Raplacement for my Mini

[Minicross424]

Hello
I have switched from Rallycross to Circuits for 2005 and intend to race my mini at the semsec rounds in the south east sports and saloons.
I am looking to replace the Mini for a more moden car at some point in 2006 or 07.
I think we are allowed up to 2000cc in our class and i would like it to be front wheel drive.
I would like to buy not build a car and was thinking perhaps a clio or something simular.
I guess a current clio from the series would be lots of dosh but what about the cars from the previous era?
Open to suggestions.

[Steve Wilkinson]

The two-litre class can be fraught with some competitors with large bank balances spending disproportionate amounts!
I would suggest for a budget racer either a Peugeot 205 GTi or a VW Golf either of which can be bought relatively cheaply.

[kickstart]

If you are looking for value for money circuit racing with big grids then I would think about Stock Hatch in the 750MC. I think that last years winner raced a Saxo which cannot be too expensive.

[big andy]

why change the mini, ive raced a mini in the nsscc class d uptp 1600cc for the last 2years .a good light mini (550kg) with 120plus bhp still takes some beating ,ive alwayed finished top 3 in class out of a class field of xr2s,205gti,lotus elise,golf gti,metros .have a look here http://www.darlington-motor-club.org.uk/left.htm

[Craig NOVA]

Originally Posted by kickstart

If you are looking for value for money circuit racing with big grids then I would think about Stock Hatch in the 750MC. I think that last years winner raced a Saxo which cannot be too expensive.

Within stock hatch there is also a B class for older cars, (pre 1992) this was won last year by an XR3i

Some people who race in SH do have deeper pockets - which can still make a difference - even with so limited regulations!

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by big andy

why change the mini, ive raced a mini in the nsscc class d uptp 1600cc for the last 2years .a good light mini (550kg) with 120plus bhp still takes some beating ,ive alwayed finished top 3 in class out of a class field of xr2s,205gti,lotus elise,golf gti,metros .have a look here http://www.darlington-motor-club.org.uk/left.htm

I'd second that - there are plenty of Minis that run at the SEMSEC meetings (at least 4 possibly 5 others this year - running in the intermediate saloons I think). The minis may not be the most powerful but at Lydden that doesn't compromise them much - last year one of the Minis had an outright race win (beating sierra cosworths, escorts and a rapid 306 in the process).

It might be worth keeping the Mini and spending the cash on a bit more grunt. I suppose the best answer is to use the Mini this year and then see how it's going - it may be that it's going so well you wouldn't dream of swapping it for anything else!

[R59]

If you want to stick with the Semsec series, or even the BARC SE series, there's always a trusty ol' Nova GTE/GSi. They handle better than most cars in their class, and there are lots of performance parts available for them

I happen to know where there is one that's in Super Road Saloon/Mod Prod spec, with a 180+bhp injected engine, with requires very little work to prep it ready for the season, and is going fairly cheap. PM me if you want more details.

Rob.

[Craig NOVA]

The 750 club have now also opened up HOT hatch to cars that are not hatches - ie coupes and saloons

I believe this has been done to tempt more people away from there stock hatch championship which had 120+ people race in the series last year.

You may even be able to run the mini in HOT HATCH deppending on the mods of course! (cars that competed last year range from suzuki swift/nova/saxo to civic type r and focus st170 there was also bmw mini)

The technical regs are available on the 750 club webiste.
http://www.750mc.co.uk/Racing/regula...ot%20Hatch.pdf

[MightyMiniMan]

TurtyTree's Mighty Mini is for sale...
http://tentenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=65712

[mig]

Do not listen to people who do not race Minis.My mini is a regular at Lyddens SEMSEC events and is a regular class winner.In the last three seasons I have just lost out on the overall championship by a couple of points.The officials and spectators like to see Minis beating bigger cars and you get more coverage because of it.If you want any advice phone me Bill Richards.(01233 624336)