NS Dev
|
 posted on 15/12/05 at 10:22 AM |
|
|
AUTOGRASS RACING
I have been posting loads on other threads re. autograss racing, and it seems a lot of people know very little about this superb sport, so I thought I
would post a little item detailing the basics of the sport and how to start up racing in it.
FIRST OFF - LIFTED STRAIGHT FROM THE NASA (THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE SPORT) WEBSITE: (saves me typing it!)
Autograss is a non-contact sport that takes place on an oval 440yard track on a natural soil surface.Due to the close nature of the racing, thrills
and spills are never far away.
Racing takes place in the various classes with up to 10 cars starting on a straight line grid and racing over short 4-8 lap races. This results in the
major meetings, most of which are staged over 2 days, offering upwards of 200 races. All classes normally race through qualifying heats and finals
and, if time permits, open races where different classes race against each other.
The social side of the sport is a very large factor in its appeal and on the Saturday evening of meetings the aroma of barbeque cooking is hard to
escape from as friends from all over the country meet up.
This just seems to emphasize the family nature of the sport emcompassed by the fact that husband, wife and children can all compete in the same
car.
No autograss event requires competitors to enter prior to the day and with the exception of the National Championships, which require
qualification/registration, any NASA licence holder can race at any NASA meeting just by turning up.
This even applies to rounds of the British Autograss Series (BAS) which is a number of events throughout the season over which points are accumulated
to produce class and overall champions. Besides providing racing at its very best the BAS Presentation weekend is also staking its claim as THE social
event of the year.
Racing licences are available for men, ladies and juniors (12-16 year olds restricted to class 1 cars only) Also available are mechanics and social
licences for those who do not wish to race but would like to be part of this very affordable motor sport.
-----------------------------------------------------------
SO THERE'S A QUICK OUTLINE............NOW A SUMMARY OF THE CARS ALLOWED:
CLASS 1:
This class is ideal for beginners to the sport, those racing to a low budget and is also the only class in which 12 - 16 year olds (Juniors) may race.
A complete family often race the same car in this class, Dad in the Men's races, Mum in the Ladies races and Junior (girl or boy) in the Junior
races. Sometimes they even have a car each. There are no special tuning modifications allowed, the engine/gearbox must remain basically standard
within strictly enforced maximum and minimum tolerances. This ensures that costs are kept within affordable limits and that there is very close racing
in this class. The car used must be a Mini, either a Saloon, Van or Pick Up. The engine and gearbox must be of a maximum of 1000cc capacity. The use
of A Series and A+ Series engine components is permitted.
CLASS 2:
This class is ideal for beginners to the sport, those racing to a low budget and those who wish to race either a Rear Wheel Drive or Front Wheel Drive
vehicle. There are limited special tuning modifications allowed, the engine gearbox must remain basically standard within strictly enforced
measurements. All the fuel-air mixture must pass through a single 32mm diameter restrictor. This ensures that costs are kept within affordable limits
and that there is very close racing in-this class. The car used may be of either Rear Wheel Drive, either a saloon, estate or hatchback, or Front
Wheel Drive either a saloon or hatchback. The engine must be of a maximum of 1300cc capacity. To limit the use of "odd' or
"specialist" cars the types of vehicle make and model are restricted to those that are listed in the original Palgrave and now Glasses
Guide Technical Services Data Manuals. At present there are over 200 different types of car makes & models eligible for this class. e.g, Ford
Fiesta, Escort, Orion, Toyota Starlet/Corolla, Mazda 323, Hillman Imp (875cc only), Suzuki SCIOO, Skoda 120, 130, & 135/6, Vauxhall Nova, Astra,
Cavalier, VW Polo, Golf, Rover Maestro, Montego, Nissan Micra, Fiat Uno, Strada, Peugeot 205, Renault Clio, Seat Ibiza, etc,
CLASS 3:
This class is ideal for those who want to put a 'big' engine in place of the original engine. This is a popular class with very close fast
sideways racing. The cars resemble stadium 'Hot Rods' as they used to be and to a certain degree, as they are now. The car used must be a
saloon or hatchback and have Rear Wheel Drive. Any front engined, front wheel drive saloons with a wheelbase of 2400mm or more may be converted to
front engine rear wheel drive. The engine must be of a minimum of 1421 cc capacity. There are unlimited tuning modifications allowed, the
engine/gearbox/axle need not be original. At present there are many popular combinations of body shell & engines. e.g. RWD Ford Escort Mk I &
2, Sierra, Toyota Starlets, Talbot Sunbeam, converted FWD Peugeot 206 & 309, all fitted with one of the following engines: Ford 2.1 & 2.5
Pinto / Vauxhall 2.0 VW 1.9 Rover V8 / Ford V6 / Renault V6 etc.
