Hill Climb, Track Days

[whitestivo]

I'm looking to get involved with some track days or hill climbs with the stivo. I'm more than happy to pay to get myself into events such as these as the saftey aspect is very important to me, after learning lifes lessons earlier on in previous cars (RIP). The sportivo especially would be a great car to be able to redline for a few gears in a row without getting miles above the speed limit.

Any suggestions? I always keep my eyes on the events schedule.. nothing there other than cruises, which are cool, just looking at getting involved with something more techincal, measuring times, seeing improvements in car and driver especially.

Whitestivo

[selyaT]

Check for local motorsport clubs or small car clubs in your area. Micky T and I searched and found www.sdmahillclimb.com and we were able to join and do some local motorsport. Other types of clubs will have gymkhanas etc for you to hone your skills too. Have a look around, SuperDave is a regular tracker in the Qld area.

[whitestivo]

Top advice

I had a look and the MG Club in Brisbane has a hill climb, which would be cool. It depends on the atmosphere of the club. I can imagine some people may be negative to the sportivo as it ain't a WRX/EVO/exotica. Anyone on this forum had experience with this club?

I'll have to get a CAMS2 license, which sounds difficult, examinations weren't always my speciaility.

Would be good to link in with some other TOCAU members to get into this.

How do you find the sportivo in the hill climbs? Does it matter that other than a rear swaybar my car is stock? Having never completed a Hill Climb, is power more important, or suspension? Sportivo weaknesses?

Whitestivo

[selyaT]

You will need a CAMS level 2S license, meaning level 2 and permitted to enter events with no speed restrictions. It does not require a test, they pretty much just want your money. What you do need is a helmet and that will cost you way more than the license.

The Sportivo is a dog at the hillclimb because the gear ratios are SOOOOO long and the torque is meagre. Do not let anyone tell you otherwise. Don't expect to have enough time to hit lift between the corners unless you have a massive straight. The first time we went, we were both on street wheels and tyres and I beat Micky in my 1ZZ-FE overall by 0.08s because the 5-speed has closer gear ratios and there was not enough straight road for him to use the VVTL-i. It was virtually 1ZZ vs 2ZZ with no lift, and the 1ZZ wins because of gear ratios. What you do to combat this on your Stivo is to put tiny wheels and tyres on the front, effectively reducing the overall rolling diameter, therefore the car travels a smaller distance for each turn of the wheel, and thus your gearing becomes lower and your car accelerates faster. Once micky had done that it was over for all money and he was beating me by a full second (they were also semi-slicks :P )

There is an MG car club in Canberra and they welcome ANYBODY and hold regular gymkhanas. Don't even worry about your car because most people in your class will be running old Escorts and other various 70's and 80's cars, and plenty of MX5's. Nobody will make fun of you when they hear your car at 8500RPM if you have a CAI, you will have EVERYONE asking you WTF is in that Corolla, and they will be afraid, trust me.

[DHC09]

Hey mate.

Yeah Superdave and I are the usual ones that head out to QR from TOCAU (although i've been slack and haven't been out for ages :P ). Pretty sure theres a track day on the 25th of this month which Dave has already entered (I'm still undecided due to uni/work). Its loads of fun out there, especially when I was only a few secs behind Daves stock sportivo in my auto 1zz :D :D. Note: he got coilovers now and some other goodies (which i see as cheating :P)

Many other bris members has been keen on heading out but always end up piking, so lets hope your not one of them

With hillclimbs give Superdave a PM as he's been out a few times also.

[whitestivo]

Right.

I had a look at the 25th, and the following is on:

Qld Driftstate Championship Rd 3

Not sure how I'll fair with drifting the rolla?

No doubt there is something I can't see but if you could let me know.

Sounds like track work is going to be better for the sportivo to stretch the legs with the VVTLi. PM superdave now.

[whitestivo]

Sounds (literally), like this CAI is spot on Tayles.

Not for want of trying, I'd have one by now.

So I'll keep trying.

[SuperDave]

PM replied, so hopefully that helps explain it.

