Roadgoing cars in Hillclimbs

[Pete]

Anyone being asked to produce tax, MOT or proof of insurance at hillclimbs and sprints lately? I understand this is quite common now to categorise cars entered in roadgoing classes and I presume to ascertain who should or shouldn’t be required to use a HANS device. Grey area I know as plenty of cars in roadgoing classes are virtually racing cars with seats and all drivers of non roadgoing cars are required to use a HANS.

[mk1]

A few of the arseier tracks (that I won't name) can be a bit funny about this. Same with asking for MSA Passports on occasions. I find that it is usually the admin staff that get up tight about this sort of thing, rather than the scrutineers on the day. But it is a bit risk to take, just turning up & hoping.

[Pete]

Yes im hearing the same. A fully trimmed car on listed road tyres with a number plate used to be all that was required to satisfy scrutineers that you’re roadgoing. Have to say I’ve seen a few circuit race cars in roadgoing in the past and maybe certain venues are just clamping down. Grey area though really.

[mk1]

Grey area though really.

It isn't really a grey area, most regs do say that Roadgoing cars should be registered & MOT'd. It's just that the Scrutineers rarely if ever ask to see the paperwork.

I would have thought a DVLA check on the reg number would do in most cases. MOT's are of course not a requirement for most of our cars.

[wantafaster1]

You definitely need to get to an Irish event

[mk1]

You definitely need to get to an Irish event

I can't wait. Just need to be able to get time off work. I've had 3 days in the last 24 months
M

[Oneball]

My understanding is that it’s not about the class you’re in. All cars must now either be registered, insured, MOT’d if required OR have an MSUK log book.

I’ve got a copy of the insurance, V5 and tax on my phone. Not been asked for it but I was earwigging at Shelsley during scrutineering and the guy next to me was asked.

[wantafaster1]

You definitely need to get to an Irish event

I can't wait. Just need to be able to get time off work. I've had 3 days in the last 24 months
M

Pretend your sick lol

[Pete]

Just to correct myself a HANS device isn’t required even in non roadgoing cars for period defined cars, though is recommended.

[wantafaster1]

Pete you are absolutely correct, my mate had an off last year, everything ok but not being allowed to swap the glass for polycarbonate at the time was a major bone of contention.

[Pete]

I’ve only run glass in one car many years ago, never have since but never been pulled on that?

[Exminiman]

So what if you have an MOT and you have Perspex windows....does the MOT not prove it is a road going car ?

[Oneball]

So what if you have an MOT and you have Perspex windows....does the MOT not prove it is a road going car ?

Perspex is banned in the regulations, if not originally fitted
Being road legal is a requirement of the regs not proof you meet them.

[davidnutland]

The regs are basically take a road Mini, fully functioning electrics, run it on road tyres (10/12 or 13"), you can change the front seats, straight cut box, slip, a full house engine (if you want) and adjustable suspension ( no rose joints) be aware of the exhaust noise limits, smaller fuel tank, harness belts, steering wheel smaller, if you wish. No holes to be cut in the body, front and rear subframes as std, all glass as standard ( a wind up window car has working wind ups a sliding window car has sliders) the only panels that can change are boot and bonnet, Tax, MOT and Insured you could drive it on the road¬

2022.jpg

[Julian Harber]

David has summed it up well and it is clearly stated in the Blue Book 2023 of what is road going.
However since there has been some fluanting the regs by removing heavy wind up windows and door skins recently this has brought other lesser things into check like webber air boxes - basicially road going is how it left the factory - what you can change is listed in blue book what isn't - isn't allowed (no matter how `period' the mods are they are mods)

[Exminiman]

So resurrecting thread, if Scrutineering do not agree car is “Road going” is that it, you go home, unless you have a MSA passport up your sleeve ?

[Pete]

Technically yes but in reality no they’d most likely just bung you in modified. I’ve seen a few purposely built race cars throw in some trim and run as Roadgoing but each to their own im not doing that, not really in the spirit of it. By the same token some supposed Roadgoing cars I’ve seen have never seen a road for years, have full race engines as David rightly points out that couldn’t be driven on a road in reality, all perfectly within the rules but some have meddled with the speedo aperture to widen it, drilled and cut holes here and there etc which has never bothered me at all because you’ve still got to be able to drive, the driver is the biggest asset. I always run in modified though roadgoing is pretty tempting and would take very little to do!

[Exminiman]

Thanks, maybe I am over thinking this, but the regs seem so badly drafted they sow doubt, as I understand it I would then need an MS “Passport” for the car instead…..or are they likely to wave this or have I misunderstood it ?

[nic]

Going off slightly on a tangent….

Can anyone advise me on what class/how I could run a road legal mini that has been fitted with a fibreglass front and deseamed?

I’d love to run my car competitively at some hillclimbs and there are several things that I can adjust to fit the regs, but I don’t fancy fitting a steel front at the moment, and I don’t know how I would get past the lack of seams.

Edit: I’m not fussed about being in a particular class, or even competitive, but it would be lovely to be able to use the car and get some timed results to compare against myself.

Thanks

[hanlminiman]

There is another topic on the Mini event at Prescott. I suggest you contact the organiser of the event after you have checked out the MSUK "Blue Book 2025" which is now on line and can be downloaded. I think I read that it will be upgraded to include a search facility. At Prescott the run a BOC class for road cars which are taxed & MOtd.
Mini Festival proposed classes from the other topic.

The classes we are proposing:

Class A Roadgoing Mini
Class B Pre ‘69 Roadgoing Mini
Class C Modified Mini
Class D Pre ‘69 Modified Mini (inc racing cars)
Class E Rally Minis
Class F BMW MINIS
Class G Sports Libre (inc space frame and Mini derivatives)


Plus we may permit fun runs if we can don’t fill the entry with competitors