Ross racing this weekend
- Thread starter ross nicol
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Ross Nicol
GT40s Supporter
Thanks Ron I am astonished that I'm the only one racing a GT40 replica and I think that fact will make my car more valuable (well that's what I'll keep telling my wife Cheryl anyway). I was getting to a stage where I was doubting
my driving ability but it turned out to be the car and thank goodness for that as a GT40 should be a good handling car and I was starting to run out of
Ideas for improvement. Observers noticed the difference from outside the car too.Boy it felt fast, very happy with it.
Ross
my driving ability but it turned out to be the car and thank goodness for that as a GT40 should be a good handling car and I was starting to run out of
Ideas for improvement. Observers noticed the difference from outside the car too.Boy it felt fast, very happy with it.
Ross
Pete McCluskey.
Lifetime Supporter
Great Pics Ross, it does look like you have it nicely sorted, so is now the time
for more power?
Since our old mate Flatchat retired (temporarily) you are the only bloke I know of who is actively racing a replica GT in OZ.
for more power?
Since our old mate Flatchat retired (temporarily) you are the only bloke I know of who is actively racing a replica GT in OZ.
Ron and Ross,
There are several people circuit racing serious replica 40s and have been for many years.
Trevor Taylor, Robin Batt, Phil Froud and myself for starters. I,m running the 917 and 40 for Gulf Oil Uk and i know that the others are backed by their own companies and other sources.
You should really know that from the many previous threads on this wonderful site.
Regards,
Graham @ GTA/Gulf Oil UK Racing.
There are several people circuit racing serious replica 40s and have been for many years.
Trevor Taylor, Robin Batt, Phil Froud and myself for starters. I,m running the 917 and 40 for Gulf Oil Uk and i know that the others are backed by their own companies and other sources.
You should really know that from the many previous threads on this wonderful site.
Regards,
Graham @ GTA/Gulf Oil UK Racing.
Ron Earp
Admin
Sorry, didn't mean to step on any toes there about racing GT40s Graham. Let's put it another way, Ross is the only fellow I know racing a GT40 reguarliy who puts race by race updates on the forum thus making awareness of his exploits at the forefront? 
Seriously though, besides OZ and the UK (there was one in SA at one point I heard of) there are few actively racing GT40s wheel to wheel beyond historical cars at very special events. There are zero GT40s racing in the US as far as I know, but there again please bear in mind "as far as I know" clause.
Ross, you are strictly privateer at the moment, correct? That is to say, you own your own company, wear the banner on the car, but you don't have any sponsors besides yourself? IIRCC RF didn't provide support. The grassroots level with you as racer, crew, chief, mechanic, manager, engine builder, and finance person is a lot of work and your efforts have to be commended, good job!
Ron
Seriously though, besides OZ and the UK (there was one in SA at one point I heard of) there are few actively racing GT40s wheel to wheel beyond historical cars at very special events. There are zero GT40s racing in the US as far as I know, but there again please bear in mind "as far as I know" clause.
Ross, you are strictly privateer at the moment, correct? That is to say, you own your own company, wear the banner on the car, but you don't have any sponsors besides yourself? IIRCC RF didn't provide support. The grassroots level with you as racer, crew, chief, mechanic, manager, engine builder, and finance person is a lot of work and your efforts have to be commended, good job!
Ron
Ross Nicol
GT40s Supporter
Hi Graham
Could you clarify something for me. Here in OZ we have several levels of racing. We also have Sprint meetings where eight or so cars are on the track at once aiming individually to set a fast lap time against the clock. Some people call this racing but personally I don't. My definition of racing is where cars compete with each other wheel to wheel over a set number of laps and the race is won by the car that completes these laps in first place.Does my definition fit the racing you guys do in the UK? It seems there are different interpretations of what is racing around the world. You guys need to post pics of yourselves in action. I compete at 6 to 8 race meetings a year with 3 races at each on average that's 18 to 24 races all up per year. To compete at my level you have to pass a very strict medical every year and demonstrate race driving ability, to obtain a license whereas you only need a drivers license plus a little bit of money to compete in a sprint. I don't think hill climbs fits my definition of racing either.
