Looks like the Terrapin build is going to have to go on hold for Year ( but will keep working and planning ) so looking at doing some Hill climbs and sprints.

As far as I can see the simples thing to do is get a road going car that fits either the up to 1.4 class or 2 litter class.

So what car should I opt for. Budget of around £1000 and a year to do it up.

Thoughts so far are

MX5
Ford Fiesta
Ford Ka
MGFT

Any other ideas or advice..

Paul

Mg zr 160 ? Nice and nippy, not to heavy.

What elts is up there in its class ?

[Edited on 5/2/12 by big_wasa]

i still have this for sale pug 205 mi16, link to pictures about 2/3 rds of the way down
linky

or alternattively i have my MGZR 160 on ebay for your budget eBay - The UK's Online Marketplace

[Edited on 5/2/12 by liam.mccaffrey]

One of these;



or get something that can be stripped bare bones and used solely to drive to, compete and drive from hillclimbs. If big enough, it could carry its own tools, spares, slicks, gazebo, lunch and flasks.

I would choose something with as best power : Weight ratio as possible that can be modified, but still driven to and from the event.

[Edited on 5-2-12 by MakeEverything]

Could you get an MX5 in budget, quite a few people sprint those.

There again in our series a chap sprints a Nissan Micra, he has as much fun as anyone else.

Depends a bit if you want be to competitive in class or just enjoy yourself (both is best obviously)

Clio 172 Sport / Cup - 172 BHP and pretty light / nimble.

I did a couple of rounds in one last season

You may get one for around a grand.

Wyn


Martini High Res

Or, for about £1000, you could get;

Mazda RX8
MX5 (as mentioned)
Clio 172 (as mentioned)
Mitsubish FTO
Mitsubishi Colt
Volvo? - (I dont know enough about these, but i understand they can make good power)

All reasonable cars.

Not much time left , how about a metro with a1.8 vvc engine.
Rover Metro 1.8ltr MGF VVC 160 Engine Conversion & Gearbox | eBay

[Edited on 5/2/12 by van cleef]

Peugeot 106 Rallye would be excellent in the 1.4 class, see this one: 1994 PEUGEOT 106 RALLYE MK1 FAST ROAD OR TRACK CAR PROJECT | eBay

quote:

---

Originally posted by van cleef
Not much time left , how about a metro with a1.8 vvc engine.
Rover Metro 1.8ltr MGF VVC 160 Engine Conversion & Gearbox | eBay

[Edited on 5/2/12 by van cleef]

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Limit your choice to a RWD car so when the Terrapin is up and going your driving skills will easily transfer.

Mid engine fiat or toyota?

Cheers!

This:

http://www.uphillracers.com/showthread.php/peugeot-106xsi-sprint-car-sale-5887.html?t=5887

Will need to stretch the budget (i would say you'd have it for £2.5k) but it's ready to go and will be competitive.

[Edited on 5-2-12 by phelpsa]

Another vote for an MX5.

I have yet to meet an MX5 owner, who does not want more power. They are built for "handling", not speed. And they roll all over the place unless you spend a killing on suspension work. I have autoslalomed with LOTS of these guys.

quote:

---

Originally posted by RK
I have yet to meet an MX5 owner, who does not want more power. They are built for "handling", not speed. And they roll all over the place unless you spend a killing on suspension work. I have autoslalomed with LOTS of these guys.

---

have you looked at a mk1 golf

God do they sound good on throttle bodies though my friends RS Azaiwa tuned Eunos:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnkfGSwW3so

Hi

What Phelpsa said re that 106..

Plus these bits might help

The Hillclimb and Sprint Association has an MX5 only class in it's championship, which travels all over the country and is very good indeed.

If looking to compete locally then as suggested above roadgoing saloons up to 1.4 or 2.0 would be the best bet, and a small light hatchback is the tool to do it cheaply - though it's often a better bet buying a prepped car value wise - if you're sure it'll still fit the class regs.

Nottingham Sports Car Club run a very good local championship and their website has a huge amount of information on it for the newcomer.
Also look up the Shenstone car club, who run Curborough track near Lichfield, they run an 'Intro to Sprinting' day every year where you turn up in your road car and get taken through the complete process and have a few goes, plus it's FREE.
This year get yourself along on the 15th April.

HTH.

I used a 1.4 Metro as a sprint hack, after destroying the Westfield (Cadwell). Had to be one of the most fun vehicles I have ever had, certainly the cheapest, on the circuit.
There used to be a picture of it on the Combe website (now long gone) with the inside wheel bouncing over bobbies.

I ended up using it on the road, until the rear transom fell off due to corrosion. The rear arms were also held on by globules of expanding rust, through more rust.... just too far gone for a repair. Surprisng how light the car was when it was weighed in for scrap.

A good car.

for the 1400 RG class, Metro 1400 gti. best PTW ratio I could find, and very cheap.

strip it, and off you go.

Hi

Just been thinking - which is a bit of a worry in itself on a Monday..

The answer to this threads title is..

Whatever You're Driving

Within reason anyway, seen everything from an Astramax to a Volvo 7 series hustled up hills and on sprint courses and of course these venues are the spiritual home of 'locaterfields'..

You know that there's a few of us on here willing to give whatever help and advice is required to get the rest of you out there giving it a go, most of you will have suitable cars and if you're on here the bug has probably already bitten anyway - so get yourselves along to a track and join in it's what our cars are made to do!

an LDV van was once seen at Anglesey too Jim

Ahh yes I remember that, sideways out of the hairpin too!

You coming out to play this year?

no, car still in rebuild although have made good progress on rest of fleet that needed thinning out, 1 left to sell, just needs MOT and then the TVR to refurb and get flogged.
Pile of bits for hillclimber rebuild is actually becoming a hill, almost visible from top of Loton

Catch up with you at Loton 1st round no doubt, check out your latest tweaks

Thanks for all the replies. A lot to think about, but will keep eye open for the right car.

Plan to join the Nottingham sports car club and have a go at their climbs and sprints

http://www.nottinghamsportscarclub.co.uk/

Paul

Notts club put on some good events, seem a friendly bunch too, always a rather eclectic mix of cars too which is nice to see, not a paddock full of 7types or single seaters.

Watch out though, its addictive