CLASS 4:
This is the smallest capacity modified engine class, ideal for those who want to squeeze more power than anyone else out of a small engine. The car
used must be a Front or Rear Wheel Drive saloon, hatchback, van or pick up. The engine must be of a maximum of II 30cc capacity, be of the type
originally fitted to the car and must remain in its original position. There are unlimited tuning modifications allowed This is a popular class and
consists of mainly Mini's with a few Imps and Fiats. The class is ideal for the latest generation of under 1130cc cars such as the Citroen Visa,
AX, VW Polo, Vauxhall Nova, Nissan Micra, Peugeot 106 & 205 Fiat Uno 60, Strada 60 and Rover 111.
CLASS 5:
This is the smallest any engine in any vehicle1131 cc - 1420cc capacity modified engine class, ideal for those who want to experiment with various
engine, gearbox & body shell combinations. Any body shell i.e. saloon, hatchback, van or pick up, may be used to produce a Front or Rear Wheel
Drive vehicle The engine must be of a minimum of 1131 and a maximum of 1420 cubic capacity and have 2 valves per cylinder, multi-valve engines are not
allowed. There are almost unlimited tuning modifications allowed, the engine / gearbox / transaxle / axle need not be original or fitted in its
original position. This is a popular class and consists of mainly Mini's, Nova's, Fiesta's Peugeot 106's Citroen AX's
and Imp's, with the engine and gearboxes not necessarily being of the type originally fitted or even in the position the original vehicle
manufacturer intended or imagined. This class is ideal for the latest generation of under 1420cc cars such as the Citroen AX, Peugeot 106 & 205,
Vauxhall Astra, Nova & Corsa
CLASS 6:
This is the any engine in any vehicle 1421 cc capacity and above modified engine class, ideal for those who want to experiment with various engine
& body shell combinations. Any body shell i.e. saloon, hatchback, van or pick up, may be used to produce a Front Wheel Drive vehicle. The engine
must be of a minimum of 1421 cc and of an unlimited maximum capacity, multi-valve engines are allowed and this class is ideal for the latest
generation of 1421 cc and over cars such as the Citroen AX, Ford Escort, VW Golf, Vauxhall Astra, Nova & Corsa, Nissan Micra and Peugeot 106, 205
& 306. There are unlimited tuning modifications allowed, the engine / gearbox / transaxle axle need not be original or fitted in its original
position. There are a multitude of body shell types currently used with 1.4 / 1.6 / 1.8 / 2.0 SOHC & DOHC engines fitted in Mini's,
Fiesta's, Nova's Corsa's etc; not necessarily being of the type originally fitted or even in the position the original vehicle
manufacturer intended.
CLASS 7:
TOTALLY FFFING MAD CLASS!!!!!
This is the any engine in any vehicle 1421 cc capacity and above modified engine class, ideal for those who want to experiment with various engine
& body shell combinations. If you want you can even fit 2 engines! Any body shell i.e. saloon, hatchback, van or pick up, may be used to produce a
Rear Wheel Drive vehicle. The engine or engines must be of a minimum or combined cc of 1421 and of a free maximum cc capacity, multi-valve engines are
allowed. There are unlimited tuning modifications allowed, the engine / gearbox / transaxle / axle need not be original or fitted in its original
position. Class7cars consist of a multitude of body shell types with 1.8, 2.O SOHC & DOHC/V6/V8 engines mainly midmounted to a Hewland / Renault /
Citroen / Audi / VW gearbox or twin 1.0 / 1. I / 1.2 motorbike engine & gearbox units chain driven onto a common drive shaft. This is the most
spectacular of the saloon classes is very popular with the spectators for its noise and action and consists of mainly Peugeot's Nova's,
Fiesta's Renault Clio's and Imp's, etc; with the engines and gearboxes not necessarily being of the type originally fitted or even
in the position the original vehicle manufacturer intended or imagined.
SPECIALS:
These are vehicles with a steel tube spaceframe chassis, either home constructed or professionally built, divided into three classes by the
application of an engine capacity and/or engine type limit. The specials are built to withstand a collision or roll over, but are not fitted with nerf
bars, bumper bars etc; as deliberate contact is definitely not allowed. There are unlimited tuning modifications allowed, the engine / gearbox /
transaxle / axle types are free according to each class cc limit and specification. Specials are fitted with a multitude of engine types with 1.0, 1.
