AutoSolo's - A great way into motorsport with any imp etc

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Re: AutoSolo's - A great way into motorsport with any imp etc

Post by Peter Hurst »

stustiletto wrote:Its interesting looking at all the comments on autosolos.
As a child we spent most weekends at events like these and could also join in.

I believe they were called gymkanas (probably not the right spelling).

Some 25 years ago i recall jumping in and out of an Imp Sport collecting stones off the top of cones and racing back to the bucket at the end of the course. Then driving around the cones with a large magnetic type saucer on the bonnet with a tennis ball in. All the power in the world didn't win that one, and nor did a sloping bonnet. Top marks for the Imps.
When I get my project sorted I will be out there joining in.

Stuart.
Autosolo's are not really a modern Gymkana but a cross between an autotest but with no reversing and a tarmac stage or a mini sprint but very short and around bollards. Designed to encourage people to start in motor sport as no special car preparation or licences required

You didn't need a MSA permit for a gymkana as the winner wasn't soley decided on time but people used to bend the rules a bit but all good fun never the less
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Re: AutoSolo's - A great way into motorsport with any imp etc

Post by ChrisBenoy »

Did the North Weald solo yesterday, was pretty good fun, very fast in the afternoon. Got lots of comments on how good my car sounded :)

They had a photographer as well, have just ordered these photos.

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Re: AutoSolo's - A great way into motorsport with any imp etc

Post by bazzateer »

That's a steep uphill section in the first photo Chris! ;)
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Re: AutoSolo's - A great way into motorsport with any imp etc

Post by ChrisBenoy »

Just done the last FDMC event of the year, got through 12 clean runs getting gradually quicker as I went along which was exactly what I had planned to do. Done 6 solos this year without seeing anything else imp based which is a little bit disappointing considering how cheap and how fun it all is. I'm sure there are people out there with the cars to do well but considering we couldn't even get enough entries for the auto test at national I guess its no surprise.

Anyway, might as well sign off with a couple of pictures of the last event.

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Re: AutoSolo's - A great way into motorsport with any imp etc

Post by ImpManiac »

I am going to do autosolos some day - hopefully next season. My car is not up to scratch at the moment and would not have got through any scrutineering required. The driver's door does not shut properly and it's just not how I want it to be. I have an air compressor coming my way, though, so a respray and body resto is to start soon. :P

Then we'll see... :wink:

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Re: AutoSolo's - A great way into motorsport with any imp etc

Post by onomatopoeia »

ImpManiac wrote:I am going to do autosolos some day - hopefully next season. My car is not up to scratch at the moment and would not have got through any scrutineering required. The driver's door does not shut properly
Shouldn't get through an MOT like that, never mind event scrutineering! :shock:

(to be honest it's also something unlikely to be checked at a solo - battery security, throttle linkage, legal tyres, no loose junk in the car and valid documents are about all the scrutineering you can normally expect)
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Re: AutoSolo's - A great way into motorsport with any imp etc

Post by skamanfrank »

I thoroughly enjoyed my first (and only) autosolo, unfortunately things didn't work for me this year so I didn't get the chance. Strongly recommend them to everyone though.
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Re: AutoSolo's - A great way into motorsport with any imp etc

Post by ImpManiac »

onomatopoeia wrote:Shouldn't get through an MOT like that, never mind event scrutineering! :shock:
I know! :oops: I was surprised it passed. Anyway, my point is that I want the car to be right before I compete in it. That's why I have not entered it for anything yet. I've hardly used it at all, to be honest.

