VOC Speed Challenge
 

As many of you are aware I have been competing in the VOC Speed Challenge over the last few months. The whole point of competing in sprint events was for me to gain experience in competitive track driving. I have taken part in four events starting off in May at Llandow in Wales, Castle Coombe in July, Colerne in August and Castle Coombe again on Saturday.

The whole experience has been a very positive one as I have learned an awful lot about car control and driving at the limt and the ragged edge! I've had the
privilege of driving an 850 T-5 saloon, a race prepared S70 T-5 and my modified V70 T5. I am happy to say that I currently have 46 points and have equal second place in the Challenge! I hope that some of you can join me in competing next year!

Nice one Iain.

I can't promise to join in next year, although it is something I'd like to have a go at.

But more importantly - what's that I spot in your sig? Finally decided to join the correct wheel drive brigade??

Hi Rupert, it would be great to have some friendly (not that the competition is unfriendly) competition next year, so I hope that you can compete! "Correct wheel drive brigade", lol - well my fwd managed to compete with awd and rwd cars on equal terms at the weekend!

Hi Iain, getting better I see, but can't believe you risked your pride and joy, obviously the racing bug is now 100% in control lol. Isn't there a car missing off your sig and what's the 360 GLT all about then? :)

Sounds like a good series to be in.... any more info?

Do you have to do any race prep to the car?
Entry costs..?
any other info...?

Hi, here's a link to information that I posted for this year's competition: http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showth...peed+Challenge

You will need a National B Non-Race licence which you can get from the Motor Sports Association for £35. You will need a fireproof Nomex suit and a crash helmet that has been passed by the MSA. Cars have to have a piece of yellow tape on the negative terminal of the battery and a directional on/off sticker beside the ignition so that in the case of an accident a marshall knows which way to turn the ignition off. You will also need a timing strut which is a rectangular piece of metal that fixes on your car's number plate that breaks the laser at the start and finish of each run. If you have a battery inside the car it will have to be a dry type due to new regulations. Your car will need to pass scrutiny by a simple safety inspection by the marshalls, there will also be a sound check on the exhaust.

I can send you more details on the strut as you will need to fabricate one (the details will be in the Blue Book which you'll get with your licence). You will need to be a member of the VOC to take part in the competition or a member of a motor club to take part in the majority of events.

Normal sprint days start around seven thirty, you'll need to put your car in for inspection and noise test and submit your MSA licence and club card when you sign on. The morning is spent going out on practice runs and waiting for your next turn. Normally the competition will start after lunch.

My last sprint cost £90 to enter, you need to enter well in advance of the event to ensure that you get a place as some of the events are over-subscribed (I was fifth reserve on the last event because the event was so poplular and people had put their entries in very early, however people dropped a week before the event out so I got a run). If there is anything that I can do to help you send me a PM! The series consists of sprints, hill climbs and rallies, the later applies to classic cars. I decided to compete in just the sprints, however next year I'll probably do some hill climbs as well.

This sounds like a much more affordable series than some of the competitions I've looked into... it's just a shame that they are so far away....

I'll have to look into the cost of a dry battery... most of the other stuff wouldn't be a problem...

Than all i've got to learn is not to wheel spin out of the corners and I should do OK.....

Hi, there's sprints all over the country! If you want any help just let me know!

Bother! That rules me out then.............

Maybe not, the S70 race car was 95 decibels and my V70 was 85 decibels.