A MessageBoard dedicated all aspects Triumph Motorsport, including TRR/TSSC Racing, Trials, Hillclimb and Rallying

General Triumph Racing messages

So yes, as you may have seen in other areas of this wonderful messageboard I&8217;m really getting into all this classic car stuff!
My new overdrive gearbox turned up on Friday and I&8217;m just about to get to work on installing it, taking the hardtop off and basically getting ready for a great spring driving,
(I&8217;m also begging my boss to give me enough time off in the summer to do a mini continent-jaunt through France to Andorra then Barcelona, possible further to Madrid and Lisbon, then back to Bilbao for the ferry to Plymouth)

however something keeps coming back,
this recurring dream,
a childhood fantasy,

I Want To Be A Racing Car Driver!

)

So quite simply, where do I start?

(get ready for another barrage of questions!, so many infact, I&8217;ve numbered them!)

1. Are there any websites devoted to racing spitfires? / starting racing...?
2. who here actually does it?
3. What licenses do i need?
4. How do I get them?
5. Are they difficult!?

6. What car-categories are there?

This rent-able race car that Canley & TSSC are doing sounds like a truly great idea,
!-tip's hat to the genius who thought of that one-!
7. According to Canley site it will be 'class-a spec', what exactly does that mean?

now, let's say that all is going well, my wallet is on fire and I just -have- to do it!
8. I've seen a few pictures on a Vincent hurricane (quite a nice car!), would this ever be able to be entered into one of the spitfire (or GT6) classes?
9. Are any of these cars racing cars road legal or do you all tow it there?

10. Why isn't Goodwood on the circuit list?!?!? (I leave a mere 15 minutes away from it)

all help is greatly appreciated,
if it helps, my email address is chris@herridge.co.uk
all suggestions/advice is extremely welcome!

Welcome to racing, the best adrenalin fix on four wheels starts here.

Some quick answers

1. Are there any websites devoted to racing spitfires? / starting racing...?

Racing spitfires in the TSSC

http://www.niginthecar.net/
http://www.btinternet.com/jon.wolfe/
http://richy.freeuk.com/richy/rrr/
http://www.racingtriumphs.co.uk/

Starting Racing, some threads on here

http://www.ten-tenths.com/forum/index.php?s=104220...

Plus some excellent photos of TR/TSSC Racing
http://www.friendlydragon.co.uk/classic/

2. who here actually does it?

The guys regular on this board racing in the TR Register TSSC championship are me (Class C Champ), Barry Blakeley (TSSC Champ), Nigel &195;&8218;&195;&8218;&226;&8364;&732;NiG&195;&8218;&195;&8218;&226;&8364;&8482; Gibbins (Race secretary and your first point of contact) Mark Hadfield, Karl Dandridge, Richy &195;&8218;&195;&8218;&226;&8364;&732;Rich&195;&8218;&195;&8218;&226;&8364;&8482; King, Dave Thompson, Andy Winterton and John Davis. Plus Martyn Adams and Jon Wolfe who used to race spits but have chickened out to TR7V8s. A few on here who are building cars too, David Styles, MiK Davis, Chris Wilson and James Carruthers (at various stages of build)
Ther are probably more but my memory ain&195;&8218;&195;&8218;&195;&8218;&226;&8364;&8482;t that good.

3. What licenses do i need?
Race National B. See the Motor Sports Association Website.

4. How do I get them?
See the Motor Sports Association Website, MSA.co.uk maybe, but google will find it.

5. Are they difficult!?
No

6. What car-categories are there

For the TSSC Championshipthere are Spitfires, GT6s and a Herald Coupe running at the moment. Racing in two classes, A &195;&8218;&195;&8218;&195;&8218;&226;&8364;&8220; Roadsports with the normal go faster mods, and class C fully modified fire breathing screamers (well almost)

7. This rent-able race car that Canley & TSSC are doing sounds like a truly great idea, According to Canley site it will be 'class-a spec', what exactly does that mean?C - See above.

now, let's say that all is going well, my wallet is on fire and I just -have- to do it!

Don't set fire to your wallet - you are really gonna need it

8. Vincent hurricane in one of the spitfire (or GT6) classes?

Not too sure about a Vincent hurricane as the current regulations say the inner structure of the car must be steel. This would take a bit of thought as getting the rollcage bolted to plastic may not be that easy.