But I shall... :wink:

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Re: AutoSolo's - A great way into motorsport with any imp etc

Post by rootes »

ChrisBenoy wrote: Done 6 solos this year without seeing anything else imp based which is a little bit disappointing considering how cheap and how fun it all is.
too true - top marks for getting out the chris! real shame no imps all year
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Re: AutoSolo's - A great way into motorsport with any imp etc

Post by onomatopoeia »

I withdrew my entry to our March event as it was oversubscribed, and because I'd had too many continous weekends of motorsport and evening meetings in the preceeding week. The August one I ended up clerking. Had to exclude one of my club committee for failing scrutineering (expired MOT). Made the club magazine that did, since the person I excluded is the editor :lol:
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Re: AutoSolo's - A great way into motorsport with any imp etc

Post by ChrisBenoy »

The regs are up for the first FDMC solo of the year if anyone is interested, at Montgomery Lines parade ground near Aldershot, just off the M3.
Would be good to see some imps out, would be competative in class A against the historics. 8)
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Re: AutoSolo's - A great way into motorsport with any imp etc

Post by rootes »

FDMC Autosolo - first one in March

Regs - cheap easy to enter motorsport
http://www.fdmc.org.uk/FDMCmarchsolo2010regs.pdf

would be nice to see an imp on some of them
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Re: AutoSolo's - A great way into motorsport with any imp etc

Post by ChrisBenoy »

Me and my dad did the Oxford motorclub solo at Silverstone yesterday.

This was the first solo I had done since improving and sorting out my suspension so I wasn't quite sure what to expect from it but it was absolutly flying and once I got my tyre pressures right It had an amazing ammount of grip and would slide ever so slightly on the limit which was actually very useful for getting it round corners. It was quite an interesting event because it was done in a large carpark at silverstone, a much bigger area than usual so it was a series of fast long flowing courses. It required careful balance through the fast corners, getting the car on the limit of grip and holding it there, any attempts at too much speed resulting in sliding understeer and lost time.

This was the first solo my dad had done for a couple of years but I was still expecting to be blown away by the combination of the higher spec Ginetta and 30 extra years of driving experience however the car possibly isn't best suited to the job, struggling to stay on cam through the tighter corners requiring gear changes whereas I can stick it in second and stay there. It also looked a bit on the twitchy side, maybe due to the tyres being a bit past their best.

I ended up third of five in class E (specialist sports cars and other cars inelligable for normal classes) and maybe 30th overall (haven't got the full results sheet yet) and my dad ended up 4th of 5 in class F (pre 1980s Historics) and maybe 39th overall out of 59 entrants. Both pretty good results as a lot of the cars there were modified cars also used for rallying being driven by experienced solo drivers.

Notable cars that I beat included all 4 Mazda MX-5s, a Triumph GT6, a Mini with a 1600cc vauxhall red top engine in and of course a Blue G15 :twisted: Still some way off the Lotus Elises however.

Wasn't the most reliable of days, my car wouldn't start before a set of runs due to a loose connection, my dads car had a sticking thermostat causing the temp to climb and climb (which we removed which seems to have fixed it) and I broke a throttle cable on the way home that was swiftly changed in a conveniently placed bustop before we were on our way.

It really is great fun and despite our problems, it isn't hard on the car. I would recommend them as a fun way of stretching your imp a little bit without any real risk, according to my digital dashboard the top speed I hit was 39mph so it isn't dangerous and I think it definately helps improve driving skill.
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Re: AutoSolo's - A great way into motorsport with any imp etc

Post by bazzateer »

So when can we expect to see you on the grid Chris? :D
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Re: AutoSolo's - A great way into motorsport with any imp etc

Post by ChrisBenoy »

I've had a nice little drive around an airfield in Essex today, was an autosolo organised by the Sevenoaks motorclub and was a fun day, one of the fastest events i've experienced, got up to about 55mph in 3rd gear going through the finish on my final run (give or take a little bit of speedo inaccuracy)

My clan performed well all day and I ended up (provisionally) 6th overall and first in class, which isn't as good as it sounds as I was the only car in my class (bar a mini there with a 2 litre cozzie lump and 10" hillclimb slicks that was supposed to be in my class but was only competing for a shake down run and as it didn't meet the regulations it wasn't eligable for competition) Will have to check the results when they are put up but I would imagine I beat a few bits of interesting machinery.

