Road Rally / Rally....where to start?

[DAFTJOHN]

Howdy,

I'm looking to get myself a starter rally car and start off building my way to rallying. Really unsure where to start - I know a cars a good point!

Ideally I assume the car will need a cage, bucket seat/harness, fuel and brakes inside and maybe fire kit but from there I'm not sure where to go. I don't know if the endurance rallys or sprints are the best place to start as that's more about getting there is a set time (or am I wrong and is this a good place to start)

I'm 30 and been driving since 17....ouch that makes me feel oldlol

Ideally I'd like to get to a point doing one off events like Mull Rally.

At present I'm unsure of the best fit for a class and what those classes mean, i.e. can you keep interior, or can you upgrade brakes etc etc.

Any pointers on where to start would be good!

[Mike]

You need to get yourself an up to date copy of the MSA blue book regs (PDF is avaliable online) & certainly join your local motor club (by local Im referring to district). Go out an specky some events, talk to the marshals etc etc.

Alot if not all the "clubs" events will be organised through your local car club or "a" car club.

[mk1nova_rich]

Joining a motor club that has a lot of involvement in road rallying is probably the best place to start - get doing some of the 12 Car and Scatter events, they are based mainly on public roads with the main focus being on navigation so a standard car is suitable. Then you could think about some Road Rally events which is when the MSA regs will come into consideration - safety additions such as rollcages, harnesses etc tend to be personal choice rather than being compulsory. Most of the interior trim has to be retained (can be modified if necessary to fit rollcages and so on) and engine modifications are limited.

This will be the cheapest method of getting out and doing some competitive motorsport. The next level is really Stage Rallying which becomes very expensive and the regulations are much stricter as well as the cars being more powerful and highly modified. As with most things its best to start out small and step up when you are ready

[DAFTJOHN]

Cheers Guys - I'll get on the hunt for a club, would imagine they will be down in the borders of Scotland. Hopefully picking a Nova up this weekend!

[Dayle_]

F1000 is very good way of getting into stage rallying. Be it granted they are only 1.0 it allows you to be competitive as the rules are quite strict in Formula 1000 but you get to learn about all the timing road sections. 1.0 will still do 90mph down a country lane and are cheap to run and maintain and best of all they can be picked up for around £1800. If you then enjoy it and funds allow look at upgrading car etc.

Even the 1400 class in stage rallying has seen cars revving to 10k with 210bhp £9000 engines and sequential boxes. It sort of takes some of the enjoyment away when you don't have a cat in hells chance of being competitive.

Like others have stated the best protocall would be to join your local motor club, but like all clubs they can often be quite clicky at first.

[DAFTJOHN]

F1000 is very good way of getting into stage rallying. Be it granted they are only 1.0 it allows you to be competitive as the rules are quite strict in Formula 1000 but you get to learn about all the timing road sections. 1.0 will still do 90mph down a country lane and are cheap to run and maintain and best of all they can be picked up for around £1800. If you then enjoy it and funds allow look at upgrading car etc.

Even the 1400 class in stage rallying has seen cars revving to 10k with 210bhp £9000 engines and sequential boxes. It sort of takes some of the enjoyment away when you don't have a cat in hells chance of being competitive.

Like others have stated the best protocall would be to join your local motor club, but like all clubs they can often be quite clicky at first.

Cheers, I'll have a look at F1000 - the nova I'm picking up is a 1.4 but I sure don't want to spend 9k on engines to remain competitive! Good thing with the Nova is a 1 litre can be popped in easily enough.

[bazil]

http://www.scottishcarclubs.com/homepage.aspx (http://www.scottishcarclubs.com/homepage.aspx)

have a wee dig around there mate, a few local clubs and events, also if you want to go stage rallying have a look at this aswell http://driving-experience.knockhill.com/bespoke-competition-licence-bars.php (http://driving-experience.knockhill.com/bespoke-competition-licence-bars.php)

[swedge]

Cheers Guys - I'll get on the hunt for a club, would imagine they will be down in the borders of Scotland. Hopefully picking a Nova up this weekend!

hawick and border car club

http://www.btinternet.com/~hbcc/

i know george the chairman of the comittee they do organise a few rallys a coupe times a year

[DAFTJOHN]

Cheers for the links

So have the option of a 205 1.4 xs and a 1.4 Nova.

I've never had a 205, anyone able to compare them.

[phunkynova]

Here is a list of motor sport clubs in Scotland: http://www.rsacmotorsport.co.uk/Directory/
Join a good club before you do any thing and they will help and guide you.
But stage Rallying will take as much money as able to put in and more lol I know after some 30 years of motor sport fun I have not much in the bank for my retirement :eek::thumb: and Mull one hell of a good Rally but not cheap to do spent over £5000 doing it one year.
But there is cheap motor sport fun to be had.

[DAFTJOHN]

Just a quick one - for Road Rallys, I take it it's not compulsary to have the full interior in the car?

[MAYES MOTORSPORT]

Yes all interior must remain as standard but you can take the seatbelts out as long as your using harnesses