These are my comments after competing in 1 hillclimb in 2005.

It wan't too easy to find the correct info I needed to get started - so I will now share the facts with you.

Firstly you will need to apply for a "Non Race National B Competition Licence" - this costs £33 and is purely an administration exercise (no medical although they do ask certain medical questions and ask for your Doctor's details). For this princely sum you get your licence and the Racers Bible - the MSA (Motor Sports Association) Yearbook, or Blue Book as it is known. You can apply for the licence by downloading the application form - by clicking here (http://www.msauk.org/pdfs/2005_licences/2005_App_Competition_Licence64k.pdf)

Then.... You need to enter an event and these are £80 a time at Gurston Down - see www.gurstondown.org for more details.

So then you are ready to go - except that you need the correct racing overalls and helmet. The information regarding the types of items allowed (and the scrutineer will not let you race unless you have the correct items) is in the Blue Book - mentioned above. A search on ebay will reveal overalls for anywhere between £50 and £300+. A brand new set will set you back at least £50 to £60 if not more like £100 or £200. Then a helmet is going to cost about £60. These have to be FIA approved. I have the regulations if anyone needs them. But basically any items sold on www.demon-tweeks.co.uk should do the trick - so long as they state FIA compliant.

Preparing for the day

You will need to ensure that you have the correct overalls and helmet as stated above.

Your car must have a clearly defined earth lead on the battery (yellow tape on the lead to identify it)

You need to make a timing strut and attach to the most forward point of your car - see the pics of mine and other cars and you'll see what I mean - this is used to break the timing beams to start your run/ finish and record your speeds, etc.

Keep your fuel down to half tank at the max and use octane booster as you will be caning the car for 40 seconds at a time - especially on the final ascent to the finish line - very steep and you are racing as fast as you possibly can.

The day starts early - 7.30am for competitors to allow them to walk the hill (always recommended before racing) and signing on.

On the day you will get 2 practice runs before lunch and 2 competitive runs in the afternoon. You run in batches and you are only competing within your own class within that batch - Scooby's being over 2000cc saloon cars (turbo means a 40% increase in cc size to make things fair).

I think that's pretty much everything covered - a useful site is here - http://www.bighairy.demon.co.uk/Sprinting/

Terry :D:D:D

ps - I will edit this post with more information as and when I receive it. Feel free to post your own comments.

Can I add:

On race day you will be told to practice in program order by the paddock marshals. You must be ready to go, fully dressed, car warmed up, belts (tight) etc.
If you have a real problem (car has a flat/wont start etc) then you will get a reprieve. Argue with the marshal and you will be doomed.
I've done this job and it is thankless!

Come race session there are no mercies, you must race strictly in program order (you will be given the order on sign-on).

Remember the Clerk of the Course is the FINAL word and they are human, probably ex racers too so fully understand, but take NO hassle.

Also, be prompt and ready for scrutineering and be fully prepared for them, they are there to make sure you are going to have a safe car, not that you are a great guy.

There is a defined routine to the day, give yourself tons of time and you WILL have a GREAT time hillclimbing.

You may never look back, so beware!

Graham (the old slow guy)

Graham

you've created a monster, everybody and his dog now wants to have a go.:D

Andy

Tell me about it!

I was almost the only hill climber on here and now there are millions.
Should have kept it to myself and enjoyed the exclusivity.....

Anyway, it it all Terry's fault and I'm blaming him.
:D

Time I hung my helmet up anyway (so say all the others in my Class too!)

If I can make some of you sweat so much the better!

Graham - get ready for these young guns to show you the way.

At least that rollcage you've got is a bolt-in one - so you could aways unbolt it and make a zimmer frame out of it....

:lol:

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_11_6.gif

Add 16's, a good set of brake blocks and some (wide spaced) stabilisers and go Gravity Racing.
Very green...

Don't you get lighter as you get older, so i might be quicker...
Anyway, I've hit trees on a hill climb and some of you are yet to go there....

Bloody whippersnappers. Hill climbing is known to be an Old Mans sport, or is that a Gentleman's Sport?
They won't let you lot in
:D
Graham (off for a nap)

Time to start a group buy for flat caps & harris tweed jackets, do you know any good outfitters Graham:lol1:

I've got a labrador and a barbour jacket i can put in if need be:lol: :D

I think you also need your car log booked before you race. Normally they wont do it there at the meeting so you have to arrange for a scrutineer to come and log book it for you.