The event was won by an Austin Healey frogeye sprite that somehow manages to be in the historic class despite having a 2l duratec engine in it, seriously fast though. Lots of classics out, many triumphs (toledos, GT6, spitfires), a mini and a sunbeam tiger that while beautiful was probably a bit big and heavy for the type of event.
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Re: AutoSolo's - A great way into motorsport with any imp etc

Post by ImpManiac »

Very well done, Chris! :D :D

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Post by onomatopoeia »

Bristol MC are running a solo at Castle Combe (in the paddock, not on the track) tomorrow. Entries are full but there shouldn't be a problem getting in to spectate as the track is only being used for a track day as far as I know. I will be wielding a stopwatch.
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Post by ChrisBenoy »

I've just entered one on the 17th April at Bovingdon airfield. Only £22. Details here if anyone is interested. http://www.csmanel.btinternet.co.uk/events/concorde.htm
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Re: AutoSolo's - A great way into motorsport with any imp etc

Post by ChrisBenoy »

The CSMA solo was a pretty fun one, slightly strange in that I normally have a pretty good engine but slightly poor suspension, this time I had a smokey knackered misfiring standard 875 in but with good suspension on and somehow I ended up winning my class and was 5th overall (out of 35), the grip was amazing. I've never been able to corner like that. I've attached the results here and I might post a couple of in car videos if anyone is interested.
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Post by ibbo »

well done chris following in your dads footsteps
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Post by ImpManiac »

^^ What ibbo said! Top stuff, Chris! :mrgreen:
ChrisBenoy wrote:...I might post a couple of in car videos if anyone is interested.
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Post by skamanfrank »

Yes please Chris.

Anyone know of any AutoSolos in South Wales? I'm guessing Bristol might be the closest, but must confessed I haven't actually looked for any yet
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Re: AutoSolo's - A great way into motorsport with any imp etc

Post by ChrisBenoy »

Just converting the vids into a useable format at the moment.

Frank - Bristol is the only one I can think of in the area but they pioneered the event in this country so they probably do it really well. If there are any motor clubs local to you then there is a good chance they may do one?
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Re: AutoSolo's - A great way into motorsport with any imp etc

Post by skamanfrank »

Local motor club only does Autotests from what I can see :( Oh well, I'll have a proper look soon
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Post by ChrisBenoy »

Couple of random vids, will put a few on of other courses when I get the time.

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Another course.

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Post by onomatopoeia »

skamanfrank wrote:Local motor club only does Autotests from what I can see :( Oh well, I'll have a proper look soon
Imps are good at autotesting as well ;), provided the tests are set so as not require the handbrake to negotiate them.
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Re: AutoSolo's - A great way into motorsport with any imp etc

Post by ChrisBenoy »

Thought I should probably mention that I did another solo last sunday, this was run by Oxford motor club and was at Silverstone using one of their car parks.

The event was won outright by Steve Woodings in a MK Indy (lotus 7 style kit car with a Honda Fireblade engine) so he didn't count for class honors and I ended up first in class E against 3 Caterhams a Westfield and a Lotus elise. Quite what they were playing at i'm not quite sure because firstly I shouldnt be able to get near any of them and secondly because coming into the last set of runs I was 5 seconds behind one car and 10 seconds behind another and I ended up beating them.

Now I realise that racing driver excuses should only come out when you lose but i'm running a completly standard 875cc 39bhp engine here and a clapped out smokey, badly shimmed one with a pretty rubbish clutch at that, it was also cutting out around fast corners due apparantly to fuel starvation (filled up at lunchtime and it stopped happening, can see it around the 40 second mark on the first video) but nevermind, i'll take the result 8)

Results - http://www.oxfordmotorclub.co.uk/autoso ... 1CLASS.pdf

Video one - Second course, third run (i think)

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Video two - Final course, Final run (full throttle start possibly worth it due to beating Caterham by 0.8 of a second...)

