66 replies to this topic

[LoafingWafu]

Hello,

I'm currently in the process of setting up an MSA approved sprint championship for SELOC, primarily for Elise/Exige variant cars. I've had a query from a VX220 owner on SELOC who asked if he could take part and I've made sure the regs allow for the inclusion. So I thought it'd be good to open the door to other Type 116 owners who'd like to take part.

The proposed calendar is as follows:

18/3/12 - North Weald - Borough 19 MC
24/3/12 - Castle Combe - Bristol MC
28/4/12 - Goodwood - Regis MC
3/6/12 - Snetterton - Borough 19 MC
9/6/12 - Abingdon - Sutton and Cheam MC
23/6/12 - Castle Combe - Bristol MC
5/8/12 - Hethel - Borough 19 MC
16/9/12 - Curborough - Shenstone CC
7/10/12 - Debden - Herts County AAC

These are already established events and you'll still be competing within the class structure of that event for prizes as well as in the championship.

The basic premise of the championship is that administratively the vehicles will be split into 3 categories.

Class A: Normally aspirated road legal factory cars
Class B: Forced induction road legal factory cars
Class C: Engine converted cars (i.e. Audi, Honda, Duratec), non road legal and invited cars (i.e VX220)

It will be a handicap series based on power to weight to try and get an even playing field and awards will be given at the end of the year for best in each class and best overall (hence the handicap).

Full details can be found on SELOC.

http://forums.seloc....d=317305&page=1 (main bulk of info is from page 3 onwards)

To be eligable to take part you'd need to be a paid up member of SELOC (£12) and register for the series (£10).

It will be run to MSA Blue Book regulations.

If people are interested let me know. To register your interest please sign up here: http://forums.seloc....nt.php?eid=2952 (won't commit you to anything).

Mods if I've overstepped the mark by posting links to SELOC I apologise, but I hope this is in the interest of your members.

Cheers,

Keith.

[Mangham54]

Sounds good... Just need a couple of the guys on here to sign up and then VXs will be competing a variety of tournaments in the UK. This would be a great chance to scalp some of the ignorant sods who see the VX as a lesser product. Jimmy you need to get your arse out of retirement and teach some of these a lesson or two. Likewise Chris get your arse in gear. Outcome of whipping their arses - improved VX residuals.

[martylemoo]

I am in already.

[RobNA]

I've had a query from a VX220 owner on SELOC who asked if he could take part and I've made sure the regs allow for the inclusion.

Hi Keith

It seems a shame that the VX220 is in Class C with what will be LOTRDC race cars (unless I am mistaken ) Particularly with my pretty much standard 2.2 (~145bhp, unless I get my act together and get the SC done over winter) with road tyres, I would have thought I would be on a par with Class A cars.

I look forward to seeing how it pans out though, and plan to do a couple of rounds regardless of class

[LoafingWafu]

If it's a road registered LOTRDC car it'll be in Class A because of the power limitations they are regulated to. The handicap side of things in reality should level any car despite class grouping, even if you are grouped in class C, which they'll probably be little competition, it will even it out. If there are enough Vx's to either warrant a separate group or to include it with class A/B (be aware of the force induction equivalence factor) then I can adjust the regs in subsequent years. In all reality what I need is competitors and enthusiast people to push the series forward.

[LoafingWafu]

Sounds good... Just need a couple of the guys on here to sign up and then VXs will be competing a variety of tournaments in the UK.

This would be a great chance to scalp some of the ignorant sods who see the VX as a lesser product. Jimmy you need to get your arse out of retirement and teach some of these a lesson or two.

Likewise Chris get your arse in gear.

Outcome of whipping their arses - improved VX residuals.

The handicap factor will make it for an interesting formula of (hopefully) the best driver prevailing. If the VX becomes the outright force majeure then that's tiptop with me.

[LoafingWafu]

fiveoclockhero (mark) look forward to seeing you in the future! To expand, even if you don't want to/can't compete at the outset please pop along to support or marshal. I want to turn this into a social outing for both clubs. Sprint/hillclimbs require continual support from dedicate motorsport fans to allow these type of series and events to prosper. If you can spare a day to help out with the organisation then it would be recognised... the regulations of this series will attribute 5 points to marshallers at each event. No prior experience is required!

[2.2_na]

non road legal and invited cars (i.e VX220)

What a wonderful category to 'fit into'.

[LoafingWafu]

non road legal and invited cars (i.e VX220)

What a wonderful category to 'fit into'.

Got to start somewhere fella! Have a look on how things balance with the handicap. This is the first outing of this series, I can't produce an array of classes without backup. In all probability a competitve VX will win the class!

Here's me competing in my Honda'd S2 (I'm a below average driver by the way... power flatters!)

www.vimeo.com/keithattwoood

[Mangham54]

Sorry if you feel as though you are getting about of a ribbing here, merely just a bit of banter. As with anything someone crossing the road and posting on here, recognising a link between the VX and the rest of the Hethel products is rare. I think it the comments about being 'dumped' in class C are just a bit of back-chat about the general feeling given that we aren't good enough to be in Class A - not that is the reasons or motivations in the slightest from you. So long as the penalties systems work well, I do honestly think some of the Lotus crowd will be in for a real shock, especially if some of the handy drivers on here turn up to rustle a few feathers Can't say I will be able to compete, but will hopefully be able to attend at least a couple of the events as either a spectator or maybe try my hand at marshalling.

[RobNA]

Sorry if I came across as having a go. It wasn't meant in that way at all I have just put the dates in my diary and at the moment there are only the final 2 rounds that clash with work race meetings If I can be any help with the organisation let me know

[hairy]

fiveoclockhero (mark) look forward to seeing you in the future!


