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There is a very real difference between R5s and Firestones. Like about £600 a set. I found new R5s better but by the time they were a season old, the benefit had faded some.
I think the vscc were trying to force us to use 3.50x19s but there was nothing suitable at the time. Main problems were there were only motorcycle tyres and those had nothing like enough speed capability. I wrote and told them that. At the time I knew a bit about tyres, and thought I'd put a well reasoned technical case, but to no avail, the committee didn't want to listen.
It wouldn't take much of a brain to work that out. The cost of a set of R5s and new wheels was probably half the value of a lot of racing sevens at the time. I was lucky I got a massive discount from Dunlop because of my work.
Actually it did me a favour. After a while I realised hillclimbing suited me better than circuit racing.
I don't know, but i always thought the committee were getting grief from owners of expensive but pedestrian Bentleys, Bugattis, Nashes and the like, who didn't like getting beaten by Austins. It was disguised as a drive for originality, but it wasn't. Owners of more exotic cars continued to use anachronistic wheel and tyre sizes. Austins weren't fast because of the tyres, they needed the tyres because they were fast. If owners of said exotica had put in the time and effort we did, and you more than any, we wouldn't have had a look in.
Interesting historical observations. Sadly nothing has changed and I decided to cease VSCC racing after Silverstone this year.
Allan, if you have a moment could you email me as I am interested in hillclimbing next year and would Value your advice. Are you by any chance at Prescot this weekend?
David .
Location: N. Oxfordshire
Historical??!!! I lived through it, that's worrying.
Frank, I struggle to answer your question. However, I do think through the 90s and early 2000s there was a definite tightening of eligibility regs and that it was aimed at Austin Sevens. I don't think they would have succeeded with any other car, but because of the demographic of A7 owners they got away with it. I never had a problem, socially within the club, it was just every time I turned up at an event, I felt rather than make it easy they were trying to find ways of stopping me. In the end I voted with my feet. I didn't get that anywhere else. Strange thing is it seemed to be race and speed events only. I competed in rallies and trials and found it completely different.
I found I liked the precision of it. You have to get it right- one mistake blows the whole run. You don't get that in circuit racing.
Is all this business re VSCC circuit racing and the anti-Austin Seven people now history or is it ongoing? Just curious as I haven't been a member of the club for many decades. When I was a member some people were very helpful to me as a young inexperienced competitor.
Dave.
Location: Sheffield