Endurance Trial in Ireland

Aer Lingus Motor Club has applied for a date (20th February, 2011) for the first Endurance Trial to be held in this country. Rules and specifications are being submitted to the Rallies Committee, which is supportive of the concept.

We hope to give competitors a minimum of 50 km. over a number of selectives on private land and have got permission for three selectives already.

The current plan is for the first car to leave the start (in west Dublin) at 11:00 a.m., have a break for lunch, a break for tea and a finish at around 10:00 p.m. There will be no competitive mileage on open roads; an expert navigator will not be needed and the road timing will be relaxed. There will be no need to plot points (the route will be defined by Tulip diagrams) and there will be no Regularities or driving tests.

We are very keen to encourage drivers to enter standard cars and with this in mind, we are hoping to lay out a route which will not require cars to have a sumpguard.

There will be at least four classes –
(1) Endurance Specification Cars.
(2) Navigation Trial cars up to 1400 c.c.
(3) Navigation Trial cars 1400 to 2000 c.c.
(4) Retro Cars – this class may be sub-divided if enough entries.

Summary of proposed Endurance Trial concept:

Endurance Trial is something of a misnomer; these events got the ‘Endurance’ tag because the first events were long-distance affairs which went from London to places in Africa. The specification of the cars has remained unchanged, even though events in the U.K. usually last no more than a day, sometimes two.

Endurance Trials are designed to provide a cheap introduction to motorsport. They are a variant of Night Navigation events (rather than a variant of Stage Rallying) but the competitive part of the event takes place on Selectives, which are closed to other traffic. The Selectives are held on private ground such as farm roads, perimeter roads on racecourses, army tracks, forests or (in the U.K.) in the private roads of “stately homes”. They vary in length, usually from a kilometre or two up to ten kilometres. There is no competitive driving on roads open to the public.

The selectives are timed to the second. They will be run at the same average speed as all Navigation Trials, i.e. 50 kph (32 mph). The average speed is kept low by the use of artificial chicanes (usually set up on long straights), cones which must be passed on the correct side, stopping to get information from code boards or stopping to have a time card stamped. (It should be noted that Navigation Trials already use these types of private roads and lanes, timed to the minute. To run as a Selective, they would be timed to the second). In reality, the competitors will probably average about 45 kph, as organisers will set up chicanes etc to ensure that crews don’t “clean” sections.

To qualify for the premier award, cars must meet the specifications for Endurance cars. The main features of the Endurance cars are as follows:

(1) They must have engines no larger than 1400 c.c. No modifications are allowed to engine or gearbox, except that the engine can be “chipped”. No LSD allowed.
(2) Suspension is free, but no remote reservoirs. Wheels are free. Two spots allowed.
(3) Sump-guard and tank-guard allowed.
(4) Cars must run with full glass and all seats and trim.
(5) FIA seats not obligatory.
(6) Helmets not required.

(Full technical specification has been submitted to the Rallies Committee and will be published when passed. In the meantime, further information on the technical specification available from Frank O’Donoghue)

No M & S type tyres allowed in any class.

Cars must conform to noise levels as per rules for Navigation Trials.

No service crews allowed, but mechanical assistance crews can, at the Organiser’s discretion, attend at the start, throughout the event and at service halts. These will be arranged by the Organisers.

Spares must be carried in the car. (Being standard, the Endurance cars are ultra reliable; they are almost identical in specification to our Navigation Trial cars).

At present, there is no such event under Motorsport Ireland regulations. The nearest we got to one was the Summer Lanes, run last year and this year out of Lisburn. Even though it wasn’t confined to Endurance specification cars, an Endurance car finished third last year and second this year. (The TDC event in Mondello in January was very similar; an Endurance event would simply have had much longer Selectives). In many ways, it is like a Multi-venue Autotest, but with significantly longer tests and no reversing.

As there are at present just six cars in the country to Endurance Specification, the initial events will have to allow Navigation and Retro type cars to compete, simply to make an event financially viable.

Other clubs have expressed an interest in running similar events.

For beginners who want cheap motorsport, here it is. For those like myself who are over the hill, it is great fun!

A complete set of proposed regulations for Endurance Trials, including technical specifications, is available on request; contact Frank O’Donoghue on 087-6737074 or at naps@indigo.ie (preferably the latter). We hope to have the regulations approved by the end of October.

Sounds like it could be a great form of Motorsport...

sounds like fun

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if only life was as easy as driving

Sound good but I was wondering about this rule,

	Patricia wrote:
	4) Cars must run with full glass and all seats and trim.

Does this mean that a multi venue car which has it interior removed can't be used?

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Curator of ClubmanResults.com
http://www.clubmanresults.com

http://www.jamesmansfield.net

That requirement only applies if you want to win the overall award. The overall award can only be won by a full endurance spec car. We will encourage the use of Retro, Night Nav and Multi venue cars, as there are only a handfulf of Endurance cars in the country at present.

This is more than a multi venue event and navigators will be required.

ALMC will continue to run its Multi venue event in April.

NoelD

What exactly is endurance spec? I've got a standard spec 1966 Mini Cooper, it does have a sumpguard fitted. Is this suitable? Also will this event be as rough as a multivenue?

Lads

Stop guessing ! The problem with blogging !

http://www.endurance-rallying.co.uk/index.html is the website

The car I have seen had a rollcage and sumpguard.

If in doubt, and before you spend any money : ask Frank O'Donohue.

