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Conference terri::cars_uk

Title:Cars in the UK
Notice:Please read new conference charter 1.70
Moderator:COMICS::SHELLEYELD
Created:Sun Mar 06 1994
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2584
Total number of notes:63384

2106.0. "BANGERS" by VESSA::GOSWELLR (( Roger Goswell @NEW 774-6253 - U.K. )) Sat Jun 19 1993 04:18

	

		ANY BANGER RACERS OUT THERE IN THE U.K.

	If so shout out....Anybody interested ?????????

	Im a new commer to the sport but having FUN...

Roger
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
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2106.1I'll try anything!!WOTVAX::BROWNRAndy BrownSat Jun 19 1993 15:2215
    Hi Roger,
    
    I haven't actually had a bash yet but I intend to in the coming month.
    Unfortunately I'm working in Warrington at the moment which is about
    240 miles from where I live so I don't get much free time at weekends.
    A friend of mine is trying to get hold of a car. He may have it already
    so I'll have to give him a ring later today. After we've done the
    necessary mods we'll be ready to bump & bash.
    
    I've always wanted to have a go, so I guess It'll be a bit of a giggle.
    I'll let you how I get on later!!
    
    Cheers
    
      Andy
2106.2Learning the hard wayVESSA::GOSWELLR( Roger Goswell @NEW 774-6253 - U.K. )Sat Jun 19 1993 15:3413
	Andy ..

	Where abouts will you be racing ?

	I use Swindon at present but there is a large team meeting at
	Farringdon this Sunday.

	So far there are 29 teams of 5 cars entered.

	Should be fun.. I will let you know the outcome.

	Roger
2106.3 WOTVAX::BROWNRAndy BrownSat Jun 19 1993 21:0615
    >	So far there are 29 teams of 5 cars entered.
    
    I think the track's going to be a tad overcrowded!! 
    
    Only joking.
    
    The nearest track to me is Matchams which is near Ringwood, so I
    suspect we'll end up racing there although I might be tempted to have a
    go on a grass track as well.
    
    I'll look forward to hearing about your escapades in the near future.
    
    
    Andy.
    
2106.4VANTEN::MITCHELLD"Management is opaque"Mon Jun 21 1993 14:143
>>	Im a new commer to the sport but having FUN...
                 -----
	I didnt know they raced vans
2106.5Big EndNEWOA::LAWSON_MMon Jun 21 1993 23:594
    Re.1
    
    I here your big end has gone where you got banged up the arse !
    
2106.6;^)NEWOA::DALLISONTue Jun 22 1993 04:306
    Mike,
    
    "Here" should be spelt "hear".
    
    Hope this helps,
    -Tony
2106.8Long time racer.BAZZER::CULLEYBARRIE CULLEYTue Jun 22 1993 14:5719
    re a few replies back, Yes they do race Vans and Caravans.
    
    I race at Aldermaston and have done for several years. I am the captain
    of a team called the Hillbillies (team colours are Red and Blue). We also 
    race at Faringdon and Standlake. Faringdon and Aldermaston are both dirt 
    tracks whereas Standlake is tarmac. My race number is HB5 so if you
    come to one of the tracks I race at, drop over for  a chat.
    
    I am not racing at the moment as I have a broken leg, from football not
    banger racing I hasten to add, but when I do race I prefer front wheel 
    drive cars such as Maxis and Princesses. They feel a bit small when up
    against the Jags but are nimble enough to keep out of too much trouble. 
    
    My son drives in the kids race at Aldermaston, he is 14 now and has
    been racing since he was 12. He has a 1500 Maxi of his own. I got fedup 
    with him telling me to preserve my car for him to race, so now I end up 
    towing 2 cars to the track which is only about a mile from my house.
    
    Barrie...
2106.9light me up !!CRASHR::JILLYCOSROCS -- In Thrust We TrustTue Jun 22 1993 18:565
Would someone please illuminate this Yank as to what the he!! "banger 
racing" is :*) ???  Is it demolition derby as we call it or something else ?