We hillclimb and sprint single seaters generally in the nationals I am sure that the road cars also have to be log booked.

If you are starting from scratch it may be worthwhile to do a hillclimb day at Gutston down, Curborough, Harewood or Presscott, They go towards getting signatures to get your National "A" license and also get a good insight into Hillclimbing / sprinting.

Graham are you doing the Loton Test day? if you are I may see you there.

PS we have a car at our workshop that you will recognise (blue with a NME V8);)

Cheers Andy

[quote=Andy S.]I think you also need your car log booked before you race.


i dont follow, sorry but is this the same as a RAC logbook :wonder:

All a log book is a simple check on your car then they make a log book with a picture of the car. You will need this to sign on at a meeting. If you have a crash then it will be entered into the log book and has to be re-scrutineered to say it is ok to race. Also if you change the colour or majorly modify the car you will need to have the changes added to the log book. It only costs approx £15 so no major outlay.

Andy

Yes I think it is also called an RAC log book (but could be proved wrong)

I didn't get a log book when I competed at Gurston Down last year and this hasn't been mentioned to me to date - so not sure if it is necessary ????

Graham - what do you think?

Terry :D

One for Graham - it's even got an alloy wheel.... hehe

http://www.newburyvolleyballclub.co.uk/zimmer-frame.jpg

and for the rest of us - a new wardrobe...

http://www.fieldstreamandcovert.co.uk/ishop/images/1049/L1060.jpg
http://www.bbc.co.uk/lancashire/voices2005/images/flat_cap203.jpghttp://is.lse.ac.uk/staff/sorensen/downloads/not/pipe.jpg


:lol:

May be it is only for non road going cars?

Single seaters definatly have to have one, I will find out.

Cheers Andy

You definitely DON'T need a road car 'log booked' to do sprints/hillclimbs. I think if you want to run slicks you might need to - not sure having never tried it - but if you pull up in your road car having a full MOT and tax you won't need it. You also don't need any of roll cage, fire extinguisher, fireproof gloves, balaclava, etc. either but all these are advisable on safety grounds. Motorsport can be dangerous, as you are reminded on all regs.

The main things I remember them checking in dozens of sprints are:

- Seat is firmly fixed to car. Any slack will see you prevented from competing on safety grounds.
- Standard seatbelt is fine. If you have a harness they will check the mounting points are secure.
- Wheel bolts are not obviously loose (guess they have seen too many people changing wheels in the paddock and then forgetting to tighten them up before heading onto the track!)
- Wheels don't have any play in them. They will tug on top and sides of wheel.
- No jacks or other heavy 'rubbish' flopping around in the boot
- Overalls are approved fireproof (declaration on back of neck) and CLEAN (so wearing them to work on the car just before scrutineering is NOT recommended!)
- Helmet has an MSA sticker for current (and maybe last year OK too?) on. The sticker is (was) £1 and on first seeing it without the sticker they will check the markings (see MSA blue rule book, which comes with your licence, for latest approvals) and then give you the sticker to place on the helmet which should mean you sail through any checks for the rest of the season.
- Battery is held in place securely
- No signs of any oil/fluid leakage in engine bay
- Doors open easily from the outside. I had trouble getting through with a 'sticky' door handle one time so if you have gone for that de-locked look with remote opening you could have trouble (but TVRs with buttons under the mirror seem to get through?)!
- Timing strut to cut the timing beam is fixed securely on the car and looks like it will break the beam smoothly (they don't pull out tape measures and make sure that it exactly conforms to the blue book measurements, you'll be glad to hear). I mount my strut to the fog light cover screws, which seems to be at about the correct height. I'll try to post some photos as it can be difficult to work out exactly what you need the first time. If you have some chunks of plastic and some black gaffer tape/insulation tape you can probably construct something 'on site', as I have found when I've left my 'proper' ones in the garage!

