hillclimb - how to get started

Other Sports...

Travel

Links

Main Sections

Unusual Events

other stuff

>Cars - How to get started in hillclimbing

Hmmm... if you fancy some 4 wheeled action which is a bit different you might consider hillclimbing. Its one of the cheapest forms of motorsport going, there is a good number of courses in the UK, and and it certainly offers excitment and thrills.

As we have mentioned before with one or two exceptions, hillclimbing in the UK is conducted on twisty paved up-hill sections of single lane roads (usually on private property) and not on purpose-built tracks with friendly gravel run-off areas. The courses are often challenging, unforgiving, and in order to be successful in hill climbing you'll need quick reflexes and excellent machine handling skills.

There is a wide range of classes with suit just about any type of car you can imagine. The cars used in this sport vary, from ordinary domestic vehicles to full power ex-formula 1 cars and specialised lightweight hillclimb cars with a low centre of gravity and oodles of torque.

There are a number of good hillclimb courses in the UK. Typically they are about 1/4 to 1/2 a mile long and racing is conducted via timed sprints. This means you won't be bashing body work with some maniac, but you will be racing against the clock.

Hillclimb: your route to racing

	a) watch a hillclimb event live
	b) speak to the racers in the pits and get information
	c) book hillclimb school
	d) service car
	e) attend a hillclimb school
	f) join a hillclimb club
	g) apply for 'National B' licence
	h) prepare car for competition
	i) go hillclimbing and scare the heck out of yourself!!!!

Hillclimb School: Before you set off to participate in a hillclimb school think about what would happen if you crash your car durning the event. Can you afford to write your vehicle off? If not, consider purchasing a less expensive car (possibly and older model). Remember you race at your own risk!

How to start Hillclimbing...

Timed runs, here's how it works...

Hillclimbing racing is conducted by timed sprints. This means you won't be bashing body work with some maniac, but you will be racing against the clock.
Basically the way the racing works is that cars roll up to the start line where marshals guide the driver to the light beam and place a block behind one of the rear tyres so the driver can release the brakes (and not roll backwards) and concentrate on a clean and powerful start. After the marshal gives the driver the signal all is clear he'll point to the starting light which is lit red. The light will go green and the driver will have a brief period to leave the line.
The clock will start as soon as the car breaks the light beam with its timing strut (i.e. a 'beam breaker' which is a plate mounted to the most forward point of the car) and once the car brakes the other light beam at the finish line the clock will stop which logs the time.

Choose the car and class

The car classes: Generally speaking there are three main catagories in hillclimb and each class is further divided by engine capacity

Production cars: A popular class which is categorised into a) standard production cars (excluding kitcars, 4WD), b) road going kit cars and replicas, c) modified production cars. Production cars vary from classic to modern, standard to heavily modified, and from sports to saloon. You'll need to start in this class.

Sports racing cars: These are purpose built lightweight hillclimbing cars with aerodynamic bodies and heavily modified engines. These cars are usually 2 seaters and are divided into a) hillclimb supersports classes and b) sports libre classes.

Single-seater cars: A diverse class with range of categories which cater for ex-formula 1 race cars (some knocking out 600BHP+), through to lightweight race cars with motorcycle engines, and there is even a category for 500cc vintage machines..

Get started: school, join a club and get a licence

Watch: good way to get started is to first attend a hillclimb race as a spectator. Have a good look at racing, visit the pit area and ask the races any questions you may have. these could be about how they got started, car preparation, costs of racing (vital), number of race meetings in a season, the club scene... You should come away from the meeting knowing whether or not hillclimbing is for you.
Hillclimb school. A popular way to get involved in hillclimbing is to make use of your 'road legal' car and enrol in a 1 day hillclimbing school. These schools offer theoretical and practical knowledge and lessons are given by experienced hillclimbers. If you attend a school which is AHASS registered you may be able to obtain the equivalent of 2 upgrading signatures toward the MSA Competition Licence. See to see our list of hillclimbing schools click here...
Licence and club membership: You'll need to join a MSA (Motor Sports Association) affiliated hillclimbing club before applying for your 'National B' MSA Competition licence. There are 2 types of licences the National A, and National B. You must first obtain a 'National B' licence which has restrictions regarding the type of car you can race and at which grade but it will allow you to compete in most hillclimb events. You can upgrade your 'National B' licence for a 'National A' licence once you've got some races under your belt (and acquired signatures) which means you'll be licensed to race more the powerful machines in the sports and single-seater classes. For more information on competition licences visit the MSA website... click here...

Your MSA affiliated club will provide all the information you require to get started in the hillclimb. Ask them for a list of race meetings, entry regulations, and entry forms. Good luck!

Car and protective wear

Protective wear: For God's sake don't scrip when it comes to protective wear. Before you by gear ask yourself "would this protect me if I was in a serious crash?"

Proper Gear: you'll need a good quality helmet with the new blue stamp (replaces the old gold stamp). If you are racing an open top you'll need a visor or goggles. You'll need to wear lame resistant overalls and it is also a good idea to wear flame resistant gloves, socks, underwear, and a balaclava. Dog tags are also a good idea listing your blood group.

Car preparation: having chosen your class, you'll need to ensure your car is fit for competition and capable of passing scrutineering. Before you go racing scrutineers will give your car a through check to ensure it is in good condition and suitable for the demands of racing. Your MSA affiliated club will be able to provide you with guidelines on how your car should be prepared.

A few tips...

Before you set off to participate in a hillclimb event think about what would happen if you crash your car durning the meeting. Can you afford to write your car off? If not, consider purchasing a less expensive used sportsbike (possibly and older model or one that's already been crashed a few times).

If you drive your car to the hillclimb meeting you will be taking a risk that it might not be road-worthy for your journey home, so you might want to consider hiring a car trailer. Like other dangerous sports, we recommend you bring a friend along with you - they are often a good source of advice and they will be there to assist you should you need it.

Prepair your car well before you set out. Give your car a thorough check and have serviced if it needs it. Ensure your brake pads have plenty life left in them and the brakes feel solid and not spongy (bleed them if in doubt). Good tyres are vital. Soft compounds should do nicely but remember the tyres will not be a warm as you would like so don't push too hard into those corners.

Before you pull up to the start line you'll be on cold tyres (unless you have a tyre warmer that is). Consider warming the rear tyre with a bit of a burnout as you approach the start line..

When you roll up to the start line remeber to control your adrenalin and don't go hell-for-leather on your first run. Take it relatively slow and easy on your first few runs and build up a good knowledge of the course and how your car reacts with your chosen suspension set-up and tyre choice.

Since the starting line is on a hill, there will be a marshall available to put a block behind your rear tyre so you can release the brake (so as not not roll back) and concentrate on a clean and powerful start without much wheel spin. After the marshal gives you the signal all is clear he'll point to the starting light which is lit red. The light will go green and you will have a brief period to leave the line.

The clock will start as soon as your car breaks the light beam with its timing strut (i.e. a 'beam breaker' which is a plate mounted to the most forward point of the car) and once the car brakes the other light beam at the finish line the clock will stop which logs your time.

Remember to check the car over between runs and ensure it is mechanically fit.

Race at your own risk

It may be a good idea to update your Will before you go racing.

Race at your own and have fun!

Feature: Hillclimb School

A popular way to get started in hillclimbing is to make use of your 'road legal' car and enrol in a hillclimb school. See our feature on hillclimbing schools, containing links to the leading hillclimb schools click here...

Useful hillclimbing links:

See photos hillclimb photos >

Visit our feature on 'Hillclimbing SCHOOLS' click here... >

Visit our feature on 'Hillclimbing VENUES' click here... >