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The very definition of "sideways" (very nice pic)
Alez - 14/12/05 at 08:55 AM

Not sure if he managed to save it, though.. probably not.



[Edited on 14/12/05 by Alez]

NS Dev - 14/12/05 at 09:33 AM

I quite like this!!

Sideways, pulling a wheelie out of the corner and smoking a rear tyre at full chat..............he's trying!!!!




[Edited on 14/12/05 by NS Dev]

NS Dev - 14/12/05 at 09:41 AM

heh heh just found this one!!!!!

He's actually at about 85 degrees to the track, but yep, it was like that every lap and fully in control!!!


Guinness - 14/12/05 at 09:54 AM

Those drifting boys, crazy!

NS Dev - 14/12/05 at 10:16 AM

You just cannot beat autograss racing for the combination of speed and sideways-ness!!!!!!

The cars in the pics above have around 500hp and weigh 500kg approximately, hence the tyre smoke on a mud field track!

NS Dev - 14/12/05 at 10:20 AM

I'm not quite so spectacular but I am working on it (and I've only got 200hp!!, will try harder in 2006!!)...............


MikeRJ - 14/12/05 at 10:42 AM

Is there a fairly "standard" design for grasser chassis? Do they all have same wheelbase etc?

Lotusmark2 - 14/12/05 at 10:53 AM

I would love to get more involved in Auto grass but things seem to have gone very quiet in the north west.
Even considered converting my formula ford to an auto grasser (with a lot of input?????) dont know what catagory it would run in or if a 110bhp bike engine special would be competetive??

NS Dev - 14/12/05 at 11:08 AM

quote:
Originally posted by MikeRJ
Is there a fairly "standard" design for grasser chassis? Do they all have same wheelbase etc?


Doh, I've turned this into a bit of a thread hijack!!

There is no standard design, but the rule book is written in a style which means that cars "tend" toward a std design...........having said that, you can run a front engine rwd car in my class, but nobody does!

Most of the designs are similar now because that design works well.

There are rules on wheelbase etc but these are only ridiculous maximums which no car would ever reach anyway...and safety related things, like there must be 9" of chassis forward of the control pedals in their fully depressed positions, and 3" gap between the seated driver's helmet and the inside of the roof, and 3" between the sides of the drivers hips and the inside of the chassis at it's narrowest point in the cockpit.

Rulebooks are £2 and available from the NASA website (National Autograss Sport Association)

JonBowden - 14/12/05 at 11:16 AM

what would they be like on the road?

NS Dev - 14/12/05 at 12:00 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Lotusmark2
I would love to get more involved in Auto grass but things seem to have gone very quiet in the north west.
Even considered converting my formula ford to an auto grasser (with a lot of input?????) dont know what catagory it would run in or if a 110bhp bike engine special would be competetive??


Nearest to you are Yorkshire dales :

Yorkshire Dales, Kiplin Hall Farm, Kiplin, on B6271 between Scorton and Northallerton




and Solway:

Solway, Silloth Airfield, Silloth-on-Solway, Cumbria.

neither that close I suppose!

omega 24 v6 - 14/12/05 at 12:29 PM

" what would they be like on the road"

CLEANER

NS Dev - 14/12/05 at 12:35 PM

quote:
Originally posted by JonBowden
what would they be like on the road?


Bloody lively!!!!!!!!

My car with 200hp in under 500kgs hits 60 in around 4.5 secs........on wet mud!!

On tarmac (tried it on a small outdoor kart track and a few times for a nip up the road!) it launches with almost no wheelspin due to the squat, god knows the 0-60 on tarmac.

A few years back one of the class 7 cars was tested on tarmac by a magazine and made a 0-60 in 2 secs or so (2.4 I think???)

As for setup and handling, not so easy! The requirements for handling on soil are quite different to tarmac, and in particular, autograss cars are set up mainly for the start, as the race is often won at the startline. This, coupled with the need to go very fast on a very bumpy track (circa 100mph on the straight but with up to 5-6" undulations on a poor track) means that very soft springs are run with masses of travel.

Grip on tarmac would be superb but body roll rather excessive!

David Jenkins - 14/12/05 at 12:40 PM

Anyone been watching the Trophee Andros racing on Motors TV (racing on ice)? Now THAT redefines 'sideways round a corner'!!!

Very entertaining, and surprised to Alain Prost still racing - and winning.

David

omega 24 v6 - 14/12/05 at 12:47 PM

Who would have been driving the jps lotus in the original post picture?

NS Dev - 14/12/05 at 12:54 PM

quote:
Originally posted by David Jenkins
Anyone been watching the Trophee Andros racing on Motors TV (racing on ice)? Now THAT redefines 'sideways round a corner'!!!