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Nothing like a trophy that you can drink beer out of. :lol:

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Post by Lars Hagermark »

Nice! :D
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Post by Grumpyoldmen »

That car park looks very big. Just made for a spontaneous kart track
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Re: AutoSolo's - A great way into motorsport with any imp etc

Post by bazzateer »

Well done Chris! Must be in the blood!
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Re: AutoSolo's - A great way into motorsport with any imp etc

Post by super66 »

well done Chris!
watching your video's it looks great fun, something that i would love to get into at some point, however i think i'd like a clan rather than an imp to do it, best get saving hey!
Like Baz says, in the blood it seems, keep it up
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Re: AutoSolo's - A great way into motorsport with any imp etc

Post by ChrisBenoy »

If you want a taster then I wouldnt be against you double driving it if there are any events that are close enough to both of us. 8)
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Post by super66 »

Chris, what a generous offer! I would certainlly be interested if there was an event that we could both get to, shame there is a fair few miles between us!
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Post by ImpManiac »

Top work, Chris! :D :D

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Re: AutoSolo's - A great way into motorsport with any imp etc

Post by onomatopoeia »

ChrisBenoy wrote:Thought I should probably mention that I did another solo last sunday, this was run by Oxford motor club and was at Silverstone using one of their car parks.

The event was won outright by Steve Woodings in a MK Indy (lotus 7 style kit car with a Honda Fireblade engine) so he didn't count for class honors and I ended up first in class E against 3 Caterhams a Westfield and a Lotus elise. Quite what they were playing at i'm not quite sure because firstly I shouldnt be able to get near any of them and secondly because coming into the last set of runs I was 5 seconds behind one car and 10 seconds behind another and I ended up beating them.

Now I realise that racing driver excuses should only come out when you lose but i'm running a completly standard 875cc 39bhp engine here and a clapped out smokey, badly shimmed one with a pretty rubbish clutch at that, it was also cutting out around fast corners due apparantly to fuel starvation (filled up at lunchtime and it stopped happening, can see it around the 40 second mark on the first video) but nevermind, i'll take the result 8)
The answer is that being neat and tidy wins out over lots of speed. A chap in a Rover 214 was 1.2 seconds off FTD at our February event. FTD went to a seemingly standard Honda Civic - not one of the VVC ones or anything like that, just a shopping car.

Might see a Clan out at our July event, if I have it going by then. I won't be fast though, just noisy :lol:
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Re: AutoSolo's - A great way into motorsport with any imp etc

Post by ChrisBenoy »

That is what I always tell people who are doing their first event, the ones powersliding around cones look good but the ones being precise and getting close to the cones without hitting them are the ones that do well, looks slower but is quicker. I try and stick to precise, then I usually see someone with a camera and go more gung-ho :oops: :lol:
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Re: AutoSolo's - A great way into motorsport with any imp etc

Post by ChrisBenoy »

I had a fun day this sunday, competed in the Club Triumph solo at Bovingdon airfield (near hemel hempstead)

This was a bit different from anything I have done before as it was an all classic solo (well any car type designed before 1981) and it was just as good seeing 60 classics lined up in the paddock as it was doing the solo. All the club triumph guys were very friendly and welcoming (i'd already met a fair few of them at other solos) they like their cars and love giving them a good thrash.

The courses were fairly tight and twisty with a lot of slaloms, a few tight gates and a bit of a roundabout at the bottom of the course (may stick some in car footage up later) I felt a little bit sorry for the big Triumph estates trying to get through tight gates, particularly on the course where some models didnt appear to have quite enough steering lock to do it in one go. I could go through them with my foot pinned to the floor I found out on my last run when I was brave enough to try it :lol: I heard the courses were designed by someone with a lot of history in autotesting so that makes sense, they usually come up with very technecial courses while people who started in soloing tend to have more open courses that require more car control

Turns out I did pretty well overall, came 4th of 59 starters which got me the second in class award. Couldn't keep up with the pace of a very well modified and very well driven Austin Healey mk1 sprite but I have a little bit of development to do yet. I also didn't feel that I drove especially well on this occasion but clearly I didn't do so badly. Was very lucky to beat the Tornado Talisman (fibreglass ford based kit car with a tuned pre-crossflow engine) that ended up 0.07 of a second behind me, given that I estimate that variations in human timing can be up to as much as 3 seconds over an event.