Jilly a_Yankee_circle_track_fan
2106.10TIMMII::TOMMII::RDAVIESAmateur ExpertTue Jun 22 1993 19:153
Got it in 1

Richard
2106.11Well, they get a new paint job....PAKORA::CDOUDIEZig....IN YOUR FACE !!Tue Jun 22 1993 19:185
    
    YUUUUUP, you got it in one. Cars fit for the scrap heap are raced and
    no holds barred.
    
    colin.  
2106.12Explanation.BAZZER::CULLEYBARRIE CULLEYTue Jun 22 1993 20:2336
    >> YUUUUUP, you got it in one. Cars fit for the scrap heap are raced and
    >>  no holds barred.
        
      Almost, there are some rules, but they are regularly broken.
    
    1) No turning round and going the wrong way.
    2) No hitting the drivers door.
    3) No jacking (hitting stationary cars especially if the drivers still
       in it. Can be painful to be hit by a car doing anything upto 45 mph.
    4) No following in. Tracks usually have a ditch around them, you can
       push, roll or whatever a car into the ditch but you should not
       follow it in. The car will come to rest against the other side of
       the ditch and the effect of 2 cars coming to rest rather quickly is
       again painful/dangerous.
    
    Thats about it.
    
    Not sure what US Destruction Derbys are but with Banger racing, as said
    before thay are old cars that are fit only for the scrap heap. The cars
    are prepared by moving the cooling system further into the car, small 
    petrol tanks are fitted inside the cars, batteries have to be sealed
    (wrapped in plastic) to prevent leakage in the event of a roll and 
    supports must be fitted behind the drivers seat to hold it in place to
    prevent the roof crushing in. About 30 something cars race round an
    oval for about 12 laps, the winner is the 1st car to complete the laps
    and as said before almost anything goes. a meeting is usually split
    into qualifiers and a final, then individual trophy races.
    
    We also have Destruction Derbys ( often called Death and Destruction)
    where the last car running wins and here the only rule is No hitting
    drivers doors. These are usually the last race and enables people to
    finish off their cars if they want to (cars sometimes last more than 1
    meeting).
    
    Barrie...
    
2106.13OASS::FLASHE::BURDEN_DThis is a Studebaker YearTue Jun 22 1993 21:158
  Most, if not all of the US Demolition Derbys are based on the second part
  of your description - a basic free-for-all with the last car running
  declared the winner.
  
  I have seen a few Figure 8 races held on a 1/4 mile oval.  Now that's
  interesting!
  
  Dave
2106.14CRASHR::JILLYCOSROCS -- In Thrust We TrustWed Jun 23 1993 00:0412
>  I have seen a few Figure 8 races held on a 1/4 mile oval.  Now that's
>  interesting!
  
To say the least !!  We have them at Beacon Hill in Pueblo, CO.


Is there any circle track racing in Europe similar to the US 'Saturday 
night bullrings' ??

I think 'banger' racing would take it's place with train racing here.

Jilly
2106.15SAnswers on a post cardVESSA::GOSWELLR( Roger Goswell @NEW 774-6253 - U.K. )Thu Jun 24 1993 23:2911
Hi Guys .....
..
Yes Mike the cars dead but the next is ready..!!
..
Hi Barrie were you at Farringdon for the team meeting.....?
..
I woz,  "READING RAIDERS" No. 447 ...... 



Roger
2106.16help welcome.VESSA::GOSWELLR( Roger Goswell @NEW 774-6253 - U.K. )Fri Jun 25 1993 23:5320
Barrie....

Any tips on setting up the car would be gratefully apreciated.

So far :-

	Role cage using a 4 poster scaffolding settup
	Motorcycle Fuel Tank
	Rad in Rear Window + Fan
	Battery where the passenger sea used to be.

	I am at present trying to stick to on type of car

		Ford Cortina's/Capri's/Granada's

	I'm using cortina's at the moment.

	
Roger
2106.17NEWOA::DALLISONThey make redundancies don't they?Sat Jun 26 1993 11:025
    Roger,
    
    Why not use the Renault ?
    
    (I think your R19 16v would do quite well!)
2106.18General info.BAZZER::CULLEYBARRIE CULLEYMon Jun 28 1993 13:1746
    Hi Roger,
    
    No, I didnt go to Faringdon for the team meeting, I went to watch my
    daugther participate in a gymkana(sp) wher she was riding a friends
    horse. My mate raced at the team meeting, in our team colours HB6, he
    has a Capri with a 2.3 engine, that goes well. I am not much of a 
    spectator, I much prefer to drive but dont expect to get back into
    racing until August.
    
