Autosolo, 30th Nov Johnston

[Dominic]

It's a while since I have posted anything about autotests, but this is a bit different, so thought it might be worth sharing;

There is an Autosolo event being run by Scottish Sporting Car Club on the 30th Nov in Johnston (near Glasgow). An Autotsolo is similar to an autotest, but is more open, flowing, faster and with no reversing is much more suited to elises / exiges etc. Some have described it as half way between an autotest and a sprint, although, I would not say it would be quite as fast as that. It's a great chance to get out in your car and have some relatively slow speed hooning and drifting, in safe confines for not a lot of money. The cost will be £10, + membership to SSCC (Which is £10). I am planning to take part, as the surface at this time of year is usually damp and greasy so does virtually no harm to your tyres.

Here is the official blurb from SSCC:

Scottish Sporting Car Club’s 2013 season concludes on Saturday 30 November 2013 with our tarmac-based Winter Autotest 2, to be held at the premises of W H Malcolm in Johnstone. This event will consist of an AutoSOLO (a type of event new to SSCC) an All-Forwards Autotest and a Production Car Autotest.

The AutoSOLO (classes 1, 2 and 3) is for road-going cars (registered, taxed and – if appropriate – MoT’d) which are driven to the event. The course is like that for an autotest but more open and flowing, in that there is no reversing and no tight turns, so it is less damaging to the car. It really is an event at which you can just turn up and “run what you brung” and has proved extremely popular down in Englandshire. If you’ve always fancied having a whirl around an autotest but only have a normal road car now’s your opportunity.

Cars in the All-Forwards Autotest need not be taxed or MoT’d, so classes 4, 5 and 6 cater particularly for those vehicles kept specially for competition.

The Production Car Autotest – class 7 - will run in parallel with the main event, and is intended for the less experienced/younger competitors, using series production cars only.

Entries for the event close on Wednesday 27 November (but please note that the Entries Secretary is now Robert May, whose contact details are included in the Regs).

We look forward to welcoming you to Johnstone on 30 November.

It will be something along the lines of this, but less tight turns, and no reversing; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zraBWVZddHM

If you are interested, post up - or PM me, and I'll put you in touch with the club.

[Dominic]

1. Dom
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[Rusty]

i'd love to give it a bash but down in newcastle for rugby that weekend!

[Dominic]

i'd love to give it a bash but down in newcastle for rugby that weekend!

Pity, the MX5 would be pretty handy for it!

[pete]

The Elise is off the road (suspension bits are away) but I might still make it. Mate's thinking about it too, depends if he can interest his youngest (minimum 14 driving age if anyone is feeling brave).

I'll let you know.

To anyone else I recommend it, utterly unpretentious and a hoot. Like screaming round Asda car park when you were young (just me right?).

[alicrozier]

Agreed these are great fun!

Caterham with hyd handbrake used to be the weapon of choice.

[pete]

Agreed these are great fun!

Caterham with hyd handbrake used to be the weapon of choice.

The only Caterham I had a shot in was thinforth's. I just wanted to see if I fitted and he insisted on me driving it. Just hilarious - some bruising to the head from the MSA cage everytime I turned (I could never drive it on a track) but awesome.

[Mike Scib]

1. Dom
2. Mike
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[Dominic]

Agreed these are great fun!

Caterham with hyd handbrake used to be the weapon of choice.

Indeed, however this being an autosolo, will give the lotuses a fighting chance. ... Mibbi

[pete]

1. Dom
2. Mike
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The question becomes what percentage of the course will Mike manage in a straight line...

[chris_c201]

Dom, think an Evora would be alright for this, appreciate it's unlikely to be as fit for purposes as an Elise....

Still not been able to get it on track and figure this might be fun to kick it.around a little?

[Dominic]

I doubt Mike will even get off the start line going straight.

[Dominic]

Dom, think an Evora would be alright for this, appreciate it's unlikely to be as fit for purposes as an Elise....

Still not been able to get it on track and figure this might be fun to kick it.around a little?

Yea, it will be fine for it. Others have used mercs, BMWs. and a Vauxhall Omega in the past... To great effect.

[kenny]

I could be up for that, will have to see if the car is still working first.

[a4drk]

I fancy this .....
Are diesels allowed ?

David