Autotest

[Bispers]

Bispers, if you could that would be much appreciated.

In the mean time I will be turning up at Blackburn to see whats what, don't know what time at the moment but anybody else fancy a look?

No Westy as will be dropping of the wifes sisters at Preston train station. Will be in Grey CRV, if anybody sees me introduce yourself.

Just reading the regs and not sure if the R1R's are allowed but still have my old set of tyres which I will have to check if allowed.

Terry

AutoSolo is an entry level discipline and so cars are not allowed to run on List 1B Tyres. The principle is to run on roadgoing non-exotic rubber.

2014 Blue Book listing available here under Section L, pages 190-200:

http://www.msauk.org/site/cms/contentviewarticle.asp?article=1176

R1R is a List 1B tyre, so please check your old ones for suitability.

[Mid life crisis]

AutoSolo is an entry level discipline and so cars are not allowed to run on List 1B Tyres. The principle is to run on roadgoing non-exotic rubber.

2014 Blue Book listing available here under Section L, pages 190-200:

http://www.msauk.org/site/cms/contentviewarticle.asp?article=1176

R1R is a List 1B tyre, so please check your old ones for suitability.

Ha Ha, there used to be a speed series class like that once :laugh:

[alexander72]

Morning Terry,

 

We havent met but we are WSCC brethren with a love of the small expensive cars we drive. I have been exactly where you are now!!

 

I'm also a landowner with teenage and adult sons who have a passion for moto-x and all things petrol related.  I am therefore used to managing nuisance and noise issues keeping my own kids in check. 

 

Your intention to practise on private land is absolutely fine as long as you have permission and dont cause a nuisance in terms of noise, damage or lack of amenity to third parties.  If you can find some private land and get permission to practice auto solo type car control have a great time.

 

I used to do sporting trials in a special and practiced all over the place on road margins, railway embankments, waste land around the midlands with, and without permission, but this was in the 80's and 90's - civil law and particularly the ASBO act wasnt even thought about.  I thought my practice was beneficial but when I actually went to an event a gentleman pointed out my errors within the first few sections.  I immediately realised I had been practising the wrong technicques for my car AND the surface (mud).

 

I'm rambling - sorry.

 

What I would say is that you need not be worried about going to an organised event with other participants - they are all exactly the same as us and we all start somewhere.  I would confidently say, that at any autosolo or auto test if you make yourself known at sign on in the morning that it's your first event you will be breifed with the other novices.  Extra time, understanding and guidance will be afforded to you as you do the tests.  What will also happen is that other drivers with experience will help you improve much quicker, and in the right way, by sharing their experience with you.  This has been my experience in BTRDA events, WSCC Speed Series, and all events this year. 

 

Finally, and not because I am a harbinger of doom and the worst case scenario, but because I am a former liability underwriter looking at risk and catastrophic losses in terms of loss of life or disability I will point out two scenarios:

 

A) you find a bit of land and get permission to go and practice, with landowners consent.  Hooning around you loose a tyre and the rim digs in tipping the car over.  .  your car spins and you go over with it, ending up with a broken right arm.  Sadly, as your arm breaks you get shard of bone that sever your brachial artery.  about 2 minutes later you have bled to death and the landowner has lot of forms to fill in.

 

B) You go to an organised MSA/BTRDA event. pay your £30 quid and HAVE THE SAME accident but this time , there is first aid and marshalls with ambulance, recovery gear and oxygen. They recover you and an air ambulance is on its way before youve even stopped moving.  You get to drive again and the organisers have loads of forms to fill in.  Its a drama but not a crisis....

 

Obviously the chances of this happening but i know what I would prefer :-). 

 

I encourage your wish to test the limits of your car - i feel the same - but would implore you to have a go as suggested by Bispers and others above.  Everyone I have met at organised events are positive, encouraging and supportive.

