Hello all,
I came along to a 12-car at the beginning of the year - and then did the navigation (as best I could) for Luis at the Whethersfield Targa - and now have bought a car I can use for rallying! I'm intending to enter the M&H Targa if I can find a nav.
At the moment it's a 100% standard road car - can anyone point me towards the absolute minimum of what I need to do to equip/prepare it. I had a quick look at the Motorsport UK website but didn't find it that easy to find the info I wanted!
Thanks
John
Hi John
The simple answer is - very little. Targas and 12 cars can be done in absolutely stadard road cars. Targas can be a bit hard on tyres, so a spare set from a breaker's would be useful - probably only fronts if it's a front wheel drive car. For 12 cars you will need some lighting for the navigator to read the maps without distracting the driver - most navigators will bring a poti and all you need is somewhere to plug it it - a cigar lighter socket doubler is pretty useful.
Anything else would fit into the 'nice but not essential' category. I would strongly suggest that you register and come along to Go Motorsport East! on 19th October which is designed for people just like you who want to get into grass roots motor sport and there will be lots of people around to answer your questions. Alternatively come along to a club night (3rd Thursday of each month at The General's Arms, Little Baddow).
Cheers
Paul
Hi John, I echo what Paul says. 2nd hand tyre from the scrap yard which you change when you get to the venue. Maybe take some oil and water if needed during the day.
As 12 car. As paul says , lighting for plotting. I have just bought 2 strips of LED about 12 inch long for £10 off the interweb
And put it around the sunvisor. I have also upgraded the main beam just give a little more help to my ageing eyes.
Other than that get out there and play, you will pick up things as you go along
John
Hi John
Good hearing from you and, even more, that you now have a car for these fantastic events. Nothing else to add to what the others said; an extra set of wheels with tyres (they need to be legal at start) for Targas i f you drive to and fro' the venue.
For 12 cars you only need a bit of extra interior lighting, I got a decent but chep LED torch that I cable tied to my roll cage (the latter not a must). I had to add a ciggie lighter to the Mini as mine didn't come with one but most modern cars do. I have spot lights in the Mini because original Mini headlamps are not brilliant but I guess in a more modern car you can do without them for 12 car rallies. Basically you don't need a lot to do these events, that's the greatest thing about them.
Thanks guys, reassuring news. I wasn't sure if there was some basic safety equipment I HAD to carry (I seem to remember that Luis had a spill kit in his car at the Targa?) and whether I needed to carry a warning triangle and visi-vest or anything or that sort?
Hi John
Yes you should carry a spill kit - obtainable online for less than a tenner, and a SOS/OK board, which is displayed if you are stopped on a test. A4 printed SOS in large red letters on one side and OK in large black letters on the other and laminated will make a simple DIY version, although you can buy them.
Cheers
Paul
You will also need to know where your towing eye is and if you car doesn't come with one, you will need to get one.
It needs to be in the car when your on a test, not in service.
Essential equipment if you do break down on a test!