Ross
Could you clarify something for me. Here in OZ we have several levels of racing. We also have Sprint meetings where eight or so cars are on the track at once aiming individually to set a fast lap time against the clock. Some people call this racing but personally I don't. My definition of racing is where cars compete with each other wheel to wheel over a set number of laps and the race is won by the car that completes these laps in first place.Does my definition fit the racing you guys do in the UK? It seems there are different interpretations of what is racing around the world. You guys need to post pics of yourselves in action. I compete at 6 to 8 race meetings a year with 3 races at each on average that's 18 to 24 races all up per year. To compete at my level you have to pass a very strict medical every year and demonstrate race driving ability, to obtain a license whereas you only need a drivers license plus a little bit of money to compete in a sprint. I don't think hill climbs fits my definition of racing either.
Ross
Ross Nicol
GT40s Supporter
Hi Ron
Yes I am a privateer and my company Abbey Sound supports race entry and other bits including lots of my time I deprive it of. I have recieved help from Paul and Owen (Roaring Forties MK2), Alan Knight refinishing, Mr Bolts (Will Croll) and others that have been a great help in this very expensive hobby of mine. So yes it's very much grass roots motor racing and I thoroughly enjoy it as I believe you yourself do. Hopefully graham and the other guys will share their exploits with us to share on this forum.
Ross
Yes I am a privateer and my company Abbey Sound supports race entry and other bits including lots of my time I deprive it of. I have recieved help from Paul and Owen (Roaring Forties MK2), Alan Knight refinishing, Mr Bolts (Will Croll) and others that have been a great help in this very expensive hobby of mine. So yes it's very much grass roots motor racing and I thoroughly enjoy it as I believe you yourself do. Hopefully graham and the other guys will share their exploits with us to share on this forum.
Ross
Ross,
I don't like to appear critical of you because I think it's great that you're out there mixing it up but in my opinion your stated view of what is racing and what isn't is a bit elitist.
There's always going to be someone who sees themselves as higher in the food chain. Just when I was getting to like you, don't go and get all snobby on me.
For my part I have chosen the level of motorsport that I am now happy to compete in based on such things as family commitments, bang for buck and the fact that much racing these days has (in my opinion) degenerated into not much more than dodgem cars. I quite like my cars, have spent a good deal of time and money on them and don't want them damaged by some bozo who doesn't care so much.
I like the friendliness, fun and lack of pressure that events such as hillclimbs simply ooze. I'm in it for the fun, trophies etc are only 5% of it for me.
You may be surprised at how fast some club cars really are.
I consider Super-sprints, Hill-climbs etc to be virtual definitions of grass-roots racing. It's where the young drivers get involved and decide whether to take it further.
Hill-climbs are taken quite seriously in some parts.
Anyway we may all be wrong - I have recently had a conversation with someone who doesn't think that any of the above are "real" racing. He considers "street racing" to be the only real kind. He has done track and got bored apparently.
Tim.
I don't like to appear critical of you because I think it's great that you're out there mixing it up but in my opinion your stated view of what is racing and what isn't is a bit elitist.
There's always going to be someone who sees themselves as higher in the food chain. Just when I was getting to like you, don't go and get all snobby on me.
For my part I have chosen the level of motorsport that I am now happy to compete in based on such things as family commitments, bang for buck and the fact that much racing these days has (in my opinion) degenerated into not much more than dodgem cars. I quite like my cars, have spent a good deal of time and money on them and don't want them damaged by some bozo who doesn't care so much.
I like the friendliness, fun and lack of pressure that events such as hillclimbs simply ooze. I'm in it for the fun, trophies etc are only 5% of it for me.
You may be surprised at how fast some club cars really are.
I consider Super-sprints, Hill-climbs etc to be virtual definitions of grass-roots racing. It's where the young drivers get involved and decide whether to take it further.
Hill-climbs are taken quite seriously in some parts.
Anyway we may all be wrong - I have recently had a conversation with someone who doesn't think that any of the above are "real" racing. He considers "street racing" to be the only real kind. He has done track and got bored apparently.
Tim.
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Ross Nicol
GT40s Supporter
Hi Tim
No don't write me off, I didn't mean to offend. I have done the Rob Roy hill climb and still do sprints which I thoroughly enjoy. The only point I was trying to make is that these events are not wheel to wheel racing and I really would like to know what our friends in the UK do with their cars. I've just been at a meeting tonight where the old eligibility issues came up and it seems nothing ever changes on that one. I've been on the recieving end of biff and barge so I totally go along with you there too. To be honest I'm not the elitist type but I grew up watching Jack Brabam,Jim Clark. Jackie Stewart,etc racing in the Tasman series at Teretonga and I've loved it ever since.I see Hill climbs and sprint meetings as competitive events but not racing as in the traditional sense. By the way I will be putting on another 1/2 degree neg camber on the rear wheels of the 40 which is close to your setup at 3.25 if I remember correctly. I've just had a thought that an elitist is close to a smart arse and that is definately not me. Hope I've cleared that up Tim.