To expand, even if you don't want to/can't compete at the outset please pop along to support or marshal. I want to turn this into a social outing for both clubs. Sprint/hillclimbs require continual support from dedicate motorsport fans to allow these type of series and events to prosper. If you can spare a day to help out with the organisation then it would be recognised... the regulations of this series will attribute 5 points to marshallers at each event. No prior experience is required!

Thanks for the invite Keith.
Too old to race, but will come along to support at Castle Combe / Abingdon.

[LoafingWafu]

Thanks for the support guys! Didn't mean to take any comments the wrong way yesterday, but it was 2am and I had just had a skin full! MSA are processing the Championship application as we speak so hopefully will be approved soon. I'll keep you guys informed.

[Winstar]

Hi Keith

It seems a shame that the VX220 is in Class C with what will be LOTRDC race cars (unless I am mistaken ) Particularly with my pretty much standard 2.2 (~145bhp, unless I get my act together and get the SC done over winter) with road tyres, I would have thought I would be on a par with Class A cars.

I look forward to seeing how it pans out though, and plan to do a couple of rounds regardless of class

not being funny but there's not really any point in taking part if your not going to be competitive. I'd have said better would to have:

Class A - Normally aspirated road VX's
Class B - Intercooled VXT's
Class C - Charge cooled VXT's and Supercharged VX's

Sticking all the VX's in the top class means it's not worth it, just smacks of the debarcle that was the first season of LOTRDC

[LoafingWafu]

Winstar,

The class system is there to allow for different prizes. As mentioned at the beginning of the thread there will be a handicap system applied across all classes which should equal out everyone no matter which class you are in. Being competitive should therefore be in the hands of the driver. Not trying to make a debarcle by any stretch.

Full details on SELOC, but here's an example of the handicap (which has been tweaked slightly since) being applied retrospectively across a range of cars at two events from 2010.

Edited by LoafingWafu, 16 December 2011 - 02:37 PM.

[techieboy]

Blimey, are you going to have to weigh and dyno every car taking part to get a real bhp/tonne number?

[LoafingWafu]

Here's the hanidcap system explained in full. A lot will rely on honesty, but as you'll be competing against your mates I'd hope that people will have the integrity not to see each other off.

Full draft regs here: http://db.tt/WaHVxGyx

3.2 Handicap:

3.2.1 The handicap for each car is calculated from the car's power/weight ratio, based on BHP at the flywheel (BHP) and kerbside weight (kg). Where a “BHP at the wheels” value is provided by a Contender, the figure will be converted to a “BHP at the flywheel” equivalent by using the calculation BHP at the wheels +10%.

Tendered information, which is clearly inaccurate, will be inadmissible resulting in no handicap being issued and entry to the SELOC Speed Championship being refused.

Kerbside weight will be checked for all attending cars at one qualifying event per season.

The base handicap is defined by the following formula:

1/(y/100) which is then multiplied by the time (in seconds) a competitor sets to give their handicapped time.

Where y=-11.3ln(x)+165.64

And x=power to weight ratio of car in bhp/tonne

3.2.2 Each competitor must nominate a tyre category when registering with the championship. The tyre category determines the types of tyre the competitor is permitted to run during the year. The handicap is adjusted to reflect the tyre category as follows:

Category 1: List 1A tyres +0%

Category 2: List 1B and 1A tyres +2.25% of base handicap

List 1A and 1B tyres are as defined in the MSA Blue Book. Road legal tyres, which do not appear in List 1A or List 1B shall be treated as List 1B.

NOTE: No changes may be made to any tyre manufacturer’s original tread pattern.

3.2.3 Competitors wishing to change to a higher tyre category mid season must notify the Championship Administrator in advance as specified in section 1.4.2. Competitors are not permitted to change to a lower tyre category.

Edited by LoafingWafu, 16 December 2011 - 03:22 PM.

[Tail slide]

Good to see invites to a Lotus Champ for us. I competed in my TVR in a handicapped system, which can work well in attracting a wide range of cars from standard to heavily modified ( we had 50 register and compete last year) and giving some equalisation for the relatively talented /experienced driver.

Equally, if anyone would prefer to do classes based on non-handicapped classes, all you need to do is pay c£60 to join a local or national MSA-registered Club (for example local - Hagley & District Owners club who run Loton Park near me, or national - the Hillclimb & Sprint Assocation) and enter any number of the regional or national events they are invited to. You can just do a few events, but it's often more fun to do a championship of at least 8 or so, with guys and girls you'll see regularly.

The classes are based on those set by the MSA (check online) but do have some latitude for the organisers to vary, generally they're split into standard, roadgoing, specialist, modified/race, plus often separate classes for certain marques.

Personally I'll be taking the Sc'd VX on Kumho V70 tyres to debut in either 'roadgoing over 2000cc' or 'Lotus' classes at a number of midland speed hillclimbs and circuit sprints next year, as I agree that they have great untapped potential and I've almost learned the tracks after 20yrs. Might do the Midland Speed Championship as they're a good bunch with hugely varied cars, and as it happens don't run a handicap system just 'fastest wins plus extra for a new class record' which is a useful target for my uprated 300bhp!

Edited by Tail slide, 25 December 2011 - 08:08 PM.

[LoafingWafu]

Hi Tail slide, I've been in quite a bit of contact with the TVR guys, particularly Pete Humphries, who've helped me come up with the handicap formula for our series

[Tail slide]

Hi Tail slide,

I've been in quite a bit of contact with the TVR guys, particularly Pete Humphries, who've helped me come up with the handicap formula for our series

Ah - that makes sense! Pete's helpful & knowledgable, known him for years.

Well done starting up your Champ, I'm sure it'll work well. Might join in myself later on, if the VX proves competitive at my random 'trial' events this year.