gordy.r Posted April 20, 2016 Share Posted April 20, 2016 So.... I've been toying with the idea of getting into hill climbs for a few years now (I live in Scotland, we have lots of hills, seems an obvious choice of motorsport...) and I have wondered which car would be best suited. Now, whilst I'd love to use the Supra, for a beginners B class licence, I would only be allowed to pilot something up to 2.0 litre naturally aspirated or 1428cc with forced induction. I would not be looking at a track specific vehicle and it would need to have tax, mot, road legal etc for the categories I am looking at entering. I will also be starting out on a budget as this will be the fourth car in the household, to that end, I am considering the Toyota MR2 mkiii what with its 1.8 litre vvti lump, its great handlng chassis, its relative low weight, availability of tuning parts and they can be picked up pretty cheaply these days. Just wondered if anyone has any experience of hill climbing or advice on picking the right car. There's the obvious choices but again, this needs to be done on a budget to begin with, for example I've seen a few mkiii's going for circa £600-£1000 in a reasonable condition (obviously I'll be checking for known pre cat and piston rings issues before buying), but other than that I think it would make for a good car to take part in. So, I think that's all I have to say just now on the issue, over to you guys really.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted April 20, 2016 Share Posted April 20, 2016 A pal of mine does this. He uses a 106 Rallye. Loves it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westcoaster Posted April 20, 2016 Share Posted April 20, 2016 A bloke on my Smart roadster website uses a remapped Smart Roadster for hill climbing, he generally comes in the middle of the field as most of the fastest cars are Caterhams or Lotus 7 based track day specials. He regularly beats most of the 2.0l class production cars. His best finish is a 2nd in the 1300cc class ( the 699cc roadster is classed as 1188cc because it's turbo'd!) He missed 1st by 0.2 sec. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gordy.r Posted April 20, 2016 Author Share Posted April 20, 2016 A bloke on my Smart roadster website uses a remapped Smart Roadster for hill climbing, he generally comes in the middle of the field as most of the fastest cars are Caterhams or Lotus 7 based track day specials. He regularly beats most of the 2.0l class production cars. His best finish is a 2nd in the 1300cc class ( the 699cc roadster is classed as 1188cc because it's turbo'd!) He missed 1st by 0.2 sec. I did consider a Smart Roadster but it was your tales of reliability which have put me off haha. It may still be an option though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted April 21, 2016 Share Posted April 21, 2016 If budget and sub 2l is the requirement, you have to consider an MX5.... I have a track one and its great fun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted April 21, 2016 Share Posted April 21, 2016 Power to weight is what you need to look at., the fastest thing up most hills would be a kart with a bigger than normal engine on it. These are banned... So the nearest you can get to something of that power to weight ratio the better. RWD is better than FWD, but small, very light, powerful RWD cars are limited to the pricey Caterfields and they have secure storage issues when not in use. I would suggest an MX-5 or a Rallye 106 as others have mooted. Forget big powerful stuff, you will be chasing your tail, go ultra light and nimble. EDIT. Oh, don't go nailing ultra stiff suspension on whatever you get, you need to feel what the car is doing at the start of your career, not wondering when it's about to snap into violent over or understeer! Keep it soft, buy the best dampers and tyres you can, and take it on some track days, it will take years doing a monthly hillclimb to know the car as well as doing 3 full track days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManwithSupra Posted April 21, 2016 Share Posted April 21, 2016 My company sponsors the Sports Libre upto 2000cc class at Gurston Hillclimb this year, As others have said you need something light and nimble with a good power to weight. If you are looking in the road going class, then an MX5 would be a good choice, they are a little underpowered however it would be good to learn in, RWD is best as said before. Then when you have the bug go and purchase a Force, OMS Jedi or DJ car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayJay1374 Posted April 21, 2016 Share Posted April 21, 2016 If your going for an mx5 a mk1 eunos or a mk2 special edition are the ones to go for. I have a mk2 10th anniversary edition (10ae). It came with a torson diff, 6speed and bilsteins as standard. Also the mk2 engines have abit more get up and go. My 10ae cost £300. Sat for 2 years before I got it. Spend a few weekends welding, new discs and pads and an oil change. Been on 2 trackdays now, kicked it's head in and it's been nothing but reliable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty Posted April 21, 2016 Share Posted April 21, 2016 A stripped out modified glanza turbo would be hard to beat. Might be a little above your budget though.. Or a 106 