Where Do People Test Non Road Legal Cars

[tri_longer 25]

At the moment my 205 remains a compromise between a fully dedicated sprint car by remaining in road legal guise, tax'd MOT'd and with all the lighting, dash, petrol tank etc.

 

I would really like to go down the route of making this a fully commited sprint and hillclimb car but one thing still eludes me and this must be something that others in the community whose cars are non road legal struggle with.

 

This being, if you make any changes to the car how do you go about testing them. Even simlple stuff like bedding in a set of new brake pads for example.

 

Track days I guess are an option, but not that cheap and if I go the whole hog and fit a 1 gallon fuel tank probably quite frustrating having to pit every couple of laps.

 

I'm particulary interested if anyone from the North West has access to somewhere where you can go along and drive your non road legal car in safety and without breaking the law, i'm not looking for freebies but don't want to be shelling out £100's either.

 

I may be looking for something that doesn't exist but no harm in asking I guess.

 

Cheers

Chris.

Edited April 14, 2011 by tri_longer

[Batfink 201]

there used to be a fair few places advertising in the back of motorsport news..

[tomcolinjones 26]

The old airfield out the back of weeton barracks preston is available to me, could arrange a testing day if you like... tho there are a few random concreet pillars about the place.

Local car club use it as a tarmac stage in a local rally so it should suffice!

I shall be testing mine on there when its finished

Edited April 14, 2011 by tomcolinjones

[PVFCpug 6]

Chris

 

not much I know but we are getting a Curborough day arranged soon, if youre interested.

 

Ade

[309PUG 2 1 Cars]

Hi,

 

If it's any help there is a track near Gainsborough called Blyton, guy only charges £50 for the day cash in hand, let me know if you want his number

 

Chris

[harryskid 193]

The old airfield out the back of weeton barracks preston is available to me, could arrange a testing day if you like... tho there are a few random concreet pillars about the place.

Local car club use it as a tarmac stage in a local rally so it should suffice!

I shall be testing mine on there when its finished

 

Thats not good, as this sort of behaviour has put a lot of rally venues under threat. Complaints about noise ect.Living in the Southwest we have had two good venues under threat due to the likes of this.Being a rally driver my self this sort of irresponsible advise makes my blood boil. Not only does it cause bad feeling, it gives the organizers of motor sports events a hard time. It even leads to expensive court cases to try and fight the bans as Bournemouth motor club has had to do. Also Tavern motor is facing the same problem with the Fat Albert venue at Kevil due to badley run track days. This won't go down well with you but think on do you want to put motor sport in jeopardy and bring it into dispute with the public. Also are you aware of the MSAs position over illegal testing at rally venues? I love my rallying and have been doing it for years and am not being a kill joy when boy racers put my sport at risk.

[No Guts No Glory 1]

Hi Chris, I have the same issus.

 

I have pondered over using a large carpark or a private industrail estate just to know whether she goes in a straight line or not. I have heard that 3 sisters do test seesions for £50 per hour though im sure i heard you need a race licence to do so. At the moment im 2 clicks away from booking afternoon slot in at oulton park as bedding in Ds3000 pads i would need plenty of space and speed.

 

Im aching to get into my 445bhp 205 for the first time in 5 years! taking her up my road is getting far to tempting! lol

 

If you happen to find a suitable place and would like to share the cost please get in touch.

 

regards

 

Martin

[Baz 421]

I am blessed with my 'test tracks', very lucky i know! But we're all limited as to what we can actually do, and test to within actual competing conditions!

 

Test days you can do if you hold a competition license, otherwise track/airfield days etc?

 

Some local/friendly motor clubs may also permit you to come along on a day where they're holding an event, not to run but at least maybe you can run the car around the paddock a little although may be under the pretence of an MSA scrute having a ganders at it.

 

Otherwise i have to agree with Jeff above, it's been an issue for years anyway but it's so difficult to find, obtain and keep the use of venues for events these days that i'd beg you not to do anything untoward on venues where you're not permitted to be or will likely cause issue, houses nearby etc etc.

 

Motorsport is unfortunately a dying sport because of many difficulties like this, as well as stupid health and safety ruling, people(NIMBYS) generally not understanding what a properly organised motorsport event is... I think that's enough of a rant!

Edited April 20, 2011 by Baz

[tri_longer 25]

Thanks for all of the suggestions of places and venues, and I'm certainly not looking for anywhere to lose it's access for staging events.

 

Really all i'm after is some security that if I go non-road that I can turn up somwhere and make sure it drives in a straight line, stops when it should and turns when it should, none of which necessarily need to be done at full chat.

 

Just to clarify the Three Sisters position as i have just called them. It's £50/hour or £150/4 hours and that is on any MSA licence, so i'm fine on my non race national B speed licence.

 

It's two junctions up the M6 for me so no great hardship either.

 

So given this, I may as well canvas opinion on whether I should keep it legal or should I go the whole hog and rip out the dash, heaters, lights most of the wiring and replace the fuel tank with a bespoke 1 gallon affair?

[welshpug 1,657]

Is there really that much to be gained??

 

You don't need a dash or heater for an MOT, as long as there are no pointy bits you'll be fine afaik.

[Baz 421]

TBH i don't see the point in ever going that crazy, i'd be surprised if fuel tanks weigh no more than around 5kg(i have a few i should weigh one!) and the heater is more use than it gaining you in weight loss.

 

You can remove lights and stuff like that and even the looms, as long as it can all go back in if needed later is my ethos, a car becomes so much more hassle in many ways when it's no longer road legal, in my opinion/experience.

[tri_longer 25]

fair comment Baz, i'm beginning to think it's more hassle than it's worth.

[Tom Fenton 1,542]

What about a RWYB session at a drag strip for a bit of testing? York Raceway for example is £30 to sign on and £12.50 to get in. Get there early and stay late and you can probably get 12-15 full speed runs in, plus plenty of room round the pits and return road to drive about as long as you don't go daft.