Having a bit of a dilema, a bit boring, but would appreciate your thoughts. I’m entering Time Attack again this year as some of you may know and am in the process of rebuilding my car at the moment.
The organisers have literally just released new tyre regs which causes me to have this dilemma.
I can now either go into the Pro Class, on my choice of any full slick and wet tyre, with all of the most highly tuned cars in existance. Steve G was in this class and came 2nd. We aren’t told who is going into which class, so basically I could either get totally destroyed and be able to do nothing about it or I could possibly do ok and show a few of the big names up. I would imagine everyone in this class will have at least double my power. I have no way of knowing how competitive I will be.
Or, I can go into a special 2 wheel drive class on my choice of any tyre from the 1B list, i.e road legal track tyres. Again, I won’t know who is in this class exactly. However, I do know a few of the cars that will be in this class and back in 2010, I was quite a bit quicker than them. If I ended up being lots faster than them, I would get put up a class again like in 2010 anyway.
What do you guys reckon. I’m tempted to go into Pro on slicks and spend the next couple of months growing some massive bollocks.
there might be some good competition in the 2wd class, go there to start with to get your eye in, then move up if required. If you start in pro you can’t move down
If I start in the 2wd class, if I were to get moved up, I’d have to buy another 3 sets of tyres really!!!
We have to have slicks and wets for Pro and List 1B and 1A tyres for the other class for wet and dry conditions.
The other thing is that there will be Pro Tuner cars, owned by proper teams etc and there will be Pro privately owned cars, whom I would be competing against. In 2010 I was moved up from the lowest class into the middle class and remember setting times that were quicker than some of the Pro cars. Plus, this year I’ll have more power, less weight, a full sequential paddleshift gearbox and lots more aero.
[quote=jamwill79]If I start in the 2wd class, if I were to get moved up, I’d have to buy another 3 sets of tyres really!!!
We have to have slicks and wets for Pro and List 1B and 1A tyres for the other class for wet and dry conditions.
The other thing is that there will be Pro Tuner cars, owned by proper teams etc and there will be Pro privately owned cars, whom I would be competing against. In 2010 I was moved up from the lowest class into the middle class and remember setting times that were quicker than some of the Pro cars. Plus, this year I’ll have more power, less weight, a full sequential paddleshift gearbox and lots more aero. [/quote]
Your decision , but as has been said , see how you go first , before big expense of slick and wets required in Pro Class .IMHO
after being down at roger clarks today looking at them build the gobstopper 2, i reckon you should have a crack at the pro class…the fact they brought someone over from australia to do the wiring on the new car says it all…
that way i can come and see you both…but the sensible option has the be the other class…i reckon you should be in a class thats competitive for you and your car…if that makes sense…
I think you know what you really want to do and you should go for it.
Sounds like you already know the ropes and so have less to gain from the other classes - so go shoot for the moon and measure yourself against the best with no compromises.
[quote=scatty]after being down at roger clarks today looking at them build the gobstopper 2, i reckon you should have a crack at the pro class…the fact they brought someone over from australia to do the wiring on the new car says it all…
that way i can come and see you both…but the sensible option has the be the other class…i reckon you should be in a class thats competitive for you and your car…if that makes sense… [/quote]
Oooh, do tell me more. How are they getting on with it then and did they tell you anything about it? I’ve heard a few things about it, but a couple of weeks ago Scuffers was with the machinest who is making some parts for my gearbox and also theirs and was told that their gearbox has been designed to handle 1600 hp!!!
Anyway, at the moment I’m thinking Pro Class is the way to go as it’ll be the biggest challenge with my lack of power and lack of skill. I’ve won the championship for my class before, so sod it if I don’t win again. I’ll think it over for another couple of days though.
i wasnt allowed to take any pics of it. its the new scoob hatch. its still basically the shell and a steering wheel at the minute. the wiring all looks complete i think, and ollie said it would prob be ready for testing march/april…i think…
is your first outing at cadwell may/june??? il make sure i pop along and say hi. my mate started working there just before xmas so il let you know if i get any tit bits…
the bloke doing the wiring actually took his shoes off when he went inside the shell of the car. i had to do a double take…
Go Pro Class matey. Like you have said, you have won the lower class before, and slicks, wings and a sequential is gonna make you loads quicker and thats without the extra oooommph you’re gonna have.
I think the satisfaction you will get by beating some of the mega money, mega power cars will be huge and make it all worth while.
The cost of the extra wheels and tyres shouldn’t worry you too much looking at the mods you have been doing over the winter.
Agreed, go in the pro’s if you have won the lower class already.
Don’t be put off by the bigger budgets, just because they have more money doesnt mean they have the balls to match…
We used to turn up to karting in a knackered old van with second hand karts a few years old and park up next to the 100k race trucks holding 3-4 brand new chassis and all the kit to go with. We used to get laughed at on the way in and cursed at on the way out after we kicked their arses…
Go out and take as many scalps as you can, well all be routing for you!
Gav, that sounds like a trackday at Silverstone where I have often got patronising smiles/nods first thing in the morning and been ignored at lunchtime.
Indeed, I use to love my old twin turbo rs4 estate for that. Nobody would give it the slightest bit of attention first thing in the morning, by dinner time you’d have a large crowd around it wanting to know wtf has just flew past them…
The opportunity to run your choice of slicks and wets in the pro class should really give you confidence in pushing the car further. Full credit for doing so well already on 1b tyres, running full race wets in the rain/damp is night and day compares to 888 or A048.
Sssh! That’s why I was sneaking up behind Sean on the first morning laps at Donny, certainly nothing to do with my track ability. I think he was having more sideways fun though
Well, I’ve still not reached a 100% fixed decision, however it’s looking more like Club Pro at the moment on 1B tyres, but I’ll see. If I had another 50-100 odd bhp, I’d go in Pro without question. I can still go up if I’m quick enough, but I’m going to be so rusty and my car so different, that I think I’ll be more comfortable starting slowly or slower!!
So another question…I have to have 1A list tyres in case it’s very wet. What are the best ones to go for? I need a 16" front of 195/205 and 17" rears of about 245/255. Anyone got any ideas please?
