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Post by BikeTuna on Jul 21, 2016 7:50:21 GMT
I'm heading to the local (oxford) club on their next monthly meet to hand in my application form and pay my annuals, and try not to get in the way as they are organising their Carfax stage this month, and then the next one that I've found would be the Bath event on the 21st August. www.bathmotorclub.co.uk/autosolo/The application form for this suggests I need to be a member of thier club too but I thought that once you were in one MSA registered club you could compete at them all? Is anyone else going to be at Bath? |
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Post by BikeTuna on Jul 21, 2016 7:54:50 GMT
I think I may have also misread the rules for spill kits, on this doc here: www.msauk.org/assets/203210specificregulationsforautotestsm.pdfit has the following statement: 16.7.1. All vehicles should carry a small spill kit complying with J5.20.13. Although now re-reading it it seems that it's Autotest regs and not Autosolo regs? |
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Post by sandys on Jul 21, 2016 8:21:53 GMT
Me (15) and a few other Bristol MC MX5 owners (binner from Nutz, 7 ) will be there, rather than list all invited clubs the regs list the associations these clubs are a member of, oxford falls under ASWMC so is invited, there should be a few people at Oxford who have done solos who can help, you should be able to find one at a club night I would of thought, so I imagine you get answers to any questions you might have.
Yup no need for spill kill, the event organisers will have such things.
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Post by Rickster on Jul 21, 2016 10:23:08 GMT
I have just downloaded the entry form, think I might give this a go
just need to join a local MSA registered club, can't work out which one!
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Post by BikeTuna on Jul 21, 2016 11:04:31 GMT
I really appreciate the help Sandys, thanks very much! I've sent the Bath organisers an email to ask if they want my membership fees so hopefullt get the definitive soon. Good news on the spill kit, saves me a job. I'll have my applications done and sent on Monday (payday). Looking forward to it! Any vehicle prep required? (other than the obvious tyres/lights/levels) Any other top tips? Whats the ting that all the nooobs do that the regulars stand around pointing and laughing at how the noobs always do that same stupid thing?  |
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Post by sandys on Jul 21, 2016 12:22:56 GMT
Oxford cliub membership will be sufficient, I enter on my Bristol Motor Club card the same way.
Top tips off the top of my head,
Entry to Kemble has some tiny but very harsh speed bumps, do them slow, very slow, if you are ultra low you might get stuck, if you have front splitter, it might get broken, concrete is opf poor quality, so if you have adjustable suspension, assess the course and be prepared to adjust.
Get there early, to find the place and give you time to get scrutineered and walk the first course.
Bring clothing for all weather ( coat, rain gear, sun cream, hat etc. ) its a airfield so can be blowy and there is no cover if hot.
Bring drinks/snacks, there is often a food van which is worth supporting but if numbers are low it might not be there.
Make sure your tyres are inflated properly, for Tyre pressures people have differing opinions, my Punto I would go higher than road to help tyre life, the Mazda seems fine lower.
Bring some tape to stick numbers on the car
Put MOT, proof of TAX and Insurance doc in car
Clearly check fluid levels as you will be throwing it about more than you probably have done in the past, once you get comfortable.
Experience of a number of engine coolant pipe failures on mk1s so bring some tools, pipe or pipe couplers of sizes needed for your car if you don't have green flag etc, could be a scorcher in August, we are surely due.
Make sure you have enough fuel, nearest petrol station isn't that near.
Remember you cannot run List 1B tyres which are a fave fitment on Mazda forums, so just thought I would mention it.
Wear suitable shoes and remove car mats.
I bring a little seat with me as I don't always want to stand around allday.
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Post by BikeTuna on Jul 21, 2016 12:41:26 GMT
That's hugely helpful, thanks very much! A reminder for the mot and ins docs is a good one, I'll get those in the glovebox now before I forget, and tape for the number is a good one too. Why are you taking your mats out?
