ok so ive decided enough is enough. im going to start doing hillclimbs etc with the datto.
ive always wanted to, but now its time to pull my finger out and make it happen.

so im after fellow members advice on getting the ute track ready.

1. should i find some 13x6's that clear my s13 brakes so i can use ex formula ford avons and change at track?
or should i spend the money on road legal slicks that'll allow me to drive to/from events legally?

2. can anyone reccomend a good secondary bonnet restraint other than bonnet pins?


3. guys with utes.. what have you done for tow hooks? front/rear pics would be great


4. any advice on blue triangle stickers (guidelines for placement) fire extinuishers and covering up headlights would be
great too!


5. and finally can anyone reccomend a good club to join (for the purpose of obtaining a cams license) that does regular
events and will allow my ute to participate? also what level of cams should i get? L2S?


thanks in advance for any advice guys, im looking foreward to some real datto fun in the new year

Hi, Did all this with utes and coupes over the years. Should be plenty of clubs around Melb to join, just look on CAMS website or Kyneton is an excellent club. Plenty of people in clubs willing to give you advice. We have used a lap seatbelt as a secondary catch, bolt one end near bonnet catch and the other in behind bumper. Blue triangle goes above battery, go to a place where they make magnetic signs to go on car doors and get a piece and paint it blue so you can take it off when finished. Level 2 speed should be plenty for what you want to do. If you need any help , PM me your phone no. Ivan.

Well Andrew some of us are not on holidays so here goes...
Forget F/Ford Avons,get yourself a set of Yokys or Toyo 13" as you will find at some events where vehicles compete as registered cars they require a road legal tyre to comply so the legal semi slicks are the go plus they work better anyway.
Bonnet: As a scrutineer i've seen dozens of ways without using bonnet pins,a cut up belt from your old mans wardrobe,a seatbelt,a chain,even a length of rope(looks ordinary but legal)just remember not to use an occy strap as the restraint must be firm and rigid and not give.
Tow Hooks:Again an easy way is to get hold of an old lap belt and do it up around the caster rod then a zip tie round the bumper to hold it up,same at the back around the shackle and zip tie the the bumperette,use a very weak zip tie so it will break when(if)it ever gets towed.Option 2 is fabricate and weld on permanent ones.
Triangle:Walk into any signshop and ask them for a piece of light blue vinyl<it needs to have 6" sides,cut it out and stick it on the bonnet over the top of where the battery is located(assuming it is under the bonnet)magnetic triangles strictly speaking are not legal as they can blow off,if any one presents one to me i have them tape the edges before they are allowed to continue so you may as well do it properley the first time.Also make sure your Positive battery terminal is covered with something to stop any arking.No holes in the firewall,2 return springs on carbys,2 litre catch can,a can to catch any coolant from overflow if its not a sealed recovery system,tailshaft strap.
Head lights: Just do a couple of crosses with some insulation tape,Fire Extinguisher:must be a metal frame and BOLTED in,technically must be reachable whilst straped in but this is usually not feasable so as close as you can get it,one of these things can kill you in a big prang if it becomes a missile due to pussy mounting,so think it through.
As far as clubs go as has been stated hit the cams manual,but if it's hillclimbs you want i'd likely join a club that operates on of the states hillclimb venues like Gippsland.Once you join all you will need is a level 2s license and on that you can do anything except full circuit racing.

Hi mate
Great to hear you are going to be doing some track work in your ute.

Here's my 2 cents worth.

1. Tyres - Personally I like using street legal semi slicks so I can have the car ready to go the day before and simply turn up, check the oil and tyre pressures and hit the track. Grab a set of second hand semi's from one of the IPRA boys in your area and then stump up for new ones when you want to chase times. Or for a decent alternative try Kumho KU36 tyres. These aren't a true semi but are way better than a road tyre.

2. Bonnet latch - The cheapest way is to use an old pants belt with one half pop riveted to the underbonnet support panel near the catch and the other half attached to the front bumper bar. Another easy, but dodgy looking way is to use some rope looped around the bumper bar and the bonnet catch.

3. Tow hooks - Currently I am just using the factory front tow hooks and my rear tow bar mount but next week I will be cutting up a spare seat belt and bolting a loop of it at the front and the back. Another way is to use tie down strapping.

4. Triangle - Use a magnetic one if you would rather not draw attention to the car when driving on the street. The alternative is a sticker. The cheap way is to pop into your local news agent and buy some blue contact book cover wrapping or you can buy a specific motorsport sticker (You can buy the triangle individually or as part of a motorsport sticker labeling pack). Both magnetic and sticker versions can be purchased online from race shops.
Headlights - Just make a cross across the headlights using electrical tape at each meet.
Fire extinguisher - Use a metal mounting bracket not a plastic one. Bolt it to the seat frame in front of the passenger's seat.

5. Clubs - no idea sorry mate.

Let me know if what I've said doesn't make sense and I will take some photos tomorrow.
Matty

GREAT ADVICE..

ooo ange, dont get me hooked either, just get some 13 x 6 rims for the evets, you have a ute so chuck the semis in the rear til you get there and then swap. At least they will hold down the carpet ;)

theres a guy on ozdat selling cams approved 2010 design tow hooks, front and rear, think hes on ebay too, mage then from 5mm steel plates.

thanks guys, great advice!

i was thinking of more permanent solutions to the bonnet restraint and tow hooks rather than belts and straps.

i didnt know there were factory tow hooks for the front of 1200's? must find some
for the rear i always use the rear spring mount? is this good enough? should they be highlighted? do i need the little 'tow' stickers?

do bonnet pins need to be wired to the car?
ive considered retrofitting ford gt style bonnet locks to the 1200, but i guess bonnet locks of any kind (and a blue triangle)
will attract more attention to it on the street. its doesnt spend much time on the street these days anyway

is there a certain type of fire extinguisher that i need? apart from one with metal straps?

sorry for all the questions, but i couldnt confidently find the answers on the web



Do bonnet pins have to be wired to the vehicle to prevent them from falling off?

I know in WA you now must have a fire extinguisher that has two metal straps securing it not just one and apparently Bunnings sell them!

1kg minimum extinguisher i think

The belt idea is a permanent solution and looks quite "period". Rob had already done this to the 1000 before I bought it off him and you see it on pretty much every racing Mini.

The factory tow hooks may have only been on the later utes. Mine is an '85 model.

The rear spring mount will work fine.

I have taken some pics for you. I will email them shortly.

Matty

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