Clarification on championship classes

[AG2728]

Hi

After having attended and enjoyed the introduction to sprinting at Curborough earlier this year, I had decided there and then, to take the plunge and to compete in 2020 either with the L7C or the HSA.

Over the last couple of months, I thought I had done enough research, made the decision to go with the L7C, checked my helmet and safety gear is acceptable, got the relevant licence etc and was convinced I had got all bases covered.

My car is a non-modified, bog standard 420R, which I use for both track days and road use and from reading the 2019 regs, it would appear to have fallen firmly into class 4.

This morning however, I notice the club have now posted the 2020 regs and it seems I am being encouraged to enter either class 5 or 6 (I presume this is due to a potential lack of entries into class 4?). If so, then this is perfectly understandable to me.

As far as I can see, if I were to enter in class 5 instead of 4, the differences are that I would be able to use list 1C tyres and would be competing against bike engined cars and possibly highly modified cars? Is there anything else?

My other confusion/concern is this line within the class 5 regs, which is not mentioned in the class 4 section - 

....."meet the Motorsport UK Specific (S) and Competitors: Safety (K) Regulations for Modified Cars – specialist production."

I've got a blue book headache now and would be grateful if someone with more knowledge could let me know if I've understood everything correctly or missed anything important and in reality, what the difference would be for me to compete in class 5.

Thanks

Andy

 

[Richard Price]

Andy,

The main implication of class 5&6's requirement to:-

....."meet the Motorsport UK Specific (S) and Competitors: Safety (K) Regulations for Modified Cars – specialist production."

is the requirement for the use of a HANS device or similar.

I would enter whatever class your car currently meets. Don't worry about what other competition there is likely to be in whatever class you intend to run in. In your first season, the car is unlikely to be the performance limiting factor......

[TRP]

It boils down to tyres, if your using list 1b tyres your car is perfect for class 4. If you want to run in class 5 you move away from roadgoing regs and will require a HANS device, probably new wheels, tyres that wear out quicker and be useless for anything but sprints/hillclimb. I think it's very disappointing people are being pushed away from class 4 as it is a proper roadgoing production class as would be found at many other events and could be a great class if people embraced the new tyre regs (I say new but they're not anymore). Unfortunately there are too many higher classes and the competition suffers as a consequence.

Tom

[AG2728]

Thanks for the quick reply Richard. Just to clarify, I am not at all concerned about the competition within any given class. I am doing this purely for the enjoyment of doing it.

You do seem to have confirmed my concerns about the the requirement for a HANS device, but as I couldn't find anything outlining a explicit requirement in the 2020 class 5 regs, I was unsure. This would be a complete turn-off for me as I have read about modifications to harness mounting points etc. I have no intention to go 'all out racing car' as I use my car regularly on the road as well. I am even keeping the screen.

I would much prefer to do as you have suggested by "entering whatever class my car currently meets" but with all other potential class 4 entrants reading this part of the regs......

"Whilst entries are accepted into this class, to aid competition we would encourage competitors in this class to consider entering Class 5 or Class 6".

...... I just wonder whether they will move, as suggested to class 5, leaving me in an otherwise empty class.

Andy

[AG2728]

Tom

Exactly my thoughts. Class 4 was always a no-brainer for me until I read the new regs this morning. Seemed a perfect fit for my car in its current roadgoing spec.

Maybe I might have to re-visit the HSA regs as their B2 class seems to suit my car. Its not the end of the world and all that but it just seems strange to me that a marque specific L7 championship looks to be less accommodating for me than the HSA's generic sprint series.

Andy

[Drumster]

Andy,

The only comment I would add is that the HANS is an additional safety device and is nor solely restricted to use in classes 5 and above, you will find plenty of competitors in classes 1-4 that have voluntarily opted for such a device. 

There may be no need to have the harmess mounting points adjusted but you won't know until you try a HANS device, maybe there is another competitor near you who can offer assistance, we're a pretty friendly bunch 

There was a 420R in class 4 last year running on, I believe, ZZS tyres.

The clubs regs often change as a result of accommodating the changes in Motorsport UK regs. My car has been in classes 4,5 and 6 over the last few years, but has been running the exact same spec including tyres. 

Whatever you decide to do beware of the addictive nature of the sport 

[Richard Price]

Andy,

I've only read that that comment after you've highlighted it, and find it a very disappointing inclusion in the regulations!!

I hoped our championship was inclusive, but that comment looks to suggest otherwise! I agree, that comment is more likely to push potential competitors away rather than encourage them :-(

Class 4 has the potential to be a great class as it caters for anyone with a road legal close to factory spec car that exceeds the requirements of classes 1,2 or 3. ( and, as Tom points out, is better aligned with other clubs road going class structure!)

