16 replies to this topic

[minicityE-2008]

Hi there,

I fancy competing in hillclimb events in a mini. I just wondered how many people already do, and what spec your cars are.

I do not have a large budget so ideally would like to run the original 998 engine but moddified slightly. Also the front end will probably be fiberglass. Does this restrict the types off events/ classes i can compete in?

If anyone can pass on any extra information it would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Tom

[oltonlad]

if you don't have a reasonable budget then personally i wouldn't bother, it costs a lot of money to compete in any form of motorsport and running a 998 in hillclimb trim will be totally pointless, you need torque (and lots of it) in a hillclimb car and a 998 will be pretty much useless unless it has had proper £££££ spent on it.
then theres the car prep..............full FIA roll cage........loads of safety regulation gear....i hope that you have a big bank balance..............

and a trailer to get your car home just in case you break it!!


the gearbox will need upgrading (to straight cut) and the diff will need upgrading (x pin) as you will be flat out on the course all the way round, then theres the brakes (i assume that you will want to stop the car for a hard right/left corner when you are approaching it at full chat!!

Edited by oltonlad, 09 April 2012 - 09:47 AM.

[ministar]

Deleted my comment

Edited by ministar, 10 April 2012 - 12:08 PM.

[minicityE-2008]

Thanks for the advice so far. I understand the car prep involved. It will be a long-term project which won't be too much strain on the bank balance. Just wondered what sort of specs people were running

[oltonlad]

you would be better off trying to find people who "used" to run hill climb cars, if you ask people who are running cars currently they will be reluctant to tell you what spec they are running.

its like ferrari going into the mclaren garage to ask what spec their F1 car is................do you think that mclaren would tell them??

[ministar]

It does depend on the class you aim for. But it is ultimately against the clock racing, so power/torque/drivability/suspension are all important.

Accidents, things breaking will happen!! But if you do your research, go to some classic hill climbs. Look around, see what lengths people go to make there cars that little bit faster. Think you will be amazed! haha.

I have spent a fair bit on mine, and frankly its still nowhere near enough to be competitive, even if I spend the £xxxx amount of money on it to make it FIA spec'ed.

Edited by ministar, 09 April 2012 - 10:36 AM.

[mininuts]

http://www.hillclimbandsprint.co.uk/

[tom1]

I to am looking at hill climbing. Are you looking to win or looking to go out and have a good time, in a mini that you can run at full power for about a mile, with no speed cameras no police and no oncoming traffic ? I have found that a lot of people in motor sport will give you time and good advice, people like to talk about what they love, this is one of the reason the TMF is so good. As for power if you have not got loads of power do you lots gear box goody's ? But yes to a trailer, safety gear and very good breaks!

[MJWarren]

It's all about having fun. You race against yourself, it's not all about winning.

How is anyone meant to get involved in Motorsport with such a bad vibe. Get yourself a MSA bluebook for info or what I would do Is get down to a event at a local club and ask a scrutineer to have a look at your car, there very helpful.

You car will not be in road going class if it has a GRP front end though, if I remember in road going class you can have a GRP boot and bonnet and have to have full interior.

I am currently in the stage of prepping mine to hopefully get to a few local events towards the end of the year.

You don't need a trailer, drive it there and drive it back.

Edited by MJWarren, 10 April 2012 - 10:27 AM.

[retroracer1275]

As matt said, it's all about having a good time.. because of how my mini is, I wouldn't be able to go in the road going class

And my mini is far from the quickest! I'd have no chance against some of the others I've seen going up the hills, but you just improve as much as you can

[Wil_h]

if you don't have a reasonable budget then personally i wouldn't bother, it costs a lot of money to compete in any form of motorsport and running a 998 in hillclimb trim will be totally pointless, you need torque (and lots of it) in a hillclimb car and a 998 will be pretty much useless unless it has had proper £££££ spent on it.
then theres the car prep..............full FIA roll cage........loads of safety regulation gear....i hope that you have a big bank balance..............

and a trailer to get your car home just in case you break it!!


the gearbox will need upgrading (to straight cut) and the diff will need upgrading (x pin) as you will be flat out on the course all the way round, then theres the brakes (i assume that you will want to stop the car for a hard right/left corner when you are approaching it at full chat!!

