Best car to start Hill climbing and sprinting

[Richard Houlgate]

A friend and I are thinking of buying a car together to do some hill climbs and sprints. We are both in our 50s and have no previous experience. (Although I have considerable VSCC trials experience)
We were thinking of a Caterham 7 or a Westfield as we would also be able to use it on the road to gain driving experience.
Is this the best way to go?
If so what are the relevant merits of Caterham vs Westfield?
Or what else does any one suggest?

Thanks

Richard

[ss_collins]

do a couple of event in your usual road car whatever it is... chat to the competitors and see what they say - you bound to see examples of both cars at any event.

[Richard Houlgate]

I wouldn't dare! It's a (most unreliable) Nissan primera!

[ss_collins]

That perfect - do an aifield sprint and get a feel for the style of the events

[Stuart Hill]

Originally posted by Richard Houlgate
A friend and I are thinking of buying a car together to do some hill climbs and sprints. We are both in our 50s and have no previous experience. (Although I have considerable VSCC trials experience)
We were thinking of a Caterham 7 or a Westfield as we would also be able to use it on the road to gain driving experience.
Is this the best way to go?
If so what are the relevant merits of Caterham vs Westfield?
Or what else does any one suggest?

Thanks

Richard

just turn-up (to spectate or even marshal) at Loton as it's the nearest to you and ask !!! see what others are driving and in what classes. ALL the drivers are approachable and all started somewhere.

if you want an idea of the types of vehicles used then view the full results from last weekends meeting.

Loton Results

[kickstart]

I think that you are definately on the right track with a Caterham/Westie 7. They are fun to drive and are very versatile and if you decided to go racing then there are a huge number of championships open for you. As to the difference between Caterhams and Westie, personally I prefer Caterhams as my impression is that they are a little better built.
There are lots of roadsports spec Caterhams for sale, which are a good car.
Have fun

[james_williams]

I agree with everyones comments here. Go to a few meetings to get a feel for it and if you do get a chance, do have a go at marshaling. Its great fun and you can get to talk to people who have been doing it for years.
A roadgoing Caterham/Westfield would be an ideal start...

[Richard Houlgate]

Thanks for your guidance. Yes I've questioned some of the drivers at Loton and they are all very helpful. I've also marshalled at the VSCC meetings so have some idea of what goes on.
My local rolling road expert Simon Price tells me to buy a Westfield, he says that they are much cheaper and the only downside is that they don't handle quite so well. Any comments? Where's the best place to start looking?

[Dan Friel]

Richard,

Westfields will be considerably cheaper than Caterhams, although there are plenty of other good kit car options (Sylvas etc). Perhaps check out one of the Kit car magazines to see what’s available??

Obvious thing is to decide which series to enter, check out the links through www.ukmotorsport.com and get to the ‘hillclimbing’ section. There are numerous series – Midland championship seems to have plenty of competitors and has an informative web page. Think living where you do, the options should be plentiful! I also believe that there are dedicated Westfield and Caterham championships. You might find that modifications / engine size of the car you’re thinking of buying could put you in a rather quick class!

There are also MG (www.mgcars.org.uk and follow the motorsport link) and TR champsionships if you wnat to run an older car

Spend some decent time doing some research.

[kickstart]

Richard, there is a couple of cars advertised on www.barc.net and try www.racecarsdirect.com

Have fun
Kickstart

[Chris Roden]

Richard
Rearrange these words....

water out soap mouth your wash and with

Seriously though, good luck with your quest.
If it is of any interest I have a spaceframed plastic bodied Mk1 Escort special saloon in need of a bit of work?


Chris Roden

[Richard Houlgate]

Chris
My friend is not keen on old cars; equally I want to try and get something that doesn't require the same amount of work to keep going as my trial Austin 7 (can you believe the bolts holding the diff together came loose? And the engine came loose on the last trial!). So kind of you to offer the Escort but I don't have the time.
Judging by the paddock at the last hill climb at Loton Park a lot of VSCC members play truant too!

[graeme]

Have a look at the classes before you buy. Certainly nothing wrong with a Seven, but my 1600cc Caterham is very uncompetitive in the standard "under 1700cc kit car" class. You really need 150bhp+ for this type of class (but if you are after a Caterham, the Lotus 7 Club speed series is very good - I won class 1 last year, though it was very competitive - http://www.lotus7club.co.uk/ck/2004resultspage.htm)

But the classes I'm always eying up are the un-modified road-going ones. Under 1300cc, a bog standard Mini seem to be the car to have. Less clear cut in the bigger engined classes, but looks good fun throwing a bog-standard road-car up Loton!

As everyone else said, go along to a meeting, have a look around and talk to lots of competitors (there's a lot of standing around in hillclimbing, so they are usually willing to chat!).