I've been around the Mt. Cotton track before and the 2zz's only advantage over the 1zz is being able to keep it in second down the steep hills, so you can punch it out the corners and not worry about changing gears. A 1zz would be faster round there I reakon. The MGCCQ is a friendly bunch, but you will require a CAMS license to join since they are CAMS affiliated. If you want cheaper club fees, the MX-5 Club does regular days out at QR and welcomes anyone, but priority goes to MX-5's obviously. They aren't CAMS affiliated and to join in the track days you don't even need to be a member, unless its changed reciently, a AASA license is enough for them. But join any CAMS affiliated club you wont go wrong as they all do track days and they are all friendly as they are usually real car enthusiests.

I'd say do a few sprints at QR to see if you are really into it or want to take it further, as thats the cheapest option around. The next sprint is on the 24th this month.

[whitestivo]

I'd say do a few sprints at QR to see if you are really into it or want to take it further, as thats the cheapest option around. The next sprint is on the 24th this month.

I'm out for the 24th, but my original questions is answered, so thanks. I'll have to wait till August for the next sprint. Will give me time to organise a helmet and the full body cottons as well.

How long does it take to fit performance pads to the rolla? I heard there is a real benefit in doing this over the standard items. Do I need to bleed the brake lines as well?

Can you drive around with performance pads on for regular use?

Whitestivo

[SuperDave]

How long does it take to fit performance pads to the rolla? I heard there is a real benefit in doing this over the standard items. Do I need to bleed the brake lines as well?

Can you drive around with performance pads on for regular use?

Whitestivo

Pads can be done in like 30mins if you know what your doing. The rears don't do too much, so don't rush yourself to replace them. I used the stock Sportivo pads with no issues and got a lot of use out of them, they are quiet a good compound. Only replace the brake fluid if it is older than a year, I do mine every 6 months. And yes you can use the performance pads on the street providing they work from cold, there is a list of pads in the suspension and brakes section. Go for something that can take 500*C or higher.

[selyaT]

Sounds (literally), like this CAI is spot on Tayles.

Not for want of trying, I'd have one by now.

So I'll keep trying.

Here's a clip for you... Heinz's car filmed by Simo

Please wait a few seconds for Video to Load!

[whitestivo]

Whitestivo

Pads can be done in like 30mins if you know what your doing. The rears don't do too much, so don't rush yourself to replace them. I used the stock Sportivo pads with no issues and got a lot of use out of them, they are quiet a good compound. Only replace the brake fluid if it is older than a year, I do mine every 6 months. And yes you can use the performance pads on the street providing they work from cold, there is a list of pads in the suspension and brakes section. Go for something that can take 500*C or higher.

I was thinking to replace the front first should be better bang for buck. I understand this from your reply. However, I'm unclear when you have said you run stock sportivo pads, whether that means you ran them stock at the both ends, or just at the back?

[SuperDave]

I was thinking to replace the front first should be better bang for buck. I understand this from your reply. However, I'm unclear when you have said you run stock sportivo pads, whether that means you ran them stock at the both ends, or just at the back?

Yeah, it probably wasn't the clearest. You can use the stock genuine pads front and rear without dramas. If your doing hill climbs this might be the better option as they will work well from cold. But if you want to do track work the stock pads glaze over after about 10 laps, in that case just upgrade the fronts as the rears don't get that hot. Unless the pads are worn out I'd use the genuine pads for at least the first track day so you can keep things on the cheap initially, plus you will be able to learn what glazing feels like (just drive carefully until the glaze has worn off ;))

[whitestivo]

I was thinking to replace the front first should be better bang for buck. I understand this from your reply. However, I'm unclear when you have said you run stock sportivo pads, whether that means you ran them stock at the both ends, or just at the back?

Yeah, it probably wasn't the clearest. You can use the stock genuine pads front and rear without dramas. If your doing hill climbs this might be the better option as they will work well from cold. But if you want to do track work the stock pads glaze over after about 10 laps, in that case just upgrade the fronts as the rears don't get that hot. Unless the pads are worn out I'd use the genuine pads for at least the first track day so you can keep things on the cheap initially, plus you will be able to learn what glazing feels like (just drive carefully until the glaze has worn off ;))

Thanks Super Dave. I called QR and 4 sets of 5 laps, so given plenty of time in between, should make it through.

Unfortunately, there next meet is damn end of August. No worries. (In Sydney at the mo)

whitestivo