1, 1.3 Motorcycle, 1.3 / 1.4 SOHC & DOHC engines or 1.8, 2.0 SOHC & DOHC engines or 2.1, 2.5 DOHC / 2.8, 3.0 V6 / 3.5, 4.0 & 5.Oltr V8
engines, mainly being mid or rear mounted to a Hewland/RenaulttVW gearbox or direct drive. All of the special classes are very popular with the
spectators for their noise and action. Most are geared to achieve speeds of 100 Mph
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOW A FEW MORE PICCIES FROM THE MAP OPEN EVENT THIS YEAR. THERE WERE OVER 700 CARS IN RACING AT THE EVENT OVER 2 DAYS AND AROUND 300
RACES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OOH LOOK, WHO'S THIS THEN!!!
|
|
|
|
|
donut
|
| posted on 15/12/05 at 10:39 AM |
|
|
That really does look a right giggle....................except for this 
Andy
When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/andywest1/
|
|
|
NS Dev
|
| posted on 15/12/05 at 10:43 AM |
|
|
was a nasty one!!
He was ok though, hurt his knee (badly bruised) but not a hospital job.
|
|
|
Deckman001
|
| posted on 15/12/05 at 02:59 PM |
|
|
Any where in the south where this goes on ???
Jason
|
|
|
fesycresy
|
| posted on 15/12/05 at 03:11 PM |
|
|
Nearly started myself, my mates the vice chairman at Penhow.
Bit suprised to find qualifying was only 4 laps and the final only 6.
A lot of hassle for 10 short laps. Do you do the same ?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The sooner you fall behind, the more time you'll have to catch up.
|
|
|
NS Dev
|
| posted on 15/12/05 at 03:56 PM |
|
|
yes, we do the same, 2 or 3 4 lap heats and 8 lap final, occasionally more at some meetings.
Personally, I am about knackered after 10 straight laps, the pounding you take is pretty draining!!!
Also a 1.25 gall fuel tank will only do 15 laps at a big push!!!
|
|
|
NS Dev
|
| posted on 15/12/05 at 03:59 PM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by Deckman001
Any where in the south where this goes on ???
Jason
Yes, but south east seem to race more SEGTO.
If you have a look at the recent "sideways" thread on this section you'll find a bit I put on there about grassing in the south.
|
|
|
Viper
|
| posted on 15/12/05 at 07:09 PM |
|
|
My Niece was the 2004 St Neots ladies champion..
|
|
|
NS Dev
|
| posted on 15/12/05 at 07:59 PM |
|
|
cool!
class 3 action!!!
Would like to do a class 3 but it's all a bit too by the book and therefore expensive for my liking!
Superb racing though, seriously quick!
It really is amazing, anybody who has not seen it will think of landrovers when they see a track in a field, but these cars just fly!!
|
|
|
NS Dev
|
| posted on 15/12/05 at 08:00 PM |
|
|
good to see the sportway tyres stickers too!! I get my tyres from Andy as well!!!
|
|
|
Volvorsport
|
| posted on 15/12/05 at 08:03 PM |
|
|
are turbos allowed ? in class 3 ?
im sure theyre allowedin class 7 , i as looking at a 340 today , would do a nice mid engined one , i also thought 480 aswell
www.dbsmotorsport.co.uk
getting dirty under a bus
|
|
|
NS Dev
|
| posted on 15/12/05 at 10:29 PM |
|
|
no turbos in class 3.
Yep in 7s
|
|
|
gary gsx
|
| posted on 15/12/05 at 10:34 PM |
|
|
Jason
I believe they do SEGTO rounds and layhams farm croydon and a track down by worthing cant remember that tracks name raced prod c a few yrs ago,
worthing is a concrete oval and its quick and layhams dirt 
|
|
|
paulf
|
| posted on 15/12/05 at 10:55 PM |
|
|
How much are the event entry fees?how much would a typical weekend cost to race?
I fancy a go but would only be able to race on weekends when im not working due to being a shift worker so it would only be feasible as an occasional
fun weekend out. I have a spare fireblade engine that i could use in a car.
Paul
|
|
|
NS Dev
|
| posted on 15/12/05 at 11:17 PM |
|
|
A club race meeting is £5 entry, yup five pounds.
big full weekend meeting is £10
signing on is usually £1 or £2
no pre entry required, just turn up, pay your fiver, show your licence, pay your £2 and race.
That's the way I do it!
|
|
|
Mark Allanson
|
| posted on 15/12/05 at 11:20 PM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by NS Dev
A club race meeting is £5 entry, yup five pounds.
big full weekend meeting is £10
signing on is usually £1 or £2
no pre entry required, just turn up, pay your fiver, show your licence, pay your £2 and race.
That's the way I do it!
Just the same as Formula 1 then, thats how Bernie made his millions
If you can keep you head, whilst all others around you are losing theirs, you are not fully aware of the situation
|
|
|
MikeR
|
| posted on 16/12/05 at 08:40 AM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by Viper
My Niece was the 2004 St Neots ladies champion..
Ahem, let me get this right, female, class champion, fast cars ........
any chance of her number ?
|
|
|
Deckman001
|
| posted on 16/12/05 at 04:15 PM |
|
|
http://www.croydonmotorsports.co.uk/index.htm
Jason
|
|
|
liam.mccaffrey
|
| posted on 16/12/05 at 05:29 PM |
|
|
after reading NSDevs article thingy last night i had a really vivd dream about autograss racing. You know
"..hey Liam, they're 1 racer short in the next race!"