    With regard to setup, everybody has their own way of doing things, I
    prefer front wheel drives but one thing you should think about is
    getting a water tank. It has the advantages that 
    1) Its not pressurised and if you overheat you can just remove the cap 
       and top up. 
    2) Also if a hose goes you dont get sprayed with boiling water.
    3) As tanks hold about 16 gallons of water you are less likely to
       overheat.
    4) If you mount the tank between the back wheels the extra weight of
       water will help with handling, stop the back bouncing so much.
    
    Different cars have different weaknesses. Dont know tto much about
    Fords and it also depends what effort you want to put into it.
    Cortinas  have a crumple zone at the back and drop very quickly, you
    want to find a way of starting the boot to bend upwards so that further
    impacts will increase the strength. This saves cutting the boot off
    later which exposes the rear axle. People who bend boots use a HIAB or
    JCB to lift the rear end and then drop it on a stack of tyres or logs,
    not the sort of equipment most people have. The front torsion bars (I
    think thats what they are) on Cortinas are rubber mounted on the inner
    wings, remove the nut and fit large washers, this stops them getting
    pulled through when the front ends hit. Cortina front ends are quite
    strong but keep a spare thermostat housing as these can get broken when
    the front is pushed in. The only other thing I know about them is to
    keep a spare cam belt handy as they have a bad habit of breaking.
    
    Capris are very strong at the back and the fronts quite good as well,
    their weak point seems to be the front struts, my mate always carries
    spares. They are also light on the rear end when stripped out, use a
    water tank to compensate.
    
    Thats about it.
    
    Barrie...
     
    
    	
2106.19RULES !!!! ??? What Rules...?????VESSA::GOSWELLR( Roger Goswell @NEW 774-6253 - U.K. )Fri Jul 02 1993 13:2029
Hi Barrie....

Sunday went a little to far at Swindon.  
  
		? Drivers Door Rule ? What Rule ?????

My friend (Stan) was Deliberatly hit in the Drivers Door
by car number C10 (Dougie).  No action was taken regards
this but Stan has three cracked ribs, Two teeth missing.
and is in a severe amount of pain. 

On recovering the car at the end of the race (race was
restarted ) the C10 drivers comments were " IF YOU CANT 
TAKE IT DON'T COME BACK"  Stan happened to be in the 
ambulance on his way to hospital at this time.  

On getting home and transfering another freinds days 
recording of the racing onto normal video tape, I came 
across the said event.  Visual evidence of deliberate 
'DD',  We are taking this pluss photo's back to the 
track next week to show the officials and to get them 
to do something about this before somebody gets even more
seriously hurt.  

I will keep you posted on the outcome.....

Regards

Roger 
2106.20OASS::BURDEN_DThis is a Studebaker YearFri Jul 02 1993 18:245
What sort of door beam protection is added to help save the driver?  You you
just have stock door panels?  Maybe a few beams of roll cage tubing could help
in future events?

Dave
2106.21there wasVESSA::GOSWELLR( Roger Goswell @NEW 774-6253 - U.K. )Fri Jul 02 1993 19:2018
Re: -1

Roll cage wich included door bars.

the main bar accross the door is bent and in about one
third of the way across the drivers seat.

about a 25 degree bend in the scaffold pole.

the attached upright is now between the acelorator and
the brake pedal (Rover SD1 2600cc Auto)

Doors were welded shut and all weld's were broken.

the hit was hard.  


Roger
2106.22Bangers - Essex mans Formula 1CHEFS::MARCHRFri Jul 02 1993 20:207
    Why don't you choose a Motor Sport where contact is not part of the
    game.
    
    I don't condone the actions of "Dougie", but his sort are prevalent in
    Banger racing (IMHO). What can you expect! I expect they usually win.
    
    Rupert
2106.23OASS::BURDEN_DThis is a Studebaker YearFri Jul 02 1993 20:2015
Pending any rules clarification, maybe it's time to make a NASCAR-type chassis
and watch other car bounce off it!  The door 'frame' on the a NASCAR chassis
consists of multiple horizontal beams with a verticle beam down the middle.  Not
much would get through that.

Granted, all this reinforcing kind of detracts from the 'sport', especially if
one aspect is to keep the costs low.  Didn't Derek Mitchell go down this road
with his Lotus and rules at a local track?  The organizers seemed to look the
other way as long as it was a long time member breaking them.  Seems to happen
everywhere.

