Hi,
please could someone explain what the motorsports / trials are for landy's?
I would like to get into some sort of sport with my cars, especially after watching some of the ikizler twin vids! Is there anywhere in the UK where we can do the same sort of things?
Thanks
Neil
Motorsport is a large sector. If we narrow it down to trials as this is the most realistic in terms of cost.
Trials are mostly run by either the AWDC (All wheel drive club) or the ALRC (Association of Land Rover Clubs). The main difference is the AWDC allow any vehicles, while the ALRC is Land Rover only.
I would advise starting out with the ALRC, as they are generally well run events and it is easier to go ALRC -> AWDC than the other way round.
The ALRC hails from a club originally founded and founded by Land Rover themselves. And it is, as it's name suggests an association of clubs. There are loads of clubs across the country and most clubs will run at least one event per month.
A list of clubs here:
http://www.alrc.co.uk/member_clubs.htm
If you can't find your local one, give me a shout and I'll help out.
As for the competitions. The most common event is called an RTV (Road Taxed Vehicle).
This is a very good place to start. There are some subtle variations, but an RTV typically involves 12 'gates' (a gate is a pair of canes). And you have to drive from the 12 gate to the 1 gate without stopping or hitting a cane. Lowest score wins.
So if you get stuck at gate 6 you'll score 6.
If you hit cane 4, you'll score 4.
If you drive the complete course without stopping or hitting a can you'll get a "CLEAR", ie score 0
An RTV will consist of 6 to 12 sections on the day, depending on the number of entrants and location.
RTV's are generally non damaging and fine for standard vehicles to enter. That said, 90's, 88's and similar will fair better at such events as a rule. Long wheel base vehicles such as a RRC or Disco1 can be used, but you'll find it harder to get a clear as they are bigger. You are allowed one 'shunt' per section with a LWB vehicle, i.e. while on section you can shout "shunt", come to a stop, reverse and continue again.
The reason I say ALRC is, there are rules and regulations you must follow. The ALRC currently (although this might be changing) promotes standard vehicles and Land Rover parts only. So fancy dislocating suspension systems aren't permitted. Although this might change in the next year or so.
The AWDC lets you do pretty much anything. Which is good and bad. Good because you can turn up and play, but bad as to be competative you often need a specific vehicle and specific mods. While with the ALRC this isn't the case.
People do RTV Freelanders, but it is rarer, lack of low range seriously hinders them in this type of off road use.
Some clubs run Tyro events. These are basically less exciting RTV's. So the terrain is a lot flatter, not near any trees and no chance of damage. Personally unless you are 16 or under (ie can't enter an RTV) or have a showroom spec newish vehicle (D3), then I'd suggest starting with an RTV.
The vehicle only needs to be road legal, with Tax and MoT (where applicable).
You'll want a tow rope and recovery points front and rear and I'd highly advise some proper MT off road tyres. Street or AT tyres typically won't cut it at an RTV.
There are other regs, all of which are in the Green book (you get one when you join).
I would highly advise going along and watching an event first off, maybe even sign up and passenger with a competitor. It'll give you a great insight of what you need to do. Jumping straight in and competing is quite a big step otherwise.
_______________________________
As for other events. The next step up from RTV is CCV (Cross Country Vehicle). CCV's don't need to be road legal and can often be custom, such as a V8 80" coiler. CCV events are much tougher and more extreme than RTV's. You can use RTV vehicles for CCV events, but you need a rollcage, fire extinguisher and the vehicle log booked.
It is far more sensible to spend some time RTV'ing then moving onto CCV.
From here, there are other events, such as challenge events. But these are extreme, damaging and require heavily modded vehicles as a rule. And speed events, such as comping (Comp Safari) or Hill Rallies. But these will need comp licenses and are a whole different level of financial commitment.
______________________________
Here is an RTV from earlier in the year:
There are loads on YouTube.
___________________
If you find you get into trials. Then the ALRC runs a National event every year, with all of the different competition types. With 140-200 RTV entrants.
http://www.sroc.co.uk/2016national.htm
________________________
Some good pics here to see what trials are all about:
http://www.bosuncam.org.uk/ALRC/ALRC2015/rtv/