" but I've never done it before........"
anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone.
the vehicle i was racing was a converted inflatable boat with a fireblade engine.
I would really like to try it for real now
Build Blog
Build Photo Album
|
|
|
Deckman001
|
| posted on 16/12/05 at 05:34 PM |
|
|
Jason
|
|
|
Ferg
|
| posted on 16/12/05 at 05:49 PM |
|
|
I used to race Class 1s a few years ago with Concord Essex down at Boreham Nr. Chelmsford.
It was a great laugh and the costs are ridiculously low. We always waited 'til the end and went out in the allcomers. Getting 'round as
fast as you can while keeping one eye on the rear-view for the open wheelers!!!
|
|
|
Jon Ison
|
| posted on 16/12/05 at 11:20 PM |
|
|
prob going to have too duck for cover but we are all allowed an opinion.
Autograss, great too compete in but I found it a bit boring too watch, great photos up there but they don't show the numerous heats of class
ones and two's (again great too compete in but for me anyway a tad boring too watch) that you have too sit thru before the exotic stuff starts
racing for around 2 minutes.
Yea it is a fiver too sign on but how long do you realistically get on track for the fiver ?
How much does it cost too be remotely competitive in the high spec saloon or specials class's.
I competed for years but got fed up getting up in the dark, traveling hours, than hanging around for 3 hours before a 2 minute blast then another 3
hour wait for another 2 minute blast then travel home and spend 3 days digging mud out of the car.
Its a great sport but I would sum it up as good fun if your into building and developing your car yourself, good fun too compete in during the short
races but as a spectator you would need an 8 hour day too see maybe 20 minutes of decent track action.
There now I better go hide, I'm still happy too promote Autograss from a competitors point of view but not sure i could recommend it as a
spectator sport.
|
|
|
Viper
|
| posted on 17/12/05 at 07:19 AM |
|
|
your spot on there jon,
with all that and some of the people out there are spending a small fortune building cars, 10k for an engine is not unusuel, sadley it is no longer
the sport it was intended to be...
|
|
|
Browser
|
| posted on 17/12/05 at 12:42 PM |
|
|
A mate used to run a class 2 MK2 Escort with Spalding Autograss club, he was owner/driver, I was sometime spannerman. Good fun but lots of sitting
around waiting for your car to go out. The main problem I had was the drivers' total lack of commitment. Paul was the type (single bloke by the
way) who got home from work, switched his PC on...................and that was it really. Went out to see mates occasionally, played the odd game of
squash, went to see his parents but work on his car? Never! I couldn't even get him to clean it between meetings for cryin' out loud. As
for spending owt on it, forget it! He bought it from another guy in the Spalding club and when bought the engine was 'tired', lots of
pressure out of the rocker cover breather etc, though it revved nicely for a crossflow and had been professionally built in the past. Whe he got it we
put his seat and window safety net in, improved the somewhat dodgy electrics and installed a twin-cable throttle cable setup. Once the first meeting
was done we realised that, up against the newer AXs, Novas etc it was never going to be fastest but try suggesting new (adjustable) rear shocks or an
engine refresh/rebuild and he'd recoil at the cost. This, by the way, is a bloke who has just spent £300 on a light sabre, you can see where his
priorities are can't you
He sold it after one season's racing, citing it as "too expensive" when he hadn't spent anything on it!
THe only thing I didn't like at the meetings I went to was the rather lax marshalling/disciplining. THe one race my mate did well in was when it
rained, as the lighter, more powerful front wheel drive cars struggled for grip whereas his old Escy was fine. He put a legitimate passing move on the
inside of another car on a bend, only to be shoved onto the grass infield and coming damn close to the finish line marshalls post. Expecting the wrath
of heaven to fall, all we got was some of the other regulars coming over and saying "yeah mate, 'eell shove you off if you overtake
'im!"
|
|
|
MikeR
|
| posted on 17/12/05 at 04:51 PM |
|
|
if you want lax marshalling, go watch banger racing.
I had my heart in my mouth so many times it was scary.
At one point one 'driver' was stood ontop of his car in a 10 car pile up at the bend watching the race as cars piled into the massed
metal.
I watch one guy walk slowly to the pit wall safety bit and almost get mown down, another after a race trying to drive out almost took out two drivers
who were not paying attention as they walked back to there cars...........
i mean it was BAD.
(fun to watch as we had a porsche, rolls, jags & the rest all racing - but the down time between races was too long as recovery took for ever
& with 50 cars on the track you could never keep up with the 'race'
|
|
|
.jpg){kind=avatar}
.jpg)