Ross
No don't write me off, I didn't mean to offend. I have done the Rob Roy hill climb and still do sprints which I thoroughly enjoy. The only point I was trying to make is that these events are not wheel to wheel racing and I really would like to know what our friends in the UK do with their cars. I've just been at a meeting tonight where the old eligibility issues came up and it seems nothing ever changes on that one. I've been on the recieving end of biff and barge so I totally go along with you there too. To be honest I'm not the elitist type but I grew up watching Jack Brabam,Jim Clark. Jackie Stewart,etc racing in the Tasman series at Teretonga and I've loved it ever since.I see Hill climbs and sprint meetings as competitive events but not racing as in the traditional sense. By the way I will be putting on another 1/2 degree neg camber on the rear wheels of the 40 which is close to your setup at 3.25 if I remember correctly. I've just had a thought that an elitist is close to a smart arse and that is definately not me. Hope I've cleared that up Tim.
Ross
Ron Earp
Admin
There are differences in what racing is called from country to country.
When Malcolm and the boys came over for the first time to the US to race the 13hr VIR Enduro I knew they'd all been doing sprint races in the UK. To me in the US, a sprint race is what I run on some SCCA weekends - it is short, 25 mins hence the use of the word sprint, but it is wheel to wheel racing and quite hard since the time is so short. Therefore, I incorrectly figured that they were racing the same thing I was, but doing it in the UK.
UK sprint races are called SCCA Solo here in the US, that is, where you go out in your car by yourself on track and turn the best laps you can. Laps are then compared for the winner. It isn't wheel to wheel and thus allows some folks who don't like that sort of thing time on track.
Hillclimbs, as near as I can tell, are basically the same all over the world.
When Malcolm and the boys came over for the first time to the US to race the 13hr VIR Enduro I knew they'd all been doing sprint races in the UK. To me in the US, a sprint race is what I run on some SCCA weekends - it is short, 25 mins hence the use of the word sprint, but it is wheel to wheel racing and quite hard since the time is so short. Therefore, I incorrectly figured that they were racing the same thing I was, but doing it in the UK.
UK sprint races are called SCCA Solo here in the US, that is, where you go out in your car by yourself on track and turn the best laps you can. Laps are then compared for the winner. It isn't wheel to wheel and thus allows some folks who don't like that sort of thing time on track.
Hillclimbs, as near as I can tell, are basically the same all over the world.
No worries Ross.
Talking about real racing, I don't suppose you saw Late Night Legends tonight did you? Open Sports cars - Matich, Amon etc; Elfin, Matich, Ferrari ... Fantastic!
Yep 3.25 on the rear. I've done some more revision of the steering and front geometry and the car is starting to work pretty well now. The formerly rather dead and heavy steering has come alive and is much lighter, who knows, I may just take it to the track next year after all.
Tim.
Talking about real racing, I don't suppose you saw Late Night Legends tonight did you? Open Sports cars - Matich, Amon etc; Elfin, Matich, Ferrari ... Fantastic!
Yep 3.25 on the rear. I've done some more revision of the steering and front geometry and the car is starting to work pretty well now. The formerly rather dead and heavy steering has come alive and is much lighter, who knows, I may just take it to the track next year after all.
Tim.
I'll go with Ross on this one. The difference between 'racing' and competing is like night and day.
There is nothing to match the adrenalin buzz you get when there are two drivers fighting for supremacy on the same piece of track at the same time particularly in evenly matched cars. Poking your nose under someone elses exhaust to get a tow, judging the slingshot past then hopefully taking the line into the corner and then actually getting round it because you're probably slightly off line going in. Then you've got to stay in front of the guy behind who has the luxury of choosing the better line. Then you have to fend off his attacks! That's racing! And you don't have to bend panels to "race".
Also note there are some guys who "compete" in races but they don't actually "race"! They back out of wheel to wheel situations! Beating these guys does not give the same sense of achievement or satisfaction.
Some people hold the view that "real" racecars don't have doors, and that "real" racing is only done in "real" racecars. Not sure where I stand on that one, but I'd sure love to have a go in a F5000!
Just my two cents.
