11 replies to this topic

[keefr22]

My son & I are currently preparing our 1979 Mini Clubman to go hillclimbing this year. However the itch to go rallying again won't leave me, & I know that's where his heart really lies too. So, although I did a few Motoring News events back in the 70's the MSA records don't go back that far & I've lost all my paperwork, so can't get a dispensation. So it looks like we'll both have to do a BARS test.

Anyway, despite googling all I can find on offer in Wales to do the test is David Higgins or Phil Price rally schools. Trouble is they both offer gravel testing in 4 wheel drive or RWD Escorts - while we want to do tarmac events in a Mini....!! So, not really relevant. I realise the aim is just to get the licence & RWD in a forest is tremendous fun, but I'd like us to get something of more use for the events we want to do.

So after all the waffle does anyone know of anywhere in Wales or at a push the Midlands/SW England that offers a tarmac specific BARS course/test??

MTIA
Keith

PS sorry if anyone has also endured this post on Pistonheads!

[minisi35]

Keith ive looked into it aswell . There doesnt seem to be anywhere local that will do just tarmac. My nearest is oulton park so i emailed them only to be told they dont do the bars test at that curcuit yet so they put me through to the 2 you mentioned

[Cooperman]

If you have any rally results from your days of MN events and send them to the MSA they will issue a licence at the grade you used to hold.

[rally1380]

I did a rally day at Higgins' rally school in a FWD Mitsubishi so i assume they'll offer that for the BARS test too. I know that still doesn't help matters tarmac wise, but at least it's FWD and i'm sure if you give them a bell they'll be helpful. Was an awesome day when i did my 'experience', and it chucked it down with snow so they fitted studded tyres.....mega grip and not something everyone will experience!!!!!

I though Phil Prices place was on a disused airfield so i always assumed it was more tarmac stuff anyway?

[keefr22]

Thanks guys.

@minis35 - I'd never thought about a school at a circuit doing the assessment, I'll do some more looking in that direction.

@Cooperman - I've already explored that route with the MSA - all I have left are a couple of photo's of me competing - they won't accept them! They did suggest contacting the organising clubs to see if they hold archived results, so I may try that route, but I do also feel that maybe after 30 odd years of doing nothing that doing the BARS test might be a good idea. I don't mind the cost of the assesment so much it's the £64 to buy the 'starter' pack that galls me!!

@rally1380 - I've seen a couple of videos of Phil Price's place & it's always looked like it's in the middle of a forest to me - I'll have to give him a ring & find out. I didn't realise Higgins' was a FWD Mitsu, I assumed it would be an EVO - I should have learnt about assuming by now! He also does a half day of tuition & the assessment for £230, which is a fair bit cheaper than a full day at Price's....

To be honest, it's a bit academic at the moment as we keep finding more & more 'non rally compliant' bits on the Clubbie as we keep working on her, so it'll probably be a case of a couple of hillclimbs this year (touch wood!), getting it ready to be logbooked early next & maybe do the BARS assessment before renewing the licences....

Thanks again all

keith

Edited by keefr22, 06 April 2013 - 08:29 AM.

[rally1380]

Hi Keith. I was confusing Phil Prices place with The Shrophshire Rally School - but they don't do BARS test from what i can see from their website.

The Mitsubishi's at Higgins' place are kind of like evo's but not quite. They are imports and not available here in the uk so they're not going to be something we are familiar with. There is a photo of one on his website. Good cars really and they rev like mad!!!!!

I couldn't recommend the Higgins rally school more highly. I had a mega day and gave me a real feel for rallying. Would have liked one to one tuition but have promised myself that if i ever do venture out into stage rallying i will go back there and do a day tuition. The forest loop is great fun and i got to learn it quite well. And there is another section which is a leg off the loop which is slightly longer and rougher and was great fun....really got into a rhythm on that section and got heaps of positive comments from Mark...then i cocked it up when we joined back onto the main loop as i hit some snow and understeered...rubbish!!!!! Lesson learnt though and during the timed sessions in the afternoon i finished top so won a lovely plastic trophy....ha ha!

One of the other lads who was on the day with us said he had done a day at Phil Prices place and said that the Higgin's school was a far better experience.

I reckon you should have a bash at road rallying as it doesn't need a BARS test and will help your son get to grips with timing and navigation. And your car can't be that far away from being road ralliable...stick an interior of some sort in it and away you go.....be great to have another mini out in the lanes

[keefr22]

I reckon you should have a bash at road rallying as it doesn't need a BARS test and will help your son get to grips with timing and navigation. And your car can't be that far away from being road ralliable...stick an interior of some sort in it and away you go.....be great to have another mini out in the lanes

I've done my share of road rallying to be honest, & getting the car ready for road events will actually take more work than stages - there's no back seat, & a big chunk of the base has been cut away fot the battery box, no door cards, no carpets & I've just chopped the companion boxes out of the rear - it's also got a Weber, & I don't know if we could get it quiet enough without changing that too. Whereas for stages all we need to get it logbooked is a fuel sample takeoff, a fire extinquisher (which to be honest we need for hillclimbs & I'd want for road events too) & minor things like a spill kit & OK board! And some more tyres - we do have three sets of wheels though! To be honest, although he was a bit of a bodger, the guy that built it did do most of the basics... There's also that problem of having to find a marshal in order to do road events these days...!!

And it'll probably be me that ends up being the co-driver mostly, I just want to do one event on Epynt & will probably let my son do the single venue airfield type events, before letting him loose on Epynt in a couple of years, as that's what he wants to do as well!

Thanks for the info on the Higgins' school, it does sound good - I think I'll ask for it for my Christmas present this year....(if you don't ask, you don't get!!

ATB
keith

[Awamckay]

i'm sure oulton park offer a tarmac test as they don't have a gravel surface. could be wrong tho.

[Awamckay]

my mistake, just spoke to them on the phone, they used to, but not any more. sorry.

[keefr22]

my mistake, just spoke to them on the phone, they used to, but not any more. sorry.

Sorry, missed your post - no worries, after doing the Epynt hillclimb yesterday I think I'll probably stick to the hills & let the boy do the rallying (although I'll probably end up getting roped into co-driving!)

[Awamckay]

lol, how did you get on in the hillclimb?

[keefr22]

It was brilliant fun & really well organised. I was last in class but not overall, so was quite happy...!! (first event for over 35 years, so I wasn't expecting much!)