Racing rules

john-h

Well-Known Forum User
I went to Oulton park at the weekend and thoroughly enjoyed the zeds racing. Could someone fill me in on what modifications the rules allow for these cars? How near to road cars are they? One of the entries looked like it was going to be driven home. It was great to see good racing and zeds winning, thanks to everyone for a great day.
 

SKiddell

Well-Known Forum User
What little I know

Hi John

Presumably you are referring to the HSCC event that Charles Barter and Matt Bannister got 1&2 in

I know very little on the rules but am picking them up as the season continues (Mr F is your man) but I do know that you get extra points (2 I think) for driving your car to and from the event.

Could mean that even if you win every event but trailed your car to and from the event, overall you may not win the class or championship.

Brakes are standard but harder pads and braided lines are allowed

Carburation is standard, (carb bell mouths allowed)
Head work is allowed but must be the same overall format (number of valves,etc)
Race cams allowed
Exhaust headers are allowed.
Bottom ends are well prepared to survive the stress etc but must still conform.
Suspension mods are allowed but there are strict ground clearance rules (hmmm)
 

mikecart

Well-Known Forum User
John,

There are various bits of info on :

http://www.70sroadsports.com/

and

http://www.hscc.org.uk/

Here is a Cut and Paste from the above:

The 70s Road sports championship was initiated by the HSCC for the 1994 season and was born out of the highly successful Historic Road Sports Championship for 1950s and 60s cars with very similar regulations. From the very start the aim was to provide a relatively cheap entry to historic motorsport with the major bonus that 70s sportscars are in the main both cheaper and more plentiful than their 60s equivalents. The HSCC has always been a novice-friendly club and 70s particularly so, with plenty of help and advice available from the championship chairman, registrar and club office. Most proper production sports cars registered between January 1st 1970 to December 31st 1979 will be accepted into the Championship.

As the title suggests the Championship is for road going cars, which can be driven to and from race meetings thus recreating the spirit of the 60s/70s and saving the cost of trailers and tow cars. Road driving your car is not obligatory however, but you forfeit the 2 championship points awarded to drivers who drive to every round.

The Championship Regulations set down the rules and modifications allowed for all cars. Great attention has been paid to keeping costs down and in broad terms cars must remain in close to standard form although road springs, dampers and brake pads for example can all be changed for up-rated items. Limited engine tuning is allowed but the retention of standard carburation and banning of steel crankshafts, for example, limits expenditure on engine preparation. Each car must comply with its detailed Vehicle Identity Form signed off by the Registrar before it can race and random checks are carried out during the season to ensure fairness for everyone.

Cars are divided into various classes:- Class A all cars over 3 litres; Class B all cars between 2 and 3 litres, Class C fibreglass bodied cars 1.3 - 2 litres, Class D metal bodied cars 1.3 – 2 litres. Class E all cars up to 1.3 litres, Class F all Lotus 7s, Class G Invitation Class. The overall championship is won by the driver with the most points in class, which means a good driver in a relatively inexpensive car can still take the overall award. A Lancia Beta Coupe and Triumph GT6 from class D have won 3 championships in seven years between them for example. Grids have built up very well over the years with a wonderful diversity of different models. There is always very close competition for both class and overall honours.

Historic racing does not generally attract overly aggressive drivers. Most competitors are, after all, racing a model that they are fond of and have no wish to damage. However, the 70s Championship committee keeps any eye on driving standards and are prepared to take firm action with any transgressors, to protect the friendly atmosphere that has typified the Championship from the beginning.

If the idea of competing in 70s Roadsports appeals to you call or email the club office or Championship Chairman Richard Thorne for a chat. He will know of any suitable already prepared cars available or suggest specialists who can prepare your existing road car.

RICHARD THORNE
Tel. No.: 0118 983 1200
Email: rtcc@freenet.co.uk

Mike
 

john-h

Well-Known Forum User
Thank you very much for the info. The site of the two zeds hurtling into the bends was great but scared me to death watching the oversteer, especialy having driven mine. I just wanted to know how far from a standard road car like mine the racing zeds were. Thanks again.
 

ShornYeti

Active Forum User
In addition don't forget you'll also need the following:

1. Safety mods - Fuel/electric cut, fire extinguisher, race harness, rollcage, approved helmet/racesuit. Budget £1500 and you should get change.

2. A National B race license - will cost you about £250 to get that. Straightforward to get a provisional, once you have done 6 races it will be upgraded to a full assuming no endorsements or off-track excursions.

alan
 

Rob Gaskin

Treasurer
Staff member
Site Administrator
These events are great entertainment because we can 'relate' to them.

What I find interesting is how fast these guys go in fairly 'standard' cars, albeit very well set-up. They may not look spectacular but their lap times say it all.

On these pages we see all kinds of modifications discussed e.g. triple webers, 3.1 ltrs, rear discs, Range Rover calipers, massive wheels etc. etc. How much of it is really needed and effective?