Hopefully the organizers will do something when you present them with the video
of the incident.

Dave
2106.24St Johns getting worried!!.BAZZER::CULLEYBARRIE CULLEYMon Jul 05 1993 13:4529
    Went to Faringdon to watch on Sunday (yesterday). There was an
    interesting announcement concerning the St Johns who attend the
    meetings. It appears that a directive has been issued by the St Johns
    organisation that in the event of an accident where a driver sustains
    injuries such as neck, pelvis or back injuries, that the County ambulance
    service should be called out and that they should make no attempt to
    move the person. The track organiser pointed out that in their case
    this would mean interruptions of upto an h, therfore jackings of
    stationary cars which is the main culprit for this type of injury would
    be more severely dealt with in the future.
    
    This is supposed to be UK wide, so maybe you should point it out to the
    Swindon organisers what impact long delays will have on spectator and
    driver attendances. I for one would not race at a track where racing
    was being held up by the loonies jacking cars.
    
    Tracks are run mostly on a voluntary basis (Faringdon and Standlake are
    the only exceptions I know) so the people who help the organiser
    prepare the track seem to get away with various rule infrigements or
    should that be blatant disregard for the safety rules.
    
    Mick Hook at Faringdon/Standlake wont stand for any nonsense and bans
    these people staright away. If specattors dont come he loses his income
    and he wont stand for that. His tracks are both very fast and so there
    are good pilesups and rolls to entertain the spectators, he doesnt want
    the drivers injured by people breaking the basic safety rules.
    
    Barrie...
    f
2106.25Yet moreVESSA::GOSWELLR( Roger Goswell @NEW 774-6253 - U.K. )Sun Jul 11 1993 00:1622
 I couldn't make the Faringdon meet Sunday due to working shifts. And I am
 unable to make the next two weekends, but I'll be there for the third (This
 will be Swindon)!

 I will be spectating Tomorrow @ Swindown but only for a short time.  But this
 is mainly to present the pictures to the official's and let them sort it out.

 Even if this only gets them to tighten up on the rules from now on it will
 be something.

 Barrie i will be visiting Farringdon in three week time ( !! CAR PERMITING !!)
 so may see you there.

	Present car : Mk V Cortina
	Team Name   : Reading Raiders ( Temporary )
	Colors	    : Red/White 
	Number      : 447

 Regards

Roger
2106.26SWINDON TODAYVESSA::GOSWELLR( Roger Goswell @NEW 774-6253 - U.K. )Mon Jul 12 1993 01:2323

 SWINDON was quite good today, Only got to see the first half due to being on 
shift tonight.  

	VISITOR today were the SURREY STREET SQUAD with nothing smaller
	than a 2.8 Granada in tail. Yanks & Jags being the favorite choice.

	Good & Entertaining
		
	SPIKEY getting the better of the SQUADS Jag by putting it on its roof.

	Mr. BEAN's full length run at the Granny getting a welcome cheer.

	Circncester yank actually rolled completely over back onto wheels and
	carried on. 

	>>
	Barrie ..If you want to have a look at some of this I have it on vid.
	send a tape to put it on and I'll make a copy for you.
	>>

	Roger
2106.27VESSA::GOSWELLRLooney in the making >> Wed Aug 25 1993 17:3711
 Hi Barrie

	How are things going.  

	I beleive there is no racing at Farringdon 
	until the 15th-Sep.  Is this correct ?


	Regards

Roger
2106.28FORTY2::GEDDESGordyTue Sep 14 1993 19:0114
Hi,

	I've just recently moved to reading. I have been banger racing at the
Horndean race track near Portsmouth for the past 3 years. I've currently got a
2litre cortina estate for the last meeting of the season this Sunday. Now I'm
living in Reading I'm hoping to move all my equipment up here and race somewhere
local. Does anyone have a contact for any of the local racing clubs?

	I'm also looking for somewhere secure to store my equipment, mainly a
trailer, preferably with a car on it, tanks, spare tyres etc. I haven't really
started looking yet, but has anyone any ideas?

Thanks,
	Gordy
2106.29Remaining VenuesSUBURB::GOSWELLRRoger Goswell (830)3105 @REOThu Oct 21 1993 00:5229
    Gordy
    
    Have you done any racing in REdaing area yet....?
    
