Autograss Motor Racing Own/Drive a Race Car for 500!

How to get into Autograss the quick and easy way - OR - How to be a race car driver for 500! OK, I'm going to be simplistic in this guide, as I was when building my first Autograss car and it went VERY well! Yes 500 is all it took to get me and my car on the track - and a willing mate with a trailer! OK so I had some tools and a trailer and tow vehicle at my disposal already but that 500 included my race license, overalls and helmet, the original car (running well and with 20 of fuel in it!), metal for roll cage, 2nd hand seat and other parts and arguably my first entry fee! Me and my mate (The one with the trailer) were totally hooked the first time we stumbled on this Club Motor Sport and were welcomed with open arms by Club Members. This is IMHO the best kept secret of UK Motor Sport as it is SO easy to get into and does not (But can if you want) cost the earth to participate in. All you need is some automotive knowledge and a chronic need for speed to get on in Autograss! Attend your local club for a while to see what it is about (You can enter the pits at lunch time to get a close look at all the cars) - it takes a while for it all to sink in but not long and you will see how following my guide will help you enter this excellent family pastime with all guns blazing! First - Visit your local Autograss Club (Search Google for 'Autograss Clubs' and have a good look). You will find that spectating or volunteering is extremely fulfilling and a great way to get into the Club and get some kudos - Club members will usually help you in any way they can but more so if you attend working parties or do some Marshalling once you've learned the ropes (Avoid getting stuck with gate duty unless they have a rota set up or you'll be lumbered! lol). Next - Stop dreaming about Class7's and Specials, they are for later - Concentrate on Stockhatch 1600! Classes one and two are appealing for first-timers but rules can be enforced strictly and life can be hard until you are well versed. If the Club you attend do not run Stockhatch 1600 for any reason Ask Why! Then go for Class 6 as it is basically the same as Stockhatch but with bigger engines and fewer restrictions. Get a copy of the Class 6 rules from your club and a FREE copy of Stockhatch 1600 rules from the internet (They are in addition to class 6 rules so study carefully). Seriously - A Class 6 car that is eligible for Stockhatch will serve you well - I've seen a Stockhatch Nova win consistently against 2 litre turbo Class 6's and they are MUCH easier to build! Then - Get yourself a 1600cc 8 valve hatchback for 20-100. In my opinion the Fiesta XR2 is absolutely the best for a first car - they are still available for peanuts, aswell as spare engines and are tougher than the Mk3 XR2i. Without a doubt, the Vauxhall Nova GTE is at the top of the list of Stockhatch performers but they are certainly thin on the ground these days. Also the Peugeot 205 1.6 Gti is a nice fast car but again, a bit thin on the ground and harder to get them to go right for racing. Now - Consider what needs to be done to the car 1) STRIP as much of the cars parts as you possibly can - Throw the parts DIRECTLY into the back of a road car or van and take to dump ASAP (If you let anything touch the floor, it will inevitably stay there and get in the way for who-knows how long!). If you are a proficient ebayer, you will know the kind of parts that are worth selling but don't be precious - you have been warned! Read the rules thoroughly and take example from existing race cars to see what is expected/necessary at your particular club. 2) Fit the following with due regard to regulations: Roll-cage, fuel tank, battery box, battery isolator, windscreen mesh, Car identification, fire extinguisher (Check rules for what is required), racing seat and harness, Head-rest pad, Tyres (I'd recommend Colway CNK1, Maxsport RB1 or Hakka as inexpensive tyres for Autograss). Take advice from Club Members on all the above points and do things that have been done before - there is nothing worse than being failed by scrutineers for some new idea you had that isn't right for the sport. **Some clubs insist on a plate attached to the bulkhead between driver and flywheel to avoid catastrophic flywheel detatchment which is VERY rare but has happened and caused injury - If the club ask you to do it, DO, regardless of what other racers say - it is for your protection.In addition you will need: 1) Race suit - can be simple overalls as long as they are comfortable. 2) Race license - 40 (at time of writing) from your club. 3) Helmet - no specific requirements except must have either visor or goggles. 4) Fuel - Shell V-Power is 99 Octane - more powerful and better for your engine. 5) The means to get to the track - Trailer and tow vehicle. 6) Tools to fix inevitable damage and parts failure. 7) A few quid for track entry fee and signing on for races - around a tenner or less per meetingPITFALLS to avoid: - Don't bother re-spraying your first car in the colour you absolutely MUST have - it will get scrubbed plenty! Then you can touch up and decide on a cool colour scheme later. - Don't buy any part or equipment until you know you need it - A fuel cut-off tap, for example, is not required (and in fact not allowed!) - Don't buy expensive wheels - 13's and 14's are most common and 15 inch is the probably the biggest you'll ever need. - There is no need for a rebuilt engine in Stockhatch until you have learned the ropes - just start with a car that runs OK and give the engine a service (Plugs, leads (if necessary), oil and filters (Inc new fuel filter), - There is also no need for a big exhaust - car manufacturers spent fortunes on tuning their exhausts for maximum torque which is what you need in Autograss! It IS lots of fun to make noise, we know that but not needed to start with and not necessarily faster or more powerful.ABOVE ALL: - Take advice from experienced club members (Not only racers, but those volunteers who make the club tick who will be very happy to see successful new members) - Do what has been done before - racing experience, not new ideas wins races. - LAUGH RIOTOUSLY AFTER YOUR FIRST RACE! - Favourites my ebay shop and ask me ANYTHING YOU LIKE ABOUT AUTOGRASS and I'll do my best to help!Thanks for reading,Tom C602E gr7AutoHobbies:)