cutouts etc. All stuff its missing or we need to buy. We obviously need licences and to join a motor club along with that.
So that'll all not happen overnight as I have a twincam elf to finish, and a b20vtec clubman to build from a bare shell, as well as the supercharged 8 port motor to rebuild after it dropped that valve.

The downside is i will have to sell my Vauxhall engined track car as it'll never get touched after buying this.

Rich

[mk1]

Now that does look like fun & it was a very good price too!

I look forward to following your progress.

[Oneball]

Looks like fun, needs a livery of some sort

To compete with a sports libre car that’s not road legal you need an RS National licence. So you’ll have to do some events in something else first to get a licence upgrade if you’ve never held one before.

[hanlminiman]

Rich
Try and contact Allan MacDonald (based in Scotland I think) who has competed for many years in his EVO powered Mini special at Prescott and other hill climb venues. Sports Libre - up to 2000cc.
Cliff

[Richspec]

Looks like fun, needs a livery of some sort

To compete with a sports libre car that’s not road legal you need an RS National licence. So you’ll have to do some events in something else first to get a licence upgrade if you’ve never held one before.

I stand to be corrected but from my nighttime reading of the blue book (it's good to help you sleep!!) that only applies over 1000cc.

I'd agree with the livery idea, I did wonder what it would look like as a britax theme like my mk1, open to suggestions s though!

[Richspec]

Rich
Try and contact Allan MacDonald (based in Scotland I think) who has competed for many years in his EVO powered Mini special at Prescott and other hill climb venues. Sports Libre - up to 2000cc.
Cliff

I know Allan from back in the day on the 16vminiclub forum, that mini of his is something else! He's just up the road in southern Scotland

[Oneball]

Looks like fun, needs a livery of some sort

To compete with a sports libre car that’s not road legal you need an RS National licence. So you’ll have to do some events in something else first to get a licence upgrade if you’ve never held one before.

I stand to be corrected but from my nighttime reading of the blue book (it's good to help you sleep!!) that only applies over 1000cc.

I'd agree with the livery idea, I did wonder what it would look like as a britax theme like my mk1, open to suggestions s though!

Sorry for some reason I’d got Hyabusa in my head when you clearly said it was an R1. You’re right it’s only over 1100cc.

[hanlminiman]

[/quote]

I know Allan from back in the day on the 16vminiclub forum, that mini of his is something else! He's just up the road in southern Scotland
[/quote]
It is indeed a car which is SOMETHING ELSE and a very special Mini based competiton car!
Please venture south to Prescott when you can afford the safety gear! It's a great venue and a very friendly weekend atmosphere. Quite laid back.
Cliff

[Richspec]

So after a pretty stressful Friday afternoon ( the m6 traffic was a nightmare) we now have it all tucked up in its bespoke trailer.
Theres a vid coming out on Youtube in a couple of weeks.

Snapshot(12).jpg

But in short the trailer is no1 priority.
We have decided to lower it so it fits under our 4 post ramp (its 'just') too high, we'll fit the required lighting, reflectors etc that it needs, and replace the jockey wheel with one that has a locking pin!
The biggest decision we have taken is to widen the trailer as well, well not the trailer, more the covering and support framework, by moving the frame from inside the trailer runways to the outside we'll gain around 60mm?? in width. Its bastard tight at the moment, an absolute ballache to get in and out as witnessed by the marks it already has on the rear arches. The trailer rear ramps need extenders anyway as the car doesnt clear the rear door/ramp as it is now, and thats with the splitter removed.
I'd like to see us being able to load it in one / two pieces, rather than 3 at the moment (front end, splitter, car).
The entire things getting an overhaul as there isnt even any way to tie down the car at the moment, it was just wedged by some bits of wood and some cushions.

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[850RS]

What a cool project! I can’t wait to see you get it out for some events!

[Richspec]

Right liveries and a question.

I know I'm getting waaaay ahead here but...

I've been looking up 'classic mini racing liveries' and found some modern interpretations drawn on minis, the likes of rothmans, martini, gulf etc, however the one we think we really like is the classic castrol colour scheme ala St205 era Toyota rally cars. I've done a really bad mockup of one side and i have to say with some tweaks and personalisation it could look nice, and its red and green stickers on a white base so win win

Any other suggestions that i may not have thought of?

Remember cant be fag sponsorship based either!!

Kit question, I've been reading the good old blue book, god thats fun..and i understand theres different specifications of helmet etc but i was wondering for use in an enclosed car, do those that compete here favour a full face helmet or open? I would think open would be slightly less suffocating, while appreciating that a climb or sprint isnt a long track session or race.? Then if you use an open face then surely its a requirement for a balaclava? but i'm confused with looking at the gear rally drivers wear, which appears to be an open face covering? is that a balaclava still? and the blue books not helping my confusion on that.
There's a possibility of getting access to some one season old pro gear later this year, and i want to be able to say 'that'll do nicely' or 'thanks for the chance but thats not suitable for what i need' (if indeed any of it is in big northern bloke sizes).

[Oneball]

I’ve worn both open and closed face helmets. I currently have a closed Stilo. I like it because it’s quiet. A Mini on a Weber is really deafening inside! The one thing I would say is that I can’t see some of my switches in a closed helmet with HANS as they’re low down and the chin gets in the way, it was ok with open or no HANS. Underwear and balaclavas aren’t a requirement. Balaclavas are useful as it stops your ears folding over when you put your helmet on, although I never have that issue on bikes.

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[Richspec]

Yeah it's the top one I chopped and pasted, I also have a few pics of the front back and sides of a rally car for reference.

That's a really good tip about the switches, although there aren't many in the car they are very low to the left. I suppose until I get a seat fitted I won't be able to judge fully although I can see us moving a couple and adding some anyway, I need to add a wiper switch, and the go pro remote on.

Noise is something we'll have to bear in mind as well, the exhaust exit is about 3 feet to the left, and it's bloody loud inside when you rev it up, multitudes louder than anything I'm used to. Earplugs and helmet required.

[mk1]

I Have both & prefer different ones for different events & cars. If I was only to have one, it would be a closed face one. MUCH safer!

Ask Adam! If he had been wearing an open face helmet when he had his big crash, he'd be keeping his front teeth in a glass at night now.