9. Are any of these cars racing cars road legal or do you all tow it there?

Yep may are road legal (mine) but we still tow to the circuit as race cars are cold, rattly, noisy, uncomfortable and generally a bitch to drive when not flat out. Plus if it gets damged it could be a long walk home.

10. Why isn't Goodwood on the circuit list

Goodwood has strict noise regulations and is only allowed to run one proper race meeting a year which we are to poor to enter

Quick answers, but you will get many more. Keep asking questions as the racers like nothing more (besides racing) than to bring new people into the game.

Best way to find out what is involved is to come along to a race meeting. Us TSSC and TR guys are always happy to chat.

Cheers
AndyV

Bloody hell Andy...........you put it so eloquently and make it sound so easy you've got me checking my finances again..........hmmmm.Tempting.............very

Hi Chris...

I have to say Andy has answered all of your questions with great dilligence. And everything he tells you is true.

Your first step onto the racing drivers podium will be to contact the MSA (Motorsports Association) http://www.msauk.org you need to buy the 'Go Racing Pack' (about &163;40). This gives you all the answers to any possible question you may have.. *Thinks - really must put this on the racing 'home' page on this site*

Once you have your license, the world is your oyster. If you can't put a race car together then the TSSC / Canley Rent-a-Racer is aimed at exaclty you (and people like you) *Thanks for the hat tip - it was me

) - You could have knocked me down with a feather when Dave (Pearson) said he'd do it!.

Class A spec. is the mildly tuned class, Class C is the Fully tuned class. The differences are slight but enough to make a difference of at least &163;1500 in build costs. Part of the Class A regulations say the car must have a valid MOT, so a trip to the shops is a possibility.

We don't currently have a class where 'Specials' can compete and unless a great number of them suddenly turn up it's inlikely to happen.

If you have anymore specific questions you can Email me on racing@tssc.org.uk or if you want a chat then my phone number is in the courier.

If you can make it to the trackday in April (6th) quite a number of the races will be there and you can get a little track experience under your belt too.

Chris,

Be wary of this Gibbins character... he's a nasty piece of work...

He'll spend all your money and convince you to sell your mother to get you to race Triumphs...

I could compare him to the snake in the garden of eden, or Darth Vader... but those comparisons are far too tame...

Beware of the dark side...

Dark Padawan Carruthers

69 Signal Red Spit

Chris, Don't sell your mother, that'd be stupid

First born son's fetch a much better price... Buaahahahaha!

*tweaks waxed moustache, flourishes cape and dissapears into darkness*

NiG

"He'll spend all your money and convince you to sell your mother to get you to race Triumphs..."

of course some of us are just born mad and don't need much convincing

"He'll spend all your money and convince you to sell your mother to get you to race Triumphs..."

If NiG can find any of my money to spend ('er indoors has it stashed in Fort Knox!) and if anyone can find me ma's ashes and get a good price for them, I'll be up and racin yesterday!!

Good job I was also born mad and didn't take any convincing - one visit to Mallory last year (I remember it well - was all it took!). Roll on the start of 2004 season - I'm gonna have notebook, pencil and secretive digi camera at every meet!!

Regards

Chris

1975 1500

P.S. Hope everyone takes this message in the light-hearted manner it's meant to be!!

I've always wanted to go racing... then the TSSC came along and it made sense to race a Triumph... though I didnt know where to start...

But I do remember the exact moment when my brain suddenly devoted all its energy in to planning how to racing... much to the acute worry of my mother...

T'was in the Donington bar/pub place last year... NiG was doing his preaching thing to me and Don... I was in a foul mood having got there late and missing the parade lap... (do not mention the F word... I now carry a screwdriver in my car regilously)

Some how that lap I missed paled in to insignificance... when I realised that one day I would be doing LOADS of parade laps... that one day can't come soon enough...

And a word of advice for NiG... if I ever manage to get my mum along to watch me race... I'd hide if I were you... she'll be wanting words...

James

69 Signal Red Spit

That wouldn't be "Feelers" by any remotest possible chance - eh James???

Regards

Chris

1975 1500

Yes - its true! Carruthers sets his points with a screwdriver. Come to think of it Chris wern't you going through a phase a while back of setting your points to .5cm!!