 

All the best

 

James

[alexander72]

sorry Terry - only just saw the updated posts from Bispers and MLC - Have a cracking time mate   :yes:  

[Nick Algar - Competition Secretary]

Very good advice James and you paint the two different pictures very well. Outlining the case for joining an organised event, rather than just playing by yourself.

[Bispers]

I have now added information for NW events on a new post.

http://forum.wscc.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic/105631-autosolo-in-the-north-west/

Please contact me if you have interest in getting involved in other Regions.

James has captured the atmosphere of a typical event very well and I endorse the friendliness and help you can expect. Because Drivers compete in Groups there's plenty of time to talk to Competitors about the events too, so do pop-along to Blackburn this weekend if you have a chance.

[Mid life crisis]

Shall we book the Volvo & CRV in LOL

 

Do you know what time you will be attending?

 

I don't at the moment but will post Saturday when I know,

 

Terry

SWMBO has the Mayor and a press guy to officaly open her new icream parlour in Rammy on Sunday.

 

Will need to check on what time the muppetry starts and fit around it.

 

Will let you know Terry.

[Onliest Smeg David]

SWMBO has the Mayor and a press guy to officaly open her new icream parlour in Rammy on Sunday.

 

Will need to check on what time the muppetry starts and fit around it.

 

Will let you know Terry.

Steve - I may be able to join you 

[Mid life crisis]

Look forward to it Smeg

 

Is that with the Mayor or the Autosolo Smeg

 

:d :d

[Onliest Smeg David]

Look forward to it Smeg

 

Is that with the Mayor or the Autosolo Smeg

 

:d :d

Either, just let me know timings and I'll apply for a pass with SWMBO!

[dhutch]

There will be Autotests and/or AutoSolo events that you can do without needing an MSA licence, just a Club membership.

I was going to say exactly that, the BTRDA Newcomers Autosolo Series in fact has the requirement that you DONT hold a licence.

My local club runs evening events in summer and winter, £15 for the summer events, £20 for the winter events including a pub meal to follow. Club membership is £35 for the year and includes your first event.

Its a bit of a odd crowd at times, but very friendly and welcoming, supporting of people joining and learning on the job.

Autosolo = Forwards only Autotest

Scott, I have not given anybody the idea that I was going to do something illegal, only you have mentioned this. Private land with no houses around so won't make a noise problem. How is that illegal?

Because as said, sadly, nobody who owns land like this (certainly not tarmac land) is going to allow it to happen, at which point your doing it without permission within is illegal.

Daniel

[dhutch]

 

.. cars are not allowed to run on List 1B Tyres. The principle is to run on roadgoing non-exotic rubber.

2014 Blue Book listing available here under Section L, pages 190-200:

http://www.msauk.org/site/cms/contentviewarticle.asp?article=1176

R1R is a List 1B tyre, so please check your old ones for suitability.

 

Always thought this was a bit of a shame, as while I see why its there, and makes perfect sense for road cars it can add cost for kitcar/sportscar wanting to have a go.

That said, local club events often don't have this rule and if they will almost certainly be flexible in terms of allowing you to run your first event or so on the tyres you currently have, after which if you get serious about it I bought a set of 13" yokohama A529's for under £200 fitted and balanced which even if you add another £50 for a set of ford alloys to go with, is a manageable expense for if you get into it and start doing it once/twice a month.

Daniel

[Mid life crisis]

Either, just let me know timings and I'll apply for a pass with SWMBO!

I think Jame's mate with the black westy will be joining us.

 

 

Down side is James is 21 this month and is making noises in the direction of westy insurance   suppose it won't be a bad way to introduce him to motorsport in HIS Punto :laugh:

[Terryathome]

Everybody, hoping to be Blackburn services around 11am for about an hour, so see you there.

 

Bump! Still want to know if there is anywhere in the world where I can muck about on a bit of tarmac. (without any links to the WSCC before anybody starts)

 

Terry

[alexander72]

Terry, Ive got a field you can use mate - i practice in it all the time for oversteer on my sprint tyres. :-)