56 replies to this topic

[KRM_Simon]

Id have thought a HIF would be classed as having double return springs anyway as there is one either end of the spindle. as for SU if you want an extra spring, ive just taken an SU off my car so could lend you the spring should you think you need it.

The harnesses look to be missing a buckle of some sort to attatch the front and back bits, as well as a way of bolting the rear to the floor.

[lindy119]

Hi

Gonna be in Lancaster at 6.00 this evening, shall I come and pick it up from you then?

Many thanks

Ollie

[daveholman]

Just thought I'd stop by and wish you good luck for tonight. Take it steady and bring the car home and most importantly enjoy yourself, that's the idea at the end of the day.

[GraemeC]

Well the weather is with you nice and clear and dry. Should make for a good evening's motorsport.
Take it smooth and steady and enjoy yourself.

There are two other Minis in the event - both very quick local drivers who will be pushing for top 5 finishes. I've just finished helping getting the surf blue one ready and he's on a mission (although he does have a new navigator in that he's not met yet!)

Edited by GraemeC, 14 August 2010 - 05:31 PM.

[lindy119]

Well, things didn't go to plan as you might have heard if you were there last night!! Will put some pictures and an explanation up later!!

[Jordie]

what happened?

[KRM_Simon]

Well you didnt stall it off the line which made it a good start.
Going off that post I hope the cars not too badly damaged and your both okay.

[Cooperman]

So what happened?
Was my old friend Pete Tyson doing the event. I built the red/white Mini Clubman he has (or had) in addition to his surf blue one.

[GraemeC]

Tyco was out yes, in a white Mk3 that he usually uses for road rallies.
He also has an aqua Mk2 (I think) but I've never seen him in a red clubman and I've watched him for a few years now.

He retired from this event - I think with steering failure.

[Cooperman]

Graeme, I think the blue one is a Mk. 1. He and i were in the same team on the 2004 Lombard RAC Revival Rally when I was in my 1990 Cooper.
Pete did buy the Clubman GT which I built from Geoff Loos a while back and has won a rally or two in it. It has a 45 weber and gave 108 bhp at 6400 on the rollers.

[KRM_Simon]

Graeme, at the start of this topic you said Morecambe rally was the deep end? what would you reccomend as a good place to start?

[GraemeC]

KLMC (Kirkby Lonsdale Motor Club) usually run a series of 12 cars over the winter, one a month - they are an ideal starting point. They also tend to run light hearted navigation classes in conjunction with the 12 cars.

Keep an eye on www.klmc.org.uk for news and dates - if I remember I ill post up on here when the first one is.

[lindy119]

Sorry I haven't replied in a while.....been a bit busy what with A Level results and Clearing etc...

The situation with the mini is thus - was cruising through a little farm (already in dead last but we didn't care!!) and lost all control!! Road tyres and a thick coating of cow crap don't mix!! Anyway, stpidly I slammed on the brakes and we just bounced off a metal wall (could have been worse - there was a slurry pit behind it!!)


So, I will put up some pics tomorrow (if i get a chance - my bro gets his GCSE results tomorrow!!) and ask for some advice from you guys. As I know nothing about welding or panel replacement I'm feeling a bit stuck, and as I'm broke and about to go to uni (September 20th!!!! Yay!!!) I can't afford to have him fixed properly.......yet.

So, during the week I've been dreaming a bit......should i turn him into a weekend warrior and track day weapon or is that unrealistic considering i am only 19 in October? Most of the car is rusty/rotten, so there is a lot of work to be done - in other words a full resto.......

So.. my big question to you is - what would you do? I have decided that that type of rallying isn't really for me, as there is too much geography involved and not enough racing!!

I should also say that the car did carry on after our little bump, however we were disqualified on noise regulations as the exhaust had come loose - so we were sent home....

Pics soon, all opinions appreciated. Thanks, Olly.

p.s. thanks for all your advice on scrutineering, turns out they didn't care at all!! He opened the bonnet, looked at it and just said, 'Yep, looks good to me......'

and thank you to bigsimonb for the late minute spring and advice!!

[ReadySalted]

Good to see you've come away feeling really positively about this. I know litterally nothing about this sort of thing, but it's something that I'd very much like to get into. IMHO I'd say get yourself into autograss or something? Perhaps look at turning your mini into an autograss racer; that is if you don't need it as a daily driver while at uni, or to buy a bear rusty shell, and make it into a autograss car.

[daveholman]

Hillclimbing and sprinting is the way forward I would say. You can enter in a road going car with minor modifications, some of which you have already made for the rally.

As a beginner with no racing experience and a ‘B’ Class licence you will be able to drive all types of production and kit cars but will be limited to 2.0 litre engine capacity (or 1428cc forced induction) in single seater and sports libre (unless running as a roadgoing car) classes for cars built after 31/12/60.

If you want to use a road going car, be that your weekend toy or everyday road car, and many people do, then you will need it to satisfy a number of safety and competition requirements:
Have a sticker on the ignition key or cut out switch indicating which way to turn it off
Have stickers indicating the location of the extinguisher toggle (if fitted) and tow points
Have a yellow battery earth cable (yellow tape works wonders here)
Have your race number on the sides of the car (magnetic door squares are available or stick some numbers on a white background in the rear windows)
A timing splitter
Secure seats
Two throttle return springs
A generally good-condition car
If you are entering a roadgoing class then the car must have a valid MOT, road tax disk and insurance.