And sometimes (variable - probably been checked about 10% of the time on a road car):
- Battery has a yellow tape to mark earth lead.
- Ignition key barrel has sticker marking on/off direction on it (I've never been forced to fit one, mind)

If you turn up and are missing any of the above then the most important advice is to run around the paddock and ask people. The best thing about sprinting is the friendly bunch of people there and they'll all rummage in their tool boxes to find something to help get you out there. People borrow helmets, overalls, push start each other, lend tools, advice, labour, etc. As will many marshalls, scrutineers, etc. They want to see you competing and will do their best to assist you in getting you car set up safely to allow you to go and have fun.

Graham can probably add some things I've missed - it's been two years since I've been out there regularly.

Cheers,

Steve

A log book is sometimes needed for certain championships.
Being an old hand at this lark, I've got one. (£15 better off, i can now afford a 4 x 4 Zimmer)

Do Burbury bits come in Nomex?

As to a hill climb car with THAT engine, is it a Dax, is it 4x4, is the Driver called Mark, oh no; thank God I'm not in the Sports Car Class.
Oh, and he is OLDER than me! (just).
Sure hope that is right that he is coming back. He told me he was.

AndyS is so right, a test morning at Curb is the good way to sort the car. Share it with 2 friend and you will sort out so much.
Plans are underway.

Yes, I am planning to do the Test Weekend. Trish and I do the entries so i have insider info.
Regs will be posted in about 2 weeks time to all Members.
First Come First Served.

Only 12 weekends to go....

Graham The Younger.

Zimmer my arse, you have to catch me first. (well, that's the plan.. but my car would be so much faster if my driving gloves were not so bloody tight...)

Do Burbury bits come in Nomex?

LOL

Chav Hillclimbing!!

StevieB
Bloody hell, WHERE do you sprint?
The hill climbs i do are FAR stricter than that, but what you say you need is about right.
I have to have a log book and roll cage due to Championship and Blue Book.
Please do not forget a time strut which must be to the Blue Book.

Time for bed.

Graham
:D

Chavs not allowed, Gentleman's Sport you see dear Chap.

stevie_b is right, I stand corrected!!

If you are running a road car whit a current MOT then you do not need an log book but if you run slick's or anything that is not road legal then yo do need a log book. I think Graham has run in the past with slicks on so his car would have needed log booking.

As to a hill climb car with THAT engine, is it a Dax, is it 4x4, is the Driver called Mark, oh no; thank God I'm not in the Sports Car Class.
Oh, and he is OLDER than me! (just).
Sure hope that is right that he is coming back. He told me he was.


Wrong think of single seater used to wear the number "1"

I made my struts using an angle grinder and the side panels of an old washing machine. Cut any piece of metal/plastic to size (following the exact dimensions in the blue book as Graham suggests is a good idea, but I based mine on recollection of seeing a few and seem to have got away with it). Paint it all black - I just used a can of black spray paint from a motor store. Then you need a bracket to bolt it to the car. I've seen people just duct tape the bracket to the numberplate or fog light cover, but I worried that it would pull the decals off afterwards so I drilled my bracket and put the fog light screw through it which holds it in place without touching any bodywork. They should be roughly the size and height of this:

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c95/sbeesley/wrxra03.jpg

I can't guarantee which events, if any, I'll do this year but I'll have a spare one with me on any far flung events which anyone can borrow if stuck.

Cheers,

Steve

StevieB
WHERE do you sprint?
The hill climbs i do are FAR stricter.

It could be stricter on hillclimbs than 'circuit' sprints (more to hit?). I think I've only done Wiscombe. If I remember correctly I blew a hose and they were pretty hot on coming round to find me in the paddock to check that I had fixed it well before letting me out on the hill again. Was an interesting 'fix' as well since you couldn't go out to get a new part as the only way in/out, the hill, was obviously closed (probably no motor factors round there for miles anyway)!

Steve

Right, if you haven't applied for your licence yet you won't know the rules that you then receive back so I thought I'd post them here to help those of you about to construct your struts... Section 10.12.1 of the blue book says that the timing strut needs to be matt black and be (at least) 254mm x 51mm. When mounted on the car the bottom should be no more than 200mm from the ground and the top not less that 454mm from the ground.

Steve

Pay attention!
Steve's so right. This will be checked by the start-line marshals and the time keepers. Cock this up and you will loose your run!
Graham.