Tim

Endurance Rallying in the UK was introduced as a new low-cost Formula restricted to a maximum of 1400 cc. It is classed as “back to basics” rallying when the sport was all about rallying production cars with little modification. The formula offers a “third way” or middle rung-of-the-ladder format, bridging the Night Nav / Multi Venue scene and Special Stage rallying. It is not so complicated as these disciplines but runs to simpler rules and regulations. Engines, gearboxes, transmissions and brakes have to be standard. Safety harnesses, roll-over protection and fire extinguisher are among mandatory items, control tyres are normally used which are of a one make and design. Suspension can be uprated and better seats fitted. However the new formula is all about keeping costs down and modifications restricted.

There are lots of classes and anyone can have a go. You do not need a special competition licence- same as Nav / Retro /MVAT. Crews do not have to wear race suits or helmets. The event is split into road sections and Selectifs (like special stages) organised in country parks, stately homes, farmland, hillclimbs, classic circuits etc., all combining for a course that runs day and night...............

These were the results of the 2008 Lombard Endurance Rally....some familiar names
Top 5 Historic Cars:

Jack Curran/David Bardwell - Lancia Fulvia Sport
Graham Dance/Rob Dance - Ford Escort
Kenny McEwan/John Ingham - Alfa Giulia Super
Peter Barker/Willy Cave - Morris Mini Cooper 'S'
Ross Butterworth/Ali Procter - Ford Escort
Top 20 Endurance Cars

Nigel Bramall/Roger Close - Vauxhall Corsa
Karl O'Donoghue/Allan Dorman - Rover 200
Rob Navin/Ian Varney - Nissan Micra
Mike Dawson/Ben Dawson - Rover 214
Paul Heal/David Harris - MG ZR
Steven Sawley/Rob Johnson - MG ZR
Robin Eyre - Maunsell/Peter Scott - Nissan Micra
Phillip Boothroyd/Colin Child - Vauxhall Corsa
Constant Busch/Yasar Jabbar - Daihatsu Sirion
Tom O'Connor/Vincent Fagan - MG ZR
Myles O'Donoghue/Frank O'Donoghue - Rover 25
Peter Bray/Andrew Bray - Vauxhall Corsa
Paul Bloxidge/James Bloxidge - Nissan Micra Sport
Rob Evett/Richard Morris - Vauxhall Nova
Chris Armstrong/Leigh Armstrong - Peugeot 106
Trevor Skinner/Stephen Harrison - Nissan Micra
Ian Bankhurst/Colin Marshal - Citroen C2
Peter Brace/Allan Pettit - Vauxhall Corsa
Paul Stevens/Alan Smith - Rover 25
David Leader/Stephen Wright - Rover 25

Sample Regs from "AUDI Southwest Endurance Rally 2009"

Exterior

Cars must have bodywork that represents the manufacturer’s original profile, as in standard or manufacturer’s optional extra form. All bodywork panels must be of the material provided as standard by the car manufacturer. Front and rear bumpers must be retained and be of the same material and dimensions as those fitted by the manufacturer. The fitting of additional wheel arch extensions is prohibited. Cars may not be lightened from the manufacturer's standard production weight.
Strengthening of the bodyshell is permitted. De-mountable strut brace(s) may be fitted. Detachable sump guards, transmission, fuel tank and silencing system protection plates may be fitted. Bonnet, door and rear door/hatch locks may be changed and additional catches fitted. In the interests of safety, self locking door mechanisms should be disabled and glass sunroofs should be plated over.
following Technical Regulations clarify how these are to be applied for the 2009 South West Endurance Rally.

Inteerior

All major internal trim must remain as originally supplied by the manufacturer. The exceptions are:- full harness belts must be fitted; a roll cage must be fitted; the steering wheel may be replaced; the front seats may be replaced; rear seats may have their backs folded down and securely fastened (or cut only where necessary to allow the fitting of the roll cage and seat belts); parcel shelves may be removed; trim and carpets behind the rear seats in the boot space may be removed; inside door
panels may be reshaped to accommodate roll cage door bars or substituted by an alternative panel from a model variant; safety air bags may be removed or disabled; additional instruments, switches and controls may be fitted providing the layout of the original components is not changed; interior accessories may be added to improve comfort, convenience or safety, provided they do not affect the performance of the car. The glass areas of the car must not be rendered opaque except for the
sunstrip area.

This is a new way forward in providing cheaper motorsport events at a cheaper cost of preparation and participation in these challenge economic times.

We look forward to 2011

NoelD

from the Endurance Team

If you visit www.almc.ie you will find some updated information on the Endurance Rally 2011, along with a promo video and a photo gallery from the 2008 Audi South West Endutrance event. This will give you a good view as to the cars that are eligible, as there is some mis information being given.

There are very specific classes for the event and only full endurance spcification cars can win the overall award.

The Endurance application and regulations have been drafted and are before the relevant committees for approval . We are confident of final approval before November and ALMC will then be holding an information evening, at which some endurance spec cars that reside in Ireland ,along with some other cars that meet the requirements, will be present.

All information on this will be available from www.almc.ie , keeping checking for updates.

Noel D
ALMC Endurance Organising Team

These sound like an interesting event, and its good that there is a class for non conforming cars. Given the economic climate, this will help get the sport off the ground as a lot of people mightn't have the funds (even though its relatively cheap in motorsport terms) to build cars for it. Well done lads and I wish ye the best of luck with it.

Looks like Retro Class was designed for my old Golf! I'd be keen to have a go!

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Eoin O'Curry