gti Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nic Posted April 21, 2016 Share Posted April 21, 2016 I have a big soft spot for the MK2 Honda CRX, small, nimble and fairly light in weight, I'd love to build a stripped out mid engined RWD one for hill climbing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz6002 Posted April 21, 2016 Share Posted April 21, 2016 Standard mk1 MX-5. It's great fun, reliable and will teach you proper driving without having to worry about how to get it home afterwards. You can even fit a picnic in the boot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cered Posted April 21, 2016 Share Posted April 21, 2016 Mk1 MX5 EDIT: But upgrade the cooling, few laps on my local track and it turned into a kettle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted April 21, 2016 Share Posted April 21, 2016 Keep an eye on here. Even trawling through this forum history to see what comes up for sale is interesting. http://www.uphillracers.com/forumdisplay.php/sale-42.html Amazing what you can get for your money. £5k for a Formula Ford? http://www.uphillracers.com/showthread.php/formula-ford-swift-92-sale-12673.html I have a big soft spot for the MK2 Honda CRX, small, nimble and fairly light in weight, I'd love to build a stripped out mid engined RWD one for hill climbing. Me too - but they're mostly rust buckets now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axl Posted April 21, 2016 Share Posted April 21, 2016 Defy convention and rag a Prius up the hill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gordy.r Posted April 21, 2016 Author Share Posted April 21, 2016 So... my list currently looks like this now lol: 1. Toyota MR2 mkiii (similar power to weight and handling as the mx5) 2. Smart Roadster (reliability issues put me off but it's still a firm favourite due to its uniqueness) 3. Mazda MX5 (seems to to be the most recommended so far) 4. Toyota Glanza V (a little over budget but always had a soft spot for these even if fwd) 5. Honda CRX (good for 160bhp, fwd puts me off) I'd obviously love a Lotus Elise/Exige or a Caterham etc but they aren't going to cut the mustard with she who watches over the purse strings lol - - - Updated - - - Defy convention and rag a Prius up the hill well funny you should say that... I do have one of those already haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted April 21, 2016 Share Posted April 21, 2016 Out of that list it would be an MX5 for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richie_k83 Posted April 29, 2016 Share Posted April 29, 2016 Why could you not use the Supra as an entry level? I thought about using mine as an entry level, but never went through with it due to the time / money... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted April 29, 2016 Share Posted April 29, 2016 Supra is expensive to run compared to an MX5, but if you can live with that, dont see why not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted April 29, 2016 Share Posted April 29, 2016 Why could you not use the Supra as an entry level? I thought about using mine as an entry level, but never went through with it due to the time / money... From Chris' post #6, I think a supra would be too lardy to be competitive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gordy.r Posted April 29, 2016 Author Share Posted April 29, 2016 Why could you not use the Supra as an entry level? I thought about using mine as an entry level, but never went through with it due to the time / money... National B licence is restricted to 2.0 naturally aspirated and 1.4 forced induction unfortunately. From what I've researched it seems to be lightweight trumps power in hill climbing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richie_k83 Posted April 29, 2016 Share Posted April 29, 2016 National B licence is restricted to 2.0 naturally aspirated and 1.4 forced induction unfortunately. From what I've researched it seems to be lightweight trumps power in hill climbing. Ahh righty. Personal preference or using what you have i guess too. My local sprint track had a broad selection last time i went, ranging from standard road cars to open wheeled machines. One guy is using a Dodge Viper RT/10, more of a barge than the Supra i think lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_supra Posted April 30, 2016 Share Posted April 30, 2016 National B licence is restricted to 2.0 naturally aspirated and 1.4 forced induction unfortunately. From what I've researched it seems to be lightweight trumps power in hill climbing. How about a Suzuki cappuccino? Weighs next to nothing! Lol. Might need a bit of tuning though, with a dizzying 63hp as standard! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianhid Posted April 30, 2016 Share Posted April 30, 2016 I know it's the wrong wheel drive but would a clio 182 be worth a look? I've been eyeing one up for a track toy as they seem pretty cheap and reasonably powerful. I'd also happily bin a clio into the gravel/armco and buy another but would hate to do that in the Supra. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nic Posted April 30, 2016 Share Posted April 30, 2016 Smart Roadster + bike engine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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