Where to start?

[Goldenwonder]

Hello!
I'm in the process of bringing a dead car back to life & am now seriously thinking about having a go at hillclimbing or sprinting. One thing that's sprung to mind is what else I would be up against in the class I was thinking of. I've got an old RWD Toyota Starlet, which I believe would go in the modified production under 1400cc (1290cc engine) Being completely new to this, what other cars compete in this class, or am I wasting my time in even thinking about doing it?
All ideas welcome!

[b1ackcr0w]

You aren't wasting your time at all. An older (and without wanting to insult or patronise) or more 'disposable' motor is great way of getting started. In fact the Hillclimbers who seem to get the most out of their sport seem to me to be those who compete against their own personal bests and are progressing in skill as much as competitiveness.
A rough guide I've applied in the past is the "Giggles per quid spent" ratio. I'd imagine the Starlet would deliver on that front. Just ask ex-British Champion Graeme Wight Jr about how much fun he had with his old Hillman Imp, that'll give you the jist!

[Steve Wilkinson]

Originally Posted by Goldenwonder

Hello!
Being completely new to this, what other cars compete in this class, or am I wasting my time in even thinking about doing it?
All ideas welcome!

Firstly you would be up against Minis, Metros and the odd Peugeot 205. I'm not conversant with the Toyota power plant but I'm sure that output would not be a problem.

As Blackcrow has said the developing of the car is a big proportion of the enjoyment in Speed Events. If you plan to be ready for the start of 2009 then firstly get your hands on a 2008 MSA Blue Book - your local motor sport club should be able to help there. This will tell you what modifications you can make, what things you can replace and what you can remove.

The 1400 Mod Prod class isn't always the best supported so again following on from Blackcrow's comments you should keep a record of what you are doing, your times at venues plus the conditions. This will give you a good idea of how mods you bring in during the season are working.

However the most important thing is enjoy yourself!

[Goldenwonder]

This is the sort of thing I was hoping to hear! I'm not going to have a go & expect to win, I'm building the car to enjoy & then realised it might just fit in this class with what I'm doing to it. A friend of mine sprinted his at Curborough a few years ago, so I must make the effort & pick his brain as well, although think he only did one season.

[Steve Wilkinson]

Originally Posted by Goldenwonder

This is the sort of thing I was hoping to hear! I'm not going to have a go & expect to win, I'm building the car to enjoy & then realised it might just fit in this class with what I'm doing to it. A friend of mine sprinted his at Curborough a few years ago, so I must make the effort & pick his brain as well, although think he only did one season.

I take it your from the Midlands?

[Goldenwonder]

I am yes, not far from Mansfield

[Steve Wilkinson]

Originally Posted by Goldenwonder

I am yes, not far from Mansfield

I would suggest you join Nottingham Sports Car Clubb (NSCC) who run their own Speed Championship and get invited to a lot of Midland events.

[Claypole]

Steve is right, I joined the NSCC this year and they have been great, I will be doing so next year.
In your proposed moprod sub 1400 class, is an alfasud and a citroen ax which has been superdeveloped, I swear he has drilled holes in holes and it's a lesson in weight saving. I am in the class above with my 40 year old 1496cc triumph based Bond and assuming I can get a 1296cc engine fitted, will look to move back down to that class.
As mentioned above, I find enjoyment in beating my PB, as in my class of modprod, I compete against 240bhp escorts, but i also look to keep up with the sub 1400 class as they tend to park in the pits near me and they are closer to my meagre 105bhp.
Piece of advice? Get toyo or yoko semi slicks if you can, they make a lot of difference. hope to see you at Curborough in May then.
Claypole

[Goldenwonder]

May?? You haven't seen the state of the car! It's nothing more than a rolling shell at the moment. Hopefully rebuilding the brakes over the weekend if I can. I'd like to have it running again my christmas-time permitting.
Should hopefully be around 110bhp at the flywheel & 760kg approx (rules permitting), so it's never going to be the fastest but good fun, which is all I want.

[Woolley]

RWD Starlet ought to be a lot of fun, I seem to remember they were reasonably well handling cars - predictable and more than a bit sideways. Should go well at Curborough, and probably will be effective at Prescott and Loton, although I suspect it would run out of puff up Shelsley.

Hill climbing and Sprinting is a fun, sociable sport, so enjoy it, seek out advice and keep measuring yourself against yourself and not others. And don't forget to wave to the marshals on the way back!