Don
(Not profiled yet as searching for a sexy picture of myself)

Hee hee! Almost as good as the one about that bloke who ordered points when he bought his Aldon electronic ignition, eh, Don?

(No diesel related retorts, please)

...so i was in the garge a few days ago trying to undo a good-old 1/2 AF nut and bolt (if memory serves it was holding the 'H' frame thingy under the dashboard)
i was using a adjustable spanner, and it's wouldn't fit...

then suddenly i thought to myself (it was about 11 o'clock at night)

"ahh, i know, this adjustable spanner is from my dad's toolkit, and thats all french and thus metric, i need an imperial adjustable spanner"

.....oh dear.....

shakes head in dismay

next i'll be asking where the radiator&water pump is in an VW Beetle...

anyway...
what is the cheapest track for a track testing day/couple of hours?

Three Sisters up by Wigan is cheap, one day a month for testing, track time is &163;40.00 for 2 hours and you can stay out for the full 2 hours if you want. The circuit is 1 mile long and has lots of bends, I only get into 3rd gear once. Great for setting up handling, a great test of the car.

Testing at Castle Combe (Chippenham) is about &163;80-&194;&163;90 for a half day and &194;&163;160 for a full day but these are quite old figures so likely to be higher. Best check on www.castlecombecircuit.co.uk

Castle combe are also having an action day on the 24th April which is &163;25ish for 5 lap sessions though you will have to slaom your way through lots of luke warm hatches.

Llandow circuit 20 miles west of Cardiff, half day testing &163;65, full day &194;&163;120. www.llandow.com

Cheers
Andy V

Don,

If I was trying to set my points to any gap I'd have accomplished a small miracle as the car has had electronic ignition since the first week I owned it (or there abouts!).

BUT ---- I do admit to a "typo" error when asking about the right spark plug gap a while ago!!

Regards

Chris

1975 1500

I'm not scared.... I drive into walls for fun

Nothing scares me....

I must be mad

Ooops - must have "double-tapped" me mouse as this was duplicate of last message!! Now "Intentionally Deleted"!!

Regards

Chris

1975 1500

Thanks very much to all who replied on this forum, i'm certainly hooked to the idea...

Im already reasearching into the costs of a couple of lessons and actually taking the National B-License Test (hopefully i can do it at goodwood)

Afterthat, who knows, possibly rent-a-race to see how it goes, possibly a complete self build, who knows?!

But yes, watch this space, if my nerves don't fail me, i pass a medical, my bank-robbery works and all comes together according to my master plan; i shall be seeing you all on the track!

God damn that'll be scary!

just as a quick addtion to the questions...
at what age did you guys start racing?
do you need 'racing insurance'?
is it expensive?

Chris...

"racing insurance"...

if you mean for YOU... then you are insured as part of your entry with the MSA. Can't remember what exactly the terms are... but from what I remember, you have to lose a limb and such like to be paid out. It indemnifies you against officials etc, and visa versa...

for your equipment...

There is no insurance against other drivers on the track... so if someone drives into you... well... thats part of racing ! i.e theres no such thing as a third party claim.

My race car is insured for transit and storage and this cost &163;150. It has got an agreed REBUILD value of &194;&163;7500. It'd probably cost more than that to rebuild, but that was the highest I could get them to set the rebuild value without significantly upping the premium. (btw, thats AGREED.. and thats important)

I also asked for ontrack insurance...

the quoted me &163;180 with a &194;&163;750 excess.
They dropped the excess to &163;500 when I explained it was a spitfire and I could replace a whole end for &194;&163;500 !

However that is bodywork/suspension only....

NOT your engine...(and there may be some other bits exempted... can't quite remember)

oh... they did offer me "testing insurance" at &163;90 too. The race insurance would include that though.

I wasn't going to take out the race insurance till I watched that flipping video you get with your "Go Racing" pack.

after 10 mins of watching crashes... suddenly &163;180 didn't sound as expensive !

and I haven't started quite yet... but I'm 33.

I think I started when I was 31....!
Mark Hadfield is our yougest at 20 and I think Edwin Driver (TR Register) is our eldest - at..... errr, well, I'd better not say. he drives a TR2 and It's heavy...

Mike Hughes the TR Competition Chairman retired this year - so we're all ages and abilities.

I've been doing it for 16 years. I'm 25 now............... so I must have started when I was 9....errr

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