Cheers
There is nothing to match the adrenalin buzz you get when there are two drivers fighting for supremacy on the same piece of track at the same time particularly in evenly matched cars. Poking your nose under someone elses exhaust to get a tow, judging the slingshot past then hopefully taking the line into the corner and then actually getting round it because you're probably slightly off line going in. Then you've got to stay in front of the guy behind who has the luxury of choosing the better line. Then you have to fend off his attacks! That's racing! And you don't have to bend panels to "race".
Also note there are some guys who "compete" in races but they don't actually "race"! They back out of wheel to wheel situations! Beating these guys does not give the same sense of achievement or satisfaction.
Some people hold the view that "real" racecars don't have doors, and that "real" racing is only done in "real" racecars. Not sure where I stand on that one, but I'd sure love to have a go in a F5000!
Just my two cents.
Cheers
As someone who has done sprints and hill climbs in the UK plus wheel to wheel in the UK and US (more than in the UK), I can confirm there are big differences in the two branches of motorsport. If you go back a little in time you will see that serious names used to do hill climbs. In the UK a sprint is a hill climb without the hill, normally a circuit or airfield (where a lot of circuits in the UK originated from).
The names that Graham mentioned do wheel to wheel racing in their GTD's (Robin also does/did hill climbing and sprinting) so I guess teh answer to Ross's question is both forms of competition are done here in UK. You are not alone in the world! In fact there was a GTD racing in Greece for a while but that car got sold and is back in the UK now.
I have undertaken spirnts and hill climbs for coming up 15 years, maybe a couple of hundred runs or so, wouldn't know not kept a record. I have only 10 or so hours of actual race time under my belt, all in the last two years.
They are differnet disciplines and give slightly differnt thrills. Wheel to wheel is big adrenaline and there a third party who is not under your control. Up teh hills it is only down to you as the driver to set teh fastest time you can. On teh first go. No repeat laps to perfect a launch or line of a corner. It is quite pure in that regard. All important in wheel to wheel but if you don't make tehmove this lap you may get a chance next lap.
You often hear professional race drivers say they leave the hill climbing and sprinting to the specialists. And that is what it is, a specialism of motorsport just like drag racing or autotests.
If you were to compete in a hill climb, Ross, lets say Wiscombe Park and you wished to beat the other guys, I think it may open your eyes! And to the hill climbers and sprinters out there, now I have done wheel to wheel racing, you got to try it as it is great.
As to risk levels, well I feel safer in any form of motorsport than I do driving on the road in the south east of England as I may meet a guy coming towards me who drives just like me! Get me out of here!
The names that Graham mentioned do wheel to wheel racing in their GTD's (Robin also does/did hill climbing and sprinting) so I guess teh answer to Ross's question is both forms of competition are done here in UK. You are not alone in the world! In fact there was a GTD racing in Greece for a while but that car got sold and is back in the UK now.
I have undertaken spirnts and hill climbs for coming up 15 years, maybe a couple of hundred runs or so, wouldn't know not kept a record. I have only 10 or so hours of actual race time under my belt, all in the last two years.
They are differnet disciplines and give slightly differnt thrills. Wheel to wheel is big adrenaline and there a third party who is not under your control. Up teh hills it is only down to you as the driver to set teh fastest time you can. On teh first go. No repeat laps to perfect a launch or line of a corner. It is quite pure in that regard. All important in wheel to wheel but if you don't make tehmove this lap you may get a chance next lap.
You often hear professional race drivers say they leave the hill climbing and sprinting to the specialists. And that is what it is, a specialism of motorsport just like drag racing or autotests.
If you were to compete in a hill climb, Ross, lets say Wiscombe Park and you wished to beat the other guys, I think it may open your eyes! And to the hill climbers and sprinters out there, now I have done wheel to wheel racing, you got to try it as it is great.
As to risk levels, well I feel safer in any form of motorsport than I do driving on the road in the south east of England as I may meet a guy coming towards me who drives just like me! Get me out of here!
Ron Earp
Admin
In reference to Ross, Malcolm, and the others, are they wheel to wheel or are they what I would call solo events where one guy races against the clock, and then another has a go?91740Gt said:
To be fair I was only thinking wheel to wheel when I wrote what I did, but that isn't to diminish any of the forms of racing - all are hard and have their followers and experts. I like drag racing too, but I think most people sort of look at that as some low-brow redneck stuff, but, it isn't as easy as it seems. And that is okay, my neck is red and I'm proud of it!
R