I've had response from Bath, saying the oxford membership is good enough so i'll be signing up on Monday.
First ever actual race! I've done trackdays but only on the bike, this is all new and very exciting!
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Post by Horney on Jul 21, 2016 15:32:45 GMT
Glad to see so many people getting involved in these. It's the best entry into motorsport by a country mile. Proper cheap and proper fun. Let us know how you get on.
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Post by Rickster on Jul 21, 2016 16:08:50 GMT
Horney - will my ME221 ECU be allowed in the production car class?
tbh Im thinking of going back to my standard ECU for hillclimb mx5 class so its no problem either way
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Post by sandys on Jul 21, 2016 16:43:39 GMT
Why are you taking your mats out? I've had response from Bath, saying the oxford membership is good enough so i'll be signing up on Monday. First ever actual race! I've done trackdays but only on the bike, this is all new and very exciting! Mats out as they are known to move and jam throttle on in the heat of the moment when you least expect it. Other top tip, don't forget to have fun, some take it all a bit serious, it's your first time you are probably going to be canoe, accept that, learn from and enjoy the experience, some people will turn up in fancy machinery expecting to take a pot on first time out and go home miserable not wanting to do it again because they got beat by a well driven canoebox.  With experience comes performance. You could of course be a natural, no offence is intended with this post |
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Post by sandys on Jul 21, 2016 16:47:28 GMT
Horney - will my ME221 ECU be allowed in the production car class? tbh Im thinking of going back to my standard ECU for hillclimb mx5 class so its no problem either way Upgraded ECU is fine in most places bar classes like Standard production, or the Gurston MX5 class. |
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Post by BikeTuna on Jul 22, 2016 7:19:23 GMT
I'm not expecting to get anywhere near the top, I think I'll be pleased with myself if I manage to go the right way around all the cones the first effort! I'm going with a couple of mates so my secret aim is to win out of the 3 of us, but finishing is the goal.
Horney, I'll do a proper noob write up from computer screen to finish line for people wanting to do the same, and hopefully a mew more Mighty5 people will get on it too. Maybe if theres an annual national Mighty5 meet it could be held in an airfield and we can all put our jumpers out...
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Post by sandys on Jul 22, 2016 7:42:13 GMT
You should be fine, Kemble is generally quite good for newbies as it's on an airfield the layouts tend to flow more like a sprint, fairly nice flow and straightforward, also cones are numbered so if there is a place where you might pick-up the wrong cone you can make a mental note on the walk, also means that if you go wrong the time keeper can tell you where, which is a lot better than some solos who don't number cones and are therefore less newbie friendly.
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pewe
Chats A Bit
Posts: 157 
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Post by pewe on Jul 23, 2016 20:49:42 GMT
All the preceding sound advice but just a few more tips to add:-
1) It has been known for scrutineers to ask that the battery negative lead is coloured yellow (as per RAC MSA regs IIRC).
This can either painted or use yellow insulation tape.
Whilst talking batteries make 100% certain yours is properly secured. There are 5's around with dents coming outwards from the battery area....
2) Trying to get your head around which direction to go round cones can be difficult - remember the yellow cones point towards the direction you should be taking. Also drive at least one, if not two, gates ahead.
3) Ensure all loose items are out of the car before you start. Some use small pop-up tents for storage but I prefer a pop-up garden waste container with a golf umbrella handy if it rains.
The whole idea of Solos is to have fun - that means not taking it or yourself too seriously.
Similarly the officials, scrutineers and marshals (later normally participants) all want the day to run smoothly so shouldn't be giving anyone an unnecessarily hard time.
Finally at the end of the day offer to help clear the course - someone set it up for you to use - have the courtesy to help them get home at a reasonable time by offering your services.
Enjoy.
Cheers, Pewe
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Post by Rickster on Jul 26, 2016 5:38:09 GMT
My entry is in, see you there on the 21st |
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le sigh