Just a quick question about tyres. What makes are popular for targas? Ive not been to have a look yet just doing homework as to what people use. I work at a main dealer and get them quite cheap. I havent got a car yet but Im helping John Clayton on his sierra with some spanner work and he has offerd the use of a pink maestro and maybe some co driving.
Hamish.
It depends what you want from the event but we often use up stuff from the road car which are still legal but we've replaced, or ones bought from the scrapyard.
What car do you use?
Hi Hamish. I think I met you at the last clubnight with John. I'm organising the first Targa Rally in 2012 at Honington. It is not a "tyre eating" venue and tyres are not going to make a difference to your result on the event - particularly if it is your first event of any sort. Round black legal ones will do. Get out and do one then you will know more for the next one. I'm sure you know the difference between a good tyre and a bad one but I know they make a psychological difference. Post some of the options you are considering on here and you will get a bunch of opinions. If Suze doesn't answer she's got a 1.3 Micra but has also rallied in some Rover 214's and an MX5.
Hi Jim thats right we met at the club night,I think Im getting a little ahead of myself here with tyres. I can probably get some old one from work that would do the job. How far do the cars get scrutineered with regards to tyres,the regs say 1.6mm at time of test but what about sizes/axle config?
John has offered me the use of car in exchange for spanner work,Im having a little resistance from the wife about filling up the garage with a car but hopefully she'l come round,perhaps a bribe might be in order as christmas is coming! So this might be a non start for me anyway....
Hamish.
Maestro is off so looking at getting my own car at some point. What is a cheap car to start in? I work at a mazda/ vxhall dealers so got all info on them but have acess to ford peugeot skoda and renault info. Have been thinking about 106 rallye as cheap tax and insurance and mx5. Wont be for a while yet wanted to see what other people use on a budget?
Hi Hamish. This is a thread that has run a few times on here . .and there will be a dozen opinions. We have a clubnight this Thursday so that's a good place to start.
I could say spend a year going to club events to be sure you know what you want to do before spending ANY money on a dedicated car. If driving on the Sunday March 10th Gymkhana at Honington is Plan A I'd say borrow or use almost any standard car. It will not be a tough event on any car at all - in terms of brakes/bumps/jumps etc and if you could double drive with someone, so that you drive and co drive the same day you'd learn twice as fast.
The ubiquitous popular car in CMC that can do anything is an MG ZR 1.4 105 bhp ( or Rover 214). The 106 Rallye or XSi is almost as good but not necessarily strong enough for full on Endurance Rallies ( marshal on the X Part on Sat 16th Feb to see all the up to 1.4 options) or The Preston. Nova/Corsa Micra Swift etc are options.
As Jim said, you could get 100 answers.... Having run an MX5 it was a tad low for 12 Cars and things. Micras are cheap to run and tax and insure but then so are 214s etc. I only ran / run a Micra and bought my original green one as it was being sold cheaply by someone moving to Spain and they needed a quick sale. However, Matt ran 214s as a considered choice. If you haven't tried the cars you are thinking of it may be a good move - I know Matt found he was a bit tall etc for a 106.
For your first few events any car will do, get a set of scrap yard wheels and tyres and off you go. I ran my road car as compeition car too for years and always made it to work, and only minus a bumper once..... ;)
Re the 106 they are no good for tall people or those with big feet, couldn't manage the pedals when i test drove Jim's 106 so it is worth trying a car before shelling out money.
Owen Turner has just listed a cheap Endurance prepared Rover 200 here:
http://forum.mandh-photography.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=5334
It needs a bit of work, but is even cheaper if you enter the XPart!
Pasted here in case you don't have access:
Rover 200 Endurance Rally Car
We currently have Peter Valentines old Endurance Rover 200. He hasn't used it for a couple of years, so we bought it with a mind to break it for bits. We are, though really busy at present, so, we thought we would offer it for sale as a complete car.
It has no MOT, but it runs well and we did all the usual headgasket bits when Peter built it, albeit in 2006. It has won two Endurance rallies outright (the First Southwest and the Yorkshire endurance Rally)
Gaz Suspension
Rear Safety Devices roll cage
Bucket seats - out of date for Stage rallies, but OK for enduros - 1 Corbeau and 1 Sparco
Superchip
It needs harnesses, lights, a trip and a tank guard (very cheap to make) and it would be ready to start an enduro.
The bonnet was left unfastened and flipped up. The roof has a small dent in and the bonnet is rippled. I will throw in a spare bonnet, but it's unlikely to be the right colour.
There are various wheel and tyres with it, although no Sportways (Colway Road and Rally plus.
This would make a great first enduro/ road rally car for someone who is prepared to do a bit of work.
£750 (or £650 if you have a paid entry on the X-Part)
You can call during work hours (8am - 6pm) on 01727 834004 and we are based in St Albans if you want to come and look at it.
Owen Turner
Thanks for info I think a 106 is prob too small then. The rover sounds a good buy,but I will take Jims advice and come along to some events before I do anything. Thanks for the replys.
Hamish