Reverse needed?

[samcooke]

If, say, I was thinking of doing a SS event next year, would I need a reverse gear?

I seem to have everything else listed in the beginners guide.

<- That's my car. Is there a special class for really light blue cars or non-Westies? I can't seem to see owt about classes on here.

[Asterix]

if all you wanted to do was compete and it didn't matter was class you were in, then you can enter without a reverse gear (not sure about the car, though I'm sure I've seen escorts and strykers around   )

[Terry Everall]

Read the blue book and it probably says you Do need a reverse

[V 8]

Hi Sam, to enter the SS you will be in class J (I assume the car is the one in your avatar) You won't need reverse. The class you get put in on the day will depend on the individual event.

HTH

JT

[John Loudon - Sponsorship Liaison]

The blue book states that a reverse mechanism must be fitted. It is not always checked for but it is specified.

John

[V 8]

The blue book states that a reverse mechanism must be fitted. It is not always checked for but it is specified.

John

For what class?

[samcooke]

In my 2004 book, specific regs for sprints, hillclimbs and drag racing, it says :

10.8.1 – Roadgoing production, roadgoing specialist production, modified production = Yes.

10.8.2 – Hill climb super sports, sports libre and racing cars = No.

Which would I be and is that still current?

[adhawkins]

You'd be in the former I suspect, despite being in Class J of the Speed Series. However, the Speed Series regs may specifically allow you to run in 'J' without a reverse.

The 2006 regs said:

All cars in Classes E & F shall have a fitted and operable by the driver whilst seated in the vehicle, a reverse gear / drive system. Eligibility of cars in all classes may be verified by the Series organisers.

and

Class J will be an open class for non-kit car or specialist and single-seater vehicles upon the invitation of WSCC Speed Series organisers. All rules and conditions contained within these Regulations will be applied

I think the safest option is to fire an e-mail off to the SSOT (competition@wscc.co.uk) and ask them.

If you want a copy of the 2006 regs, just drop me an e-mail and I'll send a copy through. They won't necessarily apply to 2007, but will give you a general feel for what goes into them.

Andy

[V 8]

Andy, you are right on the money m8.

John & Terry, I assume that Sam is a newbie and as such, let's answer the question he asked in the first place, before he rushes out to buy a reverse box without necessary cause.

If, say, I was thinking of doing a SS event next year, would I need a reverse gear?

No you won't.

Is there a special class for really light blue cars or non-Westies? I can't seem to see owt about classes on here.

You will run in class J because you aren't a Westfield. In class J you do not need a reverse box.

The organising club on the day will have their own regs which you will need to read and interpret yourself, but as a rule of thumb, and according to the blue book, you will not be allowed to run in roadgoing or modified production, without a reverse box, but you will be allowed to run in Sports libre.

As John says, checks are mostly not made, however, a fellow competitor may make an objection if he is aware of it (as we all are now!!!!)

Unless you really want to run in roadgoing, you will always get an entry under sports libre. If you are running road tyres, however, don't expect to win.

If you are just doing it for the craic and the cameraderie, you have come to the right place. Just have a good time and compete against yourself. Even if you are not in the same class, you will still be able to give the comparible westie drivers some earache if you're beating them.

Look forward to seeing you next year m8

JT

[samcooke]

QUOTE

I assume that Sam is a newbie

QUOTE

you will always get an entry under sports libre. If you are running road tyres, however, don't expect to win.

I've asked Andy for the 2006 regs, but presumably Sports Libre is fairly open, so my competitors would be bewinged and beslicked and I'd lose miserably but I'm only after a few weekend jollies so I could live with that.

How many / who was in J last year then?

Really I just want to make sure I get decent value out of my life insurance - they charged me a fortune extra because  I needed motorsport cover if I wanted to do track days so I might as well do some proper motorsport, oh and this bit :

QUOTE

you will still be able to give the comparible westie drivers some earache if you're beating them

[adhawkins]

How many / who was in J last year then?

From memory, there were a few single seaters (Nick Algar and Peter G) along with Windy in his Escort, and Rob Navin turned up at Curborough in his Micra too.

There were almost certainly more, check the season results on the Speed Series page on the main web site.

If you're in it for a laugh, you'll be fine, but don't expect to win against Nick and Peter G!

Andy

[John Loudon - Sponsorship Liaison]

I dont see why Sam would need to be in J just because his car is not a Westfield. His car looks like a road going kit car to me hence my original answer which on the face of it appears to hold up. It doesnt seem to have mattered in recent years as to whether cars are Westfields or not as long as its a kit car which I assume it is. Are the rules changing for next year then Tommo as you seem to be in the know?

[Terry Everall]

I had assumed car would be on 1A or 1B rtres in which case you need reverse.If you run slicks in J Tommos comments are correct

[samcooke]

QUOTE

I dont see why Sam would need to be in J just because his car is not a Westfield. His car looks like a road going kit car

Yup, and reading 3.1 in the series regs it seems that so long as the organisers permit me I could go in E, but would need a reverse.

If I go in J as a Sports Libre presumably I don't *have* to run slicks? I could then just run list 1Bs and judge myself against the E chaps, even if the championship doesn't.

What's so flippin special about going backwards anyway? The electric types of reverse most BECs run now don't sap any power so the only real advantage you'd gain is about 2kg of weight. Unless I'm missing something.

[Mark Stanton]

Sam

I think the thing is not necessarily what class in the speed series which you appear to be entering mainly for the ongoing spirit of helpfulness and craic .................. but more of a matter will be the "on the day" event class    

PM me if you wish not to disclose too many details to your fellow competitors    

You have a bike engine and I assume list 1B tyres and your car is road registered am I right in concluding

If so you be better off entering a suitable road-going class for "on the day" which means you should need a reverse gear according to Blue Book.......... as noted before this rarely gets checked by eligibility scrutes, which IMHO is not right ...................... however if you start beating folks (not WSCC SS) you will get complaints lodged and your car will be checked more vigorously        

Problem is use of 1B tyres ................. oop norf this puts you into the modified classes and darn sarf it puts you into road-going, unless you have cross-ply 1B tyres, which are often re-classed

Modified does not need a reverse and road-going needs a reverse

Yep I know its confusing and there is no clear and definitive ruling from MSA, yet.          

Sorry, but it isn't exactly a black and white answer ................ as both bike engines and to a degree the modern 1B tyre............. have yet to be caught up with for many event regulations  

As for SS ................ there will always be someone putting in similar times to yourself and you will soon strike up a friendly competitive element and banter somewhere regardless of engine, car and spec