I agree with the above, you do need money to do it competitively.. Nothing to say you can't enter in the road going class at sprints? Still FIA regs (usually in place) for circuits.

You need to look at the class system, as there usually are up 1300cc 4 cylinder is normally the lowest in terms of 'cc' class.

I think these two comments should be removed. They are short on any actual facts or truth.

Where do I start? If you run in a road class there is no need for a cage or any additional safety equipment on the car other than a few stickers. so the prep costs are minimal. I once turned up for an event and my car broke on my first practice, we fully prepared my brothers elise in 10 minutes and competed in that for the rest of the day, it really is that simple.

Also, what have the FIA got to do with any national motorsport in the UK? The MSA regs are what you need.

You don't need any fancy stuff, and if you want to run a 998 then go for it. there was a guy in my class at the weekend running a 998 Imp. He was 15 seconds slower than me, but he had a smile on his face. Best thing is with hillclimbing is that you can share a car, so even if you are not going to be competative, you compete directly with someone else in the same car.

Also comments above on things like brakes etc are a bit misleading, I runa 180bhp mini on standard 8.4" brakes, never not stopped me yet.

Again, no need for a trailer, lots of people drive to hillclimbe in the car they are competing in. There is no-one else on the track at the same time as you, so if you are sensible it's not too dificult to keep it on the black stuff.

My advice is to come to an event have a watch and have a chat with some competitors. I'm at Crystal Palace on 27th May and I'd be happy to have a chat and give you some sensible advice rather than the junk posted above.

[minicityE-2008]

Thanks for all the more positive comments. Was a bit dejected at first. I just want to do it for the fun of, because it's there and why not?? I just think it would be a fun thing to do, as I currently race karts. Just fancied trying something a bit different, and a bit different to the usual track days.

Hopefully if I'm not at work I will definately try to get to crystal palace :) would love to find out more

[craig 1010cc]

I did somoe sprint son Pootle a few years ago with a tuned 998 in him. It was good fun, and you'll normally find 1 or 2 cars that are a similar pace to your to have some competition with. Unless the rules have changed massivly over the last few years, then the road class is what you want to go in. That will mean full interior (you could lose the interior), full steel shell (inc the front end, no flip fronts) and all the windows have to remain glass. racing mods wise, the only things I had to do was put an electics off sticker around the ignition barrel, make sure that the battery was securly strapped (now a MOT fail anyway) and that the earth lead had to have some slack in it and be taped yellow. Plus you need to make a timing beam breaker (I removed my front number plate and bolted it on there). Plus you'll need an approved skidlid and romper suit (but if your already karting then you shoudl be fine :) )

The scrutineers did comment on the 'play' in the stock mini seat brakets (but they stopped it tipping forward so nothing they could fail it on) and advised that I should get a harness. Brakes wise, I was running 7.5 S discs with greenstuff pads, no problems with the short runs you do (an they where fine on trackdays too) and I was running A008's as they looked the best tyres in teh blue book, but when I turned up everyone else was running the equiv of A032R's

I only did a few events in the end though as I found trackdays better value for money (prob in part because i wasn't anywhere near competative. as great as minis are, when your up against cars with 120+ BHP, your not going to be at the front (wished I still had my charade GTTi, 999 turbo would have been perfect ;) ).

The last sprint I did was at castle coombe. Cost me £75 and I got 4 goes at 3/4 of the lap. fun yes, but I'd rather either spend the same on a couple of sessions at the action days at coombe or a little bit more (£99) and get a full day at a local airfield.

But go and see some local ones and have a chat with those taking part and the organisers to see what you can and can't do and if it is something that fits what you want :)

[ministar]

Without a doubt its about enjoyment. I have felt that everytime I have been out on a track.

Maybe my comments were a little factually wrong, but i am still learning also. And have deleted my comment accordingly.

I would like to compete in a sprint season in a few years time. Curborough is local(ish) to me. And might have a go up Prescott later in the year at retro ride gathering (just a few weeks before i go to the bh2n 'ring trip again)

Edited by ministar, 10 April 2012 - 05:05 PM.

[JakeJakeJake]

Blue book http://www.msauk.org...sp?article=1122