Very entertaining, and surprised to Alain Prost still racing - and winning.

David


believe me, a packed dirt autograss track, freshly watered while you are on the startline, is EXACTLY the same as racing on ice!!! I walked out onto the track on the second day of the meeting where the two cars were pictured further up, and slipped over on it, it was virtually a skating ring. MikeR was there and walked on it too! It was then I realised why I struggled at the first corner when I arrived at it at over 70mph and tried to make a 180 degree turn!!!

NS Dev - 14/12/05 at 01:11 PM

........................ a bit more sideways action from the class I'm moving to for 2007!

Twin R1 engined rwd mini, and twin-turbo RX7 rotary engined rwd metro:







[Edited on 14/12/05 by NS Dev]

derf - 14/12/05 at 01:12 PM

here are some sideways videos:

http://www.brazenvideo.com/brazen_img/player.jpg

some buddies of mine on trikes:

http://www.brazenvideo.com/brazen_img/player.jpg

http://www.brazenvideo.com/brazen_img/player.jpg

aussies on trikes:

http://www.brazenvideo.com/brazen_img/player.jpg

apparently xtreme tricycling is getting pretty big!

MikeR - 14/12/05 at 01:20 PM

quote:
Originally posted by NS Dev
believe me, a packed dirt autograss track, freshly watered while you are on the startline, is EXACTLY the same as racing on ice!!! I walked out onto the track on the second day of the meeting where the two cars were pictured further up, and slipped over on it, it was virtually a skating ring. MikeR was there and walked on it too! It was then I realised why I struggled at the first corner when I arrived at it at over 70mph and tried to make a 180 degree turn!!!


Ahem, here come the excuses .....

it was a wierd substance. Its supposed to be soil but its very compacted and then has rubber laid onto it. Its really hard to describe / explain. In fact i can't.

Having watched NS Dev race at his local track that was a more "interesting" surface. More undulations and and during the afternoon a rut was dug out by the cars hitting the bottom corner.

So do you go for the inside line and hit a 6" rut at what ever speed you get up to or do you bottle it and take the wider line?

Personally i watch cause i know i'm too competitive!

NS Dev - 14/12/05 at 04:22 PM

Heh heh try this for sideways fun (no, for once it's not autograss!!!!)

Sideways Slidy Click

Jasper - 14/12/05 at 08:05 PM

Am I right in saying all this autograss action is all north of Watford - we never seem to have much like this going on in the south

ChrisGamlin - 14/12/05 at 10:28 PM

I think Ive seen some signs for Autograss events on the A31 between Alton and Fourmarks, can anyone confirm?

NS Dev - 15/12/05 at 12:19 AM

the nations autograss clubs and their venues:

Scunthorpe Blyton Airfield, off B1205, Nr Blyton.

Sturton & Stow Old Faldingworth Airfield, Toft-Newton, Nr Lincoln

Trent Boiling Wells Farm. South Rauceby,Sleaford,Lincs

Yorkshire Dales Kiplin Hall Farm, Kiplin, on B6271 between Scorton and Northallerton

Solway Silloth Airfield, Silloth-on-Solway, Cumbria
St Neots Riverside Farm, Wyboston, Bedfordshire. Junction of A1/A428

Cambridge Stretham Raceway, A10, Ely, Cambridgeshire

Leicester and Melton M & L Raceway, Charley Road, Shepshed, B5350 off M1 Junction 23.

Nottingham Moorfield Farm, Oxton, Southwell, Notts

Pennine Darley Moor Raceway, on A515, Ashbourne to Sudbury Road

Concord AutograssLittle Whitmans Farm, Hackmans Lane, Cold Norton, Essex

Bredon Hill Hilltop Raceway, Ashfield Road, Tirley, (off B4213) Glos.

Forest of Dean Cherry Orchard Farm, Newland, Coleford, Glos.