Either way this event was great fun and i'm intending to do it when they organise the next one in july. Would be good to see some imps there.

Results attached.
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Re: AutoSolo's - A great way into motorsport with any imp et

Post by ChrisBenoy »

Less than a year on, did the Club Triumph solo again, 4th again. Behind the same 3 cars in a slightly different order.

Was a good fun event and I don't think I could have gone any quicker, particularly with only an 875 in.

http://www.club.triumph.org.uk/uploads/ ... 2_9368.pdf

If anyone is interested in doing this next year then it might be possible to get the imp club invited.
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Post by ImpManiac »

ChrisBenoy wrote:If anyone is interested in doing this next year then it might be possible to get the imp club invited.
It depends on whether I can get the ManiacImp :twisted: running again in good time but this is the kind of activity I had in mind for the car. Well, one of the kinds of activity. :D So perhaps...

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19James
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Re: AutoSolo's - A great way into motorsport with any imp et

Post by 19James »

If everything goes to plan with the Imp i'm getting then i may be interested in doing a couple of auto solos.
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James Ibbotson
Ibbotson Automotive.
1967 Hillman imp super - classic touring car racer.
Overall championship winner 2021.
Colin Valentine
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Re: AutoSolo's - A great way into motorsport with any imp et

Post by Colin Valentine »

IMP 50 had an Autosolo at Gaydon on the Sunday, courtesy CSMA, who invited the IMP Club.
Where were you all ??????
I entered the Nymph, not a natural car to use on this type of Event.
it was good fun,.
I haven't done an Autosolo before, but I have done a few Club Autotests, which are useful practice for Historic Rallies.
I struggled to find the route on the First Run, but improved on the later Runs, and managed to complete the day without a FAIL.
I did most of the tests in 2nd gear.
As i wasn't going to win against well prepared Caterham & Midgets, there didn't seem any point in revving the nuts off it or squeaking the tyres.
i didn't finish last and it only cost a tenner.
Even gave a few passenger rides for spectators, and i didn't knock down the spectator fencing like the Caterham.
Can't make it any easier for the "Guntas" to get round to having a go.
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Re: AutoSolo's - A great way into motorsport with any imp et

Post by ImpManiac »

I saw you competing, Colin. Your Nymph looked fabulous. :mrgreen: I am guessing you didn't spot Mrs. IM and me in the crowd. :wink:

Maybe I should've entered the Vectra... :twisted:

IM 8)
Paul Harrison
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Re: AutoSolo's - A great way into motorsport with any imp et

Post by bazzateer »

Chris Benoy was tearing around when we arrived. The Midget was particulary impressive though.
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Re: AutoSolo's - A great way into motorsport with any imp et

Post by ChrisBenoy »

My pace wasn't bad although it was far closer to an autotest than a solo and quite honestly remembering twisty courses isn't what I get out of bed for so I just enjoyed myself and left it at that :lol:

Did do an FDMC solo the weekend after though which was more what i'm used to. 11th overall with a standard 875 on a single SU, i'll take that 8)
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Re: AutoSolo's - A great way into motorsport with any imp et

Post by ImpManiac »

ChrisBenoy wrote:Did do an FDMC solo the weekend after though which was more what i'm used to. 11th overall with a standard 875 on a single SU, i'll take that 8)
Not too shabby, Chris. :mrgreen:

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Paul Harrison
imp: a small demon : FIEND : a mischievous child : URCHIN
maniac: Raging with disordered intellect: affected with mania: MAD
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