I'm sure you'll find the club speed championship a welcoming place, even if that comment suggests otherwise!

I really hope class 4 is not an empty class!

Even if you are in a class on your own, don't let it put you off. You can always compare your times with folks in other classes! 

[AG2728]

One of the attractions of class 4 for me was that there was no scope to get carried away with upgraditis within the class regs. I have ruined road cars before, by making them too track focused. I can't trust myself in this regard.

Aeroscreens- My car actually came with ZZRs, a 1C tyre and so I bought a set of ZZSs, and did a few trackdays to get used to the 1Bs I thought I would be using.

This is a proper curveball and leaves me with an unexpected and unwanted decision to make just 2 days before the entries open. In hindsight, I should have saved myself a few grand and ordered a 310, as per my initial intentions. Who knew?

Finally, can anyone advise, if I were to enter into class 4, once the entries had been closed and it was indeed the case that I was  the only competitor in this class, would I be able to change classes before the season started?

Andy

[Comp Sec]

Andy, 

There is no issue running in Class 4, however due to the wide scope of cars which can compete within it, it can lead to poor competition, hence the recommendation to try Class 5 or 6 in the long term. 

Class 4 is an unrestricted class, providing you remain on List 1B tyres, where as Class 5, is power limited to 210BHP which fits a 410R perfectly so no need to be concerned over highly modified cars, in fact you can still run on 1B tyres in Class 5.

If this is your first entry into competition then run your car in the class it fits in currently, and as to the potential to move class this can be done at any point.

Many competitors do run HANS within all classes regardless of it only being a recommendation in Class 1-4, and in real terms that is the only difference between running in Class 4 or Class 5 for you.  

Feel free to contact me directly on 07720 405931 or compsec@lotus7.club if you wish to discuss your options.

[Dobson_justin]

Andy, where are you based?  If you have a competitor nearby it is handy to have someone to call on for a bit of advice if you do decide to join the championship.

I my first year (2018), I joined class 4, and didn't worry about who would be in the class with me (I also attended the intro day and decided there and then to join too).  I thought about making changes to my car before the season started, but decided against it, and to get some experience first so I could work out what was right for me, and what impact any changes would have.  So I just showed up to the first event, with my car in road spec more or less, with a petty strut fitted and the windscreen still on.  There is a lot of experience in the paddock, and over the course of the first season I learned a lot, and had a brilliant time. 

There were a few competitors in class 4, but actually my main battle for the year was with Mike Cocker, and that made the year for me, as I had a like minded competitor who I could have close battles with.  As mentioned above, you compare yourself to other classes too, so there is always a competitor around. If you have not competed before, you will also have fellow novices to compete against for your own championship.

I completed my second season this year, and now know a lot more than I did for that first event but am still learning all the time, and am glad I took the plunge.  By the way, I am in class 3 now, and now use a HANS, and in my case, my car did not require adjustment.

[Comp Sec]

The specific regulation in the Blue book for FHR is

S9.2.1.3. An FIA approved FHR device, fitted in accordance with FIA regulations is mandatory for all drivers with the exception of Period Defined Vehicles, Standard Cars (11) and Road Cars (12.).

Our Class 1-4 fit within Section 12 Road Cars, and our Class 5-7 fit within Section 13 Modified Cars.

I've discussed the pro's and con's with Andy, and he does have the extra mounting points fitted already and prefers the 1C tyres so will be running in Class 5.

[TRP]

Aeroscreens- My car actually came with ZZRs, a 1C tyre and so I bought a set of ZZSs, and did a few trackdays to get used to the 1Bs I thought I would be using.

Not all ZZR's are 1C, if they are the original spec tyre they are 1B. You could run in class 5 on them if you wanted but it makes absolutely no sense when you could run in class 4 and be more competitive!

[AG2728]

I have just spoken at length to Chris Bramall and now have a much clearer understanding of how the classes have been structured in light of a new blue book.

I didn't have have issues with HANS per se, it was rather my lack of understanding of "Safety (K) regulations for modified cars".

Chris kindly informed me that being a later car, I should already have the alternative shoulder strap mounting points hidden under the boot cover. I checked and he is correct. I only built the thing this year and hadn't remembered or even noticed this 

Looks like an afternoon moving the harness points today, a trip out for a Simpson Hybrid tomorrow and signing up for class 5 the following day as the entries open.

TRP you are quite correct. I will keep my ZZRs for trackdays as I really rate them when they get some heat into them.

Thanks to everyone for the advice and input. Calm has been restored.