    Remaining events this year are :
    
    	Standlake Arena (A415 Standlake - Witney Road ) Concrete Track
    	12:30p.m.  Start
    
    	31/10/93 	- Banger Marathon + D & D
    	7/11/93		- Bonfire Fireworks + #60.00 D&D
    	14/10/93	- Banger D&D #50.00
    	27/12/93	- All Classes Christmas Capers 
    	2/1/94		- Bangers Only Classic + D&D
    
    
    
    	Faringdon (A417 Faringdon - Wantage Road ) Dirt Track
    	1p.m. Start
    
    	24/10/93	- Banger Maraton + D&D
    
    If interested I will be going to Faringdon Sunday if you want to have a
    look.  My regular track is closed at present and that is Swindon.
    
    Regards
    
    Roger
    
2106.30Thanks for the dates.FORTY2::GEDDESGordyThu Oct 21 1993 16:4615
Roger,

	Unfortunately I haven't had time to race in Reading yet, due to having
to move house. I'll hopefully be going to Aldermaston on the 31-OCT as a
spectator, and hopefully race some time next season. 
	Thanks for the dates, I'll try and get along to some of those. A couple
of other good dates that are coming up that I definitely won't miss are :-

	13-NOV-93 Matchams park Ringwood #3000 Banger open.
	21-NOV-93 Wimbledon world championship.

Gordy.

	PS Are there any strange rules at Faringdon or Standlake e.g Side ways
acros or size of water tanks. etc..
2106.31And theres moreSUBURB::GOSWELLRRoger Goswell (830)3105 @REOTue Oct 26 1993 11:2911
    Gordy
    
    No weird rules at Farringdon/Stanlake as of yet,  Next season there is
    rumour of compulsory Drivers Door protection.
    
    Also you can only put tyres/Wrap Overs on front wheel drive cars.
    
    Regards
    
    Roger
    
2106.32Next Years Fixtures (1994)SUBURB::GOSWELLRRoger Goswell (830)3105 @REOTue Oct 26 1993 11:4253
    Fixture List for Next Year :
    
    	Standalke Arena  ( 12:30 Starts except where stated * 12:00 Start )
    
    Sunday 	March 	13th 
    Sunday 	March 	20th
    Sunday 	March 	27th
    Friday 	April 	 1st     Bank Holiday
    Sunday 	April   17th
    Moday       May 	 2nd	 Bank Holiday
    Sunday 	May 	15th
    Monday	May	30th	 Bank Holiday
    Sunday	June 	12th
    Sunday	June	26th
    Sunday	July	10th
    Sunday 	July	24th
    Sunday 	August	 7th
    Sunday	August	21st
    Monday	August	29th	 Bank Holiday
    Sunday	Septemb 11th	
    Sunday	Septemb	25th	
    Sunday****	October	 2nd	 SEGTO Championship Round **********
    Sunday 	October	16th
    Sunday 	October 30th
    Sunday	November 6th	
    Sunday	November13th	
    Monday****	December26th	Boxing Day
    Sunday****	January  1st	Bank Holiday 1995
    
    
    
    Faringdon ( One of these fixtures will have to canceled ??)
    ( All fixtures start at 1 p.m. )
    
    Sunday 	April 	 3rd
    		April 	10th
    		April 	24th
    		May	 8th
    		May 	22nd
    		June	 5th
    		June	19th
    		July 	 3rd
    		July	17th
    		July 	31st
    		August	14th
    		Septemb  4th
    		Septemb 18th
    		October  9th
    		October 23rd
    
    
    
    Roger
2106.33Any Cars will doSUBURB::GOSWELLRRoger Goswell (830)3105 @REOThu Nov 11 1993 14:2624
    	Last meeting at Standlake( Except specials) this weekend ,  14/11/93
	.....
    	Will be Racing a 2600 SD1 Rover,,,,,,,,
    	If your interested Gordy and the car last you quite welcome to have
    	a go.
    	.....
    	!
    	On the other hand ..... I am interested in any car out there that
    	is big/Bulky and as hard as nails,  This is for the Christmas
   	meeting.  If anybody knows of anything (local to Reading  would be
    	helpful).  (Jag or the size of would be good)
    
    	If anything out their then either mail me on
    
    	Vax Mail 	SUBURB::GOSWELLR
    	EMail		Roger Goswell @REO
    	or phone
    	Wrk 		0635-526070/774-6070
    	Home		0734-885706
    
    Regards
    
    Roger