Gloucester and District Pound Farm, Elton, Gloucestershire

Invicta KentMartins Farm, Ivychurch, New Romney, Kent

Evesham Dodwell Farm, Evesham Road, Stratford-upon-Avon

Radford Westol Hall Farm, Radford, Nr Inkberrow, Worcs. Off A422

Down Autograss Bluestone Road, Craigavon, Co. Armagh, N. Ireland

Foyle Autograss Bleech Green, Ardmore, Londonderry

Causeway Gordnamoyagh Road, Garvagh, Co.Londonderry, N. Ireland

Abram Phone Club Contact For Venue

Leewood Castle Hill Farm, Castle Mill Lane, Ashley, Nr Altrincham, Cheshire

North Wales Broad Oak Farm, Lester Lane, Broughton, Chester

Whiterose Browns Edge Road, off Broadstone Lane, Inbirchworth, Barnsley

York A59 5 miles North of York, Nr Moor Monkton

North Shropshire Hinton Hall, Whitchurch, Shropshire

Shropshire & Telford Leasowes Farm, Crudgington, Telford, Shropshire

South Somerset Curlew Farm, Rousden, Nr Lyme Regis, Dorset

Wessex Bearley, Martock, Nr Yeovil, Somerset

West Waterford Ballysaggart, Lismore, Co. Waterford

Cork Castletownkenneigh, Enniskeane, Co. Cork

Carlow Jerusalem, Athy Road, Carlow

South Wales Castle Lloyd Farm, Red Roses, Carms

Carmarthen See South Wales

Pembroke Haven See South Wales

Swansea See South Wales

Teifi See South Wales

Bristol SouthPhone club contact for venue

Norton RadstockManor Farm, Whatley, Nr.Frome, Somerset

Penhow Phone club contact for venue

Border Counties Grove House Farm, Monkland, Nr Leominster, Herefordshire

Cwmdu The Ovals, Lyonshall, Nr Kington, Herefordshire

Hereford Grove House Farm, Monkland, Nr Leominster, Herefordshire

Ludlow Hurstley Court, Kinnersley

Severn Valley Upper Moorend Farm, Much Cowarn, Herefordshire

PAC Hayes Farm, Hodgeston Cross, Hodgeston, Nr Pembroke

Athelstan Jubille Park Showground, Little Haresfield, Glos

Stroud & District See Athelston

Yate & SodburySee Athelston

Scarborough Bartingdale Road, Hunmanby, Nr Filey

Spalding & District Hurdletree Bank, off B1168, Holbeach

NS Dev - 15/12/05 at 12:20 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Jasper
Am I right in saying all this autograss action is all north of Watford - we never seem to have much like this going on in the south


No there's loads in the south!! see above!!!

There's also what's known as SEGTO (south east grass track organisation, or something like that, dunno much about it!)which is run seperately to the big grasstrack body of NASA (National Autograss Sports Association) and there is now a big NASA vs SEGTO challenge each year.

Next post is a load of pics from the event. The SEGTO cars are the ones with the big wings, but are generally less powerful with tighter engine rules (only 2 valve per cyl I think?)

[Edited on 15/12/05 by NS Dev]

NS Dev - 15/12/05 at 12:35 AM













Volvorsport - 15/12/05 at 12:59 AM

is that chalk there racing on ?

NS Dev - 15/12/05 at 01:14 AM

yep, don't know the track myself tho!

ned - 15/12/05 at 08:19 AM

quote:
Originally posted by NS Dev
No there's loads in the south!! see above!!!

erm i can see 1 in kent, none in surrey, sussex or hampshire, so the nearest ones ie kent, dorset, somreset in the south are about 2hrs + with a trailer..

Ned.

JonBowden - 15/12/05 at 09:24 AM

No events in scotland ?
How much does a not that competitive year cost?

NS Dev - 15/12/05 at 09:44 AM

quote:
Originally posted by JonBowden
No events in scotland ?
How much does a not that competitive year cost?


Unfortunately not in scotland yet, certainly a few looking at the idea. Solway is the nearest!

In terms of costs, last year I was second in the East Midlands League and first in Leicester Club, and the total season, including towing fuel, race fuel, entries, license, repairs, tyres etc etc etc cost me around £650.....................you don't race any cheaper than that!!

NS Dev - 15/12/05 at 09:58 AM

quote:
Originally posted by ned
quote:
Originally posted by NS Dev
No there's loads in the south!! see above!!!

erm i can see 1 in kent, none in surrey, sussex or hampshire, so the nearest ones ie kent, dorset, somreset in the south are about 2hrs + with a trailer..

Ned.


Yes, see what you mean! As I put further on though, I think you would need to be looking at doing the SEGTO series, which is south-east based.

Having said that, you only need to affiliate to a club to be able to race anywhere in the country, with no pre-entry arrangements, on any weekend.

There are LOADS of 2 day weekend events, which are a massive laugh, with the barbeques and beer taking precedent over the racing for many!! Being 2 dayers they are then worth travelling for. Normally it's scrutineering on Fri evening, then racing sat and sun all day 9 till 6 or 7.

The big event I always do (MAP open at Evesham club) had over 700 cars in attendance this year, and around 300 races overe the 2 days!!!

action is pretty frantic!!!

Browser - 17/12/05 at 10:37 AM

THIS is sideways!

Gilles Villeneuve doing what he did best in a Ferrari 312T.

[Edited on 17/12/05 by Browser]

[Edited on 17/12/05 by Browser]