Racing classes

[DreamCatcher]

What classes are available to race a 70 MGBGT all the way from stock trim to fully modified chassis, body, suspension, Engine and transmission. I'd prefer not to go in straight lines or making a bunch of lefts .. not much fun for a bitish car to go straight.

I have a non-'pure' BGT to work with ( mazda swap attempt ) SO....Modifications I'm considering are a Kent 1600 or Zetec swap ( if it will fit ) , full cage, seats, disc brakes in rear, full suspension uprates ( possibly jag IRS rearend ) standard skirts and spoilers/valences a sebring kit so I can fit big ole tires, and a fuel cell.
Any ideas what classes are going to be availble to run in and links to any applicable regulations so i can build to suit would be awesome .. thanks in advance.
-D

 

[aeronca65t]

If you do that engine swap, it will be a neat streetcar, but you'll put yourself in a funny position classwise (as far as real wheel to wheel racing or autocross is concerned).
I have noticed that, over the past 30 years) officials at race/SOLO events tend to put "engine-swap" cars in a class where they are not really competative....that may not be true everywhere, but it's what I've seen. This is especially true of the SCCA...the only really large club in your area (as far as I can tell).
If you really want to do this, you should contact your local SCCA and see what they have to say. If you were on the east coast (I'm not really sure, but I assume "PNM" is "pacific northwest") I'd recommend our club (EMRA)because we might be more low-key about this type of swap. In Michigan, RG and Bugeye58 are part of a low-key club at Waterford Hills that might be similarly accomodating. There is a track club in New Mexico that might let your car run with this setup...the SCCA tends to be less flexible. Maybe you should move!
You might be able to run in a NASA event, but again, I'd guess you'de be classed in a group where you end up in last place:

https://www.nasaproracing.com/norcal/

I know there are hillclimb events in your area: some of these groups may allow an engine swap car without severe penalty classwise...dunno.

Anyway, here's what I'd say: put a proper MGB engine in it and run it in vintage events. You'll have a ball and even with a stock motor, you can have fun (I do). The SCCA in your area (Cal, Washington, Oregon) has "vintage" classes that would welcome you. They probably will not welcome a "swapped-engine" car.

https://www.oregonscca.com/vintage/vint.html

 

[Mark Beiser]

If you plan on autocrossing, don't do the engine swap unless you want to be classed with actual race cars.

Its best to determin what sort of racing you would like to do with the car and build the car to meet the requirements for it.

Even wheel and tire sizes can put you in a faster class than you, or your car, are prepaired to compete in...

 

[Baxter]

These days, if I've got my facts straight, Bs are generally classed in F stock, street or prepared. Even prepared is likely to have a problem with an engine swapped, IRS B.

As others have said, get a copy of the rulebook, figure out which class sounds best, then build the car to that class. Sounds like F prepared is your best bet for what you want and where the car is now, but you're in for tough competition, I think.

 

[William]

Most Bs fall into FP, I believe, as do TRs and Alpines. Smaller cars like Spridgets and Spits go into G or HP. I tend to agree that the engine swap is a bad idea unless you just want to go out and race around and don't care about results or classification. Unless the engine is totally shot, a heck of a race mill can be built from the MGB engine.
-Wm.

 

[Bugeye58]

B's and BGT's are currently eligible in both E and F production in the SCCA. The E cars get more carburetion, and a five speed. Neither are particularly competetive. A good 1275 Sprite in F will run better lap times.
But, if you just want to have fun, and don't care about trophies, then maybe building it for one of those classes would fill the bill. Or, check in with one of the Vintage organizations and see what is available.
Oh, by the way, Nial, Waterford conforms to the SCCA GCR regarding class rules.
Jeff

 

[DreamCatcher]

I dont have the original mill .. I could probabaly find a nice longblock to build up.
This was a previous owners attempt at a Mazda rotary swap due to a blown original engine.

This would be a track only car. And I think I would prefer to take it to the limits.

I dont care to win a lot of competitions, but simply run in them. What cars would I be competing against with a full engine swap and IRS etc? are we talking about turboed vehicles with carbon fiber bodies and or frames or what???

BTW Thanks you for all your helpful information.

-D

 

[NW_SpriteGuy]

If you're interested in the rules, philosophy, and technical aspects of building different types of race cars and racing in the SCCA, try the following website:

www.coloradoscca.org/prodcar


-DR (Also from the great PNW)