Hillclimb advice
Turbo Mini Forums

I am planning to run the mini on a couple of the remaining local hillclimbs and sprints mainly to gain some experience and have some fun with the old man as second driver.

We have applied for registration with the local motor club and the MSA nat B licence. as i understand it this is all you need to apply for the events.

I havent got any detailed info on how to determine the correct class. Im thinking C2 because it is modified from the standard production car it was and the capacity increase from the turbocharger.

Has anyone got any tips on how to prepare the car, things the scrutineers like/dont like to see?

cheers

The problem is that a1275 mini with a turbo doesn't really fit into any calss. the rules state that you car must remain in the capacity classit was produced in. so upto 1400cc in the case of a mini. You may be able to argue that the ERA as the class above, but it won't be easy.

The turbo is a 1.4 multiplier, so a 1275 with a turbo will be 1785cc equivalent.

Scutineering wise, as long as you car is not a piece of shit, it shouldn't be a worry. It's pretty easy to comply with the blue book.

Fastest 998 mini in the world? 13.05 1/4 mile 106mph

Thanks Wil, my blue book hasnt arrived yet i will give it a good read next week.

So the turbo capacity penalty takes it over the 1400cc making it illegible for the production classes?

Im not too worried what class i end up in as i will be racing against the old man really.

You are correct as the mini was never made over 1400cc it can't compete in the 1400 to 2000 class, which is a shame.

With this engine you will be forced into sports libra, I would think. This is a problem as the safety rules are much stricter, as you will see when you get your blue book. You may be able to argue the ERA turbo and get in a limited production class, which would be best.

http://www.twin-turbo.co.uk
http://www.hillclimbandsprint.co.uk/default.asp

A man without a project is like a like a woman without a shopping list.

A question out of interest for Wil or Ben, are you allowed re-bores on your 998 turbos? As it would go over the capacity limit marginally.

I'm starting a campaign to get DVLA 'Historic Vehicles' [ ie pre '73] exempted from this ridiculous rule regarding 'must compete in the capacity class it was produced in '

Am getting my local motor club committee involved [5 of who hillclimb classic cars]
and then try and take it to the HSA committee
if there's enough/any support present it to the MSA speed committee

Any thoughts/ support amongst you Mini hillclimbers

Edited by carl talbot on 10th Jul, 2011.

Is this the ex Andy Bradley car? If so it was v fast in its day and may still be now?

On 5th Sep, 2011 Vegard said:
I stand corrected. You should know

Edited by novarally on 10th Jul, 2011.

I was thinking this. The Nova GTE was 1598cc or something similar was it not?

I went to the hillclimb today and met some really nice people, none of the mini boys have ever heard of a mini with a turbo fitted :)

The scrutineers had all left early and nobody had any information on the capacity going over 1400

You can race a metro turbo in the upto 2000cc class as it was made as a 1275 turbo. As has already been stated the nova can run in the up to 2000cc class as it was produced with an engine above 1400cc.

As far as I know we are the only 998cc turbo mini on the hills so if you don't compete at the events we do then you would not have heard of us.

I actually am a member of the Hillclimb abd Sprint Sub committee for the MSA. I can see where you are comming from with the engine capacity rules, but these are long established rules. As has been said many times before, don't build a car and then try to race it in a class, first read the rules and then build a car to the class.

http://www.twin-turbo.co.uk
http://www.hillclimbandsprint.co.uk/default.asp

A man without a project is like a like a woman without a shopping list.

Thanks Ben I accept the rules are there for a reason and its my fault the car was not built with the intentions to race.

I have decided to change to small bore with the current turbo gear to make things easier and just get some track time. Then build something a bit more competitive for next year.

Just for the argument the metro turbo can run in the upto 2000 can a NA metro with a turbo fitted do the same. If so wouldn't it be the same for the ERA and a originally NA mini?

http://www.twin-turbo.co.uk
http://www.hillclimbandsprint.co.uk/default.asp

A man without a project is like a like a woman without a shopping list.

[/quote]

In many of the events we go to we beat the upto 2000cc cars in the 998 turbo, so I think a 1400cc turbo nova or mini would be competitive. One of the fastest upto 2000cc cars I have seen is a R5GT Turbo.[/quote]

You're right Ben, I've seen a very quick R5GTT at Gurston previously.

I see on your website there's a photo of you at Gurston, what times have you managed there with the 998 Turbo?

We've not been there with the current spec car, which was 1.5 seconds quicker than the old car at Harewood (and would have gone quicker still if it hadn't broken!).

Best time at Gurston was 37.48 in 2008 with 130 bhp, we have a lot more than that now AND propper tyres!!

Fastest 998 mini in the world? 13.05 1/4 mile 106mph