A car that is prepared properly and driven well will always beat an over-engineered badly driven car.

I did some of the Motoring News Rallies in the early 70's and can remember just how quick people like Russell Brookes and Tony Pond could go in their Escort Mexicos!
 

Russ

Club Member
All this sounds like great fun, how competitive do you suppose it is? It's a while off but I'm game for plenty of trackdays and the obvious choice seemed to be a Lotus 7 of sorts but if you can keep up with the travelling and such this sounds much more rewarding.
 

Terry B G

Well-Known Forum User
I had the good fortune to be Marshalling @ Oulton Park over the weekend and was able to watch the Z's you mention lead all the way from Water Tower, through Druids under Warwick Bridge (formerly Bailey Bridge) and into Lodge. (Oh the benefits of marshalling).

I think that if any of the racing Z's had been bent I'd have ended up in tears.

Terry B G
 

SKiddell

Well-Known Forum User
On these pages we see all kinds of modifications discussed e.g. triple webers, 3.1 ltrs, rear discs, Range Rover calipers, massive wheels etc. etc. How much of it is really needed and effective?

Its worth while mentioning that these engines (used in the HSCC) have been built by the best (Dave Jarman Tim Riley etc)at a cost of £ thousands producing upwards of 200 BHP out of a 2.4 -- you wouldnt get much change from £10K, hard compound pads are used and will take out several sets of brake discs in a season.
 

ShornYeti

Active Forum User
In my experience trackdays offer more fun and better value than competition. The 750MC/HSCC stuff is a halfway house - very much amateur enthusiast competition and therefore retains the trackday social side of things. Unfortunately with competition how fast you are is always down more to money than talent. Don't get me wrong, people I know who race really enjoy it for the competitive side, but they also like a good relaxed trackday with their mates as well...

Still won't stop me looking into doing Roadsports next season though

alan
 

john-h

Well-Known Forum User
What scope is there for handling modifications within the rules? The two zeds that were first and second in the race looked to handle very differently.
 

ShornYeti

Active Forum User
Depends on the rules but the type of suspension originally fitted must remain the same, as must the suspension mount points. Car will normally be caged so will be stiffer anyway, but strut braces are normally allowed. Strict rules about lowering, but you can run thicker ARBs if one was originally fitted (or was an option). I think you are allowed to run coilovers, certainly you can run Koni-style gas adjustables. Most also say you have to retain original wheel size. Full details will be in the regs.
 

racer

Club Member
Alan,
If you call approaching Island bend at 110mph stabbing the brakes briefly and then flooring it through the apex at 95mph a halfway house, then you must have larger nuptualls than I have! As for beeing Amateur! so is 95% of motorsport in the UK. However that does n't mean that we are not dedicated to our sport. Also as an average working Man earning a very average wage I can asure you that my race budget for the season is alot less than than most in the paddock. Presumabley then as I came 2nd overall in the race on sunday and set the fastest lap time I must have more Talent than money! I look forward to racing you next season, if your not to bussy relaxing on your track that is.
 

racer

Club Member
John,
the wild back end that I had at Oulton was just down to my set up of the car. Hopefully I'll have it sorted for Mallory in 4 weeks. Well Observed!
 

racer

Club Member
If anyone is thinking of doing the 70's roadsorts championship, then you actually need very little to start. You will need a roll cage. Minimum hand held fire exstinquisher, and an exsternal cut off switch. Fit a decent race seat and harness and away you go! As long as the car conforms to the regs you don't need lots of mods. Of course to be competative you will need to spend at bit more, but the HSCC rules put a limit on what you can spend anyway.
 

john-h

Well-Known Forum User
Hi racer,
We were spectating on the down hill section overlooking the bend before the outleg to island. The car looked a handful mid corner but we enjoyed your recoveries. Thanks for the entertainment.
 

ShornYeti

Active Forum User
Racer,

Wasn't having a dig about the quality or commitment of racing. Very much horses for courses. The only thing I don't like about trackdays is the lack of competition, but equally I know that a race weekend will cost more for less track time. Personally I'm hoping to do both, just looking for a suitable car.

Oh, and having binned a Mk1 MR2 at Island at over 100mph (ended up pointed nice and straight for Shell Oils :D ) I am aware of the size of the nuptuals reqd :) Best (RTA scariest) corner in the UK IMO...

I still believe that given equal talent, money will always win the race though. Not trying to discourage people from racing but equally they need to be aware its not a cheap exercise - you have to be truly committed. Have done plenty of camping overnight at circuits in my time in order to save money to spend on the car...

alan
 

STEVE BURNS

Club Member
Hi Racer
well done on Sunday great race with Charles Barter great to see the 240s 1st and 2nd
not bad for an Essex boy :D
 

racer

Club Member
Steve,
Only if you can find another one in light weight aluminium!

Alan,
I'd be interested to know previous championships that you have raised in?
 
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